Morphy Chess Fetival In Iowa

Is anyone here planning on going.? Bob Long is going to have a couple IM's up there in Iowa this October 24-25th I believe. I read mixed reviews of Bob's past Chess Festival's. Some liked it & others were unimpressed. I hope this time its a success.!

Hi, there is no chess festival this year.  GM Simon WIlliams was going to be the big headliner along with IM Martin and FM Shibut who is an expert on Morphy history.   That all ended when Bob had a terrible car accident on July 4.  He is now recovering but is in no shape to proceed with the festival.  Two days of lectures and a simul by GM Williams playing the King's gambit if you so chose.  Was going to be a great time.  

He is the only one that ever even attempted anything like this.  This was going to be his best one and his last one. He stated in an early news letter that he will not reschedule it for next year. 

Anyone ho wants to drop him a line of encouragement and a speedy recover...Bob can be reached at  info@chessbutler.com

Thanks for the info Mike.! I hope Bob will be OK. It sure sounded like it was going to be a fantastic chess festival with the IM,GM & FM guys scheduled to attend.!!

I was so looking forward to going to the chess festival. I know it would have been worth more than the entry fee. Just the swag bag and the morphy medal alone would have been worth easy 1/2 the admission. Also there were serious collectors there that would have items for sale and swap on tables at the festival.  I also hear GM Simon Williams is probably one of the most entertaining and funny Grandmaters of them all.  

Are you guys from Iowa?

To my knowledge, none of those writing are from Iowa, myself included.

This thread leads nowhere from the topic.

Bob Long, the fellow running it, passed away.

Yes the thread is from 2015. Bob had to cancel a couple of the Festivals, one due to health and the other due tio Simon being sent back to the UK when he got to Detroit airport for lack of a work permit. His last Chess Workshop was in May 2019 with IM Andrew Martin, it was fantastic.

RIP Bob.....he passed in 1/2020 John Hartmann has a farewell to him in Chess Life

Bob Long's obituary

Such a terrible and tragic end to Mr. Long’s life. I did not know him and can only hope that his loved ones can find some measure of peace knowing how many lives he touched. May Bob rest in peace as well.