True Guitar Hero

Your Leo Kottke fix.

Your Kids Playing Chess

Coach Lamarr Wilson and chess dad Phillip Turner have captured the action at the Ray School Chess Club beautifully. Want to see more? Go to Lamarr's flickr photostream. And see the "Wilson Warriors" at Lamarr's blog.

GM Simul Saturday

This just in from IM Angelo Young. If you'd like to try your luck playing chess against a grandmaster in a simultaneous exhibition, here's your chance.

Simul with GM Rogelio (Joey) Antonio

Who: GM Rogelio Antonio (2585)

When: November 22, 2008 (Saturday 10am- 2pm)

What: Simultaneous Chess Exhibition

Where: Touch Move Chess Center

Location: 5639 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago IL 60660

Phone: 773-627-2759

Format: Limit to the first 30 participant (rotation)

Fee: $20

Free Drinks & Snacks. Reserve your seat now Please call TMCC or Email : TMchesscenter@hotmail.com

Obama Palling Around with Chess Players?

More evidence has surfaced, beyond that already available, that Barack Obama’s administration will be the Chess Presidency. Friday’s New York Times confirmed that until the massive Secret Service security bubble closed in on him following his election, the president-elect got his hair cut at the Hyde Park Hair Salon, on Blackstone just north of 53rd Street. Those familiar with the neighborhood scene know that chess is played at that establishment, yet the obvious suspicion—that Obama may go to the salon to play chess—is never mentioned in the mainstream media. Why?

Considering that the Leader of the Free World can get his hair cut anywhere he wants, why does he go to this particular barbershop, if not to be around woodpushers? Is it just a coincidence that Obama patronized this salon? Are we to believe that the senator only went in for a trim and never once stopped to play a game of five-minute blitz? C’mon.

Let's face it: the 44th president likes chess.

You can understand why Obama has kept mum about his ties to chess. If his tenuous links to Billy Ayers were controversial during the campaign, imagine what would have happened had his connection to the Royal Game come to light. He would have been pilloried by the nation’s trogs, that's what. Just imagine: at the very moment he was being denounced as an elitist for his superior intelligence, Ivy League degrees, and impressive accomplishments, news of his affection for something as brainy as chess could have been the final nail in the coffin of his campaign. I can only assume it was a wish to keep his love of chess under wraps that led Obama to choose Joe Biden as his running mate rather than the obvious choice, Elizabeth Vicary.

By the way, if you want to reach Obama on his Blackberry, better do it soon.

He Does It Again

Ray School chess star Phillip Parker-Turner, winner of countless tournaments and trophies over the past five years, won another one today, finishing first in the 5th-grade section of the Illinois All-Grade Chess Championships. Congratulations, Phillip, on another triumph.

See Your Food—for Free

Click on the screen a few times to enlarge the slide show.

Take It Easy, But Take It

Rest in peace, Studs. And thank you for everything.