U16 Olympiad Istanbul

[David G Congalton]

David,
Its a family thing, havent you watched Ali play?

Jacqui

I try not to watch Ali play or, for that matter, Anna Milton. They both have a habit of hovering their hands over a pawn or piece and then seeming to think better of it and then deciding they were right after all and then maybe they're not.

I have to fight very hard to stop myself from

1. Expressing my opinion that they should "just move the piece!" or some similar phrase.

2. Walk over and slap them on the back of the hand with a suitable item such as a ruler.

3. Walk over and move the piece for them.

4. Shout "Thank God" when they finally make their move.

The complication of time trouble can almost push me over the edge, although it seems to have no effect on this pair of ice maidens, who do not appear to change their demeanour or the speed at which they play. It certainly gets the nerves jangling for this spectator and when it works out well it's like watching your team score in the dying minutes to win the cup. I'm that bit older now though, so I try not to watch these two when the clocks counting down, as I'm not sure that the increased stress is good for the heart at my age.

Unlucky this afternoon guys. Two rounds a day at this level must be tough. Good result for Zak though and with almost twenty minutes to spare.