John Kaufeld

John Kaufeld at DecipherCon 1999.

John Kaufeld was a Decipher-era Squadron Member, listed as Gold 49 from Fishers, IN. His slot was marked Retired after Decipher's SWCCG run. At DecipherCon 1999 Kaufeld also played Young Jedi: finished 28 in Young Jedi World Championship (Open Champs); finished 7 in YJ Qualifier #2 (Sealed Deck).

He was hired to write an official strategy guide for the game, but the publisher folded before it was finished. He ran the monthly "Vineyard" tournament in Indianapolis, with 30 to 40 regular players, and wrote For Dummies books.

In their own words

"First, I was born -- which goes without saying."

(Bugs Bunny)

As long as I can remember, I've loved games. When I was a kid (chronologically speaking, because my wife would argue that by other measures the phrase should read "because I'm a kid..."), I played any game I could get my hands on. That love translated into a lifelong pursuit of games, including board games, role-playing games, multiplayer computer games, and (of course) Star Wars CCG.

I started playing Star Wars CCG shortly after it came out. As luck would have it, I was hired to write the official strategy guide for the game, but (alas!) the publisher went out of business shortly before the book was completed. By that time, it was too late for me -- I was hopelessly hooked on the game!

After collecting the cards for a time, and playing the game with my friends, I looked around for tournament opportunities. Although there was an occasional tourney in my area, it usually landed on days when I was busy. To fix that problem, I applied to be a TD. Shortly after gaining that title, I advanced to Squadron Member.

Today, I run the monthly "Vineyard" Star Wars CCG tourney, which boasts a regular attendance of 30-40 players. In my copious free time (when I'm not sorting cards and wondering why they still don't fit into my binders), I write "Dummies" books for IDG Books Worldwide and do articles for various Internet and computer gaming magazines. Best of all, I even get to play Star Wars CCG occasionally, although I'm still looking for more TD's in the Indianapolis area (sign up now -- don't wait for the holiday rush!). At home, I enjoy time with my wife

Service

Dates	Service
September 1999	Helped run the 1999 Corellia Regionals (Gold 49)
August 1999 – January 2001	Squadron Member Gold 49, Corellia region; Fishers, IN; Decipher profile page
25 July 1998	1998 Corellia Regional (Indianapolis) assisted
Decipher era	Ran the monthly "Vineyard" tournament in Indianapolis

Jedi Knights TCG

Kaufeld is thanked in the credits of the Jedi Knights Trading Card Game rulebook (2001). Decipher sent him the draft rules in October 2000 for an outsider's view; he urged a card almanac.

Photographs

• 
  Young Jedi Team Champions, with John Kaufeld.

See also

• Squadron Members · Anagrams · Creators of SWCCG · Radio Free Decipher
• Corellian Engineering Corporation (fan site)

External links

• Decipher SWCCG Squadron Members (Players Committee reprint). Preserved copy: Internet Archive