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192 Blitzn 2015 Blitz Page 1 of 9 (28 games). Page under construction. General chess advice from Joe Brooks: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comm... "On the chessboard lies and hypocrisy do not survive long. The creative combination lays bare the presumption of a lie; the merciless fact, culmination in checkmate, contradicts the hypocrite." -- Emanuel Lasker “Life is like a chess. If you lose your queen, you will probably lose the game.” – Being Caballero “Chess is life in miniature. Chess is a struggle, chess battles.” – says Garry Kasparov Gerald Abrahams' dictum: "Good positions don't win games; good moves do". “Chess is a miniature version of life. To be successful, you need to be disciplined, assess resources, consider responsible choices and adjust when circumstances change.” ― Susan Polgar “Age brings wisdom to some men, and to others chess.”– Evan Esar I saw Usain Bolt sprinting around the track shouting, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" It was a running joke. * C45s: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/che... * Good Historical Links: https://www.saund.co.uk/britbase/in... * Attack: Game Collection: 2012-2015 Attacking Games (Naiditsch/Balogh) * Cheating: https://www.chess.com/article/view/... * Draws: Game Collection: 2012-2015 Interesting Draws (Naiditsch/Balogh) * Endgames: Game Collection: 2012-2015 Endgames (Naiditsch/Balogh) * Fight! Game Collection: 2012-2015 Fighting Games (Naiditsch/Balogh) * Positional: Game Collection: 2012-2015 Positional Games (Naiditsch/Balogh) * Miscellaneous: Game Collection: ! Miscellaneous games * Internet tracking: https://www.studysmarter.us/magazin... poem by B.H. Wood, entitled ‘The Drowser’: Ah, reverie! Ten thousand heads I see Bent over chess-boards, an infinity Of minds engaged in battle, fiendishly, Keenly, or calmly, as the case may be: World-wide, the neophyte, the veteran, The studious problemist, the fairy fan ... “What’s that? – I’m nearly sending you to sleep? Sorry! – but this position’s rather deep.” Source: Chess Amateur, September 1929, page 268. <Luke 8:16-18 New King James Version The Parable of the Revealed Light Jesus said: 16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. 18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”> Conceive a man by nature and misfortune prone to a pallid hopelessness, can any business seem more fitted to heighten it than that of continually handling these dead letters and assorting them for the flames? For by the cart-load they are annually burned. Sometimes from out the folded paper the pale clerk takes a ring: - the finger it was meant for, perhaps, moulders in the grave; a bank-note sent in swiftest charity: - he whom it would relieve, nor eats nor hungers any more; pardon for those who died despairing; hope for those who died unhoping; good tidings for those who died stifled by unrelieved calamities. On errands of life, these letters speed to death. Ah Bartleby! Ah humanity! — Herman Melville What do you call a woman who sets fire to all her bills? Bernadette. I was kidnapped by mimes once. They did unspeakable things to me. The Triumph of Life Percy Bysshe Shelley Swift as a spirit hastening to his task Of glory & of good, the Sun sprang forth Rejoicing in his splendour, & the mask Of darkness fell from the awakened Earth. The smokeless altars of the mountain snows Flamed above crimson clouds, & at the birth Of light, the Ocean’s orison arose To which the birds tempered their matin lay, All flowers in field or forest which unclose Their trembling eyelids to the kiss of day, Swinging their censers in the element, With orient incense lit by the new ray Burned slow & inconsumably, & sent Their odorous sighs up to the smiling air, And in succession due, did Continent, Isle, Ocean, & all things that in them wear The form & character of mortal mould Rise as the Sun their father rose, to bear Their portion of the toil which he of old Took as his own & then imposed on them; But I, whom thoughts which must remain untold Had kept as wakeful as the stars that gem The cone of night, now they were laid asleep, Stretched my faint limbs beneath the hoary stem Which an old chestnut flung athwart the steep Of a green Apennine: before me fled The night; behind me rose the day; the Deep Was at my feet, & Heaven above my head When a strange trance over my fancy grew Which was not slumber, for the shade it spread Was so transparent that the scene came through As clear as when a veil of light is drawn O’er evening hills they glimmer; and I knew That I had felt the freshness of that dawn, Bathed in the same cold dew my brow & hair And sate as thus upon that slope of lawn Under the self same bough, & heard as there The birds, the fountains & the Ocean hold Sweet talk in music through the enamoured air. And then a Vision on my brain was rolled. As in that trance of wondrous thought I lay This was the tenour of my waking dream. Methought I sate beside a public way Thick strewn with summer dust, & a great stream Of people there was hurrying to & fro Numerous as gnats upon the evening gleam, All hastening onward, yet none seemed to know Whither he went, or whence he came, or why He made one of the multitude, yet so Was borne amid the crowd as through the sky One of the million leaves of summer’s bier.— Old age & youth, manhood & infancy, Mixed in one mighty torrent did appear, Some flying from the thing they feared & some Seeking the object of another’s fear, And others as with steps towards the tomb Pored on the trodden worms that crawled beneath, And others mournfully within the gloom Of their own shadow walked, and called it death … And some fled from it as it were a ghost, Half fainting in the affliction of vain breath. But more with motions which each other crost Pursued or shunned the shadows the clouds threw Or birds within the noonday ether lost, Upon that path where flowers never grew; And weary with vain toil & faint for thirst Heard not the fountains whose melodious dew Out of their mossy cells forever burst Nor felt the breeze which from the forest told Of grassy paths, & wood lawns interspersed With overarching elms & caverns cold, And violet banks where sweet dreams brood, but they Pursued their serious folly as of old …. And as I gazed methought that in the way The throng grew wilder, as the woods of June When the South wind shakes the extinguished day.— And a cold glare, intenser than the noon But icy cold, obscured with [[blank]] light The Sun as he the stars. Like the young moon When on the sunlit limits of the night Her white shell trembles amid crimson air And whilst the sleeping tempest gathers might Doth, as a herald of its coming, bear The ghost of her dead Mother, whose dim form Bends in dark ether from her infant’s chair, So came a chariot on the silent storm Of its own rushing splendour, and a Shape So sate within as one whom years deform Beneath a dusky hood & double cape Crouching within the shadow of a tomb, And o’er what seemed the head, a cloud like crape, Was bent a dun & faint etherial gloom Tempering the light; upon the chariot’s beam A Janus-visaged Shadow did assume The guidance of that wonder-winged team. The Shapes which drew it in thick lightnings Were lost: I heard alone on the air’s soft stream The music of their ever moving wings. All the four faces of that charioteer Had their eyes banded . . . little profit brings Speed in the van & blindness in the rear, Nor then avail the beams that quench the Sun Or that his banded eyes could pierce the sphere Of all that is, has been, or will be done.