the big match !!!

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Today me and my second son Paul, 15.5 years drove to Cleveland. Paul already has driving permit and I allowed him to be a primary driver for this trip.

Hence, if you read this, that means we all are alive and doing well. He is an excellent, just unexperienced driver, but I can predict that eventually he will be much better and safer driver than myself !

Anyway, in Cleveland we visited Agora Club (food and entetainment), meet with sponsors and movie crew members and finally visited CPL (Cleveland Public Library) and saw everything.

Only heavy rain stopped us to review several hotels which Dr. Richard Beckwith selected as potential candidates.

Paul was impressed and I was completely satisfied with everything I saw. In addition I eat the best ever pizza in my life during launch and conversation.

Dr. Beckwith also told me that Michelle Borghetti wanted hotel with kitchen room and probably may cook something. WOW.

On the way back during heavy rain Paul also drove most part of trip and I was sleeping - this was very beneficiary to both of us, because when we came home and I wokeup, Paul said: "Dad, It's so nice you was sleeping, because there were couple moments ..."

All for now,

Proud father
Alex Moiseyev

[Bill Salot]

Alex, Do your sons play checkers? Asa Long's sons had no interest in it. Bill Salot

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Alex, Do your sons play checkers? Asa Long's sons had no interest in it. Bill Salot

I have two sons and daughter. My old son Michael (28) played chess, took paid lessions in Russia and Pittsburgh, played in scholastic events in USA and had rating close to 2,100. However he didn't have enough competitive skills and character - he is more like excellent scientist researcher and analyst, not a sportsman.

Paul (15) is typical suburb boy and his interest has little with checkers or chess - band (trombone), drama club, debates, cars. He wants to e a doctor (neuro surgery), voluntering in hospital and spends alot of time trying to get a good scores and grades in high school.

Clara (12) is the only one who has all enough skills to be very successful chess and/or checkers player - she is very focused, straight, competitive, strong in math and calculations, have abstract imagination.

It is shame on me that I never worked seriously with Clara and teach her to play chess or checkers.

However today mainly her interest is on another planet - dancing, ballet, jazz, music, piano, clarnet. Recently in the ballet school she was transfer from amateur path to professional path. Clara is most amazing person with great imagination and potentials.

My wife always says that "one checkers player in family already exceed limit" ! Hard to argue.

[Bill Salot]

Congratulations! You are bringing them up right.
Bill Salot

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Match is getting closer and we are going to pre-final step - finalize things and arranging tickets for Michelle and Sergio. Probably Dr. Beckwith can update us more with development - he is in direct contact with Italian folks, I don't know much about all details.

My preparation goes smoothly and I hope i can provide Michelle good competition.

Contriutions to match can be done via ACF Store, many thanks in advance.

Respectfully,

Alex Moiseyev
checkers player

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Sergio Scarpetta won't be able to come to USA and another Italian gentleman will accompain to Michelle: Maurizio De Leo. They are coming to Cleveland on August 9, Tuesday and are leaving on August 26, Thursday. They also requested non-smoking room. Probably my information about Michelle Borghetti smoke was out of day or he quit smoke recently.

I'll be working on Friday, August 12 and after then will drive to Cleveland. I plan to leave several hours after last game.

Kelly D. Ross, CPL employee, plans to post some articles regarding match on Cleveland Public Library website.

[tommyc]

Now its your turn to quit the weed Alex and give your household a smoke freee zone.

[Jay H]

Sergio Scarpetta won't be able to come to USA and another Italian gentleman will accompain to Michelle: Maurizio De Leo. They are coming to Cleveland on August 9, Tuesday and are leaving on August 26, Thursday. They also requested non-smoking room. Probably my information about Michelle Borghetti smoke was out of day or he quit smoke recently.

I'll be working on Friday, August 12 and after then will drive to Cleveland. I plan to leave several hours after last game.

Kelly D. Ross, CPL employee, plans to post some articles regarding match on Cleveland Public Library website.

Thanx for the update, Alex..........
Borghetti is preparing, taking on practise matches, and I am sure you are studying......an exciting match-up with a new challenger (Borghetti) on the Checkers/Draughts world stage.
With John Acker providing the internet coverage, and the match taking place at the CPl, and on that stage...this may be the most watched Checkers Match ever.........

Looking forward to it

Regards

Jay "will be watching the match !!!!!!!!!!!! " H

[George Hay]

Jay, what do you think of a purse big enough so the winner walks away with at least $10,000 USD? That would add prestige to checkers. It would take a purse of $20,000. So in case of a draw, the Champion retains the Title, but the money is split 50/50. I did make a small contribution that I consider somewhat of a subscription. The ACF store has details. There is a psychology to money. I know 10 grand ain't what it used to be, but it still has a psychological impact. It would be good publicity. But whatever the prize money, this will be a great match! --George Hay

[Jay H]

I did make a small contribution that I consider somewhat of a subscription.....

