NEW ZELAND.....

[Irma Sierra]

How are all our friends from New Zeland?

[kiwinurse]

Thankyou Irma, I am fine, im a bit worried about the checker people in Christchurch tho,Ivan Narby, Jack van Niewkirk,Ivan Eastwick,havent heard from them as yet,the telephones were down yesterday, i may try to get in touch today with them.Christchurch is a disaster in some areas,and the infrustructure is probably badly affected,too soon to know yet.Rescue operations are hampered by bad weather and galeforce winds coming in
But i live 7 hours by car from affected area,and we felt the earthquake at 5am in the morning,but no damage here. It was a pretty huge earthquake, the largest in 80 years apparently.

[kiwinurse]

My girlfriend lives in Christchurch,but on the outskirts,she was fine,but found they had no water,which was a warning to us that it pays to put some water somewhere just in case. So i ran out and bought some yesterday,and so did my other members of my family,we are checking our radios and torches.Recently weve had a few earthquake tremors, it pays to be ready.Christchurch city centre was the worst affected with lots of old buildings crumbling. Thank goodness it happened at 4.30am when everyone was at home. If theyd been at work there would have been many deaths.And the miracle is there has been none,after such a huge earthquake.

[kiwinurse]

Just heard that water is a big problem as the sewerage and water pipes are broken,cases of gastrointeritus already,and weather is due to get worse today.

[kiwinurse]

Just been in touch with the guys in Christchurch,they are fine,but as i spoke to them they had another small earthquake,which will probably happen for a few more weeks yet, poor things

[Irma Sierra]

Let's hope the best for all your friends, be cautious anyway, God bless you all!.....

[kiwinurse]

Thanks Irma

[kiwinurse]

Just a bit of news.The New Zealand national tournament in 3 move and gayp is going to be held in lower hutt,wellington in october this year.Maybe some of you guys are thinking of coming to New Zealand,and im sure by october there will be no more earthquakes!lol.The national will be quite exciting as there is a chess master attending who teaches chess and i think he may be bringing some pupils.At the moment i hear hes studying up on checker books.So if any of you are contemplating a trip,youd be welcome at our national tournament,Will give you more information on it closer to the time, regards Jan

[john reade]

Jan,

How are things in Invercargill now? Our friends in Lincoln just outside Christchurch say they are still getting aftershocks. Must be very worrying. It is exactly 5 years sonce we were over there.

John.

[kiwinurse]

The aftershocks keep happening,terrifying the residents.They are happening not far from the surface and even smallscale tremors of 3 to 4 are shaking the city quite badly.In the news this morning it said that people are just standing outside their homes staring at them,because i su[ppose they are waiting for the assessors to come to deem whether they are safe or need to be demolished,but of course they reckon 100,000 homes are effected and it might take some time to get there.
Poor people,we havent had an earthquake like this since the napier earthquake 80 years ago(i think)when the pink and white terraces were also destroyed.It is a good wakeup call for New Zealanders to have an emergency plan and equipment ready,because it can happen to any of us.The shops are doing a good trade in water and batteries and firstaid packs in other centres.

[kiwinurse]

In fact, i forgot to mention, a christian fella predicted the day of this earthquake and where it was going to hit.Christians got together and prayed there would be no loss of life.And there was no loss of life. Miraculous!

[Irma Sierra]

Wowwww....it sounds like a miracle, is amazing nobody died and a lot of destruction!

[Ingo_Zachos]

Dear Jan,

while I hesitate to call the effect of a brutal earthquake a miracle, we should all be thankful that no-one died and we don't have to pray for their souls.

I hope that all demages can be repaired and that destroyed homes can be rebuilt stronger and better then before.

Also I think that your 2010 nationals will be a fine event.
and if chess players attend, be careful.
Many concepts, like decision making move by move, planning, and many strategical concepts like opposition (the move), centre control rather then centre occupation, the three elements (material, space , time) etc. come very easy to any chess player even without any explanation.

Others, like structures, cramps, tactical devices, and especially the fact that "over-developing" is desastrous in checkers/draughts come harder to chess players and need lessons.

But both games are rich in their intricacies and need very deep and accurate analysis if played on a decent level.
It may be too early for them to be at the top, but give them a chance to learn (especially in post mortem analysis) and you will win ardent admirer for our game.

Greetinx from the other side of the globe,

Ingo Zachos

[kiwinurse]

I myself believe that God stopped people from dying Ingo,as there was much prayer going up just before it happened.But since the earthquake there have been a lot more heart attacks as people are not coping with the aftershocks,and its not because the fear is causing them,but the adrenalin is causing their hearts to go into overload.Interesting,because it may have saved lives by bringing attention to faulty hearts,and getting treated.
As far as the chess players are concerned,it will be just wonderful to have them,exciting for us,and a good challenge.I will look forward to playing in November when i get back from Ireland.regards Jan

[kiwinurse]

Well bad weather still dominates New Zealand. Christchurch people are still getting aftershocks,and some of them have been lucky enough to get a trip paid for to queenstown just to get out of the earthquake area,and to have some decent sleep.
But we have been hit with snow,the worst weve had in 50 years,which has brought down roofs . Our big new stadium roof was demolished by it over the weekend,and luckily again people escaped without injury.We are not used to getting such extreme weather conditions,but its happening all over the world.