"Am I good at it?,I've got medals for it"

[KrisLetang]

One of the players in Washington Sq Park recently told me that tourney might have to be moved from Turkey, Pineapple. Did you ever see the "Comedians in cars getting coffee" with Michael Richards? I like the part when he talks about those Chess Savants...really interesting.

[OwlsFan]

Ten years on, and I'm heading off to Turkey in October to play in the actual Champions League in chess. :)

How did you get on ?

[the 12 th man]

Fencing for me.

One Intervarsity team title
One Colours team title
Second in the Junior Nationals
(all for sabre)

Took part in an epée tournament once on the College B-team (making up the numbers) and came up against a British veterans’ team – not one of them a day under 60 and all ex-Olympic, World Championships or Commonwealth Games fencers or a combination of these. I lost 5-0, 5-0 and 5-1. The only fella I hit took silver in the European Veteran’s Championship a month later. I’m counting that hit!!

(Thanks for the bump, OF)

You were foiled:rolleyes::)

[pineapple stu]

How did you get on ?
About as well as could be expected really! 35th of 36 teams (we were seeded 34th) I only won 1 of my 5 games. Besiktas and Valerenga were among the teams who thumped us. When Besiktas won the Turkish chess league, they got to parade the trophy around the pitch at the get hand.

For comparison, 16 of the top 32 players in the world were there. And a lot of the weaker teams - Scottish, Welsh, Albanian clubs, etc - didn't travel for security reasons, so twas always going to be tough.

On the plus side - all-inclusive retort hotels in Turkey do mean it; free beer all week!

Tournament was about 30 miles outside Antalya, where Ireland play Turkey soon. I didn't get in to the town, but others who did said it was a nice spot.

[Eminence Grise]

16 of the top 32 players in the world were there.

A man is known by the company he keeps. My hat's off to you.


You were foiled:rolleyes::)

Only by my knees in later life! These days, I'd gladly exchange them with Paul McGrath!