Yes, ladies and gentlemen, even Susan Polgar is not immune. I read an article from Susan's Blog this morning about her new blog layout. I couldn't help but giggle at the little note as I read it because it's the same way I feel when I'm changing something with chessvine.

The previous layout of this blog was done a while back and it is not really so efficient with so much wasted space. Therefore, I decided to give it my amateur shot to "enhance" it. I personally find this layout a little easier to read and follow. I am not done yet as I am still playing with various features. But I hope you like the new format as well.

TeeHeeHee. Susan is such a consummate professional you'd never think of her taking an 'amateur shot' at anything. Even she's human I guess ... she just lends the appearance of a chess goddess.

Good luck with your changes, Susan. I look forward to the final result of Susan's Blog 2.0.

I was reading a recent article on the Chessmind Blog and I thought I'd pass this along ...

Even Pocket Fritz is too strong
One of the approximately 30,000 events this August finished a few days ago, the Mercosur Cup in Villa Martelli, Argentina. It wasn't a super-GM event, but was a respectable Category VII tournament with an average rating of 2410. The winner? Pocket Fritz 3, scoring 8-2 (six wins, four draws) and achieving a 2690 TPR. I hope tournament directors of open Swisses are taking note.

the 2008 Mercosur Cup was essentially dominated by the little silicon monster (those who didn't lose outright could only draw). I'm comforted that at least it didn't plow through the competition. However, what if someone at a State level tournament used one of these to cheat? Would we stand a chance? I doubt it.

Blackstone Valley local news online reported the following this past Sunday ...

Sunday, August 10, 2008
Check! — and mate!
Cable TV show aims to educate

By Anna L. Griffin TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

FITCHBURG—The game of life can be played on a board that contains 64 squares and holds 32 pieces.

So say George Mirijanian and Martin Laine of the Wachusett Chess Club’s “Chess Chat” television program.

“Chess Chat” is produced at the studios of Fitchburg Access Television by the members of the Wachusett Chess Club. It airs on local cable; however, several of the episodes have been posted on FATV’s Web site and can be viewed online at the FATV on-demand video section. The show has gained some notice, and was mentioned on a blog by grandmaster Susan Polgar who, among her many achievements, has won four world championships and is a five-time Olympic champion.

“Chess is like life,” Mr. Mirijanian said. “There are seemingly limitless combinations with regard to the moves that can be made. You have to use your intelligence to play, devise a strategy and map out tactics. There are many things the game can teach you.”

“Chess is a game that all ages can enjoy and be engaged in,” Mr. Laine said. “People of different ages can play together and have an equally challenging and enjoyable experience.” The club started producing the program in September 2006. “It was one of those things,” Mr. Mirijanian said.

“People in the club thought we should do something on FATV to help promote chess, promote what the club does, and finally, we did something.” As Mr. Mirijanian is the program director of the Wachusett Chess Club and is a certified by the United States Chess Federation as a tournament director and Mr. Laine is club champion, the co-hosting responsibilities fell to them. Both men have been involved in chess for many years.

Mr. Mirijanian traces his interest in chess back to the 1950s; Mr. Laine, to the 1970s. “At first we did programs about the game itself, such as what the pieces are, how they are moved, those types of things,” Mr. Mirijanian said.

of course us real chess enthusiasts have only been able to find the information thanks to Susan's Blog.