— So ill was the car guided, but it past With solemn speed majestically on . . . The crowd gave way, & I arose aghast, Or seemed to rise, so mighty was the trance, And saw like clouds upon the thunder blast The million with fierce song and maniac dance Raging around; such seemed the jubilee As when to greet some conqueror’s advance Imperial Rome poured forth her living sea From senatehouse & prison & theatre When Freedom left those who upon the free Had bound a yoke which soon they stooped to bear. Nor wanted here the true similitude Of a triumphal pageant, for where’er The chariot rolled a captive multitude Was driven; althose who had grown old in power Or misery,—all who have their age subdued, By action or by suffering, and whose hour Was drained to its last sand in weal or woe, So that the trunk survived both fruit & flower; All those whose fame or infamy must grow Till the great winter lay the form & name Of their own earth with them forever low, All but the sacred few who could not tame Their spirits to the Conqueror, but as soon As they had touched the world with living flame Fled back like eagles to their native noon, Of those who put aside the diadem Of earthly thrones or gems, till the last one Were there;—for they of Athens & Jerusalem Were neither mid the mighty captives seen Nor mid the ribald crowd that followed them Or fled before . . Now swift, fierce & obscene The wild dance maddens in the van, & those Who lead it, fleet as shadows on the green, Outspeed the chariot & without repose Mix with each other in tempestuous measure To savage music …. Wilder as it grows, They, tortured by the agonizing pleasure, Convulsed & on the rapid whirlwinds spun Of that fierce spirit, whose unholy leisure Was soothed by mischief since the world begun, Throw back their heads & loose their streaming hair, And in their dance round her who dims the Sun Maidens & youths fling their wild arms in air As their feet twinkle; they recede, and now Bending within each other’s atmosphere Kindle invisibly; and as they glow Like moths by light attracted & repelled, Oft to new bright destruction come & go. Till like two clouds into one vale impelled That shake the mountains when their lightnings mingle And die in rain,—the fiery band which held Their natures, snaps . . . ere the shock cease to tingle One falls and then another in the path Senseless, nor is the desolation single, Yet ere I can say where the chariot hath Past over them; nor other trace I find But as of foam after the Ocean’s wrath Is spent upon the desert shore.—Behind, Old men, and women foully disarrayed Shake their grey hair in the insulting wind, Limp in the dance & strain, with limbs decayed, Seeking to reach the light which leaves them still Farther behind & deeper in the shade. But not the less with impotence of will They wheel, though ghastly shadows interpose Round them & round each other, and fulfill Their work and to the dust whence they arose Sink & corruption veils them as they lie And frost in these performs what fire in those. Struck to the heart by this sad pageantry, Half to myself I said, “And what is this? Whose shape is that within the car? & why”- I would have added—”is all here amiss?” But a voice answered . . “Life” . . . I turned & knew (O Heaven have mercy on such wretchedness!) That what I thought was an old root which grew To strange distortion out of the hill side Was indeed one of that deluded crew, And that the grass which methought hung so wide And white, was but his thin discoloured hair, And that the holes it vainly sought to hide Were or had been eyes.—”lf thou canst forbear To join the dance, which I had well forborne,” Said the grim Feature, of my thought aware, “I will now tell that which to this deep scorn Led me & my companions, and relate The progress of the pageant since the morn; “If thirst of knowledge doth not thus abate, Follow it even to the night, but I Am weary” . . . Then like one who with the weight Of his own words is staggered, wearily He paused, and ere he could resume, I cried, “First who art thou?” . . . “Before thy memory “I feared, loved, hated, suffered, did, & died, And if the spark with which Heaven lit my spirit Earth had with purer nutriment supplied “Corruption would not now thus much inherit Of what was once Rousseau—nor this disguise Stained that within which still disdains to wear it.— “If I have been extinguished, yet there rise A thousand beacons from the spark I bore.”— “And who are those chained to the car?” “The Wise, “The great, the unforgotten: they who wore Mitres & helms & crowns, or wreathes of light, Signs of thought’s empire over thought; their lore “Taught them not this—to know themselves; their might Could not repress the mutiny within, And for the morn of truth they feigned, deep night “Caught them ere evening.” “Who is he with chin Upon his breast and hands crost on his chain?” “The Child of a fierce hour; he sought to win “The world, and lost all it did contain Of greatness, in its hope destroyed; & more Of fame & peace than Virtue’s self can gain “Without the opportunity which bore Him on its eagle’s pinion to the peak From which a thousand climbers have before “Fall’n as Napoleon fell.”—I felt my cheek Alter to see the great form pass away Whose grasp had left the giant world so weak That every pigmy kicked it as it lay— And much I grieved to think how power & will In opposition rule our mortal day— And why God made irreconcilable Good & the means of good; and for despair I half disdained mine eye’s desire to fill With the spent vision of the times that were And scarce have ceased to be . . . “Dost thou behold,” Said then my guide, “those spoilers spoiled, Voltaire, “Frederic, & Kant, Catherine, & Leopold, Chained hoary anarch, demagogue & sage Whose name the fresh world thinks already old— “For in the battle Life & they did wage She remained conqueror—I was overcome By my own heart alone, which neither age “Nor tears nor infamy nor now the tomb Could temper to its object.”—”Let them pass”— I cried—”the world & its mysterious doom “Is not so much more glorious than it was That I desire to worship those who drew New figures on its false & fragile glass “As the old faded.”—”Figures ever new Rise on the bubble, paint them how you may; We have but thrown, as those before us threw, “Our shadows on it as it past away. But mark, how chained to the triumphal chair The mighty phantoms of an elder day— “All that is mortal of great Plato there Expiates the joy & woe his master knew not; That star that ruled his doom was far too fair— “And Life, where long that flower of Heaven grew not, Conquered the heart by love which gold or pain Or age or sloth or slavery could subdue not— “And near [[blank]] walk the [[blank]] twain, The tutor & his pupil, whom Dominion Followed as tame as vulture in a chain.— “The world was darkened beneath either pinion Of him whom from the flock of conquerors Fame singled as her thunderbearing minion; “The other long outlived both woes & wars, Throned in new thoughts of men, and still had kept The jealous keys of truth’s eternal doors “If Bacon’s spirit [[blank]] had not leapt Like lightning out of darkness; he compelled The Proteus shape of Nature’s as it slept “To wake & to unbar the caves that held The treasure of the secrets of its reign— See the great bards of old who inly quelled “The passions which they sung, as by their strain May well be known: their living melody Tempers its own contagion to the vein “Of those who are infected with it—I Have suffered what I wrote, or viler pain!— “And so my words were seeds of misery— Even as the deeds of others.”—”Not as theirs,” I said—he pointed to a company In which I recognized amid the heirs Of Caesar’s crime from him to Constantine, The Anarchs old whose force & murderous snares Had founded many a sceptre bearing line And spread the plague of blood & gold abroad, And Gregory & John and men divine Who rose like shadows between Man & god Till that eclipse, still hanging under Heaven, Was worshipped by the world o’er which they strode For the true Sun it quenched.—”Their power was given But to destroy,” replied the leader—”I Am one of those who have created, even “If it be but a world of agony.”— “Whence camest thou & whither goest thou? How did thy course begin,” I said, “& why? “Mine eyes are sick of this perpetual flow Of people, & my heart of one sad thought.— Speak.”—”Whence I came, partly I seem to know, “And how & by what paths I have been brought To this dread pass, methinks even thou mayst guess; Why this should be my mind can compass not; “Whither the conqueror hurries me still less. But follow thou, & from spectator turn Actor or victim in this wretchedness, “And what thou wouldst be taught I then may learn From thee.—Now listen . . . In the April prime When all the forest tops began to burn “With kindling green, touched by the azure clime Of the young year, I found myself asleep Under a mountain which from unknown time “Had yawned into a cavern high & deep, And from it came a gentle rivulet Whose water like clear air in its calm sweep “Bent the soft grass & kept for ever wet The stems of the sweet flowers, and filled the grove With sound which all who hear must needs forget “All pleasure & all pain, all hate & love, Which they had known before that hour of rest: A sleeping mother then would dream not of “The only child who died upon her breast At eventide, a king would mourn no more The crown of which his brow was dispossest “When the sun lingered o’er the Ocean floor To gild his rival’s new prosperity.