A More Modest Dream
My dream is more modest. All I want is two boards for Wednesday night at the Red Lion. We’re at 11 now, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a few more. The fun starts at 6:30, and while the games will end by 11, the night won’t necessarily. Join us for an evening of Dip & Drinks Wednesday in Lincoln Square.
Congratulations to Adam Sigal, winner of the NADF’s second biennial Masters Invitational, held last weekend in New Orleans. The tournament fielded nine boards over the three rounds. A-Sig soloed in the first round as France, taking Kiel for his 18th dot. Predictably, he was crushed in round two, but in the third round, he pulled off an 11-center board top as Austria to nail down the title.
A-Sig learned the game as a 13-year-old. His teacher? Edi Birsan, who won the first Masters two years ago in Austin, Texas. At this point in his long Diplomacy career, there are few things Birsan enjoys more than teaching the game. Obviously he has a knack for it.
As for our Weasels, although 10 of us received invitations, only Aash Anand, who recently moved to Denver for work, attended. He finished dead last but still had a blast.
Anyone who finishes on the top board in a Grand Prix event in the two calendar years preceding the Masters receives an invitation to participate. The next one will be in 2015, location to be determined. We have two years to qualify.
Aashta la Vista
Speaking of Aash, he’ll be back in town Feb. 7-10, and he’d like to play some Dip while he’s here. Watch the website and Meetup for another game opening.
Three months till CODCon!
Three months from today, we’ll crown our seventh CODCon champion. Who will it be? One thing’s certain–it won’t be me. Unfortunately, I have a work conflict this year, so I’ll miss the Open for the first time. But as long as you attend, it could be you. Click here for all the details, and mark your calendar. (You can save a buck or two on the CODCon convention fee by preregistering at www.codcon.com. You don’t even have to pay in advance. The Weasels’ tournament fee is payable to us on site.)
Days Inn Boots the Moot
As reported last week, we’ve lost our old venue at the Days Inn Chicago. The meeting room there is being converted into a breakfast room and will only be available for meetings for 7 1/2 hours per day (from 1 till 8:30 p.m.). That doesn’t fit our schedule. So, we’ve gone back to the drawing board.
Our preference is to stay in the city, but we may have to move back to the suburbs, which we did briefly for the fourth Moot in 2010. We’re working to resolve this matter as soon as possible so we can start promoting the Moot. Stay tuned, and again, if you have a lead on a venue, let us know by emailing wcwsneak@gmail.com. We’re looking for 1,300 square feet or more. Our price range is $500 to $750, total, and we’d prefer 24-hour access. The event will be three rounds, and we’re open to the format. We’ve typically gone with a Friday-Saturday-Saturday format, but we could go Friday-Saturday-Sunday or Saturday-Saturday-Sunday, if necessary.
- Jan. 23 at the Red Lion in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago, beginning at 6:30 p.m. until no later than 11. Have 11, need three more for a second board.
- Feb. 2 at Ted McClelland’s home in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, beginning at 11 a.m. Have four.
- Feb. 16 at Dan Burgess’ home in Downers Grove, beginning at 11 a.m. Have two.
Important Dates
- April 20-21: The seventh annual CODCon Open.
Jim
