"The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are." ― Chauncey Depew

"The 'silly question' is the first intimation of some totally novel development." ― Alfred North Whitehead

"Try, if you can, to belong to the first class. There's far less competition." ― Dwight Morrow

"First-class players lose to second-class players because second-class players sometimes play a first-class game." ― Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch

"When you see a good move – WAIT! – look for a better one." ― Emanuel Lasker The Portuguese chess player and author Pedro Damiano (1480–1544) first wrote this in his book "Questo libro e da imparare giocare a scachi et de li partiti" published in Rome, Italy, in 1512.

Proverbs 29:25
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

* Chess in the Newspaper: https://www.schach-chess.com/chess-...

* PGN Language Conversion: http://www.code.gr/chess-converter/...

* Happy Days! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slv...

* Simagin: Game Collection: Vladimir Simagin

* Famous Chess Photos: https://tr.pinterest.com/pin/585256...

* Overloaded! Game Collection: OVERLOADED!

* Fredthebear created this collection.

* First one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yyo...

* I'm only one: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/E1nl...

* I'm the one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRS...

* One minute: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3N...

* Round 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i2...

* 2...f5?! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3a...

* Animal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8u...

* The Brown Bomber: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPe...

* Looked harmless: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/H-C2...

* Golden: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/avSA...

* Bird swoop: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2leD...

* Ponziani Gambit: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9gKN...

* Vienna Sacrifice: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jD53...

* Advantage of the 2 Bishops: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dG...

* BC Dumb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2I...

* So she did this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGq...

* Kiddie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKS...

* 3 Kiddie Traps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jP...

* KID killer: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3Xaf...

* 3 Wise men: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws0...

* What about trams? https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SzMQ...

* Circulations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTw...

* Come Jesus Come:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IcMT...

* Crazy Rook trick: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kLM3...

* Double Rook Lift: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNQ...

* Jaw Dropper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0o...

* C-K in 3 EZ steps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtP...

* Never say 3 things: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3i...

* 3 months to live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPm...

* 3 Viral: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7n...

* 3 for Black vs 1.e4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXM...

* 4 mantras: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4w...

* Knightly MG: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XRP3...

* 4 seasons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Kt...

* 5 Owls of NA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdE...

* 5 Reasons to play the Modern Defense, advocated by Austrian Grandmaster Karl Robatsch: https://thechessworld.com/articles/... - https://thechessworld.com/articles/... - https://thechessworld.com/articles/... - https://thechessworld.com/articles/...

Some of the main variations include:

The Averbakh Variation: 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6. The Pterodactyl Variation: 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5. The Tiger's Modern: 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 Nf6. Standard Line: 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.f4 d5 5.e5 Caro-Kann, Gurgenidze Variation: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 g6 3.Bd3 Bg7

1. e4 g6
2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Be3 a6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Qd2 b5 7. Bh6 O-O 8. Bxg7 Kxg7 9. Bd3

2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Be3 Nf6 5. Qd2 O-O 6. f3 c5 7. dxc5 dxc5 8. e5 Qxd2+ 9. Bxd2 Nfd7 10. f4 Rd8 11. Be3

2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Be3 Nf6 5. Qd2 O-O 6. Nf3 c5 7. dxc5 dxc5 8. Qxd8 Rxd8 9. Bxc5 Nc6

2. d4 d6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Be3 Bg7 5. Qd2 O-O 6. Nf3 d5 7. e5 Ne4 8. Nxe4 dxe4

2. d4 d6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Be3 Nf6 5. Qd2 O-O 6. f3 c5 7. dxc5 dxc5 8. e5 Qxd2+ 9. Bxd2

1. d4 g6
2. e4 d6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Be3 O-O 6. Qd2 c6 7. a4 Qa5 8. Be2 c5 9. dxc5 dxc5

2. e4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Be3 O-O 6. Qd2 d5 7. e5 Ne4 8. Nxe4 dxe4 9. Ng5

2. e4 d6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Be3 Bg7 5. Qd2 O-O 6. f3 a6 7. h4 b5 8. O-O-O b4

2. e4 d6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Be3 Bg7 5. Qd2 O-O 6. f3 c6 7. h4 Nbd7 8. Bh6 Bxh6 9. Qxh6

2. e4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Be3 O-O 6. h3 e5 7. dxe5 dxe5 8. Bc4 Qe7 9. Qe2 Nc6 10. Rd1 Be6

1. c4 g6
2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 c5 6. d5 O-O

2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Rb1 c5 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O Bg4

2. d4 Nf6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. h3 c5 6. dxc5 Ne4 7. Nxe4 dxe4

2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8. Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O Bg4 13. Be3 Nc6

2. e4 e5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. Nbd2 Nxe4 6. dxe5 d5 7. a3 Bxd2+ 8. Nxd2

How can White best respond to the Modern Defense? White should try to establish a strong central control, especially upon d4, and develop minor pieces harmoniously.

They can do this by playing 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7, followed by Nc3, Be3, and Qd2 in some order. It is important for White to not rush in launching an attack but patiently build up their position.

Moves like h3 or f3 could be helpful to prevent Black's thematic …Ng4 move, aiming for the e3 bishop.

* Pirc Defense, named after the Slovenian Grandmaster Vasja Pirc: https://thechessworld.com/articles/... - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aWuL...

* MGM's Lion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amk...

* Five in '25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp1...

* Let 'em have it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wi...

* Furious Attack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpd...

* Dominate the LS in 5 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iro...

* Do the Hustle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3k...

* 5 Rare gambits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_r...

* 5 middlegame minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLA...

* 5 embarrassments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdM...

* Endgame tactics in 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA9...

* 5 occurrences AD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eJ...