— Thou wouldst forget thus vainly to deplore “Ills, which if ills, can find no cure from thee, The thought of which no other sleep will quell Nor other music blot from memory— “So sweet & deep is the oblivious spell.— Whether my life had been before that sleep The Heaven which I imagine, or a Hell “Like this harsh world in which I wake to weep, I know not. I arose & for a space The scene of woods & waters seemed to keep, “Though it was now broad day, a gentle trace Of light diviner than the common Sun Sheds on the common Earth, but all the place “Was filled with many sounds woven into one Oblivious melody, confusing sense Amid the gliding waves & shadows dun; “And as I looked the bright omnipresence Of morning through the orient cavern flowed, And the Sun’s image radiantly intense “Burned on the waters of the well that glowed Like gold, and threaded all the forest maze With winding paths of emerald fire—there stood “Amid the sun, as he amid the blaze Of his own glory, on the vibrating Floor of the fountain, paved with flashing rays, “A shape all light, which with one hand did fling Dew on the earth, as if she were the Dawn Whose invisible rain forever seemed to sing “A silver music on the mossy lawn, And still before her on the dusky grass Iris her many coloured scarf had drawn.— “In her right hand she bore a crystal glass Mantling with bright Nepenthe;—the fierce splendour Fell from her as she moved under the mass “Of the deep cavern, & with palms so tender Their tread broke not the mirror of its billow, Glided along the river, and did bend her “Head under the dark boughs, till like a willow Her fair hair swept the bosom of the stream That whispered with delight to be their pillow.— “As one enamoured is upborne in dream O’er lily-paven lakes mid silver mist To wondrous music, so this shape might seem “Partly to tread the waves with feet which kist The dancing foam, partly to glide along The airs that roughened the moist amethyst, “Or the slant morning beams that fell among The trees, or the soft shadows of the trees; And her feet ever to the ceaseless song “Of leaves & winds & waves & birds & bees And falling drops moved in a measure new Yet sweet, as on the summer evening breeze “Up from the lake a shape of golden dew Between two rocks, athwart the rising moon, Moves up the east, where eagle never flew.— “And still her feet, no less than the sweet tune To which they moved, seemed as they moved, to blot The thoughts of him who gazed on them, & soon “All that was seemed as if it had been not, As if the gazer’s mind was strewn beneath Her feet like embers, & she, thought by thought, “Trampled its fires into the dust of death, As Day upon the threshold of the east Treads out the lamps of night, until the breath “Of darkness reillumines even the least Of heaven’s living eyes—like day she came, Making the night a dream; and ere she ceased “To move, as one between desire and shame Suspended, I said—’If, as it doth seem, Thou comest from the realm without a name, ” ‘Into this valley of perpetual dream, Shew whence I came, and where I am, and why— Pass not away upon the passing stream.’ ” ‘Arise and quench thy thirst,’ was her reply, And as a shut lily, stricken by the wand Of dewy morning’s vital alchemy, “I rose; and, bending at her sweet command, Touched with faint lips the cup she raised, And suddenly my brain became as sand “Where the first wave had more than half erased The track of deer on desert Labrador, Whilst the fierce wolf from which they fled amazed “Leaves his stamp visibly upon the shore Until the second bursts—so on my sight Burst a new Vision never seen before.— “And the fair shape waned in the coming light As veil by veil the silent splendour drops From Lucifer, amid the chrysolite “Of sunrise ere it strike the mountain tops— And as the presence of that fairest planet Although unseen is felt by one who hopes “That his day’s path may end as he began it In that star’s smile, whose light is like the scent Of a jonquil when evening breezes fan it, “Or the soft note in which his dear lament The Brescian shepherd breathes, or the caress That turned his weary slumber to content.— “So knew I in that light’s severe excess The presence of that shape which on the stream Moved, as I moved along the wilderness, “More dimly than a day appearing dream, The ghost of a forgotten form of sleep A light from Heaven whose half extinguished beam “Through the sick day in which we wake to weep Glimmers, forever sought, forever lost.— So did that shape its obscure tenour keep “Beside my path, as silent as a ghost; But the new Vision, and its cold bright car, With savage music, stunning music, crost “The forest, and as if from some dread war Triumphantly returning, the loud million Fiercely extolled the fortune of her star.— “A moving arch of victory the vermilion And green & azure plumes of Iris had Built high over her wind-winged pavilion, “And underneath aetherial glory clad The wilderness, and far before her flew The tempest of the splendour which forbade Shadow to fall from leaf or stone;—the crew Seemed in that light like atomies that dance Within a sunbeam.—Some upon the new “Embroidery of flowers that did enhance The grassy vesture of the desart, played, Forgetful of the chariot’s swift advance; “Others stood gazing till within the shade Of the great mountain its light left them dim.— Others outspeeded it, and others made “Circles around it like the clouds that swim Round the high moon in a bright sea of air, And more did follow, with exulting hymn, “The chariot & the captives fettered there, But all like bubbles on an eddying flood Fell into the same track at last & were “Borne onward.—I among the multitude Was swept; me sweetest flowers delayed not long, Me not the shadow nor the solitude, “Me not the falling stream’s Lethean song, Me, not the phantom of that early form Which moved upon its motion,—but among “The thickest billows of the living storm I plunged, and bared my bosom to the clime Of that cold light, whose airs too soon deform.— “Before the chariot had begun to climb The opposing steep of that mysterious dell, Behold a wonder worthy of the rhyme “Of him whom from the lowest depths of Hell Through every Paradise & through all glory Love led serene, & who returned to tell “In words of hate & awe the wondrous story How all things are transfigured, except Love; For deaf as is a sea which wrath makes hoary “The world can hear not the sweet notes that move The sphere whose light is melody to lovers—- A wonder worthy of his rhyme—the grove “Grew dense with shadows to its inmost covers, The earth was grey with phantoms, & the air Was peopled with dim forms, as when there hovers “A flock of vampire-bats before the glare Of the tropic sun, bring ere evening Strange night upon some Indian isle,—thus were “Phantoms diffused around, & some did fling Shadows of shadows, yet unlike themselves, Behind them, some like eaglets on the wing “Were lost in the white blaze, others like elves Danced in a thousand unimagined shapes Upon the sunny streams & grassy shelves; “And others sate chattering like restless apes On vulgar paws and voluble like fire. Some made a cradle of the ermined capes “Of kingly mantles, some upon the tiar Of pontiffs sate like vultures, others played Within the crown which girt with empire “A baby’s or an idiot’s brow, & made Their nests in it; the old anatomies Sate hatching their bare brood under the shade “Of demon wings, and laughed from their dead eyes To reassume the delegated power Arrayed in which these worms did monarchize “Who make this earth their charnel.—Others more Humble, like falcons sate upon the fist Of common men, and round their heads did soar, “Or like small gnats & flies, as thick as mist On evening marshes, thronged about the brow Of lawyer, statesman, priest & theorist, “And others like discoloured flakes of snow On fairest bosoms & the sunniest hair Fell, and were melted by the youthful glow “Which they extinguished; for like tears, they were A veil to those from whose faint lids they rained In drops of sorrow.—I became aware “Of whence those forms proceeded which thus stained The track in which we moved; after brief space From every form the beauty slowly waned, “From every firmest limb & fairest face The strength & freshness fell like dust, & left The action & the shape without the grace “Of life; the marble brow of youth was cleft With care, and in the eyes where once hope shone Desire like a lioness bereft “Of its last cub, glared ere it died; each one Of that great crowd sent forth incessantly These shadows, numerous as the dead leaves blown “In Autumn evening from a popular tree— Each, like himself & like each other were, At first, but soon distorted, seemed to be “Obscure clouds moulded by the casual air; And of this stuff the car’s creative ray Wrought all the busy phantoms that were there “As the sun shapes the clouds—thus, on the way Mask after mask fell from the countenance And form of all, and long before the day “Was old, the joy which waked like Heaven’s glance The sleepers in the oblivious valley, died, And some grew weary of the ghastly dance “And fell, as I have fallen by the way side, Those soonest from whose forms most shadows past And least of strength & beauty did abide.”