He Never Got My Emails

August 21st, 2009

I tried very hard in the 2009 World Open and every night the stress gave me a different nightmare. I had battled to an even ending with Grandmaster Anatoly Lein in the first round. Anatoly played in 7 Soviet Championships. When Anatoly became a Grandmaster he was one of only 35. Anatoly is 75 years old like my Dad. When the final round started we were on adjoining boards. I had 5/8 and he had 4.5. I wished him luck - "My luck was 30 years ago." -GM Lein I battled to an even ending but Lein wanted to win. His second time control went down to 10 minutes. Maybe he thinks this is a Soviet Championship where he gets another hour at move 60?...Click For More  >>