Otisear Otis,
I am having problems posting so I am writing this out, I think I know where I messed up (that is twice, three times I am out!), Before I go any further, I am not cheating, I think my son closed my game without saving it and that is why I am getting messed up, before we go any further this is what I have, you check it out and make sure we are on the same board:

Row 1: Qb1, Ke1, Rh1
Row 2: Pa2, Pd2, Pe1, Pf2
Row 3: Pc3, Nf3
Row 4: Pc4 (your pawn), Pe4 (your pawn), Bg4
Row 5: Pb5, Pd5
Row 6: Pa6, Nh6 (I dont know why I thought it was a pawn)
Row 7: Ra7, Qe7, Pf7, Pg7, Ph7
Row 8: Nb8, Rf8, Kg8
Are we on the same board? Let me know, because I can't tell it to you now, but after we finish the game I will let you know where I was coming from. Peace, Darlene

Aaaah! - we're back onboard again (as it were).

What you've described agrees with what I've got. That makes it your move (which will be move number 24).

*brainwave* - I haven't played by correspondence before, but I guess it would be safer to number the move when talking about that move in isolation. Frinstance - your queen's first move would be:

9. Qxc1

...my queen's first move would be:

5. ... Qe7 (the three dots showing that it's a black move).


OK - do your wurst!!


cheers - otîs


[ps - received your email OK. Still bounces when I try to reply. I'll look for a webmail alternative, at least to mail out.]

Ok, I am glad we are on the same page now, I swear I am not cheating, I think my game was closed without saving, well for move 24 I am confused, I will leave it up to you, tech. I should still move my rook (which you can take with your pawn, even though I was mistaken, a move is a move, even if it is a bad move, but you seemed upset when I took your knight, so I will choose a different move and if you agree with me that I should move my rook as before I will move back, I hope you understand what I am saying!)
Move 24: Nh4 (or Rh6, it is up to you)

ps, if my move was right in the last game I could of had you check mate in two moves now I have to refigure my moves!

Hmmmm - it's been a long day at this end - 2 o'clock Sunday morning right now. Not sure that I understand your message 100%. In any case, Nh4 looks like your better move, so why not go from there...

24. Nh4 Nxg4

I keep forgetting you are a day ahead of me! I was in bed by 8pm here (after working four straight days I can't stay up anymore, I guess I am getting old!)
25: Nf5,
I somehow knew you were taking my B, but at least my knight is safe, for now).
If you want to get some sleep, we can get on later in the day, (your night). Peace, Darlene

Nah - let's press on. I'm onto something here!

25. Nf5 Qf6

btw - which time zone are you in?

26 Ng3, damn, I thought you'd be too tired to notice! LOL,
I don't know the time zone issue, never paid attention to that in school! but it is Sat. 9/20/03 and it is 12:30 in the afternoon.

26. Ng3 Qxf2+ ("plus" sign = check)

So, sounds like the USA - over in the east somewhere? (Hope that doesn't seem too nosy.)

27: Kd1, I kinda knew you were going to move the queen there,
No, you aren't being nosy, I live in Delta, Ohio, it is a small town I love it, I'm not much for the large cities.

27. ... Qxg3

Yeah - Sydney's getting a bit too big these days (close to 5 million, I think). Trouble is: they're all out on the road at once. Every one of them's a mug lair driver except me, of course! *lol*

Hey - give me a nudge if I leave that long diagonal leading to h7 unguarded :-)