I need to get internet for my house so I can make it onto someones list. Does anyone have a list for 'weekend visiting, oft ignored monkeys?' I was glad to see my buddy Rael up there and Ozzie and likeforests too. Nods to you fine folks who always seem to get something insightful posted. It kinda balances out my silly posts or my drawn out theory of endgame-out study that seems to be such a threadkill ; ) I second Amac's thanks to the many wonderful persons we have in the chess.com community.
Good chess
Mr Mike
As I see all of these recaps of 2008, I thought I'd do one of my own for my experience on chess.com. I joined back in late April looking for something that was a diversion to take my mind off of my immediate challenges but add value by sharpening my thinking if possible. Chess was a long afterthought from a handful of games that I played when I was a youth and just learning how the pieces moved and in the military I played a handful of times too. The total number of games I played until this year was probably under 50 and probably more like 30. Here at chess.com, I discovered chess in a whole new way with the many great players here and a whole world around chess that is just as satisfying as playing any game. Here goes a list of many thank you's:
Thank you Eric and Patzer and Baseballfan and whoever else we dont know working hard to keep make this site better and better. Your accessibility and activity in the community are really a bonus and it is great that your dream is not just about creating a great chess space but building a community. I am happy to be a premium member if for no other reason than I want to support you in your efforts.
Thank you Batgirl and dozy for the most interesting if offbeat blogs. There is something about your blogs that is always unique and interesting even if it is in a bizarre would I really want to know this kind of way. Still i have learned much about some not so recent but not ancient either history and Dozy's humor is uplifting even if it is offbeat.
Thank you Rael and ozzie_c_cobblepot and Hugh_T_Patterson for your well written and thoughtful posts on so many issues. Yes many of them are the same issues in new headings but your posts are always worth a read and always have something worthwhile to add to every discussion.
Thank you likeforests for some of the most education posts and blogs that are accessible to beginners and patzers to improve their games. Also your feedback on so many games is amazing. If someone takes the effort to examine a game and post it for review, likeforests has time to make an insightful comment into the play of the game.
Thank you Billium and Wallyjack for your enthusiasm and willingness to create tournaments and groups that encourage participation and you take time to actively encourage everyone (regardless of how annoying that can be on somedays). I dont know where you and people that I dont know like you get the energy or the time to be so active here but it is greatly appreciated.
Thanks to my many opponents who have taught me so much. Criswray, The Rooky, Boris, Cubanchess, Bodidharma, the guy who ran all the Fast and Furious tournaments (i really should know your name, i have something like 11 losses to you), and everyone else that gave me a good game win or lose. You have all helped me discover a great game and made me want to get better.
My friends always say I have a lot of esoteric knowledge. Imagine what they think now that i know a little bit about Tal, Capablanca, Tarrasch, Philidor, Steinitz, Staunton, Morphy, Nimzowitsch, Anand, Carlsen, Nakamura and others. Just more esoteric knowledge that will never make me rich or famous!
It has be a fun 2008 on chess.com and i hope that Eric and the team keep on in 2009! Best regards and happy new year!
Cheers.