February 2005

I think it is the best thing that I have read and seen in a long time and I think this is a wonderful idea! It was very fun to read and it is nice to be updated on whats going on! You did a wonderful job and I thank you very much and am looking forward to the future newslettersSmiling Pepsi Fan

Editor's Introduction

Hi there!! I must begin by saying how overwhelmed I have been over the last month by your reaction to our first issue of this newsletter! The comment at the top is just one of many that were sent in, and certainly comment and discussion has been rife around the site. I am sorry that I can not list all of the remarks made, I had to try to find one that said everything combined. However, I wish to thank you on behalf of GoldToken and myself, for your support in this project, and for your enthusiasm! I consider it very humbling, in having the task of building upon the success of the first issue, and I hope that you will agree with me that the second seems to do it justice.

In this month's issue, we have:

  • Site News
  • Monthly Message from Badger
  • Monthly Quiz (very kindly done by 6x5 and your chance to win a GoldToken pen!) Also, we have the answers to last month's quiz, and will announce the winner, whose pen is in the mail as this issue goes online!
  • Chess Corner -- Including an Exclusive Interview with GM Susan Polgar, 4 times Womens World Chess Champion, and currently the highest rated female player in the World!
  • Tournament News
  • Testamonial Of The Month
  • GoldToken Valentines
  • Joke of the Month
  • Poetry Corner

In addition to all of this, I am sure that you are aware that Valentines Day is coming up on the 14th of February. To mark the occasion we have a little bit of GoldToken fun for you; namely, the GoldToken Valentines Heart Hunt! Placed on profiles around the site, are 12 hearts. What you have to do is to find them, and having done so, message their locations to Badger. (Only when you have them all please lol). The first person to find them all wins, and will get a special mystery prize!!

Badger herself, has not been very well recently, and as you will notice her message this month has been written on her behalf by Kran. I am sure that I speak for all when I say get well soon Badger!!

Ok, All that remains for me to do now, is to wish you much pleasure in your reading, and to invite you all to contact me with items to be considered for next month's issue (out March 7th) Smiling read on, and enjoy!

Site News

  • GoldToken Tsunami Fund: Thanks to GoldToken and its wonderful members, the International relief fund, set up on behalf of the 26/12/2004 Tsunami victims, is $1000 richer this month. $500 was kindly donated on behalf of GoldToken by Badger, and a further $500 has been raised by yourselves, in donations. Of this, we can all be very proud! Smiling

  • Multi Accounts Update, by The Old D-CON Account: Hello Everyone, This is to update you on our progress of eliminating multi-accounts per site policy of only one account per person. Over the last two months we have closed many multi-accounts makng Goldtoken a better site to play at. I have received numerous messages from members thanking me for the job that I have been doing, so would like to take this time to tell you I appreciate your support. I would also like to thank all the members that have posted family members on their profiles making my job easier, which in most cases I will not have to contact those that do. If you look at the picture on my profile you will see that I get very little sleep as I am out here working nightly on your behalf. I would just like to take this opportunity, to request that anyone still having multiple accounts here at this time, please contact me by message so that they can be closed quickly. Also, should you notice any dormant accounts as you browse the player lists, I would appreciate it if you would bring those to my attention. Your co-operation is appreciated - Thank you. The Old D-CON Account

  • Congrats to Buz, who has gained his 10000th wood token!

  • Congrats to { Player: Dismond } for gaining his 4000th Gold Token!

  • Congrats to Geri39 on her 1200th Gold Token!

  • Happy belated Birthday to our very own JenJen, who celebrated her birthday last month...and gets a mention even though I didn't get sent any cake Sad hehe

Roses are red, violets are blue,
now for some mushy stuff, written by you.
(Oh come on, gimme a break, what d'you expect, Shakespeare? lol)

  • From Marko: To My Darling Dolly, Our Future is looking Swell, Life will be Rosie soon. All My love Always.

  • From DJ MIA: To Dian. All we have now are memories, but oh, they are so precious. :o)

  • From Pamper Me: To My Love. We found each other here and followed our hearts and married each other ... Happy 1st Valentine's Day as a married couple. Love You Always Babe.

  • From Nikki: Nikkis No1Fan , thank you for your love and for all you are to me. I am thankful for every day that I have been blessed with you, and am excited for all the days that we have coming to us. I love you!

  • From (anon): To Mr McGoofers, my hearts dearest love: Since you came into my life, I've looked forward to each sunrise, and every early morning with your strong arms about me. Warmly holding your hand beneath the moonlit skies and a zillion stars. You make me feel like no one else ever could. I like the person I am when I'm with you, a part of me that I never knew exsisted, a part that was born with our first chess match. Always and Forever yours, Mrs. McGoof.

