by scribe | Dec 14, 2012 | games, literature, people
I hate to interrupt the great discussion that we’re having about chess talent, but I have some news that I want to pass along. A few months ago I posted a story here called Dixit Magister, which was about the queen sacrifice game that I played with IM David...
by scribe | Dec 4, 2012 | games, openings, ruminations
Recently Gjon Feinstein showed me a Paul Morphy game that he had recently shown to his students. Like so many of Morphy’s games, it was short and sweet. Paul Morphy — Bottin, Paris 1858 1. e4 e5 2. c3?! (Pretty unconventional by modern standards) 2....
by scribe | Nov 20, 2012 | chess clubs, games, people, positions
We had a great turnout at Mike Splane’s latest chess party (on Sunday, November 18) — thirteen people by my count. We were quite an international mix, too, with players originally from Brazil (Paulo), Poland (Milos), India (Praveen), Holland (JL), and...
by scribe | Nov 10, 2012 | games, openings, positions
As many readers know, I have been a long-time advocate of the Bird Variation of the Ruy Lopez for Black (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4). Recently I’ve started experimenting with Henry Bird’s other major opening legacy, the Bird Opening (1. f4). I’m...
by scribe | Nov 8, 2012 | endings, games, positions, tournaments
I’d like to talk today about a complex position from one of Linnea’s games last week in the U.S. Game/60 Championship. As Linnea was showing me the game, she played 27. … Rxb3+ almost instantaneously, as if there was no question about it. I got the...
by scribe | Oct 20, 2012 | Chess Lecture, current news, games, positions, tournaments
What a crazy day at the Western States Open! First, I should update the leaders. After three rounds we had a nine-way tie for first place at 2½-½! The nine leaders were also the nine highest-rated players in the tournament. I’m afraid that I don’t remember...
