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Urcan, Olimpiu G.
ROM
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Olimpiu Gheorghe
Urcan Profession: history teacher Without seeing a chess book before I played in my first chess tournament back in 1992 while I was a high-school student at History-Social Science Class from Alba Iulia. At this tournament, the local chess trainer appreciated the way I was placing my rooks on open files and asked me join the chess club for in-depth training. My passion for history and chess were interconnected since those times and I became a chess correspondent at “Gand Tineresc” (Young thoughts) our high school magazine in 1993. This also marks the time when I discovered my interest in chess history. During my studies at Faculty of History (Babes Bolayi University Cluj Napoca, Romania 1995-1999), as well as during "Advanced Studies. Medieval Studies" Program (UBB, Romania, 1999-2000) I kept a healthy interest in chess history and I started to write articles for a few Romanian Chess Magazines (Sah! Chesspress, Gambit). Beginning with 2002 I started to publish chess history articles for “Chess Mate” magazine (India) and “Correspondence Chess News” while continuing a publishing effort inside Romania where, unfortunately chess history is very poorly represented. My best OTB chess results are dated between 1999-2001 when I managed to obtain two national Master norms (current FIDE ELO is 2139) playing some international tournaments in Transylvania, a Romanian province where history, tolerance and mutual respect for different values built up a perfect intercultural area during historical times. I think the global era we are living nowadays needs a perpetual reminder of the older times and older characters. Chess history lovers have an important role in keeping the game heading forward but, nevertheless, assuming and reevaluating its inheritance. All my articles are dedicated to two very special persons that shaped my life, dreams and hopes each time. One of them, my grandfather Lup Stefan (1925-2002), the old man that taught me the first moves of the chess game is no longer among us, but my gratitude and respect will always be in my heart. May He Rest in Peace! The second person is Miss Juli Angsani, a very special person I will always keep in mind and heart, having a whole future ahead us! Thus past and future come together building a potential creative effort I will gladly use at CCN. My email address is petemarlowe@hotmail.com Please feel free contact me whenever you feel like it! |