by scribe | Apr 18, 2019 | chess clubs, current news, positions, ruminations
One of the delightful things about running a chess club for kids is that I can watch them learn. And, sometimes, I can learn from them. Take, for example, this Tuesday, when I learned a new chess term: “robot ninja warriors.” One of the kids, named Joaquin, called me...
by scribe | Apr 11, 2019 | literature, off-topic, ruminations
Coming to the U.K. on May 2! Last week I got a package in the mail from England: ten copies of the paperback edition of The Book of Why! The occasion brought to mind that goofy old Beatles song, Paperback Writer. In fact, I’ve been waiting quite a long time...
by scribe | Apr 9, 2019 | endings, games, positions
You know the move I’m talking about. Or if you don’t know, you SHOULD know. Ossip Bernstein versus Jose Raul Capablanca. Moscow 1914. Position after 29. Rxc3. Black to move. FEN: 3r2k1/p4ppp/1q6/8/8/2R1P3/P3QPPP/6K1 b – – 0 29 In this harmless-looking...
by scribe | Apr 5, 2019 | current news, games, people
Mike Splane, one of my regular readers and the inspiration for countless posts on this blog, has often asked why I often identify my younger opponents as, “John Doe, the #17 14-year-old in the country.” Why don’t I refer to older players like him the same way? Well,...
