Cuba Chess Trip

[GFPC]

So for years I have wanted to attend a Chess Tournament in CUBA - they have some of the best players in the world. My brother has a favorite player called "Capablanca" who was a Cuban Grandmaster and I have watched many of his games.
I have also met some fantastic Cuban players over the years.. but this is going to be even better.

May 3rd - May 15th is the 2012 Capablanca Chess Memorial Tournament in Havana Cuba!!

Its 10 rounds to super quality Chess (LOL) at only one game per day - in the afternoons which takes 4-5 hours. After that is party time all over the city of Havana. The best part is its probably going to be so cheap to enter.

Entry is like 50 CUC - 40 Euros! Flight maybe $300 more or less... and Hotel (double occupancy) 50-60 per night..

Food wise - I know some really decent spots where tourists do not go for like 2 bucks.. haha.. real good food.

All in all the cost per person could be less then $1000 for 2 weeks!!!

I have been thinking of playing in this one or the Canadian Chess Championships in Vancouver where it will cost for a week around 3K for Hotel and flights and entries!!!

I think i will go to CUBA this year - anyone wanna go for shits and giggles?

You dont have to play of course in the tournament its only 4 hours per day.. then its party time :-)..

P.S. I am not sure how it works in the USA to travel to Cuba - but if anyone wants to make it a trip let me know...

[Jeremy]

Wow man, I have been playing a lot of chess lately with my neighbor. That sounds like fun, but I'd get destroyed against you dudes. I'd love to play you sometime online though just to test my mad chess skills, lol. What's the best interface/software to play online chess these days, no need for real money or anything like that.

Let's set up a Friday or Saturday night matchup and have fun. You will win, I just want to see how long I can last!

[jdwanchalk]

Hey Guys. There is this place, people are dying to leave it, they even hop on rafts in the middle of the night into the ocean in an attempt to escape.

Does it sound like a place you all would like to visit? If so, PM me.

Note: I know nothing about Cuba, but I thought it'd be akin to visiting North Korea. Probably wrong. Idk.

[GFPC]

Yeah sounds good! There are several good interfaces and online chess places to play. I play on a site called Internet Chess Club - it has a fee based system but that is the place to play and learn and have access to videos, and access to so many world chess championship matches. Everyday they have a video series to help you improve. If you ever wanted to learn the same and really find a fascinating place to play 1000s of people online I suggest them.

Internet Chess Club: Where the Grandmasters Play Online Chess -- the best site in the world by far :-)

There is also a place called FICS - free internet chess server - same type of setup but its free - its been like that since the 90s.

Free Internet Chess Server (FICS) -- you can login as a guest and play random games. I would suggest that one to play for fun...

Sounds like a plan - I am up for a game/s anytime - I usually play 10-15 games per day everyday (for the last 20 years).. LOL

Wow man, I have been playing a lot of chess lately with my neighbor. That sounds like fun, but I'd get destroyed against you dudes. I'd love to play you sometime online though just to test my mad chess skills, lol. What's the best interface/software to play online chess these days, no need for real money or anything like that.

Let's set up a Friday or Saturday night matchup and have fun. You will win, I just want to see how long I can last!

[GFPC]

Cuba is an awesome place to visit. I guess being Canadian I would rather visit Cuba than Mexico. For some reason Canadians are getting killed in Mexico as of late... uggg...

People are great in Cuba - its probably the 2nd place I love to go behind my all time favorite - URUGUAY!!! If you went to Cuba you would love it.

Hey Guys. There is this place, people are dying to leave it, they even hop on rafts in the middle of the night into the ocean in an attempt to escape.

Does it sound like a place you all would like to visit? If so, PM me.

Note: I know nothing about Cuba, but I thought it'd be akin to visiting North Korea. Probably wrong. Idk.

[Catfish]

Been there several times, and I absolutely love the people there. Their attitude vs. life under difficult conditions is simply unbelievable. I suggest you do not stay in a hotel, but look for a private place to stay. Rather hand (less) money to some family (they will rent their apt to you and move in with the neighbors if necessary) than to some big company. There are lots of websites out there where you can find good places. Don't ask a taxi driver for a private place to stay, they take commissions and you end up paying more.
Stay in Havana Vieja or in the "Rampa" area, that's where the most of the interesting places are.

[GFPC]

Awesome - maybe i iwll have to hit you up soon for some infos. Yeah been looking into finding a family there that will rent their house i have done that before and your right its much better and cheaper. I rather do that then stay in hotel - in contact with some Cubans now who are looking for me :-) Thanks mate

Been there several times, and I absolutely love the people there. Their attitude vs. life under difficult conditions is simply unbelievable. I suggest you do not stay in a hotel, but look for a private place to stay. Rather hand (less) money to some family (they will rent their apt to you and move in with the neighbors if necessary) than to some big company. There are lots of websites out there where you can find good places. Don't ask a taxi driver for a private place to stay, they take commissions and you end up paying more.
Stay in Havana Vieja or in the "Rampa" area, that's where the most of the interesting places are.

[GFPC]

$40-$45 CAD per day at the Riviera hotel - includes food and drink for 14 days. Flights about $200-$300 out of Canada more or less.
LOL really cheap :-)..

[Catfish]

Yes it is cheap. even in the hotels. But hooking up with a Cuban family who rent out to you, and would be able to tell you where to go for food and sights and fun, that is priceless. Believe me. You plan on taking a girlfriend there? My advice: reconsider that move, but put some small gifts like lipstick or other stuff in your bag instead. Don't forget to bring some small gifts for your future hosts as well, that goes down with them even better than the cash you are bringing.
Not sure what the situation is right now with the peso Cubano and the Yanqui dollar, last I heard it is now punishable by Cuban law for Cubans to accept payment in USD. But I would guess that's the theory....
Oh one important advice: do NOT take working ATMs for granted, your credit card may not be of much use in some places outside Havana, so take some cash and maybe even some traveller's checques.
Hell I feel like coming over myself (currently on the next island south of Cuba, the Dominican Republic). But I doubt my gf will let me go there, unless I bring her along.

[GFPC]

Yeah my GF wanted to go but maybe your right :-) - well she said that 1 week would be ok and thought to go together the first week and then she would fly back while i stayed (she cant get 2 weeks off work) - but then I thought to bring along a couple of mates..

I went once to Cienfuegos years ago with a GF and LOL your correct not a good move.. haha..

The first time was the best as I spend time with a Cuban family most of the time - your right that is the best idea! If it was in Cienfuegos for sure i could find a family with my old contacts but the main Havana i have no clue really..

Yeah i plan to bring all kinds of stuff - lipsticks, toothpaste, soaps - haha good call man!

If you decide to come along let me know - LOL that would be hilarious. I am trying to firm up the dates and stuff in the following few weeks.