* Yes, they do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mi...

* Get better in 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mc...

* Tigran's Top 5 Exch Sacs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc-...

* 6 Essential Structures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zu...

* Freedom is not Free: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89P...

* Deflection on f7: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/S1em...

* Punish Common Traps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsD...

* H2P the Delay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9a...

* Pink Elephants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVK...

* Scary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh6...

* 7 Deadliest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scz...

* 7 realities: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/20AY...

* 7 truths: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4LfX...

* 7 Endings to know: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrL...

* 8 Q tactics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Amz...

* 8 min time lapse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih2...

* 9 ways to defeat: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aaHZ...

* A10 Warthog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMI...

* Top 10 Dog Coms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlV...

* 10 Recent discoveries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePj...

* 10 min of Ukranian Hell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l_...

* 10 Common Traps in the Sicilian: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzu...

* Facts? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQi...

* Fraction equation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMK...

* RP knows 'em well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZw...

* GPA short: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q_...

* FM GPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Y...

* Model GPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glm...

* Win w/the GPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ae...

* Anti-GPA trap #645: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyN...

* Annoying line: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_L...

* GPA refuted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqr...

* Extinguish the GPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6P...

* Agadmator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoE...

* Quick either way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z0...

* Special Pete: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCi...

* Fuzzy Wuzzy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scU...

* The Government forbid Church attendance during COVID-19, so we did this instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krU...

* Of course, JT set our example back in the day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmH...

* BGs sort of ran together: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JCQO...

* Before that... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgv...

* C-K stabs f7: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MFoo...

* How to be brave: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cQI3...

* Get Discipline: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/l3EI...

* Going out in style: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMf...

* Greats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDU...

* The Lesson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAA...

* lIke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5W...

* Joel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4L...

* Now the day bleeds... https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4wVC...

* Own key squares: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-...

* Promise: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/u-sY...

* Prophylaxis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qj...

* 12 smells Verminters hate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Eh...

* Don't poke your eye out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkD...

* Week 13 of '67: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPJ...

* RR on King Tut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k59...

* RPO invention: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9FOb...

* Ridicule: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEH...

* F14: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2d...

* 15 Home Depot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlB...

* A lot of shoveling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoO...

* Senator asks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKO...

* September: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UFmU...

* 20 Fox facts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu3...

* French b3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxV...

* C00 French Defense: Horwitz Attack, Papa-Ticulat Gambit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k1...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTS...

* Unique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWY...

* Wooden stick: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JUQD...

* Won't ever forget: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L5...

* Caro-Kann Defense: Maroczy Variation (B12) Beauty | Reykjavik Open 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtU...

* 50-year-old tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_0...

* Owls attack! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq-...

* tacticmania - Game Collection: tacticmania

* Common Checkmate Patterns:
http://gambiter.com/chess/Checkmate...

* Caviar: https://www.chess.com/article/view/...

* Passive, but playable in the Russian Game: Game Collection: Alpha Russian (White)

* Starting Out: French Defense: Game Collection: Starting out : The French

* Gambits against the French Defense:
Game Collection: alapin gambit -alapin diemer gambit + reti gam

* Pirc Defense, Classical: Game Collection: Pirc, Classical Variation

* Glossary P: https://www.peoriachess.com/Glossar...

St. Joseph

* CGs member Tryfon Gavriel: https://www.youtube.com/user/kingsc... - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4r...

* GK Sicilians: Game Collection: Kasparov - The Sicilian Sheveningen - https://www.mark-weeks.com/aboutcom... - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vd59...
- https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fX2o...
- https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lJ2V...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pv...

- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?li...

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_F...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLe...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBl...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZM...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2G...

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpw...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccn...
- https://https://www.youtube.com/wat... - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvS...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l99...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBx...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGP...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzu... - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R7...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3j...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyG...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiS...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znL...

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_4...
- https://www.youtube.com/shorts/63Ak...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5l...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71n... - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqu...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acp...

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1t... - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l_...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLL...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioc...
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzt...

* Tactical Mix: Game Collection: mastering Tactical ideas by minev

* The Best of... Game Collection: World Champions' Best Games

* Best Games of 2018: Game Collection: Best Games of 2018

* The Unthinkable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9z...

* Vladimir Bagirov Attacks: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches...

* Women: https://www.thefamouspeople.com/wom...

* Will Power: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9S...

* Wonders and Curiosities: Game Collection: Wonders and Curiosities of Chess (Chernev)

* Z Vol 105: Game Collection: 0ZeR0's collected games volume 105

* Mr. Harvey's Puzzle Challenge: https://wtharvey.com/

WTHarvey:
There once was a website named WTHarvey,
Where chess puzzles did daily delay,
The brain-teasers so tough,
They made us all huff and puff,
But solving them brought us great satisfaction today.

There once was a website named WTHarvey
Where chess puzzles were quite aplenty
With knight and rook and pawn
You'll sharpen your brain with a yawn
And become a master of chess entry

There once was a site for chess fun,
Wtharvey.com was the chosen one,
With puzzles galore,
It'll keep you in store,
For hours of brain-teasing, none done.

There once was a website named WTHarvey,
Where chess puzzles were posted daily,
You'd solve them with glee,
And in victory,
You'd feel like a true chess prodigy!

'A rising tide lifts all boats'

'Don't put the cart before the horse'

"Examine what is said, not who is speaking." ~ African Proverb

Illinois: Peoria
Established in: 1680

French settlers Robert Cavalier Sieur de LaSalle and Henri de Tonti built Fort Crevecoeur on the bank of the Illinois River in 1680. Soon, a village grew around it. Peoria's history goes back further than that. Archaeologists can trace signs of men there as far back as 10,000 B.C.E. thanks to the evidence of artifacts and burial mounds as evidence of a Native American civilization.

