Summer Breeze

     These long summer days with their lazy breeze... With the eyes barely opened and the hot sun fondling my skin I dream about, hm, about- well, I actually live my dream!
     The days of me being a professional chess player have finally come, no more University concerns, no more chains holding me back, I live the life I've always dreamed of. What a fantastic feeling, waking up and not being sure if I still dream or this really is my life :D
     Ah, I've remembered, our team- "Politehnica Iasi" has become the new Romanian Rapid Club Cup winner as well! Not a bad start of the summer season, right? ;)

 

Team "Politehnica Iasi": Vlad and Andrei Ungureanu, Alina l'Ami, Vasile Manole, myself, Vladimir Danilov, Ioana Gelip (photo credits: https://thinkingsquares.wordpress.com/)

     A short trip to the UK has opened my unchained phase of life! It was so nice to see my sister and to spend quality time together! The chess part of the trip was not the best one, but it was not the main goal, so there's not much to complain about :)
     Many tournaments and many dreams coming true are ahead and I can finally say that I am happy! You can envy me for having a job which is actually the thing I love the most- playing chess while traveling around the World! Right now I envy a bit myself so I'll try to make this feeling last as much as possible ;)
     While closing my eyes and letting the sun invade my thoughts, here are some pictures that bring the smile on my face every time I see them:

     Peace and a fantastic summer to all of you!


xoxo from my dreams! ;)

1 Square Meter

     Summer ended quite a few days ago, but it feels that it still hasn't left.
     What has changed in these 9 days? Hit-nay, no tournaments-nay, late morning coffee- check, game after game-check, white clothes-check, late summer evenings-check :))) So, it is still summer!
     Well, on a more serious basis- I am actually playing another tournament, this time- a round-robin in Romania, Braila- "Maria Albulet Memorial". You can check it here- http://chess-results.com/tnr143698.aspx?lan=27&art=2&turdet=YES&flag=30&wi=984
      It is a nice feeling- playing each game (especially after the Turkish League, where I played only 6 games out of 13).

     A big break will follow after this tournament, with no games to play until the end of October. I will finally have some time to process what has happened in the last 75 crazy days :)))
     One would say that it's not normal to play so much in a row and I totally agree, but what to do- have to earn for those square meters- 1sq meter at a tournament, another one at the next 2 ones and maybe they will add up in some 20 years :))))
     All in all, I greet each of you from my still ongoing summer and wish you all a nice week!


P.S. Happy Birthday to my dear mom!


xoxo from Braila :)

Enjoy the silence

     There's not too much to be said...
      Just wish I had more days to remember about in silence...

 

Kavala

     Here I am in Kavala, after a long, tiring and unsuccessful tournament in Belgrade.
     I went to the beach the last 2 days and I had some time to think about what happened. It wasn't in my plans to play so badly- it was even a small shock for me... I wanted to qualify, but instead- I finished on -1 and a big Elo loss. I guess that bad tournaments happen but it's a bit dissappointing when they happen to be the most important ones.
     There are more tournaments to go, more Europeans and more chances to qualify- there's nothing to do now but to try to focus on the upcoming events.
     Kavala is a really nice city, with amazing beaches and nice surroundings. I was a bit afraid to come to play here after my horrible tournament in Belgrade, but I am happy with my decision now- as the Greek sun has charged my batteries, filling it with some positive thoughts :)

     Here is the link where you can follow the results: http://chess-results.com/tnr106851.aspx?lan=11

Wish you all a nice summer!

Itch to play

     My summer has begun simply "fantastic"- with 2 weeks full of exams...

     I've started to really appreciate my life as a chess player- doing what I like- playing tournaments, training- compared to what I'll be doing for these 2 weeks- studying hard and even so- worrying that I may not pass the exams... I know that I need this degree, but when I think that I could have played 2 tournaments instead, I feel sorry for myself :))

     Well, there's nothing to be done, but to continue suffering these 13 days left and dreaming about a real "chess summer".

     I have my financial accounting exam in an hour and I hope that I'm ready for it!

     I follow the games from the "Grand Europe-Albena Open" during my breaks from studying. A lot of friends of mine play there and I keep my fingers crossed for them! You can follow the games here: http://games.albena.bulchesssummer.eu/  The results and the pairings can be found on: http://chess-results.com/tnr97673.aspx?art=2&rd=3&lan=11&flag=30&wi=821 

      I wish I could have played in such a strong event too- it would have been much more interesting than studying Economics, but sometimes- some sacrifices have to be made... I am sure that I will have a fantastic itch to play in my next tournament, until which I hope to survive :D 

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

xoxo from Iasi ;)

     

The Sauna Effect

     I woke up this morning, looked through the window and found nothing else than cold, freezing cold and I suddenly wished I could stay under the eiderdwon forever. It is very difficult to convince myself to get out of the bed in these kind of mornings, only the idea of a big cup of coffee with milk can make it happen :D

Last summer in Barcelona

     Do you know the feeling you get when staying in the sauna? It's soooo hot that you start feeling warmth even inside yourself. I'd like to be able to keep this feeling as much time as possible and to be able to recall it whenever I feel estranged from everything and everyone...
     I miss the summer, when my only worry was whether I would catch my flight or not...