I would just like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas. And maybe a few extra rating points for next year!

I know not everyone is as lucky as myself regarding a chess community and social events. I think it would be nice to know if you, your club, or of some event to mark the festive season is taking place in your respective home towns or local areas.

We here, touch many corners of the world. Our cultures may differ, but we are in many ways buddies - so please tell.

The club I co-run just held a no-fee Winter Chess Scholastic Tournament and gave away 50 USCF memberships in the process- it was an enthusiastic success.

Thank you for the seasonal wishes, Pobble- I hope you and yours also enjoy a Happy Holiday Season!

Thanks Kamus, and congratulations on the tourney Chess is the better for the hard work you, and those like you, do for us all - directly or indirectly we all benefit.

I just got a job. teaching chess, to kids !!
Now that's a MERRY Christmas !!

I know this is a bit off topic but...

Exchanging presents today.. my ex got The Lovely Bones. A nice girlie well thought out kind of cheap prez I thought - as you do.

And she shocked me,

with...

Kasparov on Kasparov signed by the man himself!

And I still have Santa to arrive yet...

I got a rock.

It could have been worse, a lump of coal !
I got Fritz 13 !!

Happy X-Mas to Pobble and everyone else here

My (chess) aspiration for 2012 is to become more active in OTB chess and hopefully to play my first FIDE tournament. I'm also considering giving some chess levels to beginners although I'm not sure if I'm really experienced/knowledgable enough for that.

Have a good one everyone! Soon time to do some last minute shopping

I just got a job teaching kids chess.
The future of America, is in the kids of today.
Do it, & you will make a difference !!

Thanks FlintEastwood. For teaching beginners the first time, I remember Whiskeytown had a good thread with lots of advice.

Whoa! Nice one!

I will be away the next few days. Christmas dinner and visit of my family. I became Uncle a few weeks ago (= my brother now has a daughter). and I will see my niche for the first time *excited*

Chesswise there would be a lot of possibilites to play a tourney. Actually, I could play a 7 round tourney from 27th to 30th followed by a 9 round tourney in the 1st week of January. Yea, this time of the year is always stacked with tourneys
Won't participate in any of them though this time.

Anyway, merry christams to all

If your girlfriend was up to snuff, she'd get Kasparov to sign that rock.

Thanks for the pointer Pobble, I'll check it out!