NM_Koval

I've been very lucky in my chess career to have played played Tal, Botvinnik, Spassky, Karpov, Petrosian, Korchnoi, played 3 hrs of Blitz with Legend David Bronstein @ Chessbase USA in NJ. Had beers with Shirov during video filming in NY and was on Karpov's team for the Elista match with Kamsky (he said I could be an IM if I dedicated myself! and he mentions me in "Elista Diaries"). I Worked at Chessbase USA and Smartchess.com( ty Don Maddox and GM Ron Henley), beat Dzindzi when he was ICC's top dog, Went to a Show in AC with Yasser Sierawan and he told me amazing Walter Browne stories. Most of those things were in the 80s. Insider to the 1999 Kasparov v The world match, smartchess.com was Irina's manager/sponsor at that time and I am privy to all the truth, only 4 of us know what really happened , who on the FAQ was listened to at all, what GMs input had ANY impact on our move suggestions (only Khalifman's 18...f5) and about 10...Qe6 and how and why Microsoft "lost" one of her emails during a crucial time so her move was not shared with the voters and that turned the tide from a draw to a Gary win (Gary was pressuring MS to end the game). 2367 USCF peak in my younger days and 2285 FIDE. Now just an old man casual. Say Hi if I know you!