Augsburg\Hastings

[Craig Pritchett]

I have only skimmed one or two of Steve's games but he clearly merited his result and I'm impressed by the way that he seems to have worked very hard on his openings, particularly with White. It is an excellent result and shows clear signs of potential to do even better.

Re: the "retired Belgian FM" who Calum earlier notes was destroying the field at Augsburg, I can confirm that this is Jan Rooze (b 1947), who's been a great friend at recent world senior championships!!

For those who don't think chess has anything remotely to do with "sport", I can assure you that Jan is an extremely fit 65 year-old, who trains frequently in gymns, swims regularly and walks, jogs and hikes as much during tournaments as he prepares with modern computer technology, in which he is also expert! His success in winning at Augsburg doesn't surprise me!

[Matthew Turner]

Just come back from the Vandoeuvre (Nancy) Open. A really cracking tournament where everybody was really friendly. Absolutely typically French; There a small cafe run by the chess club, but you couldn't get away with anything less than a four course meal for lunch. Definitely recommend this one to anyone planning to play over the New Year period

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.vandoeuvre-echecs.com/tournois.php">http://www.vandoeuvre-echecs.com/tournois.php</a><!-- m -->

[D-Oswald]

Looks like a nice wee tourney Matthew! Was it fairly easy to get there?

[Matthew Turner]

Getting back was a pain for me because I had to be back for work Monday morning and I was late arranging travel. If you book early and go on Eurostar then it is very easy.

[Phil Thomas]

Getting back was a pain for me because I had to be back for work Monday morning and I was late arranging travel. If you book early and go on Eurostar then it is very easy.

A few months ago I spent some time looking for the optimum way to use Eurostar for a journey starting in Scotland. I found (and used) this route.

(1) Fly Easy Jet to Luton.
(2) Catch the Easy Bus coach to Victoria.
(3) Get out a few miles before Victoria at Baker Street.
(4) Tube to KIngs Cross = 3 stops on the circle line.

[Matthew Turner]

I did wonder if travel might be different coming from Scotland. The route you took sounds like a bit of a nightmare to me. I would still suspect that given enough time, thus being able to take advantage of discounts for advance booking that getting to a mainline station and taking the train would be the way to go.

[andyburnett]

train from (Glasgow to) Edinburgh direct to Kings Cross sounds more sensible to me?!

[D-Oswald]

Yea surely a direct train would be the easiest. Certainly something to look into for next year!

[David G Congalton]

Fly easyjet to Luxembourg (from Gatwick I think) and then it's just over an hour on the train from there.