And so, one week from today me enter um iron bird once more in um positional exchange sacrifice, swapping water for sand. Um what am I talking about, you might ask? After spending almost a year in Thailand, I will be heading to Oman for approximately 6 months. It’s a work related move, the flood in Bangkok practically eliminating all chances of finding decent work as everything has closed down for the time being. It’s a big change and one that has been forced upon me but I’d much rather be working and earning a decent wage than sitting around in a flooded apartment getting frustrated with everything. I have to say that the lack of action by the Thai government has left me feeling less than impressed. I will be living in Ibri, which is real desert. It’s a very quiet place. I have been through it once before and know there’s not too much going on there.
Oman, is it a chess playing nation -yes and no. A friend tells me that it is one of the very few Arab nations without a federation. It doesn’t appear of the F.I.D.E website and after several attempts to google chess and Oman, I have come up with nothing. I’m not concerned about this because chess is probably played on a street level, perhaps without proper tournaments. Even if that weren’t true I still don’t mind because I am happy to study the game alone. I should add that I have recently stopped playing on-line chess as I find the effects of playing constantly to be stifling. I am rapidly finding John Watson’s books to be a source of great inspiration and will be taking them with me. Having a very healthy income will also allow me to improve my software collection too. Furthermore, though the chess scene in Thailand is adequate enough for someone of my level, it is a little small, and playing the same players every tournament has taken the edge of my play somewhat. My only real concern is that having taken a 13 year break from the game, I still don’t have the experience I need. Because of this I will look into fitting in a tournament or two in the region. Dubai isn’t far away and there’s usually a lot going on there. Whilst in Qatar last year, I almost went to Armenia, just to see what it’s like. I will have that opportunity again and will take it this time if I can. Armenia is just north of Iran, and Iran is just across the water from me.
A change is as good as a rest as they say. I hope to return to Thailand theoretically stronger and be able to push my rating towards 1900, where it should be.
Oman, very near to where I will be living.
Mark.
McCreadyandChess 