  • From (anon): To my Sweedy, happy second Valentines Day together, and here is to many more ahead. I love you more every minute we are together, and every second we are apart. From your Lieverdje Smiling

any birthdays, anniversaries, etc. coming up for March, feel free to send me a message and let me know so that we can give them a shout in next month's newsletter! Smiling

Monthly Message from Badger

Well, January has been a busy month! Our site owner, Badger has been battling a nasty bug, and we've had some database problems that we are doing everything in our power to fix as quickly as possible. We hope to get everyone back to moving along smoothly soon! Timeouts have been disabled on the days that it's been really bad, and games that have timed out due to not being able to save moves will be reinstated by Kran.

On a more positive note, we have the addition of a new board, { Board: Mars vs Venus }, where the two genders complete against eachother to see which sex is more quick witted. This board has been tested by Platinum and Gold members, and will soon be open to lower membership levels. A big thanks to our Game Crew for posting the questions, figuring out the scores, and adding some fun there!

Also, after a long wait, we are very proud to announce that Goldtoken now has the doubling cube, and you can try this out by playing 3, 5, 7, and 9 point backgammon and nackgammon. We all owe a big Thanks! to McStack for all his hard work in getting that programmed and online for all to enjoy.

We look forward to continuing the improvements and the fun for all to enjoy on this, the best game site on the net!

Kran

Tournament News by Kran
  • We'd like to take this time to remind you that new tourneys are starting every Monday! We have a tournament for each game type once a month, with a few special tourneys thrown in. For instance, each month we offer a Fast Backgammon, and Fast Nackgammon tournament, with one day timeouts. We also have a Thematic Chess tournament, with a new opening each month. And so the guests can take advantage of the tournaments we also offer one standard (non-variant) game type tournament that is open for guests, with the game type changing from month to month! New for February, we are adding a Fast Salvo in every variant (regular, stealth, devious, and decoy). These tournaments, like the Fast Back variants, will have a one day timeout to help out with establishing your tourney rating in the games that take 400 games for a rating.

  • We have also had many sponsorship tournaments, with funds donated by many of our generous members. In these tourneys the highest placing guest wins a membership! If you are interested in sponsoring a guest tourney send a message to Kran to work out the details. This month's featured sponsorship tournaments are, Bill41's Valentine Guest Back and TexasGals Valentine Guest Back, both of which have a prize of a 6 month gold membership to the highest placing guest. We also have Alpha Wolf's Platinum Nack, the winner of which receives a one year platinum membership, and 8x8 Trax for Beginners the winner of which receives a signed copy of the book, "Trax Strategy for Beginners", donated by Donald Bailey

  • Goldtoken would also like to take the time to send a big congratulations out to all January Tournament winners!!! 
                         2nd Mid-August Fast Back- paganje
                         Chess Madness Chessgi- aaronnimzo
                         Goldtoken Olympic Trax- keops
                         November Giveaway 4iar- Rebel Rider
                         2nd Mid August Zero G 4iar- tjancira
                         Late August Fast Nackgammon- aubug
                         Mid August 2nd All Level Trax- keops
                         Mid August Giveaway Reversi- klaashaas
                         November Giveaway Reversi- macbann
                         November Loop Trax- dgb
                         October 8x8 Trax- Chad
                         October Loop Trax- Chad
                         Pen's Guest 8x8 Trax- Phil The Hat
                         Reversi Madness Small Reversi- klaashaas
                         Septembers Chessgi- rabbitoid
                         Septembers Fast Nackgammon- Aphrodite
                         Trax Madness Trax- Chad
                         Round Robin Giveaway Chess Tournament- Straycat
                         December Loop Trax- dgb
                         Mid August All Level 8x8 Trax- Phil The Hat
                         October Chessgi- rabbitoid
                         October Small Outbreak- { Player: goku&naruto }
                         Septembers Blackhole Reversi- pioenroosje
                         Late August Reversi- pioenroosje
                         November Giveaway Chess- rabbitoid

Chess Corner by prophy tactics

Interview With Grandmaster Susan Polgar:

I am very proud to bring you this interview, (an exclusive for GoldToken), which was conducted via email. GM Polgar's text is in italics -- enjoy!! Smiling


GM Polgar, may I firstly thank you on behalf of myself and everyone at GoldToken, for honouring us with this interview, and also extend to you our pride and congratulations for your (and your team-mates) performance and achievements at the 2004 Olympiad. Also, very many congratulations on being the number 1 female player in the world again!

Thank you very much! My main goal for this come back was to help promote chess. The bonus was the four Olympiad medals and the number one ranking. After such a long lay off, no one can be certain how any player would play. I am glad everything worked out.
My first question is on the topic of the Olympiad. Namely, how did you find playing at the Calvia Olympiad, in comparison to the others in which you have competed? Would you have any interesting stories from your experience training and playing in the Olympiad that you could share with us?



It was very different from any other Olympiad.



1). This was the first time I competed without either of my sisters.  In 1988 and 1990, all three sisters were on the same team and we won the Gold medals.  In 1994, only Sofia and I played together and we came in just short for the Gold and got Silver.



2). I was on top of my game back in those three Olympiads, not in Calvia.  I have not played competitive chess in nearly 9 years.



