Family or chess

What is more important for you: the chess or your family? Most of us will answer that family is most important and the question is irracional.

Of course, it is right, but... How many players wanted to play in chess tournament, but his/her partner said, that it is not good idea. I have some friends and whenever they want to play with me (or our friends), there is a problem. Usually it is, that girlfriend/wife says that chess is more important for us. It is funny, because how it is possible, that the chess is more important than the other person.

Women needs to understand that we need some time to spend it with our friends playing chess. And it doesn't mean it is most important activity in our life.

Do you have similar troubles when you want to play chess with your friends?

Crazy Elo rating

If you don't have Elo rating yet, be carefull who do you play with. If you want to go on the list with reasonable rating it is important to play with opponents with similar rating we feel we should have.

This is funny, but if you play againts opponents with poor ratings you will go on the list, but... with poor ratings. If you play against strong opponents (and you loose most games), your rating will be also poor.
Decreasing the level of Elo rating was a big mistake of FIDE. I know they need money, but for now ratings between 1500-2100 are not showing the real level of player. You will play in the tournament against not relevant players, you rating will be wrong. For example you feel you have skills on 1900 Elo, but due to some poor games you will be listed with 1500 Elo rating.
Increasing 400 points of Elo rating will take you years...
So the conclusion is that you should carefully select tournaments you are going to play in.