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Clint Holmes in Las Vegas
Voted the "Best All Around Entertainer in Las Vegas," Clint
Holmes is a must see when you visit Las Vegas. The show is a
uniquely composed blend of vocal style, improvisation and
excitement. No other show in Las Vegas offers the...
Cruising with the Mouse – Disney Cruise Line
There’s magic in everything that team Disney touches and their cruise line is no exception. Michael Eisner himself commissioned a talented group of ship designers, cruise experts and Disney creators to produce cruise ships that would appeal to...
Las Vegas RV Rentals -
Nevada is home to the Pony Express, cowboys, pioneers, and, of course, Las Vegas. Perhaps the easiest way to see all of Nevada that interests you is to rent an RV and tour the state how, when, and wherever you like.
The most frequently rented...
Mexico Cruises - Fun in the Sun?
Cruises. That word brings visions of sun, fun, food and maybe a hint of decadence. Now consider Mexico cruises... and add in the exotic, tropical, and a sense of the old world.
Mexico cruises come in a variety of shapes, forms and sizes. You can...
The Railroad, A Book, And A Dam
A hundred years ago Branson, Missouri was just a patch of
wilderness in the quilt of the Ozarks. Then along came the
railroad, a book and a dam and now Branson is known as "Little
Las Vegas."
1903 brought the railroad to Branson. This...
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Playing Chess In Russia – The Agony Of Victory
Russians have a thing for chess and, frankly, are very good at it. Being from San Diego, I thought chess was something you put photo albums in.
Playing Chess
Playing chess requires thinking ten or twelve steps ahead. If I wanted to understand the Russian mind, I had to learn to play chess. If nothing else, it would be a good way to pass the time. This I was told by Robert, an American living in the same town as me.
I wasn’t particularly excited about learning, but gave in one day after growing tired of staring out the window. I had seen the movie, “Searching for Bobby Fisher”. What more could I possibly need? How hard could it be?
After beginning the game, Robert took pity on me after I apparently made some moves that were questionable. He explained why he was making particular moves and the resulting implications for my king. The game proceeded slowly while he explained strategies to his inattentive student. Then the magic moment occurred.
I imagine every teacher suffers from the occasional embarrassment of being outdone by a student. I like to call it beginner’s luck and invoke the empirical evidence at horse racing tracks and Las Vegas casinos. If you’re a first timer, you will always win. It doesn’t matter if you’re betting on a horse because of the color scheme or hitting on black jack while already holding 19 in your hand. It just happens.
With our chess game, Robert had made a particular move and was in the process of explaining it. I sat staring at the board and thinking deep thoughts, which is to say I was wondering what was for dinner, etc. Just then, I noticed something
on the board, moved my rook and declared, “Checkmate!”
Robert stared at the board. Then he started laughing. Then he wanted to play again. Being a good sport, I immediately announced my retirement as a chess player.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t leave my victory alone and gloated to a few people about it. Make no mistake, Robert would beat me a million times if we played a million games, but you have to live in the moment!
Within a few days, karma struck and I began to pay for my gloating. People would start showing up at my apartment with chessboards and, of course, vodka. The games were so laughably one-sided it was ridiculous. Typically, I would make two moves and then hear “Sah!” which I believe meant “check!” in Russian.
My humiliation occurred more or less every day for roughly a month. Some of the victorious would even come back for a second pounding. Finally, I had to take the dramatic step of refusing to answer the door.
In the end, I set the game of chess back a few hundred years and Robert had his vengeance.
About the Author: Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals. Travel journals are great travel accessories and travel gifts for student travel, family vacations and adventure travel. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more travel articles.
Source: www.isnare.com
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