3). I received death threats at the start of the Calvia Olympiad.  Some Hungarian nationalists did not like the idea of me representing the US.  The whole time I was in Calvia, the team captain had to watch out for my safety around the clock.  It really affected me.  It was very nerve wrecking.



4). I also had a hard time adjusting to the new time control with 30 seconds increment.  Combine that with the death threats and the first half of the Olympiad was a disaster for me.  I was only able to get on a groove in the second half of the Olympiad scoring 5.5 points in the last 6 games.


You have achieved much in Chess, the list really does seem endless. What would you say you are most proud of and gave you the greatest satisfaction? Also, what remains on your list as still to be achieved?



I was most proud when I broke through the gender barrier to become the first woman in the world to earn the Grandmaster title.  I was also very proud when I became the first woman to qualify for the “Men’s” World Chess Championship.  Unfortunately, I was not allowed to play because I am a woman but the name was changed in the next cycle to exclude the word “Men’s”.



The other major moment was when my sisters and I won the Gold at the 1988 World Chess Olympiad.  No one could have ever imagined 3 teenage sisters accomplishing this feat.  Up until that time, the Soviets women have completely dominated the Women’s Olympiads.  They won Gold each time they played.



I have 2 major goals now:



1). I would like to introduce chess to every child in the US and around the world.  I firmly believe that chess can help children do better in school and in life.  They do not have to be professionals.  They can play chess for fun and enjoy the tremendous benefits.



2). I would like to bring chess to the next level of popularity like Golf or Tennis.  I think it can be done and I firmly believe that sponsors of chess will get a lot for their money.


Many people speculate, and would like to see you take on a computer or play a match against your Sister, Judit. I am aware that your priority is to promote chess (especially scholastic chess) these days, rather than competing full time, but do either of these motivate you, or have you ruled them out?



I would love to do any of the above mentioned projects.  After Deep Blue defeated Kasparov, I officially issued a challenge to Deep Blue as the reigning Women’s World Champion. I was turned down. I would love to have the opportunity to play a serious match against the machine the way Garry did. I think it will be very interesting.



My sister Judit and I would have no problem playing an official match.  But the conditions have to be proper.


In your recent match against GM Anatoly Karpov, Fisher Random chess was included. With all the theory and preparation now involved in chess, do you believe that Fischer Random could be the way of chess in the future?


I think Fischer Random is a very fair form of chess.  One of the big advantages for years has always been that some will have more access to chess information or knowledge than others.  With Fischer Random, everyone will be equal.  I like Bobby’s idea a lot and I think there should be a lot more Fischer Random events.  I myself organize Fischer Random events at my club and I promote it every chance I get.



Which of the chess calendar events (either playing or watching) do you look forward to and why?



I try to follow most of the major events to keep things up to date.  It is important to stay informed and sharp.



I will play in a US Team Tournament in New Jersey from February 19-21.  I will also play an exhibition with the US Champion Hikaru Nakamura at the Millennium Chess Festival in Virginia Beach on February 26.  At the same event, I will also play in a Fischer Random Blitz tournament.  Another event will be an appearance with my sisters at the National Open in Las Vegas from June 9-12.  We will conduct a tandem simul, a breakfast Q&A session, and a chess training camp.  I will also run more chess camps this summer.  There are many additional events planned in 2005 and they are listed on my website www.SusanPolgar.com.


Can you take us through a typical day of chess training for you?



There is really no typical day for training with 2 toddlers.  I get my training in here and there around their schedules. I work on tactics, endgames, analyzing games, look at new games for some fresh ideas, etc.  I sometimes even play against the computers. I always make sure I am physically fit by going to the gym, walk or do other exercises, especially as part of the preparation before major events.


What advice would you give to players new to chess, or to those who wish to improve their game or become strong players/masters?



Work on chess tactics, endgames and strategies.  Those are the essential part of chess that often been overlooked.  Too much emphasis are usually put on the opening phase when that is the least of the worry until you are a strong player or master level.


Which of the up and coming Juniors (male or female) do you regard as “a bit special”?



There are many young talented juniors out there. For the boy side, the obvious names are Radjabov, Karjakin, Carlsen, and Nakamura, etc.  However, some others who are not a household name who are also very special such as Volokitin, Harikrishna, Mamedyarov, Naiditsch, and Navara, etc.  There are also two young Cuban players who are very good Dominguez and Bruzon.



For the girl side, the obvious names are Koneru, Zhao, Dzagnidze, Lahno and the two Kosintseva sisters.  Some others such as Harika and Muzychuk are also very talented.


I gave the chess players on GoldToken a chance to put their questions to you, and was absolutely inundated. A small selection of them is as follows:


Robyn Hode, a GoldToken player, saw you at last year's US Open, but was too much in awe to speak to you. He would like to know if you would have joined him for a coffee had he asked? Smiling



I would definitely say hello and or chat as time permits.  I make it a point to be polite, courteous and professional with everyone.  It is an important thing to do when you are a role model to countless kids.  I think more chess professionals should do this.  It is important to build a good relationship with fans. However, I usually go to these events with my children.  Therefore, I often have to go back to them as soon as I am done.  In addition, the other problem is if I accept one invitation, others will expect me to do the same with them.


