Good morning to my one reader out there. I suppose that would be me.

Dear Self,

Q-How is that Caro-Kann, Slav, London opening working out for you?

A-It is going fine. I am fairly relaxed in the opening. I am becoming more and more familiar with the typical lines and troubles.

Q-What are the troubles?

A-Believe it or not, I have had difficulties with the Slav-exchange. If I am not careful, I get into trouble there. I have made mistakes with the London system where after Black plays 2...c5 and 3...cd, the tempo saved by not yet having played d5 has permitted some active bishops. I have seen the Bb4 pin with Qa5 and Ne4 more than once.

Q-So are you doing badly?

A-No. Actually I am doing well. It is a patient old man way of playing that suits my patient old man self. Quite often I find myself reaching equality, and then slowly turning it the other way. I know it is nothing much, just chesscube, but I like being over 1800.

Q-What other openings tempt you?

A-I am tempted to go straight out with Mihail Marin's English Opening System as White, and the Accelerated Dragon as Black. I have considered that book called the Sniper, where after the fianchetto, ...c5 is played. I wonder about this as a sort of King's Indian, hybrid.

Q-Are you falling for shots? How is your endgame?

A-I am not falling for to many shots. I don't make them much either. I think this is in part, the nature of the solid system and style that I like. But it is an area where I know I need improvement. As for the endgame, I know I have made draws where I could have pushed for more, but because of the shortage of time on the clock. I like a safe half point, more than an error and a loss.

Q-Thank you very much for your time. Good luck in 2011.
A-Thank you. May your family be happy and safe, and may things go well for you at work.