So did I,...several months ago. And no matter how small, it is better than not giving at all....

There is a psychology to money.

Absloutely there is

I know 10 grand ain't what it used to be, but it still has a psychological impact.

10 grand is 10 grand.....in my world, that is a very nice "chunk o' change".....whether that kind of coin could actually be raised depends on how much people are willing to give.
The "holy grail" of corporate sponsorship may never come, but that is no reason to not dig into our own pockets to support the Champion players........
I do believe the game's organization NEEDS to focus on attracting newcomers, as without incoming players, the game's organization will dry up and die.....the game's history is littered with State, Regional and National organizations that are gone due to lack of support...
I personally believe we attract new, fresh faces to the game by PROVIDING FOR THE CHAMPION PLAYERS WE HAVE....let the newcomers see what they (the Champion players) receive, whether from some type of corporate sponsorship,(if it ever comes) or from the fraternity itself, when they become a champion player....make it something they will work for, and be WILLING to work for....because they want the prestige, the recognition, the respect, and THE MONEY that a Champion receives...........
It would be great if everyone gave something to make this a prize worth fighting for.....

It would be good publicity. But whatever the prize money, this will be a great match! --George Hay

Well stated...and an all around excellent post , George

Jay "schlubbin' in the heat" H

[Alex_Moiseyev]

John, my Russian checkers friends are interesting website address where they can watch my games with Michele Borghetti. Do we have link ready today ?

Keep in mind - there might be extra 150-180 (or more) kibitzors here across the world from several countries who will be watching your broadcasting. Depends on quality of your work they will make conclusion and judge checkers and our ability to run world calibre events.

From other news ... it seems like there will be more guests coming from Italy (4-6) to support Michele, including young and not young Italian players and FID officials. Richard Beckwith who is in close contact with Italy delegation and FID officers can provide more details.

Alex

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Match announcement on Cleveland Public Library website.

http://cpl.org/BooksMoviesMore/Collecti ... ament.aspx

=====================================================================================

John, I am wondering if broadcasting will also inlcude some "social" comments and interviews outside of playing room ? You can interview our Italian guests or just go outside to the street and ask any strtanger: what they know and think about checkers and world title match which is played few feets away It will be fun and interesting for broadcasting audience

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Important information ...

Nearest Wendy's:

5815 St. Clair Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44103

This is northeast of Agora near 55th St., maybe 1.5 miles from Agora.

Nearest McDonald's

1) E.55th & Superior
1540 E. 55th St.
Cleveland, OH 44109

About a mile from Agora, and I will pass this going to Wendy's

2) 600 Superior Ave E
Cleveland, OH 44114-2615

This is at 6th street and Superior. It is between library and hotel - very close.

Waffle House

Nothing close. Closest one is in the Willoughby 17 miles from Cleveland

36333 Vine St, Willoughby, OH 44094
(near Vine St. and Route 2 interchange on my map)

There are various restaurants scattered about downtown Cleveland and a food court inside Tower City (a few blocks West of library)

Michele Borghetti requested room with kitchen and probably plans to cook (?).

I will use Wendy for lunch and dinner and McDonalds for breakfast. Waffle House will be my bonus which I award myself in case of good win or hard draw.

John Acker wants to use Agora parking place and I will use hotel parking lot - not a cheap deal though: $15 per day.

First portion of Italian decant including Michelle Borghetti arrive late Tuesday and have few more days until Saturday for time zone adjustment and acclimatization. There will be there couple young Italian players to support Michelle and get exprience in Anglo-American checkers.

More later.

Alex

[Danny_Alvarez]

Important information ...


I will use Wendy for lunch and dinner and McDonalds for breakfast. Waffle House will be my bonus which I award myself in case of good win or hard draw.

Very few things beat a Mc Donald's breakfast....
In my case my belly attests to that... (i am carrying an extra 4 or 5 kilos and my once great looking stomach is now thankful that it is winter and can hide underneath layers of clothes)

good luck .... will try to watch a bit thanks to John ... may the best player win

cheers
Danny Alvarez

[rich beckwith]

Michele Borghetti and companion arrive late Tuesday night. Match begins on Saturday. A Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper article is expected tomorrow.

Match donations are still very much needed to make prize fund attractive. We are using different (non-Medina), more expensive, hotels to accommodate the players near this downtown Cleveland match venue. The checker community will eagerly await John Acker's daily feedback, but John will have travel/hotel/food expenses as well -- nothing is free, unfortunately (except the playing rooms, graciously provided by Cleveland Agora and Cleveland Public Library). Donations can be made via Paypal on ACF Store/Doantions page, or send check to me at 34490 Ridge Road #115, WIlloughby, OH 44094. Donations of at least $20 will get copy of annotated games, when booklet becomes available. Many thanks to the several who have already contributed.