From fragilekitty: I am a strong class player, aiming to reach the expert section. All my study so far has been on my own (with lots of books). Is now a good time to find a teacher? Any tips on what to look for in a teacher?



Look for someone who is INTERESTED in your progress and not the pocket book.  Look for someone who can understand and fulfill your needs in chess.  Too often, teachers will teach you what they want instead of what you need.  Another thing to look for is the compatibility between you and the teacher.


From TheGardener: Coming from a family of chess players, did you find it natural to "share" chess ideas with your younger sisters or was there just too much of a “competitive edge” at stake to be able to do this?



I am quite a bit older than my two sisters.  Therefore, I helped both of my sisters a great deal during their younger days.  We will always help each other.  We may fight on the chess board but definitely not off.  My bond with my sisters is very important to me.


From Robyn Hode: What is the most number of games you have taken on in a simul match? Have you played “blind-fold” chess? And can you formulate a mental image of a board and its pieces as easily as looking OTB? Is sexism still rife in the modern game? Is gender an issue with any of the grandmasters, who perhaps prefer not to play against women? Did chess “choose” you or did you choose chess? What profession might have offered itself as an alternative? Do you think internet “Rapid/Blitz” chess will one day establish itself as the main form of chess competition because of its immediacy and attraction to viewers / sponsors alike?



My average simul is about 35-45 boards, more with younger players and less with more experience players.  Otherwise, it would be take too long and people get bored.  I have done 75 board tandem simul with the captain of the US Women’s Olympiad Team.



I play blindfold chess since I was a young player.  I think that helped me calculate longer, better and more precise.  After a while, it is just about the same as when looking at the board.



Yes, sexism still exists.  A student of mine is the second highest rated player in her school.  And yet they refused to invite her to represent her school because she is a girl.  This is just one of the countless examples that still happen now.



With most Grandmasters, if you prove yourself over the board, they are fine with it.  However, I think many resent the type of female copycat of Kournikova in chess.



I chose chess and chess chose me.  It was a perfect fit.  I enjoy teaching so that maybe something I might have done if I was not a professional chess player.



I think rapid  blitz chess will be the most popular type of chess OTB or on the Internet, especially with the sponsors./





May I ask your opinion upon the current situation with the World Championship re-unification? Do you believe that Garry Kasparov was right to withdraw from his negotiations with FIDE, and what do you think will (or should) happen now? Where do you believe this leaves chess, and where does chess go from here?


I think it is a disaster.  I think Kramnik should have offered a rematch to Garry long ago.  It would have been good for chess and good for his legacy.  Now, many average fans consider him as a one hit wonder who is afraid of big challenges and who happened to be at the right time and the right place.  The Women’s World Championship is not in any better situation since FIDE illegally stripped my title in 1999.  The problem is the format.



World Knockout Championship is great but it should be just that.  Classical World Championship would be a separate World Championship, just like the World Blitz and Rapid World Championship.



The best thing is to have one tournament with Kramnik, Kasparov, Anand and Leko, etc.  If someone refuses, go with the next one on the rating list.  Each will play the other three 6 – 8 games for a total of 18 – 24 games.  The winner will be the new Classical World Champion.



I would propose something similar for women.  But don’t insult the women with 10% prize funds of the men.



Lastly, what does the immediate future hold for Grandmaster Susan Polgar? More history to be made? Smiling



My focus now is in 2 areas:



1). My project “Excel Through Chess” to bring chess to every child.

2). My project to bring credibility and popularity of chess to the level of tennis of golf.



Then we will see Smiling  I am sure I will think of something else.







The Chess Thought Process:



I've talked to a lot of very good chess players, about this subject: just exactly how should one apply one's thoughts in a chess game? The answers that I get back are very varied, just about everybody has his/her own opinions on it. This usually results in some very interesting discussions -- and, indeed some heated ones at times, as everyone believes that they are right.



During the number of years that I have been playing chess (more than I care to remember), I have read many chess books on each aspect of the game, and one writer sticks out in my mind: GM Alexander Kotov. If you should be looking to invest in some books to bring some clarity to your game, and add some rating points to your playing strength, then you can do no better that beginning with either 'Play like a Grandmaster' or 'Think like a Grandmaster' both by Kotov.



Of course, this article is not to recommend chess books, it is about the thought process. However, if you find this article interesting, then reading either of the books mentioned will be just your cup of tea, as what I am about to say here all stems from what I have read many times in those books. Even having read them many times, I still reach for them when I feel I am not playing well. Ok then, the chess thought process...



