Hi,

My name is David Cole, and I was asked to host Igor Ivanov at my apartment when I was living in the Atlanta metro area back in the mid 1990's. Igor decided to attend a tournament at the Atlanta Chess Center, and Thad Rogers asked for a volunteer to accommodate Igor for the weekend. I volunteered, and I made the unfortunate mistake of engaging Igor in a conversation regarding politics. I should have known better, and Igor rightly lambasted me. However, driving him to Atlanta Hartsfield Airport, I apologized for my choice in conversation, and he quickly forgave me, as I knew Igor to be a man that did not hold grudges. I had forgotten that he endured far worse politics than I, as I was constantly frustrated trying to bring national tournaments to Atlanta, and before that, St. Louis where I also used to live. Igor was even nice enough to play some speed chess against me in my apartment, and we did a demonstration for a friend of mine that stopped by my apartment. Igor, may you rest in peace as you are in a better place now.

David A. Cole, Township of Washington, NJ