* Chess History: https://www.uschesstrust.org/chess-...

* World Chess Championship History: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkO...

* Chess History: https://www.britannica.com/topic/ch...

The Kings of Chess: A History of Chess, Traced Through the Lives of Its Greatest Players by William Hartston William Hartson traces the development of the game from its Oriental origins to the present day through the lives of its greatest exponents - men like Howard Staunton, who transformed what had been a genteel pastime into a competitive science; the brilliant American Paul Morphy, who once played a dozen simultaneous games blindfold; the arrogant and certified insane Wilhelm Steinitz; the philosopher and mathematician Emanual Lasker; Bobby Fischer, perhaps the most brilliant and eccentric of them all; and many other highly gifted individuals. Hartson depicts all their colorful variety with a wealth of rare illustrations.

Format: Hardcover
Language: English
ISBN: 006015358X
ISBN13: 9780060153588
Release Date: January 1985
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Length: 192 Pages
Weight: 1.80 lbs.

Eilfan ywmodryb dda
Meaning: A good aunt is a second mother

<chess writer and poet Henry Thomas Bland.

Another example of his way with words is the start of ‘Internal Fires', a poem published on page 57 of the March 1930 American Chess Bulletin:

I used to play chess with the dearest old chap,
Whom naught could upset whatever might hap.
He'd oft lose a game he might well have won
But made no excuse for what he had done.
If a piece he o'erlooked and got it snapped up

He took it quite calmly and ne'er ‘cut up rough'.>

"You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore." ― William Faulkner

"Sometimes in life, and in chess, you must take one step back to take two steps forward." — IM Levy Rozman, GothamChess

So much, much, much better to be an incurable optimist than deceitful and untrustworthy.

Old Russian Proverb: "Scythe over a stone." (Нашла коса на камень.) The force came over a stronger force.

"It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things." ― Leonardo da Vinci

<<<The Man In The Glass> Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr.>

When you get what you want in your struggle for self And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your father, or mother, or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass.

He's the fellow to please – never mind all the rest For he's with you, clear to the end
And you've passed your most difficult, dangerous test If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears If you've cheated the man in the glass.>

This poem was first published in 1934 and is still very popular today.

His bark is worse than his bite. ~ Canadian proverb

Do not yell "dinner" until your knife is in the loaf. ~ Canadian proverb

Easier said than done. ~ Canadian proverb

All Hallows moon, witches soon. ~ Canadian proverb

You can't catch skunks with mice. ~ Canadian proverb

Waste not want not. ~ Canadian proverb

Easter, 1916 by William Butler Yeats

I have met them at close of day
Coming with vivid faces
From counter or desk among grey
Eighteenth-century houses.
I have passed with a nod of the head
Or polite meaningless words,
Or have lingered awhile and said
Polite meaningless words,
And thought before I had done
Of a mocking tale or a gibe
To please a companion
Around the fire at the club,
Being certain that they and I
But lived where motley is worn:
All changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.

That woman's days were spent
In ignorant good-will,
Her nights in argument
Until her voice grew shrill.
What voice more sweet than hers
When, young and beautiful,
She rode to harriers?
This man had kept a school
And rode our winged horse;
This other his helper and friend
Was coming into his force;
He might have won fame in the end,
So sensitive his nature seemed,
So daring and sweet his thought.
This other man I had dreamed
A drunken, vainglorious lout.
He had done most bitter wrong
To some who are near my heart,
Yet I number him in the song;
He, too, has resigned his part
In the casual comedy;
He, too, has been changed in his turn,
Transformed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.

Hearts with one purpose alone
Through summer and winter seem
Enchanted to a stone
To trouble the living stream.
The horse that comes from the road.
The rider, the birds that range
From cloud to tumbling cloud,
Minute by minute they change;
A shadow of cloud on the stream
Changes minute by minute;
A horse-hoof slides on the brim,
And a horse plashes within it;
The long-legged moor-hens dive,
And hens to moor-cocks call;
Minute by minute they live:
The stone's in the midst of all.

Too long a sacrifice
Can make a stone of the heart.
O when may it suffice?
That is Heaven's part, our part
To murmur name upon name,
As a mother names her child
When sleep at last has come
On limbs that had run wild.
What is it but nightfall?
No, no, not night but death;
Was it needless death after all?
For England may keep faith
For all that is done and said.
We know their dream; enough
To know they dreamed and are dead;
And what if excess of love
Bewildered them till they died?
I write it out in a verse -
MacDonagh and MacBride
And Connolly and pearse
Now and in time to be,
Wherever green is worn,
Are changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.

<<<I'm a Pirate> by Annette Wynne>

I'm a pirate in the grass—
Hear ye people as ye pass;
I'm a pirate bad and bold,
Taking dandelion gold—
All my hands and ships can hold.
I'm a pirate—how the sun
Glitters on the gold I've won;
I shall buy you house and land
And a castle silver-grand
With the gold within my hand.>

Drive sober or get pulled over.

"For surely of all the drugs in the world, chess must be the most permanently pleasurable." — Assiac

Feb-23-23 FSR: Thanks, Susan. I never saw Albert after my freshman year of high school (he and his family moved to the Chicago suburbs, where he went to a different school and played for a different chess team). Super nice guy. I was very surprised many years later to learn that he and your son had started this site.

* Jan-29-22 MissScarlett: There are no rules, only guidelines. Premium members such as User: chrisowen get extra leeway.

