Indian Kareoke Christmas
Oh, Tannenbaum, oh Tannenbaum, wie gruen sind deine blaetter...etc
This German Christmas song was my contribution to the Christmas Kareoky at the Hotel Kanta Shrawan Palace, where we are both staying and playing. Timur Gareyev sang a sang in Russian and David Bennett, also from the USA sang a Hanuka song. Our contributions were mercifully short.
The Indians were represented by a professional singer, a Bank Director (sponsor), a former tabletennis champion, who promised me a game, and the wife of the tournament organiser, Mr Kapil Saxena. The Lady of the lakes, as well as all the other Indians put us to shame with their voices.
Ambulance Deathrace
If that sounds surreal then todays Incident was downright bizarre. I have had a cold for several days now and welcomed the offer to consult a doctor. I also informed him that for several weeks I have had a blocked ear. Although I mentioned that it was definitly not serious, a consultation with an E.N.T specialist was arranged. I amused myself by playing blitz with some local kids, two of whom belonged to the good doctor who had arranged my appointment.
Imagine my surprise when an ambuance arrived (converted mini-van)! Three of the organisers joined the two paramedics and driver and all seven of us sped off to the hospital with siren blazing at death defying speed through the crowded and chaotic streets of Bhopal. The only explanation I can think of is that the driver had seen my game from today and must have thought that anyone that plays so badly can only have minutes to live!
To my amazement we arrived without without death or even severe injury to anyone. Just some dizzyness and nausea from all the speedbumps which were totally ignored. I was then ushered into a consultation room to see a doctor, with my entourage in attendance. I was then examined by a doctor who reminded me of the female incarnation of the Bhudda from the tv show Monkey. After a thorough examination she diagnosed me with a middle ear infection, prescribed me three different types of medication, and we took our leave.
We were promised a more sedate return home, and although our new driver promised, after a few hundred metres, when we encountered traffic, he also was unable to restrain himself, turned on the siren and off we went.....
Next time I have a minor ailment in India, I think I'll just suffer in silence.
Round 7
I am again able to present games to you in replayer form thanks to instruction from Sagar Shah, journalist for Chessbase India. I will try to reenter the games lost from my previous replayer if I can find them..and when I get around to it.
This game was particularily annoying as it featured some of my perpetual weaknesses. 20...Kh7 is obviously played with the intention of continuing with f5. My first thought was to stop it with 21.Qa2, retaining a slight advantage and a pleasant position. Instead I gambled, miscalculated and with 25.Bd5 blundered into a mate. I had only calculated 25.... Qg5, forgetting that c2 is no longer covered.
Round 8
Todays game was even more painful evn though I drew. 19.Nd2 allowed black complete control and Black entered the ending exchange and pawn ahead. I got careless and thought I must be winning the pawn ending with the spare tempo, without calculating. Stupid, stupid , stupid!
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