Once again Facebook has brought back memories….
2020 was a tough year indeed. Covid came and I got stuck in Bangkok and stuck indoors for so much of it. With little to do and travel restricted all year long, I stayed at home and got into online chess big style, as so many did. I played about 1500 games online that year, won numerous tournaments and even started playing for my country.
There was one tournament I remember in particular as it happened on this day, October 31st, and it was the first time I played for England. I was a well-oiled machine back then and on fine form, even though I wasn’t paying much attention to the games. I listened to the band A Flock of Seagulls (my favourite pop band) all match long and kept delving into my media player to play songs during the match, as the screenshots below can testify.
First, the preparation (not very professional!)
More Facebook content
Content from Lichess which confirms that I did do very well but my performance rating was only 2022, which is lower than what I remember but still about as good as it gets for me. If you look at the ratings of the players in the top 20, you will see that they are all way above me though. I should add that my username is still the same for Lichess. Olc is gaelic for evil!
https://lichess.org/tournament/6URIgVK1?player=olcmarcus
Again, if you look at the ratings on those in the top 20, it is clear I over-performed. I recall I played really well even though I wasn’t very focused. This is nothing to be too proud of but it is me at my best pretty much for online stuff. The interesting thing is that for OTB chess, it’s Finland again! As whilst studying there in 1996, I beat an FM!
Happy Halloween from moi!
M J M