Chessgames.com will be unavailable August 27, 2024 from 2:45PM through 3:00PM(UTC/GMT) for maintenance. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Igor Oleksandrovych Novikov: Wikipedia article: Igor Novikov (chess player)

* Oldest recorded game: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XyQx...

Perpetual check feels like nothing else in a dead lost position.

* Study Middlegames and Endgames instead of Openings! However, you still need to understand common opening traps in your chosen openings! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoI...

- Double King Pawn: Bishop's Opening (K's Gambit Declined C30).

- French Defense: King's Indian Attack w/Nd2 avoids Bb4 pin.

- Sicilian Defense: Sicilian Closed w/Nc3 and Bg2.

A matching book is Attacking with 1e4 by John Emms.

Notice in the video that White makes about 3 pawn moves (e4, d3, and then g3 or f4) and brings out the minor pieces to bare on the center near each side of the pawn skeleton. Then White castles kingside and the rooks protect each other on the back rank. He must anticipate advances by the opposing army and know what he's going to do beforehand when the opposing pawns make contact with his pawns (advance past, initiate an exchange, or remain in place and defend from behind).

* Fredthebear's game collection mildly resembles the video link in some ways. FTB does prescribe a simple repertoire concept for amateur players, supported by the latest volume of MCO for competitive intermediate and advanced players. (The majority of the world's common chess players do not have the time commitment in their family/school/work lifestyle to become national or international masters, so the path to GM greatness does not apply to them. There's much more money to be had in other professions.)

Chess skill development in the middlegame and endgame will boost one's chances of victory; any slight opening edge fades out against a better player. Sprinters might look good this day or that, but sprinting does not win the Tour de France bicycle race; it's the seasoned riders who are in it for the long haul that win out overall. Strong, well-rounded chess players usually overcome their adversary's opening study.

Those who fail to improve at chess are not studying one aspect or the other, not recording their games and understanding why they lost, not reviewing enough published master games, playing too many different openings. So many common players repeat the same bad habits such as hiding behind pawns, not using all their pieces, leaving pieces unprotected, ignoring the opponent's next possible move while looking for their own move, or rushing to play the first reasonable move they see when a better one was available. THE MORE YOU STUDY, THE MORE YOU EASILY SEE AT THE CHESSBOARD!

Chess success comes from understanding and experience, knowing what to look for, recognizing re-occurring patterns. Chess is a puzzle arrangement; it's no different than an informed medical doctor studying the x-ray to perform a surgery properly to fix the problem. The doctor looks, s/he sees the area, s/he plans, s/he performs, the patient heals. A good chess player must observe and think -- consider all the options first. There are no magic, silver bullet openings in chess! Study the Middlegame and Endgame to expand your observation, planning, and calculation skills. The longer the game lasts, the more the chess puzzle changes, the better you become by studying those situations that arise later in the game.

<Tips to calm down
Here are some helpful, actionable tips you can try the next time you need to calm down.

1. Breathe
"Breathing is the number one and most effective technique for reducing anger and anxiety quickly," says Scott Dehorty, LCSW-C, of Delphi Behavioral Health.

When you're anxious or angry, you tend to take quick, shallow breaths. Dehorty says this sends a message to your brain, causing a positive feedback loop reinforcing your fight-or-flight response. That's why taking long, deep calming breaths disrupts that loop and helps you calm down.

There are various breathing techniques to help you calm down. One is three-part breathing. Three-part breathing requires you to take one deep breath in and then exhale fully while paying attention to your body.

Once you get comfortable with deep breathing, you can change the ratio of inhalation and exhalation to 1:2 (you slow down your exhalation so that it's twice as long as your inhalation).

Practice these techniques while calm so you know how to do them when you're anxious.

2. Admit that you're anxious or angry
Allow yourself to say that you're anxious or angry. When you label how you're feeling and allow yourself to express it, the anxiety and anger you're experiencing may decrease.

3. Challenge your thoughts
Part of being anxious or angry is having irrational thoughts that don't necessarily make sense. These thoughts are often the "worse-case scenario." You might find yourself caught in the "what if" cycle, which can cause you to sabotage a lot of things in your life.

When you experience one of these thoughts, stop and ask yourself the following questions:

Is this likely to happen?
Is this a rational thought?
Has this ever happened to me before?
What's the worst that can happen? Can I handle that?
After you go through the questions, it's time to reframe your thinking. Instead of "I can't walk across that bridge. What if there's an earthquake, and it falls into the water?" tell yourself: "There are people that walk across that bridge every day, and it has never fallen into the water."

4. Release the anxiety or anger
Dehorty recommends getting the emotional energy out with exercise. "Go for a walk or run. Engaging in some physical activity releases serotonin to help you calm down and feel better."

However, you should avoid physical activity that includes the expression of anger, such as punching walls or screaming.

"This has been shown to increase feelings of anger, as it reinforces the emotions because you end up feeling good as the result of being angry," Dehorty explains.

5. Visualize yourself calm
This tip requires you to practice the breathing techniques you've learned. After taking a few deep breaths, close your eyes and picture yourself calm. See your body relaxed, and imagine yourself working through a stressful or anxiety-causing situation by staying calm and focused.

By creating a mental picture of what it looks like to stay calm, you can refer back to that image when you're anxious.

6. Think it through
Have a mantra to use in critical situations. Just make sure it's one that you find helpful. Dehorty says it can be, "Will this matter to me this time next week?" or "How important is this?" or "Am I going to allow this person/situation to steal my peace?"

This allows the thinking to shift focus, and you can "reality test" the situation.

"When we're anxious or angry, we become hyper-focused on the cause, and rational thoughts leave our mind. These mantras give us an opportunity to allow rational thought to come back and lead to a better outcome," Dehorty explains.