The first thing that you have to bear in mind when it comes to this question, is that chess is not a simple matter that you can just write down on paper a checklist of how or what you are going to think during a game. (Trust me, I have tried this approach, and I wasted a lot of time. It is a matter of building technique, rather than a list of criteria. This is only acheived by playing as much as you can, and by the study of your games and the games of strong players/Masters.)



There are many varying factors to take in to consideration before you even begin to think on your next move. Factors such as material, development/peice quality, and space, will help you to form an evaluation on each sides status in the game. Namely, whether the position is level, or whether one side or another has an edge. It is very important to accept the principle, that if you hold an advantage, you must attack, or you risk losing that advantage. To attack, you must identify the weak points in your opponent's position, (weak squares, weak pawns, bad pieces, exposed King, for example) it is not just a case of throwing everything you have at your opponent. You must keep a clear head.



It follows from here, that if the advantage is against you, then you must seek to defend or improve your position, else you will very quickly be resigning (if your opponent knows what he/she is doing, that is!) It is usually much harder to defend accurately in chess than it is to attack, and this is mostly because of the mind.



First, it is not so easy to keep a cool, clear head, when in situations of trouble and when under pressure -- even the best players blunder under this circumstance. Second, it is sometimes very difficult for a player to accept that he/she has gone wrong, and there is often a tendency to fool oneself into a belief that everything is ok and in hand. Lastly, when defending, the chess player must be prepared to make concessions. This is probably the hardest part, because we chess players are amongst some of the most stubborn people ever Smiling and rather than accepting the obvious, we tend to sometimes pull the wool over our eyes and carry on with our intentions regardless. It is more often than not, a fatal mistake.



So, from here we can safely say 2 things: If you hold the advantage in chess, then you must attack, or you risk losing the advantage. If the advantage is against you, then you must be prepared to defend and to make concessions. If things are equal, then you seek to improve your position until the evaluation changes one way another. These principles, laid down by former World Champion, Steinitz, have been a legacy to chess players for many years, but they are often either unknown or unfollowed. Once these principles are accepted, however, then it goes without saying that they should guide you in your choice of moves and in your intentions behind them.



So, now that you have evaluated the position, and decided how things stand, how should you proceed in your thought process with regard to finding your best move from this point? Well, this very much depends on the type of position. In chess, there are two main types of position, which I like to call calm and tense. To illustrate this, I would like to give two sets of opening moves. (Unfortunately, I can not be very elaborate in my example, due to not being able to use pictures/diagrams, but hopefully these two opening sequences will serve you as good guides to what I mean.)



1:  d4 d5, c4 c6, cxd5 cxd5

2: d4 Nf6, c4 e5



What strikes you about the two positions? Well, the first is from the exchange variation of the Slav Defence, and as you can see, there has been an exchange, but now the situation is relatively calm, with each player having a pawn in the centre. Tactics and combinations are unlikely in this position, and there is no tension between pieces. We can, then, say that this position is calm.



The second is the Budapest Gambit, and you will notice that immediately there is a central tension, and white has been given an issue to solve.



In the first example, that of a quiet position, the main focus (95%) of a chess player's mind, should be on positional/strategic, and general considerations. Where should a certain peice go? What set-up/structure should be aimed at? Likewise for your opponent. The remaining 5% should just be a few very brief calculations of lines, just checking that there are no surprises looming in the near future.



In the second example, one where there is contact and tension, and questions being asked, the main focus (95%) of a chess player's mind, should be on concrete variations and lines. The remaining 5% should be spent checking general positional considerations, bad peices, king position, pawn structure, weak points, for example, just to bear in mind as you go.



You may be wondering why it is important to have a clear comprehension of these two different types of positions. The best way that I can explain this, is to imagine that you are playing a game over the board, you have 1 hour on your clock for the whole game, and you reach a position that we can call calm. Would it be good to go through variation after variation, when you have positional considerations to solve, and when there are many options for both yourself and your opponent? Likewise, if you are in a position of tension, would you be using your time effectively by wondering where the best place for your dark-squared bishop is?



The answer to these questions is simple: no. You would need an hour per move, not an hour total, lol.



In chess, you have to focus on what is relevant, and you have to be clear on the issues at hand. If the position is tense, and there are specific issues to solve, then you must devote your attention to the accurate calculation of lines and variations. What happens if you do this? What happens if your opponent does that? The majority of your thinking on this move, must be on going through these lines and calculations thoroughly, not forgetting to check for surprises and traps.



If the position is calm, and you have no concrete issues to solve or questions being asked, then you concentrate on your positional situation. Are your peices playing their part to their optimum potential? Do you have a bad peice and how can it be improved, where would it be best placed? Is your King safe? Only when you have decided on the positional aspects, (both for yourself and your opponent), should you spend a small amount of time going through a few short lines, just to make sure that nothing is about to be sprung on you.



As I have said, I am unable to be as detailed and elaborate as I would like to be in this, but I hope that I have managed to illustrate that there are different ways that one should approach the types of situations that you will find in your chess games. Only by evaluating your current situation clearly, can you proceed in finding your best and most effective move and plan.