— “Then, what is Life?” I said . . . the cripple cast His eye upon the car which now had rolled Onward, as if that look must be the last, And answered …. “Happy those for whom the fold Of … “Life is fun. It’s all up to the person. Be satisfied. You don’t have to be ‘happy’ all the time, you need to be satisfied.” — Lucille Boston Lewis, eternal optimist 101 years old “A man either lives life as it happens to him, meets it head-on and licks it, or he turns his back on it and starts to wither away.” — Dr. Boyce “Everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” — George Adair “He who imagines himself capable should attempt to perform. Neither originality counts, nor criticism of another’s work. It is not courage, nor self-confidence, nor a sense of superiority that tells. Performance alone is the test.” — Emanuel Lasker “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” — Colin Powell “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.” ― Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, and former U.S. Army Colonel What's the difference between a golfer and a skydiver? A golfer goes whack "darn" and a skydiver goes "darn" whack. A friend of mine went bald years ago but still carries around an old comb. He just can't part with it. Laika was the first animal in space. Two months after Sputnik 1, the Soviet Union launched its second spacecraft, Sputnik 2 with its first passenger: a small dog named Laika. With this voyage, Laika became the first animal to orbit Earth, but died 7 hours into orbit. # 65 games, 2015 192sp Vidmar Sampler Compiled by Resignation Trap * Amazing: Game Collection: Amazing Chess Moves (Emms) * First of each ECO: Game Collection: First of Each ECO * How to Analyze: https://thechessworld.com/articles/... * Recommendations: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/wiki... “Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To Earth I bring; Then let me soar and sing!” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Life has, indeed, many ills, but the mind that views every object in its most cheering aspect, and every doubtful dispensation as replete with latent good, bears within itself a powerful and perpetual antidote. The gloomy soul aggravates misfortune, while a cheerful smile often dispels those mists that portend a storm.” ― Lydia Sigourney “Genius does not need a special language; it uses newly whatever tongue it finds.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." ― Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States, and former Colonel in the U.S. Army "All of the real heroes are not storybook combat fighters either. Every single man in this Army play a vital role. Don't ever let up. Don't ever think that your job is unimportant. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain.” ― General George S. Patton, U.S. Army “Chess is a sea in which a gnat may drink and an elephant may bathe.” ― Indian Proverb “For beginning chess players, studying a Carlsen game is like wanting to be an electrical engineer and beginning with studying an iPhone.” ― Garry Kasparov “All warfare is based on deception.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud William Wordsworth I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils What kind of shorts do clouds wear? Thunderpants General chess advice from Joe Brooks: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comm... "On the chessboard lies and hypocrisy do not survive long. The creative combination lays bare the presumption of a lie; the merciless fact, culmination in checkmate, contradicts the hypocrite." — Emanuel Lasker “Life is like a chess. If you lose your queen, you will probably lose the game.” — Being Caballero “Chess is life in miniature. Chess is a struggle, chess battles.” — Garry Kasparov “Age brings wisdom to some men, and to others chess.” — Evan Esar “A man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality.” — Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom “We can compare classical chess and rapid chess with theatre and cinema - some actors don't like the latter and prefer to work in the theatre.” ― Boris Spassky “In my opinion, the style of a player should not be formed under the influence of any single great master.” ― Vasily Smyslov “Almost immediately after Kasparov played the magic move g4, the computer started to self destruct.” — Sam Sloan ''Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.'' — General Norman Schwarzkopf, U.S. Army “Botvinnik’s right! When he says such things, then he’s right. Usually, I prefer not to study chess but to play it. For me chess is more an art than a science. It’s been said that Alekhine and I played similar chess, except that he studied more. Yes, perhaps, but I have to say that he played, too.” — Mikhail Tal “If your opponent cannot do anything active, then don't rush the position; instead, you should let him sit there, suffer, and beg you for a draw.” ― IM Jeremy Silman “In the endgame, it's often better to form a barrier to cut-off the lone king and keep shrinking the barrier than to give check. The mistaken check might give the lone king a choice move toward the center when the idea is to force the lone king to the edge of the board and then checkmate.” — Fredthebear Adapt on the fly. “A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.” — General George S. Patton * Assorted Good Games by rbaglini: Game Collection: assorted Good games * Cheating: https://www.chess.com/article/view/... * Good Historical Links: https://www.saund.co.uk/britbase/in... * JonathanJ's favorite games 4: Game Collection: JonathanJ's favorite games 4 * elmubarak: my fav games: Game Collection: elmubarak: my fav games * Last Collection by Jaredfchess: Game Collection: LAST COLLECTION * Internet tracking: https://www.studysmarter.us/magazin... * Tune In: Game Collection: Tune your chess antenna I googled “Rorshach test.” But for some reason, all that came up were pictures of my parents fighting. poem by B.H. Wood, entitled ‘The Drowser’: Ah, reverie! Ten thousand heads I see Bent over chess-boards, an infinity Of minds engaged in battle, fiendishly, Keenly, or calmly, as the case may be: World-wide, the neophyte, the veteran, The studious problemist, the fairy fan ... “What’s that? – I’m nearly sending you to sleep? Sorry! – but this position’s rather deep.” Source: Chess Amateur, September 1929, page 268. Touching Riddle: What can be touched but can't be seen? Answer: Someone's heart “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.” ― Dalai Lama “Never run after a man or a bus, there's always another one in five minutes.” ― Cherry Adair, Kiss and Tell Why should you never trust stairs? They’re always up to something. Reminds me of Ogden Nash: "Behold the hippopotamus! We laugh at how he looks to us, And yet in moments dank and grim, I wonder how we look to him. Peace, peace, thou hippopotamus! We really look all right to us, As you no doubt delight the eye Of other hippopotami." There’s a fine line between a numerator and a denominator. (…Only a fraction of people will get this clean joke.) The Triumph of Life Percy Bysshe Shelley Swift as a spirit hastening to his task Of glory & of good, the Sun sprang forth Rejoicing in his splendour, & the mask Of darkness fell from the awakened Earth. The smokeless altars of the mountain snows Flamed above crimson clouds, & at the birth Of light, the Ocean’s orison arose To which the birds tempered their matin lay, All flowers in field or forest which unclose Their trembling eyelids to the kiss of day, Swinging their censers in the element, With orient incense lit by the new ray Burned slow & inconsumably, & sent Their odorous sighs up to the smiling air, And in succession due, did Continent, Isle, Ocean, & all things that in them wear The form & character of mortal mould Rise as the Sun their father rose, to bear Their portion of the toil which he of old Took as his own & then imposed on them; But I, whom thoughts which must remain untold Had kept as wakeful as the stars that gem The cone of night, now they were laid asleep, Stretched my faint limbs beneath the hoary stem Which an old chestnut flung athwart the steep Of a green Apennine: before me fled The night; behind me rose the day; the Deep Was at my feet, & Heaven above my head When a strange trance over my fancy grew Which was not slumber, for the shade it spread Was so transparent that the scene came through As clear as when a veil of light is drawn O’er evening hills they glimmer; and I knew That I had felt the freshness of that dawn, Bathed in the same cold dew my brow & hair And sate as thus upon that slope of lawn Under the self same bough, & heard as there The birds, the fountains & the Ocean hold Sweet talk in music through the enamoured air. And then a Vision on my brain was rolled. As in that trance of wondrous thought I lay This was the tenour of my waking dream. Methought I sate beside a public way Thick strewn with summer dust, & a great stream Of people there was hurrying to & fro Numerous as gnats upon the evening gleam, All hastening onward, yet none seemed to know Whither he went, or whence he came, or why He made one of the multitude, yet so Was borne amid the crowd as through the sky One of the million leaves of summer’s bier.