Vinnie was strong master strength in blitz, Theo was much weaker...At best he was weak expert strength, probably closer to 'A' player strength...which kind of made him a perfect fish (besides the fact he was a multimillionaire) because he fancied himself a hustler AND thought he was a stronger player than he was. Almost a perfect combination. Theo was strong enough to beat most people in the park and the average player passing through...and because of that he thought he was a real playa But the real players in the park who were master strength, beat him and took his money regularly....The masters also had to give Theo a time handicap, which Vinnie is doing in these games (Vinnie starts with less time on the clock)
Yeah, he was Greek. But that's not Greek he's speaking right there. He's using an old Italian saying (extended through the whole Europe): "Finita la musica, passata la fiesta", which means, "Finished the music, the party is over". Though he says "finito" instead of "finitA", a common error among non-Italian speakers. Then he traps Livermore's Queen (forcing an amply favourable exchange) and fancies his own variation of the saying, "Finita la cocaina, passata la fiesta"; in this case meaning, "Once cocaine is finished, party is over".
@@Pacalolo04 Were he American, he'd have sung "turn out the lights, the party's over" à la Don Meredith on Monday Night Football, or perhaps "na na hey hey goodbye", Comiskey Park style.
"If this is the way it is now.." Man, do you realize this video is 20 years old. Street chess has been like this forever. You really need to get out of Iowa.
Years ago I belonged to a chess club. The only people who talked during a game were the ones who played blindfold chess.Since the board and pieces are in a room they cant see so they have to tell each other their moves.
Years ago I belonged to a chess club. No one talked. They just played. The only people who talked were those that were playing a blindfold game.Since thats the only way your opponent knows what you moved. You have to tell him, then he tells you his or her move.
This is hollywoods version of chess playing in Washington Square Park in greenwhich village. You dont need a chess board because theres one in the concrete table top. People usually dont talk when a game is going on. But this is hollywoods version. If its this way now the area has been taken over by vulgarians.
I played every day there in the early 80s. Vinny and Alan Williams, standing behind the board and John,( and the first shot looks like Pandolfini in the foreground), - and talking is a Major part of the fun of playing. Everyone gets their own free-flowing patter going. This is Quite real. Good players have no problem sh@t-talking while they play. Those that can't babble, are either very shy or aren't very good players.
@@LM-ie5wo Google him. There were articles written about Vinnie, he was played by Laurence Fishburne in "Searching for Bobby Fischer" and he was written about in the book as well.
@@kidnuke2 Almost everyone in this clip has passed away. Alan Williams, the tall black man standing behind the board, was almost 2400 strength. Vinnie was a great hustler, maybe close to expert strength OTB. He knew every trick, and he had true chess skills. His opponent was an obnoxious fish.
Theo AKA "The Greek".
The best was to see him strolling into the park during the colder months; sporting his full length black mink coat.
More footage of Vinnie Livermore and Theo and other park characters in "Men Who Would Be Kings"
Part 1 and 2 are basicaly it. If you get the position in part 2, Vinny makes a beautiful Queen sacrifice.
Great Vid!
would you be able to estimate a rating for these guys?
Vinnie was strong master strength in blitz, Theo was much weaker...At best he was weak expert strength, probably closer to 'A' player strength...which kind of made him a perfect fish (besides the fact he was a multimillionaire) because he fancied himself a hustler AND thought he was a stronger player than he was. Almost a perfect combination. Theo was strong enough to beat most people in the park and the average player passing through...and because of that he thought he was a real playa
But the real players in the park who were master strength, beat him and took his money regularly....The masters also had to give Theo a time handicap, which Vinnie is doing in these games (Vinnie starts with less time on the clock)
3:13 "open yo ass up- OPEN!"
"i'll teach you a lesson in humidity" humility... humidity... tomato tomahto
What language is he speaking and what does he say . 6:06
That's Theo the Greek.
Yeah, he was Greek. But that's not Greek he's speaking right there. He's using an old Italian saying (extended through the whole Europe): "Finita la musica, passata la fiesta", which means, "Finished the music, the party is over". Though he says "finito" instead of "finitA", a common error among non-Italian speakers. Then he traps Livermore's Queen (forcing an amply favourable exchange) and fancies his own variation of the saying, "Finita la cocaina, passata la fiesta"; in this case meaning, "Once cocaine is finished, party is over".
@@Pacalolo04 Were he American, he'd have sung "turn out the lights, the party's over" à la Don Meredith on Monday Night Football, or perhaps "na na hey hey goodbye", Comiskey Park style.
Beautiful but unsound. The position was drawn after the queen sack.
which one is vincent?
InterstellarApple African dude
Choo Choo
"If this is the way it is now.."
Man, do you realize this video is 20 years old. Street chess has been like this forever. You really need to get out of Iowa.
Years ago I belonged to a chess club. The only people who talked during a game were the ones who played blindfold chess.Since the board and pieces are in a room they cant see so they have to tell each other their moves.
Years ago I belonged to a chess club. No one talked. They just played. The only people who talked were those that were playing a blindfold game.Since thats the only way your opponent knows what you moved. You have to tell him, then he tells you his or her move.
lol chess players are seemingly intelligent, but the activity is so esoteric that it's a poor indication of mental health.
Personally, I automatically ignore and discount the opinions of anybody vapid enough to start their post with 'lol'
What do you mean by esoteric not really familiar with how to use the word in proper context..trying to expand my vocabulary not trolling
Plastic pieces and great dialogues...
This kind of chess really piss me of!
"Those who speak now nothing"
This is hollywoods version of chess playing in Washington Square Park in greenwhich village. You dont need a chess board because theres one in the concrete table top. People usually dont talk when a game is going on. But this is hollywoods version. If its this way now the area has been taken over by vulgarians.
I played every day there in the early 80s. Vinny and Alan Williams, standing behind the board and John,( and the first shot looks like Pandolfini in the foreground), - and talking is a Major part of the fun of playing. Everyone gets their own free-flowing patter going. This is Quite real. Good players have no problem sh@t-talking while they play. Those that can't babble, are either very shy or aren't very good players.
why do they have to be Vulgarians?i sense you're the type of player that gets rattled when someone talks to you during a game.
Vinne died of AIDS
He actually died of an overdose, but thanks for the (mis)information
@@koko40800 Where can I find more about Vinnie Livermore? I saw "Men who would be Kings", but there are some books about this "street chess" legend?
@@LM-ie5wo Google him. There were articles written about Vinnie, he was played by Laurence Fishburne in "Searching for Bobby Fischer" and he was written about in the book as well.
@@koko40800 What happened to Theo??
@@kidnuke2 Almost everyone in this clip has passed away. Alan Williams, the tall black man standing behind the board, was almost 2400 strength. Vinnie was a great hustler, maybe close to expert strength OTB. He knew every trick, and he had true chess skills. His opponent was an obnoxious fish.