So, when you now go to your chess games, first look at the position and decide what your situation is. Are you equal and therefore looking to enhance and consolidate your position? Are you ahead and looking to attack? Are you behind and looking to defend? Then, once you have decided this, what is the nature of the position? Is it quiet, (in which case how do you improve your peices and structure in order to attack or defend?) Or is it one of tension and a specific issue (or issues) to contend with, (in which case you need to calculate several options move by move, and as deeply as possible).



As you apply these principles, you should find that your thought process becomes clearer and more concrete, your technique (and rating points) will grow and become more consistent, and that your understanding and enjoyment of chess increases. Also, if you play over the board chess, you should find yourself getting in time trouble less and less, as you will be using your time more effectively rather than burning the string at both ends, confusing yourself, and getting nowhere fast. Remember, stay focussed, and stay relevant!



Good luck!






Poetry Corner


Seeing as it is Valentines Day soon, a lovelly little romantic number by * Sassy_Angel *



LOVE

How far is Heaven?

Just a touch.

How far is Heaven?

Just a smile.

How far is Heaven?

Just a kiss.

How far is Heaven?

Just a look.

With you by my side 

Heaven is just a Touch, smile, kiss, and look away 

How far is Heaven?

with you next to me, Heaven is right here.






GoldToken Valentines 1




'My Love and I met in a game. We were both in a club and they had a interclub tourney called "Mystery Player". Viki invited me to a game, thinking I might be the "mystery player". I wasn't, but we got acquainted and became good friends. We then played a game of trax 8x8 and as our feelings grew, the game board presented itself as double overlapping hearts. (2 H-E-A-R-T-s) We both were amazed at this, as we were also amazed at the feelings we were both feeling and exhibiting. As our love grew, so did our plans. She even agreed to take my name, and RamblinMaam is my betrothed, my love, my soulmate.' by RamblinMan



'Well, my story is very similar to my sweetie's, but for me to get to where we met in September, 2003, I have to go back even further to the summer of 2003. I was a regular visitor at BrainKing, and I played backgammon with two very good friends there, who called themselves "Stinger" and "Stinger's Girl". They told me their story, how they had met at GoldToken, and so I decided to come visit the place where they had met. At GT, Stinger invited me to a club where he was a president, and after meeting some more people, I joined a few other clubs. I became friends with some wonderful people, and MysticDragon and I had been playing some backgammon games. She was the president of a certain club and, in trying to get some activity going in her club, she asked me to go play the Mystery Player game. I had to find someone to invite, so I went to the member list and looked at all the names, waiting for some Divine Intervention to guide me, and for some reason, as I perused the list, my eyes kept stopping at the name "RamblinMan".



Well, I went to the profile, which took me to his pic, and I thought to myself, "What a handsome fella. He'll probably decline my invitation." So I went back into the club and looked at the list again, but my eye kept going to that durned "RamblinMan". I finally reasoned out the worst that could happen, and prepared myself to be turned down...but lo and behold, he accepted!!! Once the game started, he introduced himself, and what did I do? Introduced myself, but misspelled my own name...as V-I-K-E...lol...but he was so sweet, he didn't even question it! He just replied, "Well hello, Vike, does that rhyme with nike like the shoe? or is it a one-syllable name?" and my answer to him was, "Ok...I'm embarassed...spelled my name wrong and sent you a message to tell you that. My name is Viki, but how sweet of you to be accepting of such a weird name as Vike...lol!!!!"



And the rest, as they say, is history! So thanks to Stinger (and Ms. Green Eyes) for sending me to GoldToken, and then thanks to MysticDragon, for steering me to RamblinMan! Oh and about the trax game...that really happened, and it happened on October 19, 2003.' by RamblinMaam






Newsletter Quiz by 6x5




Send prophy tactics your answers by the 22nd of February, and the first person drawn at random will win a GoldToken Pen! Winner & answers revealed next month -- good luck!!



Question 1 What was the translation of the name given to the Japanese plane built SPECIFICALLY for kamikaze attacks during WWII?



Question 2: Who are the members of the Round-up Gang from the Disney/Pixar movie 'Toy Story 2'?



Question 3: Which country's main island is 20 degrees south of the Equator, and about 1800 kilometers from the east coast of Africa? 



Question 4: I was born in Scotland of Irish parents in the mid nineteenth century. I was an ardent trade unionist and was executed by the British Army in 1916 as leader of the Irish Citizen Army for my part in the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin?



Question 5: Child star Shirley Temple, married name Shirley Temple Black, served as a U.S. Ambassador to which countries? 



Question 6: For what movie did Walter Matthau win his one and only Academy Award for?



Querstion 7: In the movie, Suspicion, what does Cary Grant's character pawn for money he can use at the race track?



Querstion 8: What ancient Greek philosopher believed the sun to be a blazing rock and used that model to correctly explain eclipses?



Querstion 9: Who was the professor that trained Apollo astronauts for geological ventures on the moon? 



