So the chess tournament went as follows: The games were G-15 which means that you must make all of your moves in 15 minutes. Your opponent has the same obligation, so at most, the game lasts a half hour. Not quite blitz (where 5 minutes per side is standard) but definitely faster than regulation tournament chess, where games can last 5 or 6 hours. The tournament was for strong players - I was one of a couple without an international rating, and most players were in the 2100-2300 range. To put it blunty, I got smoked my first 4 games, hardly having a decent position in any of them (in one game I lost, my opponent didn't use more than a minute or 2...ouch). Because there were an odd number of players, each round one player received a bye (and hence a free point). Guess how I got my first?? Round 6 saw me matched up against Haik, the host from the previous night where we had khorovadz, vodka, etc...After getting out of the opening in a better position (!), I made a mistake after which Haik immediately offered me a draw. At first in surprise as I figured he had a better position, I realized that he was simply continuing "being the good host." Thanks Haik. I lost a game, then won (finally!!), and then played an 11 year old friend from the States who is studying chess in Yerevan this summer. Sarkis moved to America from Yerevan as a small child, and is one of the strongest chess players in his age group in the States. Each of the past couple of summers he has returned back to 'the source' for chess studies and staying connected to his homeland. He is a great kid, polite, and mature for his age. Somehow I held on for a draw. In any case, it was a good experience and one I hope to repeat (hopefully with somewhat better results) again soon.