Hi Leland, This is a tough time of the year for all chess clubs. A lot of folks are caught up in holiday shenanigans.  I myself prefer chess to shopping or dining with most of my relatives!  Just one quick question. Is there any chance or possible way you might be able to return to a Game/75 format at CCC?  Perhaps this could be accomplished by starting earlier?  Jonathon McNeill is itching for a rematch with you, and I too miss playing at the Seafarer.  It is a difficult proposition, though, to drive approximately 2 1/2 hours plus for 2 hours of chess.  Also, all of us in Asheboro prefer a longer time control than G/60.  I know there are practical issues involved for you, but this is just a heads up that we would be likely attendees if the time control were increased. Thanks for your patience with The Asheboro Open mini-crisis.  We now have a date certain for the next tournament, and a contract with Randolph Mall.  We will be using their Hospitality Room which is spacious, well lit, and has a private bathroom.  There is also plenty of parking, and easy access to restaurants.  I am excited about the new location, and I think players will love it.  Charlotte players have always been a cornerstone of our success in Asheboro, and we appreciate it. I hope you and your family have a great holiday! Sincerely, Tom Hales ************************************************ Tom: I hear you loud and clear! Our recent numbers at the CCC have been extremely disappointing to say the least. But, those who still participate thoroughly enjoy  what we have to offer. And, while I'm at it, I'd like to plug "our" new facility for Saturday events at the Mint Hill Public Library. In fact, our next 3 rounder, Quark 9,  will be contested on December 27! When I founded the Charlotte Chess Club some 30+ years ago, the concensus among most members was that they wanted to play in a facility where food was available. Hence, a long list of restaurants served as the home of the CCC (some for 5-10 years!) Tom, you are correct about times being tough for everyone. In fact, over the past 2 years, on 3 separate occasions, restaurants we were using went out of business!? including "Quaker Steak" which everyone seemed to love! And, just maybe, the downturn in our economy has prevented some from spending the money to dine when they visit the Seafarer. I readily admit that the Seafarer is a bit further away from the center of the city than our other previous locations, but it is an excellent venue for chess! What I find puzzling is that many Charlotte chess players apparently do not like to play chess in a very spacious, well lighted, well heated, quiet, private room with a waitress in an excellent restaurant which boasts one of the most extensive and fairly priced menues in the city!? Nor do they care about dining and conversing with their friends, drinking a beverage while playing nor reviewing games on a full size demonstration board. Curiously, they seem to prefer downsized tables with small metal folding chairs arranged in a cramped and stuffy area with little space to move about and absolutely no food or beverages. (unless, of course, you leave the building and walk down the street to purchase them). Furthermore, for what it's worth, unlike others, the CCC website is always "immediately" updated with the latest results, games and crosstables to be observed the following morning! Now, for the good part. Though few have complained about our time control change to G60, the CCC Supreme Committee has declared that the round will now begin at 7:20pm and the new time control for the Charlotte Chess Club Wednesday evening game is now G75 (with no "time delay") or G60 if both players agree. {"Time delay" can significantly increase the realtime length of a game}. We must acknowledge the fact that the Seafarer closes at 10 pm. The CCC will meet on the next 2 Wednesday evenings but not meet on December 24 or December 31. Our final club event will be Quark 9 on December 27 at the Mint Hill Public Library. I hope you will join us then. Happy Holidays to you and your family. NM Leland Fuerstman