Pagel, Roger (1600) v Phillips, Martin (1887) Action Tourney May 14, 1992
The date May 14, 1992. I had finally broken the 1600 mark and the Club was in full swing. There were a slew of "A" players at this time. Marty Phillips, the heart and soul of the club, and a fierce competitor and someone I seemingly could never get the upper hand in any of the games we played. But, finally, I made a break through or so it seemed at the time in the game to follow. Marty renewed the Club's competitive ladder and along with Clarence Townsend would call each member of the Club each week to schedule a "rated ladder" game. On many Fridays there would be 10-15 games going on in the ladder while still a handful of others 6-8 would be playing "leisure" games.
But, I should mention some of the other powerhouses. Mark Trevor Smith, pushing expert rating and a college English professor at SMSU and always seemingly eating something healthy, as he and his wife at the time owned a health food store, "Au Naturel". The Club still has a large box of their promotional pens...the ink in them apparently dried up! And, Jim Baumlin, rated 2112 on this date. He seemed invincible to me. He would either tactically crush you or positionally make your pieces ineffective. He, too, taught at SMSU, a transplant from Georgetown of all places. He seemed to me to always be in teaching mode. He reminded me time and again how I did not control the center and or how my openings were too passive. Other notables, Walt Ressmeyer, who I'd played in high school, and with his long hair, he seemed to know every variation in the openings he played. He is the most encouraging of people. Afzal Chowdhury, from India, and now working for Walmart, I believe, kept getting better and better and always finding the right defense. And finally, I recall Fred Sadoogi, a strong 2000+ player, who seemed to me to be very private and guarded. I never saw him lose except remarkably to Clarence Townsend a "C" class player who Fred played on his first visit to the club. But, then, Clarence, was often called the giant killer and with that, I felt I'd killed a giant in this game with Marty Phillips in the Action Tourney of 1992.
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As the game shows, major mistakes were made on both sides, but with 30 minutes to play the entire game simple things are overlooked at this level. I feel Marty gave me a gift that day.
But, I should mention some of the other powerhouses. Mark Trevor Smith, pushing expert rating and a college English professor at SMSU and always seemingly eating something healthy, as he and his wife at the time owned a health food store, "Au Naturel". The Club still has a large box of their promotional pens...the ink in them apparently dried up! And, Jim Baumlin, rated 2112 on this date. He seemed invincible to me. He would either tactically crush you or positionally make your pieces ineffective. He, too, taught at SMSU, a transplant from Georgetown of all places. He seemed to me to always be in teaching mode. He reminded me time and again how I did not control the center and or how my openings were too passive. Other notables, Walt Ressmeyer, who I'd played in high school, and with his long hair, he seemed to know every variation in the openings he played. He is the most encouraging of people. Afzal Chowdhury, from India, and now working for Walmart, I believe, kept getting better and better and always finding the right defense. And finally, I recall Fred Sadoogi, a strong 2000+ player, who seemed to me to be very private and guarded. I never saw him lose except remarkably to Clarence Townsend a "C" class player who Fred played on his first visit to the club. But, then, Clarence, was often called the giant killer and with that, I felt I'd killed a giant in this game with Marty Phillips in the Action Tourney of 1992.
Click here to view the game
As the game shows, major mistakes were made on both sides, but with 30 minutes to play the entire game simple things are overlooked at this level. I feel Marty gave me a gift that day.