7. Change your focus
Leave the situation, look in another direction, walk out of the room, or go outside.

Dehorty recommends this exercise so you have time for better decision making. "We don't do our best thinking when anxious or angry; we engage in survival thinking. This is fine if our life is really in danger, but if it isn't life threatening, we want our best thinking, not survival instincts," he adds.

8. Have a centering object
When you're anxious or angry, so much of your energy is being spent on irrational thoughts. When you're calm, find a "centering object" such as a small stuffed animal, a polished rock you keep in your pocket, or a locket you wear around your neck.

Tell yourself that you're going to touch this object when you're experiencing anxiety or frustration. This centers you and helps calm your thoughts. For example, if you're at work and your boss is making you anxious, gently rub the locket around your neck.

9. Relax your body
When you're anxious or angry, it can feel like every muscle in your body is tense (and they probably are). Practicing progressive muscle relaxation can help you calm down and center yourself.

To do this, lie down on the floor with your arms out by your side. Make sure your feet aren't crossed and your hands aren't in fists. Start at your toes and tell yourself to release them. Slowly move up your body, telling yourself to release each part of your body until you get to your head.

10. Drop your shoulders
If your body is tense, there's a good chance your posture will suffer. Sit up tall, take a deep breath, and drop your shoulders. To do this, you can focus on bringing your shoulder blades together and then down. This pulls your shoulders down. Take a few deep breaths.

You can do this several times a day.

11. Identify pressure points to calm anger and anxiety Going for a massage or getting acupuncture is a wonderful way to manage anxiety and anger. But it's not always easy to find time in your day to make it happen. The good news is, you can do acupressure on yourself for instant anxiety relief.

This method involves putting pressure with your fingers or your hand at certain points of the body. The pressure releases the tension and relaxes your body.

One area to start with is the point where the inside of your wrist forms a crease with your hand. Press your thumb on this area for two minutes. This can help relieve tension.

12. Get some fresh air
The temperature and air circulation in a room can increase your anxiety or anger. If you're feeling tense and the space you're in is hot and stuffy, this could trigger a panic attack.

Remove yourself from that environment as soon as possible and go outside — even if it's just for a few minutes.

Not only will the fresh air help calm you down, but also the change of scenery can sometimes interrupt your anxious or angry thought process.

13. Fuel your body
Being hangry never helps. If you're hungry or not properly hydrated, many relaxation techniques won't work. That's why it's important to slow down and get something to eat — even if it's just a small snack.

Try nibbling on some dark chocolate. ResearchTrusted Source shows it can help boost brain health and reduce stress.

Wash it down with a cup of green tea and honey. Studies show green tea can help reduce the body's stress response. Research has found that honey can help relieve anxiety.

14. Chew gum
Chewing on a piece of gum can help reduce anxiety (and even boost mood and productivity). In fact, research shows people who chew gum regularly are typically less stressed than non-gum chewers.

15. Listen to music
The next time you feel your anxiety level cranking up, grab some headphones and tune in to your favorite music. Listening to music can have a very calming effect on your body and mind.

16. Dance it out
Get moving to your favorite tunes. Dancing has traditionally been used as a healing art. ResearchTrusted Source shows it's a great way to combat depression and anxiety and increase quality of life.

17. Watch funny videos
Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. Research has found that laughing provides therapeutic benefits and can help relieve stress and improve mood and quality of life. Do a quick internet search to find funny videos for an instant mood boost.

18. Write it down
If you're too angry or anxious to talk about it, grab a journal and write out your thoughts. Don't worry about complete sentences or punctuation — just write. Writing helps you get negative thoughts out of your head.

19. Squeeze a stress ball
When you're feeling stress come on, try interacting with a stress-relief toy. Options include:

stress ball
magnetic balls
sculpting clay
puzzles
Rubik's cube
fidget spinner

20. Try aromatherapy
Aromatherapy, or the use of essential oils, may help alleviate stress and anxiety and boost mood. Those commonly used in aromatherapy include:

bergamot
cedarwood
chamomile
geranium
ginger
lavender
lemon
tea tree
Add a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser, or mix it with a carrier oil (like coconut oil) and apply to your skin for quick relief.

21. Seek social support
Venting to a trusted friend, family member, or coworker can do wonders. Even if you don't have time for a full play-by-play phone call, a quick text exchange can help you let it all out and help you feel heard.

Bonus points if you engage with a funny friend who can help you laugh for added stress relief.

22. Spend time with a pet
Interacting with your favorite furry friend can decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol and lower blood pressure. Quality time with a pet can also help you feel less alone and boost your overall mood.>

"....his countrymen, Kolisch and Steinitz, are greatly indebted for their later success to their having enjoyed early opportunities of practicing with the departed amateur whose death is also greatly deplored amongst all who knew him personally." — Wilhelm Steinitz, regarding Karl Hamppe

The first appearance of the (John) Cochrane gambit against Petrov's defense C42 was in the year 1848 against an Indian master Mohishunder Bannerjee.

"Sorry don't get it done, Dude!" — John Wayne, Rio Bravo

"Gossip is the devil's telephone. Best to just hang up." — Moira Rose

pages 24-25 of The Year Book of the United States Chess Federation 1944 (Chicago, 1945), which published ‘Brave Heart', Anthony Santasiere's tribute to Frank J. Marshall. Written in August 1942 for Marshall's 65th birthday, it began:

Brave Heart –
We salute you!
Knowing neither gain nor loss,
Nor fear, nor hate –;
But only this –
To fight – to fight –
And to love.

Santasiere then gushes on in a similar vein for another 40 lines or so, and we pick up the encomium for its final verse:

For this – dear Frank –
We thank you.
For this – dear Frank –
We love you!
Brave heart –
Brave heart –
We love you!

