4NCL 08/09 Final Weekend: Qik Blitz at the Barcelo

I like any technology that saves time and makes things easy for the layman. Qik is a very handy software for your mobile device, that connects directly with your in-built video recorder and your online Qik account. Launch the software, press one button and you are streaming live to the web. All you need is a data-plan with decent connection and video-enabled phone. There is a big expanding list of compatible phones on the Qik website. I used a HTC Touch Pro, Windows Mobile 6.1. Despite a slow OS and other drawbacks, the video works nicely and the vodafone HSDPA connection seems more than enough in every location I have tried.

Here are a couple of blitz chess games from a recent 4NCL chess weekend, played over beers in our team hotel. It’s worth noting that two of the players are pretty formidable. GM Keith Arkell was runner up in the British championship this year and has a fearsome blitz reputation, whilst Simon Williams is one of the UK’s top 10 rated Grandmasters, higher than Keith. Shame about the camera-work, am still learning .

Naylor versus Arkell

Rice versus Williams