Klementi Voroshilov

Another grand weekend in Carimate with the lads from ASLItalia!  Last time, I worked with newbies, of whom there are many at Carimate.  Carimate is a "gathering," not a tournament and new players feel more comfortable attending.  This is not necessarily because they intend to compete, but because they can get help as they play, ensure that they are playing correctly and see more experienced players correcting each other in a playful atmosphere.

If you are looking for one of those "I played this and then I played that" tournament reviews, turn the page.  In this post I'm going to look at what you need to look for when selecting an ASL tournament you want to attend.

I quit writing the blog for a long time, but last weekend I spent some time in Carimate, Italy and it brought back some of my ASL enthusiasm.  Carimate is north of Milan, near Lake Como.  Its really a beautiful spot with excellent coffee, good food and lots of pretty Italian women.  If you've never been here, its a gorgeous part of the world. ASL Italia lists Winter Gathering Carimate as a gathering, not as a tournament.  This brings in lots of newbies and there were more than a few Starter Kit games.  I would really recommend that clubs think about these gatherings because I will testify that it has a very different feeling in terms of competition.  There is a lot more learning going on when you aren't competing.  I don't just say this because I suck at ASL, I do, but because sometimes those who can, do and those who can't teach.  Not only does a non-competitive gathering bring in new blood, but it allows people to display a completely differe...

 Michael kibbutzing.  Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?  Danish design.  Keeping the chairs off the floor.  You mean Norway sends him a tax check AND he rolls six CH's on my BT's?  That ain't right.  Radio ASO, where the crits keep coming...  The sexy table.  Warsaw uprising campaign game in development by LFT.  Even a heroic 9-2 can't save me from his back to back to back snake MG kills on my tank.  How bad were my dice?  This is an actual still life of one of my rolls with the white die on its corner.  Winner of the Pete Shelling prize--so, you got that goin for ya. My man, Snoop Dog hangin, straight out of Copenhagen.

COPENHAGEN--I am just finishing up with the ASL Scandinavian Open here in the "New Orleans of the North" and I wanted to pass on a few things. If you have never been to this tournament, strongly consider it.  The venue is really good.  The Danhostel is unique, but ideally suited for ASL, venue.  The rooms are comfortable and clean.  The staff is really, really welcoming.  The food (keeping in mind that I live in France) is second rate, but certainly better than the fare that ASL players have become accustomed.  It is a little bit remote from the city, but a light rail station is within (healthy) walking distance. The rooms and the playing area are all connected with a kind of hamster-trail twisting-turning warren of glassed-in hallways.  There is also a lot of room to walk outside if you need a breather.  Remember, however, European ASL'ers are more likely to be smokers. The tournament itself is really well run, with a good plan, a few surprises (...