thanks for reading and your comment . . .
DENVER
MY TIME IN SAN QUENTIN PRISON . Update 3/9/25
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Feb 10, 2017
0
#43
Love the idea of having chess related stories posted here in the forum. Great Job
Feb 11, 2017
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#44
Thanks for reading and commenting . . .
DENVER
Here is another chess memoir of mine . . . click on it . . .
bye
That was scary and amazing
Feb 12, 2017
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#46
. . @ ao_charmander
Thanks for the read and your comment . . .
DENVER
Feb 13, 2017
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#48
Thanks for reading and commenting . . .
I was a beginner team player and I used to say check loudly and banged the piece down as psychological gesticulation intimidation, . . As a means to get to my opponents mind . . . I was playing a "C" rated opponent on the lowest board and I was unrated . . .
Of course I have matured and if I do I say it like a gentleman . . . I teach beginning chess and I have the students say it because their opponent might not see it . . .
later I have them stop . . . especially in the five minute speed where you can take the king if left in check . . .
DENVER
Feb 13, 2017
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#50
I was probably 17 When I joined his club. . . . he got me to play blindfolded so I wouldn't get fired for playing chess . . .
He was a great friend . . .
DENVER
Is it true that Koltanowski had a tattoo on his left arm?
Jun 7, 2017
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#53
@ xxdragonxxyz
Thanks for reading and the comment . . .
If the king moves to f8 after the double check then it's immediate mate . . .
1. Nxf7+ Kg8 2. Nh6++ Kf8. 3. Qf7# mate+
Go back and check it out . . .
This smothered mate is as old as the hills . . .
DENVER
Nice story and I'm pleased to read that you've mellowed over the intervening years.
Jun 11, 2017
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#56
@ Supatag
Thanks for reading and commenting . . .
55 does mellow you out . . .
DENVER
Jun 11, 2017
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#57
I find it a sadening story.
You or anyone would end up in jail for so many reasons, including car accidents and many other stupid events. Alternatively, and for similar stupid reasons, one can end up in psychiatry. Anyone curious, (but why should they be curious when they like to believe it's all dangerous criminals and serial killers), can Google the stuff, and find many, many true stories about how one can end up locked in without having been actually involved in any intended criminal activities.
Anyway, if that was going to happen to any of us, and I talked with enough people in my life to know what I'm talking about, you'd end up having to draw a chess board on some sheet of paper, or carton, if you're lucky, then spend some time darkening half of the squares. Probably with a pencil. Next step is to draw and cut the pieces, then colour half of them so they'd be black pieces. Good luck for the cutting... It's feasible, but very tedious.
Then, all you need is an opponent, right? Well, chances are, even if you're only 1300-1400, you're, by far, the strongest player in the place. And every game will be a "pick up pieces" party, boring and tedious. In psychiatry, you'll have to play under influence of meds, and face opponents thinking 10 minutes to play the grossest blunder every time.
So, you bet "Jim", or any prisoner getting the chance to play real chess on a real board with real pieces, gets a "holiday" from jail, as when you're in the game, you forget where you are, hey. The attitude of that imaginary player visitor is of course unbearable and rude, on top of being against the rules of both chess federations and fair play. If Jim happen to be in the "low security" section, you bet he can behave.
The sadest part is the external player never coming back for more games, because he's such a coward, a hypocrite full of prejudice, and has less self control than "Jim".
Beside that, the story is well written and entertaining.
Jun 11, 2017
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#58
@ Icare001
. . . Thanks for reading and commenting . .
I am the person that made a decision not to come back To San Quentin Federal prison . . . There were more clubs that went there to play them, even my Daly City club continued to participate . . . I continued to play match games at normal venues . . San Quentin had an active chess club with real boards and pieces . . . it also had a international master Geo Koltanoswki that headed their club. . . eventually they allowed women inmates to participate. . . The level of the players were from beginners unrated or like Jim rated "C" who played me unrated to B,A, Exper, EXPERT +, master, The only players not allowed were the high risk inmates and those waiting on death row . . .
They are not in pathetic straits as you described in your comments . . . They have access to libraries, daily free time, work, and learning . . .
No need to be insulting to get any point across especially since you don't even know me . . .
DENVER
Jun 11, 2017
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#59
Not every jail has such things. Many jails around the places, are 100 men jails, with just a library, a "gaming/TV" room accessible 1 hour a day, and a simple promenade courtyard.
Jun 11, 2017
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#60
I'll add to that, that I hope you amended your foul ways, because players acting like you did is the shame of every decent chess club in the World. You do that in cafés, playing loud blitz for a dollar, not in a rated official game.
I'm happy and proud I've made "bite the dust" to such a "wannabe psychological killer" guy once, in a very decisive game, as you can read in my very first blog article,
OTB competition advices for beginners (chapter 1) Know the rules (part 1)
"...So, here is the thing: my opponent was some of a swindler: he was used to play blitz for money in cafés, and was not ashamed to use any psychological trick to embarrass or trouble his opponent..."
and in the beginning of the second blog for the description of the FIDE rules he broke and why his punishement has been so harsh and merciless.
"...you shall not disturb your opponent in any way, which my opponent did..."
https://www.chess.com/blog/Icare001/otb-competition-advices-for-beginners-part-1
https://www.chess.com/blog/Icare001/otb-competition-advices-for-beginners-part-2
I enjoyed your story ,your writing had me at the scene, this line with the guard hooked me for the whole story.
The guard smile and says, "If there is trouble like a riot, since you are wearing black pants and a white shirt, we know that we aren't going to shoot you. We will shoot only those wearing prison blue."
"Now I know all of it makes sense to me!"