For Those About to Rook...

This is how big of a chess tournament we're shooting for. So far, we have eight seeds and one alternate. I'm bracketed with my nemesis, Horsey Killer Hein, in the first round. It's a well-balanced pairing, her and I, except for that I like to lose my queen early and often. If neither of us makes stupid mistakes, I predict Hein checkmating me twenty-one moves into stalemate. If I don't manage to take her queen and both rooks, checkmate seven moves into stalemate.

The best thing about our upcoming tourney is the reward for losing. Once I go out in the first round, I get to play Chess 4 with the other losers. Chess 4 is where I'm a Viking.

Amanda, my birthday is July 19th--we can celebrate early if you'd like. Naked chess?