The Wolf Accusing The Fox Before The Monkey

A wolf, affirming his belief
That he had suffered by a thief,
Brought up his neighbour fox –
Of whom it was by all confessed,
His character was not the best –
To fill the prisoner's box.
As judge between these vermin,
A monkey graced the ermine;
And truly other gifts of Themis
Did scarcely seem his;
For while each party plead his cause,
Appealing boldly to the laws,
And much the question vexed,
Our monkey sat perplexed.
Their words and wrath expended,
Their strife at length was ended;
When, by their malice taught,
The judge this judgment brought:
"Your characters, my friends, I long have known, As on this trial clearly shown;
And hence I fine you both – the grounds at large To state would little profit –
You wolf, in short, as bringing groundless charge, You fox, as guilty of it."

Come at it right or wrong, the judge opined
No other than a villain could be fined.

According to Chessmetrics, Lasker was #1 for longer than anyone else in history: 292 different months between June 1890 and December 1926. That's a timespan of 36 1/2 years, in which Lasker was #1 for a total of 24 years and 4 months. Lasker was 55 years old when he won New York 1924.

"Just because you know stuff doesn't mean you are smart... You have to know how to use that information." ― Josh Keller

The Three Kings By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Three Kings came riding from far away,
Melchior and Gaspar and Baltasar;
Three Wise Men out of the East were they,
And they travelled by night and they slept by day, For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star.

The star was so beautiful, large and clear,
That all the other stars of the sky
Became a white mist in the atmosphere,
And by this they knew that the coming was near
Of the Prince foretold in the prophecy.

Three caskets they bore on their saddle-bows,
Three caskets of gold with golden keys;
Their robes were of crimson silk with rows
Of bells and pomegranates and furbelows,
Their turbans like blossoming almond-trees.

And so the Three Kings rode into the West,
Through the dusk of the night, over hill and dell, And sometimes they nodded with beard on breast, And sometimes talked, as they paused to rest,
With the people they met at some wayside well.

"Of the child that is born," said Baltasar, "Good people, I pray you, tell us the news;
For we in the East have seen his star,
And have ridden fast, and have ridden far,
To find and worship the King of the Jews."

And the people answered, "You ask in vain;
We know of no King but Herod the Great!"
They thought the Wise Men were men insane,
As they spurred their horses across the plain,
Like riders in haste, who cannot wait.

And when they came to Jerusalem,
Herod the Great, who had heard this thing,
Sent for the Wise Men and questioned them;
And said, "Go down unto Bethlehem,
And bring me tidings of this new king."

So they rode away; and the star stood still,
The only one in the grey of morn;
Yes, it stopped—it stood still of its own free will, Right over Bethlehem on the hill,
The city of David, where Christ was born.

And the Three Kings rode through the gate and the guard, Through the silent street, till their horses turned And neighed as they entered the great inn-yard; But the windows were closed, and the doors were barred, And only a light in the stable burned.

And cradled there in the scented hay,
In the air made sweet by the breath of kine,
The little child in the manger lay,
The child, that would be king one day
Of a kingdom not human, but divine.

His mother Mary of Nazareth
Sat watching beside his place of rest,
Watching the even flow of his breath,
For the joy of life and the terror of death
Were mingled together in her breast.

They laid their offerings at his feet:
The gold was their tribute to a King,
The frankincense, with its odor sweet,
Was for the Priest, the Paraclete,
The myrrh for the body's burying.

And the mother wondered and bowed her head,
And sat as still as a statue of stone,
Her heart was troubled yet comforted,
Remembering what the Angel had said
Of an endless reign and of David's throne.

Then the Kings rode out of the city gate,
With a clatter of hoofs in proud array;
But they went not back to Herod the Great,
For they knew his malice and feared his hate,
And returned to their homes by another way.

The first chess legend, called the wheat and chessboard problem, illustrates the power of exponential growth.

The first chess movie, called Chess Fever, was a silent comedy released in 1925 in the Soviet Union.

The word checkmate comes from the Persian phrase shah mat, meaning "the king is helpless".

The Lion Beaten By The Man

A picture once was shown,
In which one man, alone,
On the ground had thrown
A lion fully grown.
Much gloried at the sight the rabble.
A lion thus rebuked their babble:
"That you have got the victory there,
There is no contradiction.
But, gentles, possibly you are
The dupes of easy fiction:
Had we the art of making pictures,
Perhaps our champion had beat yours!"

* https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KYUb...

Better to go in your pants than go in the bush?! Give the man credit for having a wad of paper in his hand.

It musta been the intimidating ponytail that saved him.

If this were a bear, give the creature your picnic basket, your keys and wallet, or tell a bunch of clean dad jokes.

Of course, prayer is always helpful.

Daniel 6
New King James Version

The Plot Against Daniel

6 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, "We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God."

6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: "King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter." 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

Daniel in the Lions' Den

10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king's decree: "Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?"

The king answered and said, "The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter."

13 So they answered and said before the king, "That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day."

14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed."

16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.

Daniel Saved from the Lions

18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?"

21 Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you."

23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.

Darius Honors God

24 And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.

25 Then King Darius wrote:

To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues,
And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Fools look to tomorrow. Wise men use tonight. ~ Scottish Proverb

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." ― Martin Luther King Jr.

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude." ― Denis Waitley

Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess (Easy focus on rules, check, and defense against checkmate -- the essential foundation of chess) by Bobby Fischer, Stuart Margulies, Don Mosenfelder

Chess for Kids (clear and colorful) by Michael Basman

Chess Tactics for Students (One puzzle per page) by John A. Bain

A.J. "Tony" Gillam books are excellent, but out-of-print.

