Base of operations , by: Victor Niederhoffer

[Alan Millhone]

Hello Everyone:

Mr. Niederhoffer posted this on his 'closed' Spec-List . I made a reply comment and he asked me to post his remarks on this forum for further comments. Aubrey is his three year old son. He and Tommie Wiswell were friends for decades along with other Checker and Chess players. Mr. Niederhoffer grew up in NYC . He is also our top and yearly supporter of the " Arthur Niederhoffer" youth tournament held each year the week-end before the ACF Nationals.

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation
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Quote," One of Wiswell's favorite things to say was " make sure you have a strong base of operations ". I find this true in all aspects of life. In the Market, it would involve the preparation for the investment or speculation. Certainly having all the equipment and getting in on time. And having the proper capital and vig relations. Certainly not being distracted. Tom liked to say after a game " Checkers is a game of architecture". The importance of a proper foundation in a building, a proper base relative to a tower, and proper communication between the various departments of the building is also clear.

I have been thinking of this subject in conjunction with a note I am going to send Aubrey on his third birthday. It is important to have a good base of operations in whatever you do. Always prepare in advance. Don't rush, plan what you are going to do. Don't act in haste. Make sure you take in the proper foods. That you get proper sleep. That you don't run around too much distracting yourself from the important essential goals to survive and prosper. Have a proper financial foundation. Be prepared for adversity. Put things aside in case things don't go as planned . Move forward when healthy. Develop your talents and get proper mentors, et al.

This thought leads me to something controversial. I am a very weak Chess player and my thoughts on it must be taken with many grains of salt. However I took lessons from Mr. Art Bisguier for about twenty years, and I have seen Mr. Adam Robinson and Dr. Vich play many games as well as watched many games in Brighton Beach where they played every day.

I think from my obeservations that Checkers provides many more life lessons than Chess because the rules are less specialized. Moving forward or backward, except when a opposing man is in front of you where you jump, is a very binary kind of thing from which all kinds of ultimate outcomes arise including its proximity to computers, electrical relays, and logic circuits which are also on or off 0, 1 systems, thus, I would recommend that Checkers is more helpful to kids to prepare for life than Chess. Vic

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All comments welcome to Dr. Niederhoffer's comments.

[liam stephens]

CHESS as a showy game may claim the sway.
But DRAUGHTS for depth will bear the palm away:
CHESS can be played by Philidor's though blind.
OUR GAME requires both sight and thoughtful mind.

John Drummond - 1851

[tommyc]

I have been thinking of this subject in conjunction with a note I am going to send Aubrey on his third birthday. It is important to have a good base of operations in whatever you do. Always prepare in advance. Don't rush, plan what you are going to do. Don't act in haste. Make sure you take in the proper foods. That you get proper sleep. That you don't run around too much distracting yourself from the important essential goals to survive and prosper. Have a proper financial foundation. Be prepared for adversity. Put things aside in case things don't go as planned . Move forward when healthy. Develop your talents and get proper mentors, et al. ...................

aYE WELL SAID MR Niederhoffer.You obviously run a tight ship.............but remember we cant be good at all things such is the human weakness.!!!