Querstion 10: What was the code name for Windows 95 in its early development stages?





A trivia fan? Be sure to check out the new 6x5 Trivia Addicts board for your daily dose of trivia, and win prizes. You can also message 6x5 for more details.




Last Month's Answers: 1. China, 2. Buffalo Bill Cody, 3. The Miami Herald's, 4. NI, 5. three, 6. The Hustler, 7. Brubaker, 8. Shirley Temple, 9. Two, 10. Frank Sinatra. Quiz was won by: tango2 Congrats!!





GoldToken Valentines 2




'Our story starts out the same as I imagine most...who would have thought we would meet our partner for life on the internet. I truly believe that fate played a very large part of us meeting on GoldToken. I played on GoldToken to play games, I rarely chatted unless spoken to first, I was there to have fun and play games. Being fairly new to the site, I was nervous about posting open invites, so I would accept invites that other players posted. It was Easter Sunday April 2003, I saw a backgammon game posted by JerrBear. I thought, hmmm, that sounds like a nice name and I looked at his profile and saw that he lived in Dallas. I lived in Texas back in the 80’s so I thought ok, I’ll play him. We said our normal good lucks and took a couple moves without saying another word, then he asked “Are you shy?” That started the beginning of our relationship.



About a week later, we started talking on the phone. From that day on we talked on the phone every day until we both bought microphones for our pc’s, then we were able to talk through the mics and also play each other on GoldToken at the same time. We also exchanged photo’s and sent each other correspondence through the mail. . My nic at that time was Debbie_Jo. As a joke one night, I changed my name to Debbie_Jo_JerrBear, Jerry really liked it and asked me to leave it that way so I did. Then later he decided he wanted a change, so he became ZORRO_ and that’s when I became Senorita ZORRO_ . I lived in Ohio so our relationship was a long distant one until we were given another opportunity of fate when Jerry’s job required him to go to Pontiac Michigan, a city only an hour away from me! I had just been laid off from my job or had I still been working, I would not have been able to meet him then.



I met him for the first time in person in March 2004, just under a year from when we played our first backgammon game on GoldToken. I feel that after talking and getting to know someone for a whole year the way we did was actually better than say meeting someone in a bar or wherever. Talking and playing games over that long of a period of time gave us a chance to really know each other before we met in person. Our first meeting was brief, he was only in Michigan for 2 days. Two weeks later - lo and behold, yet another opportunity of fate - -Jerry had to go to a town near Cleveland which was only 2 hours from me. I met with him again and during the 10 days he was in Cleveland, we decided that I would go back to Texas with him. ZORRO_ has asked his Senorita to marry him but we have not set a date yet. A big thank-you to GoldToken… and fate!!' by Senorita ZORRO_






Testamonial Of The Month




Lets see where do i start about talking about the best thing that ever happend to me namely speaking Goldtoken. Yes it Might be strange to say about a Game site but for me it's the truth. Reason being well many are this. I am what most of you might call a newbie. I came here in October of last year. Well when i came here my fiancee who i thought i would spend the rest of my life with decided to leave me one day while at work. Came home her my van and TV where all gone. Well i came apart world just lost any meaning to me whatsoever. Then a friend of mine nic being DewGirl told me about Goldtoken while playing at IYT. So one day alone and a mess decided had nothing to do job was gone fiancee left car totalled. I came here signed up. No big deal for about 2 weeks then i got to get invited to games and the people where so wonderful i could not belive how sweet everyone was being to me.



Well one day was having such a great time had to find this badger character that i see this name posted all over. So i go hunt Badger down to write and say hey nice site you have here keep up the good work. Well i found Badger wrote and got a response seemed nice enough so i asked Badger's name and Badger says it's Mary well my jaw hit the floor lol. Here i thought Badger was a guy. Well i wrote and told her that well she comes back with looks and says nope not built like a guy well i roarded Laughed so hard and said i like her lol. Well now we are best pals. She asked me to write this and i hope i don't disapoint.



Anyway Goldtoken to me is my home and now also my couch,pulpit,fireplace,or dinning room table. I say this because my door is always open to whoever needs or wants a friend to talk to. Since i have been at Goldtoken i have at least a dozen firm friendships that will last a life time. Plus i just had a very special lady call me her valentine. Now i ask you how do you get better than this. This site has helped me through days i no longer wanted to be here. But Badger, Kran the 2 ladies that run our home are such great friends of mine i am honored to know them. Sassy Angel now i am sure most of you know her always helping people no matter how many problems she has she will come to you and say hello how are ya. Now there are many people here i could mention but i won't mainly because be here all day lol. So when i come here i know my day will be fulllfilled and i will just smile all day. Reason because people care about you at Goldtoken. GOD BLESS GOLD TOKEN! God bless all the people here as well. By:BillsPlace





Would you like to make your affection for GoldToken known? Please send your testamonials to me for possible inclusion in future editions -- thank you!