— Old age & youth, manhood & infancy, Mixed in one mighty torrent did appear, Some flying from the thing they feared & some Seeking the object of another’s fear, And others as with steps towards the tomb Pored on the trodden worms that crawled beneath, And others mournfully within the gloom Of their own shadow walked, and called it death … And some fled from it as it were a ghost, Half fainting in the affliction of vain breath. But more with motions which each other crost Pursued or shunned the shadows the clouds threw Or birds within the noonday ether lost, Upon that path where flowers never grew; And weary with vain toil & faint for thirst Heard not the fountains whose melodious dew Out of their mossy cells forever burst Nor felt the breeze which from the forest told Of grassy paths, & wood lawns interspersed With overarching elms & caverns cold, And violet banks where sweet dreams brood, but they Pursued their serious folly as of old …. And as I gazed methought that in the way The throng grew wilder, as the woods of June When the South wind shakes the extinguished day.— And a cold glare, intenser than the noon But icy cold, obscured with [[blank]] light The Sun as he the stars. Like the young moon When on the sunlit limits of the night Her white shell trembles amid crimson air And whilst the sleeping tempest gathers might Doth, as a herald of its coming, bear The ghost of her dead Mother, whose dim form Bends in dark ether from her infant’s chair, So came a chariot on the silent storm Of its own rushing splendour, and a Shape So sate within as one whom years deform Beneath a dusky hood & double cape Crouching within the shadow of a tomb, And o’er what seemed the head, a cloud like crape, Was bent a dun & faint etherial gloom Tempering the light; upon the chariot’s beam A Janus-visaged Shadow did assume The guidance of that wonder-winged team. The Shapes which drew it in thick lightnings Were lost: I heard alone on the air’s soft stream The music of their ever moving wings. All the four faces of that charioteer Had their eyes banded . . . little profit brings Speed in the van & blindness in the rear, Nor then avail the beams that quench the Sun Or that his banded eyes could pierce the sphere Of all that is, has been, or will be done.— So ill was the car guided, but it past With solemn speed majestically on . . . The crowd gave way, & I arose aghast, Or seemed to rise, so mighty was the trance, And saw like clouds upon the thunder blast The million with fierce song and maniac dance Raging around; such seemed the jubilee As when to greet some conqueror’s advance Imperial Rome poured forth her living sea From senatehouse & prison & theatre When Freedom left those who upon the free Had bound a yoke which soon they stooped to bear. Nor wanted here the true similitude Of a triumphal pageant, for where’er The chariot rolled a captive multitude Was driven; althose who had grown old in power Or misery,—all who have their age subdued, By action or by suffering, and whose hour Was drained to its last sand in weal or woe, So that the trunk survived both fruit & flower; All those whose fame or infamy must grow Till the great winter lay the form & name Of their own earth with them forever low, All but the sacred few who could not tame Their spirits to the Conqueror, but as soon As they had touched the world with living flame Fled back like eagles to their native noon, Of those who put aside the diadem Of earthly thrones or gems, till the last one Were there;—for they of Athens & Jerusalem Were neither mid the mighty captives seen Nor mid the ribald crowd that followed them Or fled before . . Now swift, fierce & obscene The wild dance maddens in the van, & those Who lead it, fleet as shadows on the green, Outspeed the chariot & without repose Mix with each other in tempestuous measure To savage music …. Wilder as it grows, They, tortured by the agonizing pleasure, Convulsed & on the rapid whirlwinds spun Of that fierce spirit, whose unholy leisure Was soothed by mischief since the world begun, Throw back their heads & loose their streaming hair, And in their dance round her who dims the Sun Maidens & youths fling their wild arms in air As their feet twinkle; they recede, and now Bending within each other’s atmosphere Kindle invisibly; and as they glow Like moths by light attracted & repelled, Oft to new bright destruction come & go. Till like two clouds into one vale impelled That shake the mountains when their lightnings mingle And die in rain,—the fiery band which held Their natures, snaps . . . ere the shock cease to tingle One falls and then another in the path Senseless, nor is the desolation single, Yet ere I can say where the chariot hath Past over them; nor other trace I find But as of foam after the Ocean’s wrath Is spent upon the desert shore.—Behind, Old men, and women foully disarrayed Shake their grey hair in the insulting wind, Limp in the dance & strain, with limbs decayed, Seeking to reach the light which leaves them still Farther behind & deeper in the shade. But not the less with impotence of will They wheel, though ghastly shadows interpose Round them & round each other, and fulfill Their work and to the dust whence they arose Sink & corruption veils them as they lie And frost in these performs what fire in those. Struck to the heart by this sad pageantry, Half to myself I said, “And what is this? Whose shape is that within the car? & why”- I would have added—”is all here amiss?” But a voice answered . . “Life” . . . I turned & knew (O Heaven have mercy on such wretchedness!) That what I thought was an old root which grew To strange distortion out of the hill side Was indeed one of that deluded crew, And that the grass which methought hung so wide And white, was but his thin discoloured hair, And that the holes it vainly sought to hide Were or had been eyes.—”lf thou canst forbear To join the dance, which I had well forborne,” Said the grim Feature, of my thought aware, “I will now tell that which to this deep scorn Led me & my companions, and relate The progress of the pageant since the morn; “If thirst of knowledge doth not thus abate, Follow it even to the night, but I Am weary” . . . Then like one who with the weight Of his own words is staggered, wearily He paused, and ere he could resume, I cried, “First who art thou?” . . . “Before thy memory “I feared, loved, hated, suffered, did, & died, And if the spark with which Heaven lit my spirit Earth had with purer nutriment supplied “Corruption would not now thus much inherit Of what was once Rousseau—nor this disguise Stained that within which still disdains to wear it.— “If I have been extinguished, yet there rise A thousand beacons from the spark I bore.”— “And who are those chained to the car?” “The Wise, “The great, the unforgotten: they who wore Mitres & helms & crowns, or wreathes of light, Signs of thought’s empire over thought; their lore “Taught them not this—to know themselves; their might Could not repress the mutiny within, And for the morn of truth they feigned, deep night “Caught them ere evening.” “Who is he with chin Upon his breast and hands crost on his chain?” “The Child of a fierce hour; he sought to win “The world, and lost all it did contain Of greatness, in its hope destroyed; & more Of fame & peace than Virtue’s self can gain “Without the opportunity which bore Him on its eagle’s pinion to the peak From which a thousand climbers have before “Fall’n as Napoleon fell.”