Kasparov Teaches Chess (Macmillan Chess Library 1986) by Garry Kasparov
OR Lessons in Chess (Everyman Chess 1997) by Garry Kasparov OR Learn Chess With Garry Kasparov: World Champion (Batsford 2003)

Beginning Chess (300 elementary puzzles: mate, en prise, fork, pin, skewer, discovery, undermine, overload, X-ray, trap, promotion) by Bruce Pandolfini

Quick Chess Knockouts (miniature games) by Julian Hodgson

Attacking Chess: Aggressive Strategies and Inside Moves from the U.S. Junior Chess Champion (Fireside Chess Library 1995) by Josh Waitzkin

The Right Way to Play Chess, Revised and Updated by Richard James (Read it again and again to recall all the terms, tips, traps, and games) by David Pritchard

A World Champion's Guide to Chess: Step-by-Step Instructions for Winning Chess the Polgar Way! (This basic tactics puzzle book will improve your chess batting eyesight to clobber your opponent. The endgame chapter is very important to master!) by Susan Polgar, Paul Truong

Chess Lessons for Juniors by Robert Snyder

Guide to Good Chess by CJS Purdy

Learn Chess Tactics by John Nunn (Author)

Attacking the King by John Walker

How to Beat Your Dad at Chess (Gambit Chess 1998) by Murray Chandler

Logical Chess: Move by Move by Irving Chernev

The Logical Approach to Chess by Euwe

Chess Openings for Juniors by John Walker

Improve Your Chess in Seven Days by Gary Lane

A First Book of Morphy by Frisco Del Rosario (2006)

Improve Your Chess Fast from Club Player to Expert (12 thematic lessons w/example games) by Alberic O'Kelly de Galway

Fundamental Checkmates (piece-pair mating combinations and techniques) by Antonio Gude

Pillsbury the Extraordinary by Andrew Soltis and Ken Smith

Better Chess for Average Players by Tim Harding

The Art of the Checkmate, updated 21st Century edition by Renaud and Kahn

Common Sense in Chess, updated 21st Century Edition by Emanuel Lasker, Bruce Alberston

Chess Tactics by Paul Littlewood

Power Chess by Bruce Pandolfini

Guide to Chess (this instructive book should be better known) by Malcolm Pein

Improve Your Tactics in Seven Days by Gary Lane

Chess: The Art of Logical Thinking: From the First Move to the Last by Neil McDonald (2004)

The King Hunt in Chess by W.H. Cozens, revised by John Nunn

Pandolfini's Endgame Course by Bruce Pandolfini

Chess the Easy Way (It's not so easy, but rather useful) by Reuben Fine

Epic Battles of the Chessboard by R.N. Coles

The Art of Mastering Chess: A Complete Course for Beginners by GM Eduard Gufeld and others

1001 Chess Exercises for Beginners: The Tactics Workbook that Explains the Basic Concepts, Too by Franco Masetti, Roberto Messa

The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played: 62 Masterpieces of Chess Strategy by Irving Chernev Get Chernev's book TMIGOCEP -- AND READ IT. Unfortunately it's not enough to own these books, you have to read and study them...that one won't do any harm at all. Chernev writes like your favorite uncle.

Winning Endgames (Crowood Chess Library) by Tony Kosten

Chess Openings (Crowood Chess Library 1987) by Michael Basman

Attacking Technique by Collin Crouch

The Fireside Book of Chess by Irving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld

Chess Fundamentals, Algebraic Edition, Everyman Chess by Jose R. Capablanca

The Ideas Behind The Chess Openings by Reuben Fine, Sam Sloan

Almost every dedicated chess player probably has at one time owned a copy of the Dover edition of the New York 1924 chess tournament. The competitors were Capablanca, Emanuel Lasker, Alekhine, Bogoljubow, Maroczy, Reti, Tartakower, Yates, Marshall, Janowski and Edward Lasker.

The ABCs of Chess (don't let the title fool you) by Bruce Pandolfini

The Art of Planning in Chess: Move by Move by Neil McDonald (2006)

Endgame Play by Chris Ward

Best Lessons of a Chess Coach by Sunil Weeramantry

How to Play the Middlegame by John Littlewood

From the MG to EG (learn to convert into won positions) by Edmar Mednis

FCO: Fundamental Chess Openings by Paul Van der Sterren

Chess: 5334 Problems, Combinations and Games by László Polgár

Morphy - Move by Move by Zenón Franco (2016)

Lasker's Manual of Chess by Emanuel Lasker

Essential Chess Endings Explained by Yuri Averbakh

Richard Reti's Master's of the Chessboard, Modern Ideas in Chess

100 Selected Games Mikhail Botvinnik

David Levy

500 Master Games of Chess by Tartakower and du Mont

The Art of Positional Chess by Samuel Reshevsky

Modern Chess Strategy by Edward Lasker

Simple Chess by Michael Stean

Chess Success: Planning After the Opening (Batsford 2008) by Neil McDonald

Back to Basics: Openings (ChessCafe Back to Basics Chess Series 2008) by Carsten Hansen

Art of Attack in Chess by Vladimir Vukovic

Modern Chess Strategy by Ludek Pachman

John Nunn's Chess Course by John Nunn

Alexander Alekhine's Best Games (Batsford Chess Library 1996) by Alexander Alekhine, C. H. O' D. Alexander, John Nunn, Forward by Garry Kasparov

Practical Opening Tips by Edmar Mednis
Practical Middlegame Tips by Edmar Mednis
Practical Endgame Tips by Edmar Mednis
Practical Rook Endings by Edmar Mednis
Rate Your Endgame by Edmar Mednis and Colin Crouch

50 Essential Chess Lessons by Steve Giddins (2006)

Essential Chess Endings: The tournament player's guide by James Howell

Capablanca's Best Chess Endings by Irving Chernev

Judgement and Planning in Chess by Max Euwe

50 Ways to Win at Chess by Steve Giddins (2007)

The Art of Defense in Chess by Andrew Soltis

Practical Chess Exercises: 600 Lessons from Tactics to Strategy by Ray Cheng

Chess Praxis

New Ideas in Chess by Larry Evans

Endgame Strategy (Cadogan Chess Books) by Mikhail Shereshevsky

Keene's Reappraisal

Understanding the Chess Openings by Sam Collins

Life & Games of Mikhail Tal by Mikhail Tal

Marovic's Dynamic Pawn Play in Chess.