Joke of the Month by January's Joke DB host, MizE


The jokes so far this year have been completely hysterical! I thought I would take this opportunity to share a few with you:



You know you are living in 2005 when... 



1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave. 

2. You haven't played solitare with real cars in years. 

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3. 

4. You e-mail the person who sits at the desk next to you. 

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with family and friends is that they didn't have e-mail addressed. 

6. You go home after a long day at work and you still answer the phone in a business manor. 

7. When you make phone calls from home, you accidentally dial "9" to get an outside line. 

8. You've sat at the same dest for four years and worked for three different companies. 

10. You learn about your redundanvy on the 11 o'clock news. 

11. Your boss doesn't have the ability to do you job . 

12. You pull up in your own driveway and use your sell phone to see if anyone is home. 

13. Eevery commercial on television has a website at the bottom of the screen. 

14. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn;t have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn aroubg to go get it. 

15. You get up in the morning and go online before getting your coffee. 

16. You start tilting your head to smile. Smiling 

17. You're readign this and nodding and laughing. 

18. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message. 

19. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list. 

20. You accually scrollred back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list. 

And now you're laughing at yourself!!!!!



World's Shortest Joke: A dyslexic man walks in to a bra






GoldToken Valentines 3




When I first met Dave, I was attracted by the name he was using at that time. It was Airborne and I thought it had something to do with the military. Come to find out it was his cats name. I was feeling down and depressed one night and was talking to Dave in here and he asked me if he could call me. Well, I gave him my phone number and he called me right away. I thought he had the sexiest voice I have ever heard. He was so nice on the phone and really cheered me up. We just kept playing games and talking on the phone There was a lot of other stuff going on in Daves' life at the same time. He found out that he had cancer and wanted to let me know that before we met or did anything and I told him how I felt about him and we hadn't even met yet. He decided he had to come all the way to Florida to meet me without even knowing what I looked like. He drove over 1200 miles from Toronto to Lakeland, Florida, to meet me sight unseen. I at least had a picture of him. He came on March 3, 2002 and I came to Canada with him on March 21, 2002.



We got married at his daughter's in her back yard on July 1, 2002 and his sister, who is a minister, married us. And oh, by the way, he is cancer free now! We have not been separated from day one. And I have never been happier. One of the downs of long distance relationships if you plan on staying together and you're from different countries is the time length. It took over a year for me to get my Landed Immigrant Status. Until I got that, we had to keep getting visitors permits and it cost Dave $75 everytime he sent for one. And of course, a lot of money. I am very lucky and happy too that he love's me as much as he does. He spent over a thousand dollars to get me here to stay, plus all the doctor bills for physicals and blood work and my daibetes too.







Hi all It's Me Marko better known to my friends as Mark



Just like to tell you a little story going back about two and a half years now. One Fateful day I wanted to change my Nic on here I was bored No-one was playing games etc. So I posted a few open games up in the hope of making some new game buddies. So my name became LimeandGuinness and I sent loads of salvo games out, I had to get off to work later so couldn't get back online till later in the day...



Lo and behold I had a few more games and One of them was from Dolly. She had just come back from a trip to Dublin and wondered if I had been to Dublin, as The G word was part of my nickname. I answered yes twice and loved the place and we started reminiscing about the place. If any of you haven't been you should go Honestly you'd love it...



Anyway over the next week we talked a fair bit got to know she was good at Back Sad lol. For the next 2 months we got on like a house on fire. She liked rugby , I couldn't believe i was talking to someone who had the same interests as me Smiling.



After what seemed a eternity We decided to meet...



So we met halfway between where we lived, at a Burger King. It was a bit scary at first but we both smiled and recognised each other. The afternoon was a laugh. She told me about herself, what she was upto and the stuff she had done. Then i told her about some of my exploits. It was getting near 2 o'clock and she would have to go; so we both headed off and gave each other our Mobile phone numbers, as I would like to see her again if she would like that...



Well at first I thought I had blown it as no message at all the next day. But it was Friday so I decided I was going to go bed early as rugby match on the Saturday. Well I woke up in the morning and there was a message. If I would like to see Crewe then get on a train and she'd show me the town...



So as I boarded the train I was shaking lol a guard even asked me was I ok as i looked ill. As the train Pulled in at Crewe I had to text her I had arrived. I left the station and there she was looking even lovelier than our first meeting. We spent the rest of the day around Crewe it was great, I had fell in love with this Rock Angel!



I Eventually got up the Nerve to ask her out and she said Yes...



So Thanks to GoldToken I had met The Love of my life. I had Been married before but had never been blessed with having any children. However last July she whispered in my ear..."You're Going to Be A Dad" And to this day it was the most happiest I've ever felt



So Ladies And Gentlemen, me and Dolly are going to have a baby. Its Due Date, quite ironic really as dolly only started talking to me over Guinness and Dublin well.....17th March 2005, St Patrick's Day. So when the time comes, please charge and raise your glasses and have a drink for us, and Our Little Girl



Yours Marko ( Mark )




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