reyes & chess

[lewdo26]

Barouty?

I once heard through the rumor mill that Efren was a world class chess player, but two different top chess players whom I know disagreed when they watched him play. Though he is a serious chess player, he is a good, not great, chess player. For those who understand chess ratings, according to a friend of mine who teaches chessand who has watched Efren play, Efren's probably in the 1800 to 1900 range.

The only guy I know of who is championship caliber in both pool and chess is Danny Barouty of Queens, NY.

Hey, SJM. It would be hard to make the claim that Barouty is a championship caliber chessplayer. I know all of them and I haven't spent a whole childhood and teenagehood away from pool and at the chessboard for nothing! I'll play either Barouty or Efren giving handicap on the clock. If I win, I'm willing to bet what I made on the pool table to make it even. I get 2 minutes to their 5 on the clock. They can bring their backers at will.

 

[sjm]

Hey, SJM. It would be hard to make the claim that Barouty is a championship caliber chessplayer. I know all of them and I haven't spent a whole childhood and teenagehood away from pool and at the chessboard for nothing! I'll play either Barouty or Efren giving handicap on the clock. If I win, I'm willing to bet what I made on the pool table to make it even. I get 2 minutes to their 5 on the clock. They can bring their backers at will.

Hey, Lewdo, hope you're well. Based on what I've read on this thread, Efren is about 1800, and Danny is 2250. If, as you suggest, you can give Danny a significant spot, you must be quite a player. Of course, if you are a top chess player, you probably know Danny quite well already, so i won't doubt your claim.

 

[lewdo26]

chess and pool

Hey, Lewdo, hope you're well. Based on what I've read on this thread, Efren is about 1800, and Danny is 2250. If, as you suggest, you can give Danny a significant spot, you must be quite a player. Of course, if you are a top chess player, you probably know Danny quite well already, so i won't doubt your claim.

Hi, sjm. All is well, and I hope the same is the case with you. Danny's rating is 2235 per the FIDE website. I actually remember him from my hustling days at Washington Square Park. My best result at chess was a win against Alexander Shabalov (at a simultaneous exhibition) who was then among the top 70 chessplayers in the world. The equivalent of, say, Chohan in the pool world. Back then, I would have been a strong 2300. All of that is respectable but you can only claim to be a top chess player if your rating is about 2700. The only player in New York fitting that description would be Gata Kamsky, originally from Russia. A titled FIDE Grandmaster would play around the 2500 mark. For you to have an idea, there are about 2000 GMs in the world. So competition is stiff. If I had to guess, I'd say your chess friend is Joel Benjamin.
Still, it is good to know that one can be relatively accomplished at both pool and chess. I've been neglecting chess due to my dedication to pool, lately. But maybe I'll be able to find a balance.

 

[TheOne]

Hi guys, just a thought but I play quite a bit of chess at the online site: www.redhotpawn.com (great name and free). Its very good and allows players to play each other over the web (emails get sent after each move). If anyone fancies a game let me know - I have no idea of my FIDE rating but my highest ever rank on the site was around 200 out of over 50,000 registered users. Chess is the greatest game ever invented in my mind, self taught but would love to learn more.

 

[telkwa]

join FICS for great free chess.

 

[lewdo26]

Hi guys, just a thought but I play quite a bit of chess at the online site: www.redhotpawn.com (great name and free). Its very good and allows players to play each other over the web (emails get sent after each move). If anyone fancies a game let me know - I have no idea of my FIDE rating but my highest ever rank on the site was around 200 out of over 50,000 registered users. Chess is the greatest game ever invented in my mind, self taught but would love to learn more.

Hi, The One. There are several free sites to play chess in. One I'm frequently on is www.chessanytime.com - just look for lewdo26 and we can play a game. The very best sites are ICC and Chessbase. Those are paid but you aren't going to find anything like it. All the top players in the world play on them. I haven't checked redhotpawn.com in a while. Maybe I'll try again. If we play, however, you're gonna have to give me some pointers in snooker when you come to New York!
Take care.

 

[TheOne]

Hi, The One. There are several free sites to play chess in. One I'm frequently on is www.chessanytime.com - just look for lewdo26 and we can play a game. The very best sites are ICC and Chessbase. Those are paid but you aren't going to find anything like it. All the top players in the world play on them. I haven't checked redhotpawn.com in a while. Maybe I'll try again. If we play, however, you're gonna have to give me some pointers in snooker when you come to New York!
Take care.

Hi lewdo, I will check out the site but I have to say I like the redhotpawn site. To be honest though I'm trying to wind down my games at the moment given my pending departure. But if you want to give me a lesson before I leave look me up on rhp - user: craigariley. Obviously I would be more than happy to return the favour in NYC next year. Are there many snooker tables in NYC (full size / proper pockets)?