Rocking the Ramparts by Larry Christiansen

Understanding Chess Middlegames/Endgames by John Nunn

Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy: Advances since Nimzowitsch by John Watson

Planning: Move by Move by Zenón Franco (2019)

Positional Chess Handbook: 495 Instructive Positions from Grandmaster Games (Dover Chess 2001) by Israel Gelfer

Practical Chess Endings by Paul Keres

Nunn's Chess Openings (Everyman Chess Series 1999) by Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher, John Nunn

The Seven Deadly Chess Sins by Jonathan Rowson

Collin Leach

The 100 Endgames You Must Know/Workbook by Jesus de la Villa

Kasparov Vs. Karpov, 1990 (Cadogan Chess Books)
by Garry Kasparov, Efim Geller

Van Perlo's Endgame Tactics: A Comprehensive Guide to the Sunny Side of Chess Endgames by Ger van Perlo

Strategic Plans: 75 Modern Battles by Maxim Chetverik (2019)

Learn from the Legends: Chess Champions at their Best by Mihail Marin (2015)

Game Changer: AlphaZero's Groundbreaking Chess Strategies and the Promise of AI by Matthew Sadler, Natasha Regan

A handy reference book is The Oxford Companion to Chess by David Hooper, Kenneth Whyld

A Chess Omnibus (players, tournaments, stories, history of chess) by Edward Winter

The Lion and the Ass Hunting

The king of animals, with royal grace,
Would celebrate his birthday in the chase.
It was not with bow and arrows,
To slay some wretched sparrows;
The lion hunts the wild boar of the wood,
The antlered deer and stags, the fat and good.
This time, the king, t" insure success,
Took for his aide-de-camp an ass,
A creature of stentorian voice,
That felt much honoured by the choice.
The lion hid him in a proper station,
And ordered him to bray, for his vocation,
Assured that his tempestuous cry
The boldest beasts would terrify,
And cause them from their lairs to fly.
And, sooth, the horrid noise the creature made
Did strike the tenants of the wood with dread;
And, as they headlong fled,
All fell within the lion's ambuscade.
"Has not my service glorious
Made both of us victorious?"
Cried out the much-elated ass.
"Yes," said the lion; "bravely brayed!
Had I not known yourself and race,
I should have been myself afraid!"
If he had dared, the donkey
Had shown himself right spunky
At this retort, though justly made;
For who could suffer boasts to pass
So ill-befitting to an ass?

This poem is dedicated to all members who strive to become masters of chess.

yakisoba's combination

in the middle of a cold Canadian winter night
a phantom creature was riding a stallion knight
but lo and behold it is the man called yakisoba
together with a bishop and queen chasing nova.
though the old bishop was getting pooped out
the merry queen in her glory was bouncing about
while riding hard yakisoba grinningly thought
"I know what to do with that nova when caught."
there on top of the castle was nova in hiding
strapped to a kite for a quick get-away gliding,

then trembling he realized to his consternation: he was being killed by the bishop-queen combination.

* Weird is what you're not used to: https://chessentials.com/weird-ches...

<limerick, entitled ‘The Solver's Plight' was by ‘A.J.F.' A.J. Fink and was published on page 22 of Chess Potpourri by Alfred C. Klahre (Middletown, 1931):

There was a man from Vancouver
Who tried to solve a two-mover;
But the boob, he said, ‘"Gee",
I can't find the "Kee",
No matter HOW I manouvre.'>

Proverbs 14:29-35
29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered * exalts folly.

30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.

31 He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.

32 The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing, But the righteous has a refuge when he dies.

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the hearts of fools it is made known.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

35 The king's favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.

Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system, approximately 3000 miles (4850 km) in diameter, hardly larger than the moon. Despite being the smallest, it's extremely dense. In fact, it's the second densest planet after Earth. It's also the closest planet to the sun, making it dangerous to explore. Mercury is 48 million miles from the earth.

Maurice Williams, the rhythm and blues singer and composer behind the classic ballad "Stay," died on Aug. 6. He was 86, according to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame's announcement. Williams, who became a one hit wonder with the Zodiacs, wrote and performed music with other harmony groups throughout the 1960s. "Stay" rose to No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart in 1960, and was one of the shortest top songs of the era. The ballad was the Zodiac's only hit, and went on to be featured in the Dirty Dancing soundtrack and covered by the Four Seasons and Jackson Browne. According to a 2012 interview with a North Carolina publication, the song was inspired by Williams' teen-age crush, Mary Shropshire. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Z... The story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_V...

Chessgames.com will be unavailable August 27, 2024 from 2:45PM through 3:00PM(UTC/GMT) for maintenance. We apologize for this inconvenience.

St. Geneviève

Z is for Zookeeper (to the tune of "Do You Know the Muffin Man?")

Oh do you know the zookeeper,
The zookeeper, the zookeeper?
Oh, do you know the zookeeper
Who works down at the zoo?

Q: Why did the cow cross the road?
A: To get to the udder side.