Date:	   Fri, 17 Nov 2006 
Subject: Thanksgiving lesson cancellations and Chess Life article


Hello chess students and friends!

First of all, let me get an important bit of business out of the way.  Since I am playing in the
American Open (Los Angeles) over the Thanksgiving break, I will need to cancel exactly one week of
classes.  NO CHESS LESSONS FROM TUESDAY NOVEMBER 21 THROUGH MONDAY NOVEMBER 27 (unless I've made
special arrangements with you).  

Those of you who receive Chess Life magazine (not Chess Life For Kids) will find a substantial
interview with me embedded in the US Open story.  You may remember that I tied for second in the
US Open, defeating an IM and drawing with a GM in the final round.  The article contains one
annotated game and a 1/4 page photograph of me (wearing my ICC cap).  It is largely fair and
accurate, except for one glaring mistake (I'm not Jewish).  To read the article, look for the
issue with GM Yury Shulman on the cover (November 2006 issue) and turn to pages 25-26.  

If you don't receive Chess Life, you can still read it on the USCF website http://www.uschess.org
using your USCF ID number and PIN code (check your membership card) to access the Members Only
content.  Click on Chess Life Online and you'll find two articles.  The one titled "Shulman Shines
in 107th U.S. Open (Members Only)" is a copy of the Chess Life story.  The other one titled "U.S.
Open Bonus Games" contains a second annotated game from me.

That's all.  Wish me luck in Los Angeles over Thanksgiving.  I need approximately 18 FIDE rating
points for the FM title.  I gained 22 FIDE points at the US Open, so it is indeed possible to gain
that many in one good tournament.  Check out my ICC finger notes (type: finger fpawn) and read
note 5 for updates on my results.

Michael

P.S. A few of my Bay Area students are playing at the Thanksgiving Classic in Cupertino on
November 25-26.  I recommend this tournament and would probably be there if I wasn't going to Los
Angeles instead.  Four rounds; Open, U1800 and U1200.  You can choose between a 2-day or 1-day
(Sunday only) schedule.  http://www.geocities.com/sfchessclassic/AdultClassic.html