Saturday, September 12, 2009

TCG Beats FM

I could tell you about the bumpy landing, or the same sinister skies that greeted me this morning, the same ones that I left behind 5 years ago during my last visit; or I could tell you about all the beautiful women that roam around Melbourne's back alleys; I could tell you about the shopping on Chapel St, or maybe the civilised bar scene as well as the European style public transport system that leave Sydney's versions in abject shame.

No, I won't tell you about all those things that I see here on my visit to Melbourne.

The only news that matters today is this. Yours truly beat local FIDE master Michael Baron in the last round of the Melbourne Chess Club Saturday Allegro to share first place with 5.5 points from 7 games. I'm so excited that I can't even remember the name of my co-winner!

Anyway, we're off to the Gypsy Bar, the event's very kind and very appropriate sponsor.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well done.

Your co-winner's name is Chris Kolak.

hairulov chessmaniacs said...

Congrat TCG...now people know that u can also "play"

Shaun Press said...

Given how devalued the FM title has become over the years, is beating one really that much of an achievement?

The Closet Grandmaster said...

As I understand it, Michael got his title the 'old-fashioned' way.

- TCG

Jimmy said...

What do you mean by "old-fashioned way". Does that mean there is a new way?

Anonymous said...

The "old-fashioned way" was to maintain your Elo rating above 2300 for a minimum of 30 games (2100 for wfm). FIDE have changed the rules now so you only need to hit the magic 2300, not maintain your grading there for any period. There are various other ways of obtaining FM titles - usually by winning specific events or achieving a certain score in them - in general you'll find the rating performance necessary is over 2300. The Oceania subzonal is a rare exception to this!