—I felt my cheek Alter to see the great form pass away Whose grasp had left the giant world so weak That every pigmy kicked it as it lay— And much I grieved to think how power & will In opposition rule our mortal day— And why God made irreconcilable Good & the means of good; and for despair I half disdained mine eye’s desire to fill With the spent vision of the times that were And scarce have ceased to be . . . “Dost thou behold,” Said then my guide, “those spoilers spoiled, Voltaire, “Frederic, & Kant, Catherine, & Leopold, Chained hoary anarch, demagogue & sage Whose name the fresh world thinks already old— “For in the battle Life & they did wage She remained conqueror—I was overcome By my own heart alone, which neither age “Nor tears nor infamy nor now the tomb Could temper to its object.”—”Let them pass”— I cried—”the world & its mysterious doom “Is not so much more glorious than it was That I desire to worship those who drew New figures on its false & fragile glass “As the old faded.”—”Figures ever new Rise on the bubble, paint them how you may; We have but thrown, as those before us threw, “Our shadows on it as it past away. But mark, how chained to the triumphal chair The mighty phantoms of an elder day— “All that is mortal of great Plato there Expiates the joy & woe his master knew not; That star that ruled his doom was far too fair— “And Life, where long that flower of Heaven grew not, Conquered the heart by love which gold or pain Or age or sloth or slavery could subdue not— “And near [[blank]] walk the [[blank]] twain, The tutor & his pupil, whom Dominion Followed as tame as vulture in a chain.— “The world was darkened beneath either pinion Of him whom from the flock of conquerors Fame singled as her thunderbearing minion; “The other long outlived both woes & wars, Throned in new thoughts of men, and still had kept The jealous keys of truth’s eternal doors “If Bacon’s spirit [[blank]] had not leapt Like lightning out of darkness; he compelled The Proteus shape of Nature’s as it slept “To wake & to unbar the caves that held The treasure of the secrets of its reign— See the great bards of old who inly quelled “The passions which they sung, as by their strain May well be known: their living melody Tempers its own contagion to the vein “Of those who are infected with it—I Have suffered what I wrote, or viler pain!— “And so my words were seeds of misery— Even as the deeds of others.”—”Not as theirs,” I said—he pointed to a company In which I recognized amid the heirs Of Caesar’s crime from him to Constantine, The Anarchs old whose force & murderous snares Had founded many a sceptre bearing line And spread the plague of blood & gold abroad, And Gregory & John and men divine Who rose like shadows between Man & god Till that eclipse, still hanging under Heaven, Was worshipped by the world o’er which they strode For the true Sun it quenched.—”Their power was given But to destroy,” replied the leader—”I Am one of those who have created, even “If it be but a world of agony.”— “Whence camest thou & whither goest thou? How did thy course begin,” I said, “& why? “Mine eyes are sick of this perpetual flow Of people, & my heart of one sad thought.— Speak.”—”Whence I came, partly I seem to know, “And how & by what paths I have been brought To this dread pass, methinks even thou mayst guess; Why this should be my mind can compass not; “Whither the conqueror hurries me still less. But follow thou, & from spectator turn Actor or victim in this wretchedness, “And what thou wouldst be taught I then may learn From thee.—Now listen . . . In the April prime When all the forest tops began to burn “With kindling green, touched by the azure clime Of the young year, I found myself asleep Under a mountain which from unknown time “Had yawned into a cavern high & deep, And from it came a gentle rivulet Whose water like clear air in its calm sweep “Bent the soft grass & kept for ever wet The stems of the sweet flowers, and filled the grove With sound which all who hear must needs forget “All pleasure & all pain, all hate & love, Which they had known before that hour of rest: A sleeping mother then would dream not of “The only child who died upon her breast At eventide, a king would mourn no more The crown of which his brow was dispossest “When the sun lingered o’er the Ocean floor To gild his rival’s new prosperity.— Thou wouldst forget thus vainly to deplore “Ills, which if ills, can find no cure from thee, The thought of which no other sleep will quell Nor other music blot from memory— “So sweet & deep is the oblivious spell.— Whether my life had been before that sleep The Heaven which I imagine, or a Hell “Like this harsh world in which I wake to weep, I know not. I arose & for a space The scene of woods & waters seemed to keep, “Though it was now broad day, a gentle trace Of light diviner than the common Sun Sheds on the common Earth, but all the place “Was filled with many sounds woven into one Oblivious melody, confusing sense Amid the gliding waves & shadows dun; “And as I looked the bright omnipresence Of morning through the orient cavern flowed, And the Sun’s image radiantly intense “Burned on the waters of the well that glowed Like gold, and threaded all the forest maze With winding paths of emerald fire—there stood “Amid the sun, as he amid the blaze Of his own glory, on the vibrating Floor of the fountain, paved with flashing rays, “A shape all light, which with one hand did fling Dew on the earth, as if she were the Dawn Whose invisible rain forever seemed to sing “A silver music on the mossy lawn, And still before her on the dusky grass Iris her many coloured scarf had drawn.— “In her right hand she bore a crystal glass Mantling with bright Nepenthe;—the fierce splendour Fell from her as she moved under the mass “Of the deep cavern, & with palms so tender Their tread broke not the mirror of its billow, Glided along the river, and did bend her “Head under the dark boughs, till like a willow Her fair hair swept the bosom of the stream That whispered with delight to be their pillow.— “As one enamoured is upborne in dream O’er lily-paven lakes mid silver mist To wondrous music, so this shape might seem “Partly to tread the waves with feet which kist The dancing foam, partly to glide along The airs that roughened the moist amethyst, “Or the slant morning beams that fell among The trees, or the soft shadows of the trees; And her feet ever to the ceaseless song “Of leaves & winds & waves & birds & bees And falling drops moved in a measure new Yet sweet, as on the summer evening breeze “Up from the lake a shape of golden dew Between two rocks, athwart the rising moon, Moves up the east, where eagle never flew.— “And still her feet, no less than the sweet tune To which they moved, seemed as they moved, to blot The thoughts of him who gazed on them, & soon “All that was seemed as if it had been not, As if the gazer’s mind was strewn beneath Her feet like embers, & she, thought by thought, “Trampled its fires into the dust of death, As Day upon the threshold of the east Treads out the lamps of night, until the breath “Of darkness reillumines even the least Of heaven’s living eyes—like day she came, Making the night a dream; and ere she ceased “To move, as one between desire and shame Suspended, I said—’If, as it doth seem, Thou comest from the realm without a name, ” ‘Into this valley of perpetual dream, Shew whence I came, and where I am, and why— Pass not away upon the passing stream.’ ” ‘Arise and quench thy thirst,’ was her reply, And as a shut lily, stricken by the wand Of dewy morning’s vital alchemy, “I rose; and, bending at her sweet command, Touched with faint lips the cup she raised, And suddenly my brain became as sand “Where the first wave had more than half erased The track of deer on desert Labrador, Whilst the fierce wolf from which they fled amazed “Leaves his stamp visibly upon the shore Until the second bursts—so on my sight Burst a new Vision never seen before.— “And the fair shape waned in the coming light As veil by veil the silent splendour drops From Lucifer, amid the chrysolite “Of sunrise ere it strike the mountain tops— And as the presence of that fairest planet Although unseen is felt by one who hopes “That his day’s path may end as he began it In that star’s smile, whose light is like the scent Of a jonquil when evening breezes fan it, “Or the soft note in which his dear lament The Brescian shepherd breathes, or the caress That turned his weary slumber to content.