Pep Talk

I wish you could be here to get the feel of the team's preparation.  While we sit at Steak and Shake waiting for seven different flavors of milkshakes, Jonathan Lee is sizing up the competition from around the state in an authoritative survey.  He knows the competition out there, and he is assessing their strengths and vulnerabilities -- making the case that Northside has a good shot this year.  He is looking at match-ups for each of our players, and, largely, the match-ups look promising. Our players are strong, and the team has good chances.
That's what the players are up to on their own.

As soon as we return to the hotel, Florin is here.

First, it is time to hand out new uniforms (a.k.a. team T-shirts) to the squad.

OK, everyone is clad in maroon and silver.  Now, back to chess.

As I said, Florin is here.  That means it is time to get to work.  Knights and bishops begin to fly as pawns march and then get eaten up or make a stand.  New lines and old lines thread through the flitting pieces.  Preparing for competition, eagerly, avidly, hungrily.