Geek Cruises — Chess Moves Experience Page

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2006
BON VOYAGE COCKTAIL PARTY
Crows Nest, 7:15PM–8PM

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15
HALF MOON CAY, BAHAMAS, 8AM–4PM

GM Joel Benjamin, 4PM–7:30PM
Track 1, Exploiting Endgame Advantages

GM Larry Christiansen, GM Susan Polgar, FM Paul Truong, 4PM–7PM, Private Play

MONDAY, JANUARY 16
FULL DAY AT SEA

GM Larry Christiansen, 8:30AM–10AM
Track 1, Winning Won Games

GM Joel Benjamin, 8:30AM–10AM
Track 2, Hypermodern Opening Strategy

GM Joel Benjamin, 10:30AM–NOON
Track 1, The Art of the Exchange Sacrifice

GM Larry Christiansen, 10:30AM–NOON
Track 2, Practical Opening Tips for White

FM Paul Truong, 12:15PM–1PM
Private Play

GM Susan Polgar, 1:30PM–3PM
Track 1, Gaining the Initiative — When Time Is of the Essence

GM Joel Benjamin, 1:30PM–3PM
Track 2 &mdash Opening Disasters

GM Susan Polgar, 3:30PM–5PM
Track 1, Strategy: Center Control and Space

FM Paul Truong, 3:30PM–5:15PM
Private Play

GM Joel Benjamin, GM Larry Christiansen
3:30PM–4:15PM, Private Play

GM Larry Christiansen, 6PM–7:30PM
Track 1, The Art of Attack

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17
ST. THOMAS, 8AM–11PM

Informal Blitz Tournament
Open to all, 6PM–8PM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18
ROAD TOWN, TORTOLA 7AM–5PM

GM Susan Polgar, 5PM–6:30PM
Track 1, Don't Forget to Use Your King in the Endgame

GM Joel Benjamin, 5PM–6:30PM
Track 2, Bishop vs. Knight

GM Larry Christiansen, 6:45PM–8:15PM
Track 1, Rook Endgame Essentials

GM Susan Polgar, 6:45PM–8:15PM
Track 2, Practical Hints for Tournament Players

FM Paul Truong, 5PM–7PM
Private Play

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19
FULL DAY AT SEA

FM Paul Truong, 8:30AM–10AM
Track 1, My Favoriate Topolav Games from the Recent World Championship

GM Susan Polgar, 8:30AM–10AM
Track 2, Traps and Counter Traps

PHOTO OP WITH THE SPEAKERS
Susan Polgar, GM Larry Christiansen, GM Joel Benjamin, and FM Paul Truong
10:10AM–10:20AM

GM Larry Christiansen, 10:30AM–1PM
Blindfold Exhibition (5 players)
Download the Games

GM Joel Benjamin, 10:30AM–12:30PM
Private Play

GM Susan Polgar, FM Paul Truong
10:30AM–12:30PM, Private Play

GM Joel Benjamin, FM Paul Truong
2PM–4PM, Private Play

GMs Polgar & Christiansen, 2PM–5PM
Bughouse Chess 15/20 (2 sets of 2 players, 90 minutes each)

GM Larry Christiansen, 6PM–7:30PM
Track 1 &mdash Creating and Solving Problems

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19
NASSAU, 1PM–7PM

GM Larry Christiansen, 8:30AM–10AM
Track 1 &mdash Practical Opening Tips for Black

GM Susan Polgar, 8:30AM–10AM
Track 2 &mdash Ideas to Save a Hopeless-Looking Game

GM Susan Polgar, GM Larry Christiansen, GM Joel Benjamin, and FM Paul Truong, 10:10AM–1PM, Bughouse Chess 15/20
(2 sets of 2 players, 90 minutes each)

WRAP UP & PARTY
Everyone, 7PM–8PM

Oscar Wilde has somewhere remarked, "You can't reason a man out of a position he has not reasoned himself into." I confess I have reasoned myself into believing that Chess Moves was not only good for chess instruction, but good for the soul as well. The details organized by Neil were first rate. Larry, Susan, and Joel provided excellent instruction. I look forward to other such adventures.
L. Ralph Hennings, Ph.D.
<enpassant at earthlink.net>

Natasha, my spouse, and I had a fantastic experience on the Chess Moves Geek Cruise. The students were terrific, and your staff were fun to work with. I have given glowing reports of the cruise to hundreds of interested chess players. The simple truth is, the first Chess Moves was just plain phenomenal.
Grandmaster Larry Christiansen
<LarryChr at earthlink.net>

Making new chess friends was a pleasant surprise … the organizers, Neil and Randal — great job! I really appreciate the availability of photos, post cruise. The maiden voyage was a great pleasure and the first of many for chess enthusiasts!
Frederick Long, M.D.
<Flong at columbus.rr.com>

Neil did a great job organizing everything and promptly emailing answers to all my questions.
Sandy Miller
<sandralmiller at verizon.net>

It was great! I could not stop smiling the whole time. I will remember this trip for a long time.
Paul Fleeman
<pfleeman at hotmail.com>

My private lesson with FM Paul Truong was fantastic!!! He shared more useful information and answered more questions than I would have though possible and he offered his email address for further follow-up! I have studied with professional coaches in the past — and this short 45-minute session was without a doubt the most instructive I've ever had.
Sam Lamonto
<slam.dk at verizon.net>

I certainly would go to Chess Moves at least once a year if I like the itinerary.
Dr. Enrique Lorenzo
<henryluz at aol.com>

A world class event with world class people.
F. Leon Wilson
<fleonw @ chesslearn.com>

I found the experience wonderful. I suppose additional class options would be nice, but it was great just the way it was! THANK YOU!
Aaron Boonshoft, Portland, Oregon

This cruise and the chess classes were definitly a word class event. I wish I could have done it before as it really encourages me to stick to chess and work to improve my game (I admit there is a lot to do). The choice of the GMs was great as each had a different personality and gave a specific pespective of the game. It is something I will remember for a long time and I have already started planning for the next Chess Moves cruise even if I am not sure I will be able to make it. Thanks again Neil.
Marc Elbet, M.D.
<marc.elbet at btinternet.com>

My husband and I have been on six cruises and numerous trips and he commented today that "Chess Moves is the most organized, well done package" that he has seen. This is a really big compliment in that part of his job is analyzing other peoples marketing and program development.
Wendy Fischer
<fischerwendi at hotmail.com>

PRE-CRUISE PARTY, Captain Neil Bauman Greets GM Larry Christiansen