— “So knew I in that light’s severe excess The presence of that shape which on the stream Moved, as I moved along the wilderness, “More dimly than a day appearing dream, The ghost of a forgotten form of sleep A light from Heaven whose half extinguished beam “Through the sick day in which we wake to weep Glimmers, forever sought, forever lost.— So did that shape its obscure tenour keep “Beside my path, as silent as a ghost; But the new Vision, and its cold bright car, With savage music, stunning music, crost “The forest, and as if from some dread war Triumphantly returning, the loud million Fiercely extolled the fortune of her star.— “A moving arch of victory the vermilion And green & azure plumes of Iris had Built high over her wind-winged pavilion, “And underneath aetherial glory clad The wilderness, and far before her flew The tempest of the splendour which forbade Shadow to fall from leaf or stone;—the crew Seemed in that light like atomies that dance Within a sunbeam.—Some upon the new “Embroidery of flowers that did enhance The grassy vesture of the desart, played, Forgetful of the chariot’s swift advance; “Others stood gazing till within the shade Of the great mountain its light left them dim.— Others outspeeded it, and others made “Circles around it like the clouds that swim Round the high moon in a bright sea of air, And more did follow, with exulting hymn, “The chariot & the captives fettered there, But all like bubbles on an eddying flood Fell into the same track at last & were “Borne onward.—I among the multitude Was swept; me sweetest flowers delayed not long, Me not the shadow nor the solitude, “Me not the falling stream’s Lethean song, Me, not the phantom of that early form Which moved upon its motion,—but among “The thickest billows of the living storm I plunged, and bared my bosom to the clime Of that cold light, whose airs too soon deform.— “Before the chariot had begun to climb The opposing steep of that mysterious dell, Behold a wonder worthy of the rhyme “Of him whom from the lowest depths of Hell Through every Paradise & through all glory Love led serene, & who returned to tell “In words of hate & awe the wondrous story How all things are transfigured, except Love; For deaf as is a sea which wrath makes hoary “The world can hear not the sweet notes that move The sphere whose light is melody to lovers—- A wonder worthy of his rhyme—the grove “Grew dense with shadows to its inmost covers, The earth was grey with phantoms, & the air Was peopled with dim forms, as when there hovers “A flock of vampire-bats before the glare Of the tropic sun, bring ere evening Strange night upon some Indian isle,—thus were “Phantoms diffused around, & some did fling Shadows of shadows, yet unlike themselves, Behind them, some like eaglets on the wing “Were lost in the white blaze, others like elves Danced in a thousand unimagined shapes Upon the sunny streams & grassy shelves; “And others sate chattering like restless apes On vulgar paws and voluble like fire. Some made a cradle of the ermined capes “Of kingly mantles, some upon the tiar Of pontiffs sate like vultures, others played Within the crown which girt with empire “A baby’s or an idiot’s brow, & made Their nests in it; the old anatomies Sate hatching their bare brood under the shade “Of demon wings, and laughed from their dead eyes To reassume the delegated power Arrayed in which these worms did monarchize “Who make this earth their charnel.—Others more Humble, like falcons sate upon the fist Of common men, and round their heads did soar, “Or like small gnats & flies, as thick as mist On evening marshes, thronged about the brow Of lawyer, statesman, priest & theorist, “And others like discoloured flakes of snow On fairest bosoms & the sunniest hair Fell, and were melted by the youthful glow “Which they extinguished; for like tears, they were A veil to those from whose faint lids they rained In drops of sorrow.—I became aware “Of whence those forms proceeded which thus stained The track in which we moved; after brief space From every form the beauty slowly waned, “From every firmest limb & fairest face The strength & freshness fell like dust, & left The action & the shape without the grace “Of life; the marble brow of youth was cleft With care, and in the eyes where once hope shone Desire like a lioness bereft “Of its last cub, glared ere it died; each one Of that great crowd sent forth incessantly These shadows, numerous as the dead leaves blown “In Autumn evening from a popular tree— Each, like himself & like each other were, At first, but soon distorted, seemed to be “Obscure clouds moulded by the casual air; And of this stuff the car’s creative ray Wrought all the busy phantoms that were there “As the sun shapes the clouds—thus, on the way Mask after mask fell from the countenance And form of all, and long before the day “Was old, the joy which waked like Heaven’s glance The sleepers in the oblivious valley, died, And some grew weary of the ghastly dance “And fell, as I have fallen by the way side, Those soonest from whose forms most shadows past And least of strength & beauty did abide.”— “Then, what is Life?” I said . . . the cripple cast His eye upon the car which now had rolled Onward, as if that look must be the last, And answered …. “Happy those for whom the fold Of … Apr-05-23 WannaBe: Can a vegan have a 'beef' with you? Or Vegans only have 'beet' with you? I am confused. Apr-05-23 Cassandro: Vegan police officers should be exempt from doing steak-outs. “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” — Fanny Fern Did you hear about the first restaurant to open on the moon? It had great food, but no atmosphere. The Road Not Taken Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. This game an Indian Brahmin did invent, The force of Eastern wisdom to express; From thence the same to busy Europe sent; The modern Lombards stil'd it pensive Chess. — Sir John Denham “The weak are always anxious for justice and equality. The strong pay no heed to either.” — Aristotle “A species that enslaves other beings is hardly superior — mentally or otherwise.” — Captain Kirk “Now, I don’t pretend to tell you how to find happiness and love, when every day is a struggle to survive. But I do insist that you do survive, because the days and the years ahead are worth living for!” — Edith Keeler “Live long and prosper!” — Spock “The most important thing in life is to stop saying 'I wish' and start saying 'I will.' Consider nothing impossible, then treat possibilities as probabilities.” — Charles Dickens 32z Nimzo Za’Darius Smith & Wesson don't be messin' Zoltan Almasi periodic rot Asztalos. Did you hear about the fire at the circus? It was in tents! 80 games, 1901-1947 1960 Koltanowski 56-board blindfold Compiled by gauer Held at San Francisco, USA, 4th of December, 1956 by Georges Koltanowski - columnist and age 57, in which he received a blindfold and the white pieces in a simul against (some of) the following players (ordered by the amount of moves in which the opponents lasted). 29 out of his 56 total games (all but one were wins; he scored +50-0=6 overall) are present here. The wikipedia article below suggests that the blindfold games were played consecutively (or the version of their story on 26 March, 2015), giving each player 10 seconds/move. In some cases, the names of the players of the black pieces were only given partially, and might be awaiting correction slip revisions. [References: (1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George... ] General chess advice from Joe Brooks: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comm... “On the chessboard lies and hypocrisy do not survive long. The creative combination lays bare the presumption of a lie; the merciless fact, culmination in checkmate, contradicts the hypocrite.” ― Emanuel Lasker “Life is like a chess. If you lose your queen, you will probably lose the game.” ― Being Caballero “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.” ― Amelia Earhart “Chess is life in miniature. Chess is a struggle, chess battles.” ― Garry Kasparov “Each person must live their life as a model for others.” ― Rosa Parks “Age brings wisdom to some men, and to others chess.” ― Evan Esar “Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb, but how well you bounce." ― Vivian Komori “The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers. The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.” ― George S. Patton Jr. “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.” ― Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, and former U.S. Army Colonel * Assorted Good Games by rbaglini: Game Collection: