by scribe | Jan 8, 2012 | games, positions, tournaments
I’ve just spent about five hours analyzing the finishing position of my game with Emory Tate from last weekend. Here’s the position: Black to move. White (IM Tate) has just played 24. Ra2 and offered a draw. What should Black do? Let’s ask the...
by scribe | Jan 4, 2012 | Uncategorized
As I promised in my last post, here is some analysis of the last-round game between International Master Milos Pavlovic and National Master Mike Splane at the New Year Open. It’s a game that does credit to both players. I am going to skip over the first 28 moves...
by scribe | Jan 3, 2012 | current news, tournaments
The New Year Open ended yesterday on a very positive note for me. After winning zero prizes and having zero good tournaments in 2011, I broke both streaks. I’m not sure exactly which prize I’ll win, but I’m in line for either a tie for third place or...
by scribe | Jan 1, 2012 | current news, games, positions, tournaments
After taking most of the month of December off, I’m back and here to wish you a happy new year chessically and otherwise. To get 2012 off to a fast start, I’m playing in the New Year Open at Santa Clara, a Bay Area Chess event. Unfortunately it does not...
by scribe | Dec 10, 2011 | current news, tournaments
I know you’re all wondering why I haven’t posted here for a few days. Right? You’re all wondering that, aren’t you? Well, the short answer is that I had a big deadline to meet this week which has basically devoured all my free time. But now...
by scribe | Nov 30, 2011 | games, off-topic, people, positions
Chess LOL kitties! “That Black’s position was in ruins was obvious to the veriest tyro.” One of my favorite chess quotes of all time! Who said it, and what game was he talking about? (The position may help, although Sassy the kitty has introduced...
by scribe | Nov 23, 2011 | current news, games, literature
Your game is featured on chessgames.com as the Game of the Day! Thanks to Matt Hayes for spotting this! (He’s the one who drew the circle in the screen capture, not me.) I’ve been wondering when, if ever, chessgames.com would get around to putting...
by scribe | Nov 23, 2011 | chess clubs, Chess Lecture, ruminations
A few days ago I received the following comment on one of my ChessLectures from a longtime subscriber: I must agree with the previous commentators that Dana Mackenzie, though not being a terribly strong player, is a grandmaster in didactics. It shows that PLAYING...
by scribe | Nov 19, 2011 | current news, off-topic
As you guys know, I try to avoid off-topic posts. I never have ads or promotions on this site. However, after careful thought I’d like to mention a way that you can help a charity that I like without any cost to you. All you need is a Facebook account....
by scribe | Nov 13, 2011 | chess clubs, games, positions
Mike Splane had another chess party at his house yesterday, probably about the fourth or fifth one I’ve been to, though I’m not really sure. I felt that this was the most interesting one yet, at least for me. I brought a game that I lost in the recent...