assorted Good games * Good Historical Links: https://www.saund.co.uk/britbase/in... * GK's Scheveningen: Game Collection: Kasparov - The Sicilian Sheveningen * Internet tracking: https://www.studysmarter.us/magazin... “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” ― Sun Tzu “One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War poem by B.H. Wood, entitled ‘The Drowser’: Ah, reverie! Ten thousand heads I see Bent over chess-boards, an infinity Of minds engaged in battle, fiendishly, Keenly, or calmly, as the case may be: World-wide, the neophyte, the veteran, The studious problemist, the fairy fan ... “What’s that? – I’m nearly sending you to sleep? Sorry! – but this position’s rather deep.” Source: Chess Amateur, September 1929, page 268. “Be active. I do things my way, like skiing when I’m 100. Nobody else does that even if they have energy. And I try to eat pretty correctly and get exercise and fresh air and sunshine.” ― Elsa Bailey, first time skier at age 100 “Don't look at the calendar, just keep celebrating every day.” ― Ruth Coleman, carpe diem at age 101 “My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose--somehow we win out.” ― Ronald Reagan The Sun and the Frogs Rejoicing on their tyrant's wedding-day, The people drowned their care in drink; While from the general joy did Aesop shrink, And showed its folly in this way. "The sun," said he, "once took it in his head To have a partner for his bed. From swamps, and ponds, and marshy bogs, Up rose the wailings of the frogs. "What shall we do, should he have progeny?" Said they to Destiny; "One sun we scarcely can endure, And half-a-dozen, we are sure, Will dry the very sea. Adieu to marsh and fen! Our race will perish then, Or be obliged to fix Their dwelling in the Styx!" For such an humble animal, The frog, I take it, reasoned well." More than half of your body is bacteria. Human cells make up only 43% of the body’s total cell count. The rest are bacteria, viruses, and fungi – the greatest amount of these microbes are in our bowels. Luke 2:9, 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Conceive a man by nature and misfortune prone to a pallid hopelessness, can any business seem more fitted to heighten it than that of continually handling these dead letters and assorting them for the flames? For by the cart-load they are annually burned. Sometimes from out the folded paper the pale clerk takes a ring: - the finger it was meant for, perhaps, moulders in the grave; a bank-note sent in swiftest charity: - he whom it would relieve, nor eats nor hungers any more; pardon for those who died despairing; hope for those who died unhoping; good tidings for those who died stifled by unrelieved calamities. On errands of life, these letters speed to death. Ah Bartleby! Ah humanity! — Herman Melville “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” ― Thomas A. Edison It's not the quantity that counts; it's the quality. 303 The Road Not Taken Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. “You can only get good at chess if you love the game.” ― Bobby Fischer “Transformation is a process, and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs. It's a journey of discovery--there are moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair.” ― Rick Warren “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” ― Henry Ford “Live life to the fullest, and focus on the positive.” ― Matt Cameron “He who imagines himself capable should attempt to perform. Neither originality counts, nor criticism of another’s work. It is not courage, nor self-confidence, nor a sense of superiority that tells. Performance alone is the test.” — Emanuel Lasker Acronyms and Initialisms: Worksheet Printouts Click Here for K-3 Themes An acronym is a pronounceable word that is formed using the first letters of the words in a phrase (sometimes, other parts of the words are also used). Some common acronyms include NASA (which stands for "National Aeronautical and Space Administration"), scuba ("Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus") and laser ("Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation"). An initialism is a word that is formed using the first letters of the words in a phrase -- it is pronounced like a series of letters, not like a word. Some common initialisms include UFO (which stands for "Unidentified Flying Object") and LOL (which stands for "Laughing Out Loud"). Note: Some people consider both of these to be acronyms. Some common acronyms (and initialisms) include: AC - Air Conditioning AD - Anno Domini ("In the Year of Our Lord") AKA - Also Known As AM - Ante Meridiem (before noon) AM - Amplitude Modification (radio) ASAP - As Soon As Possible ATM - Automated Teller Machine B&B - Bed and Breakfast BC - Before Christ or Because BCE - Before the Common Era BLT - Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato BTW - By The Way CC - Credit Card CIA - Central Intelligence Agency CO - Commanding Officer CST - Central Standard Time DOA - Dead on Arrival DOT - Department of Transportation DST - Daylight Saving Time EST - Eastern Standard Time ET - Extra-Terrestrial FAQ - Frequently-Asked Questions FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation FDR - Franklin Delano Roosevelt FM - Frequency Modification (radio) FYI - For Your Information GI - Government Issue GMO - Genetically Modified IM - Instant Message IMO - In My Opinion IMHO - In My Humble Opinion HAZ-MAT - Hazardous Material HMO - Health Maintenence Organization ID - Identification IQ - Intelligence Quotient ISBN - International Standard Book Number JFK - John Fitzgerald Kennedy JV - Junior Varsity KO - Knockout laser - Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation LCD - Liquid Crystal Display LED - Light Emitting Diode LOL - Laughing Out Loud MC - Master of Ceremonies MLK - Martin Luther King, Jr. MO - Modus Operandi MRE - Meals Ready to Eat MS - Manuscript MST - Mountain Standard Time MTG - Magic: The Gathering MTD - Month To Date NIB - New In the Box NAFTA - North American Free Trade Agreement NASA - National Aeronautical and Space Administration NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization NBA - National Basketball Association NIB - New In the Box NIMBY - Not In My Backyard OJ - Orange Juice OPEC - Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries PBJ - Peanut Butter and Jelly PC - Politically Correct PI - Private Investigator PIN - Personal Identification Number PM - Post Meridiem (after noon) POTUS - President of the United States POW - Prisoner of War PPS - Post-Postscript PS - Postscript PR - Public Relations PSI - Pounds Per Square Inch PST - Pacific Standard Time Q&A - Question and Answer R&R - Rest and Relaxation RAM - Random Access Memory RGB - Red, Green, Blue RIP - Rest in Peace (from the Latin, "Requiescat In Pace") ROM - Read Only Memory ROTC - Reserve Officers Training Corps ROYGBIV - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet RPG - Role Playing Game RSVP - Répondez S'il Vous Plaît (in French, this means "Please respond") RV - Recreational Vehicle scuba - Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus SNAFU - Systems Normal, All Fouled Up SOP - Standard Operating Procedure SOS - Save Our Souls (decided after the fact - SOS was chosen because it was short in Morse code) SPF - Sun Protection Factor (how sunscreen lotion is rated) TBA - To Be Announced TEOTWAWKI - The End Of The World As We Know It TGIF - Thank God It's Friday TLC - Tender Loving Care TV - Television UFO - Unidentified Flying Object UN - United Nations UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund UPC - Universal Product Code VIP - Very Important Person VP - Vice President WASP - White Anglo Saxon Protestant WHO - World Health Organization WOM - Word of Mouth WoW - World of Warcraft WYSIWYG - What You See Is What You Get YTD - Year To Date ZIP (code) - Zone Improvement Plan The Deserted Village BY OLIVER GOLDSMITH (1730-1774) Sweet Auburn, loveliest village of the plain, Where health and plenty cheared the labouring swain, Where smiling spring its earliest visit paid, And parting summer's lingering blooms delayed, Dear lovely bowers of innocence and ease, Seats of my youth, when every sport could please, How often have I loitered o'er thy green, Where humble happiness endeared each scene! How often have I paused on every charm, The sheltered cot, the cultivated farm, The never-failing brook, the busy mill, The decent church that topt the neighbouring hill, The hawthorn bush, with seats beneath the shade, For talking age and whispering lovers made! How often have I blest the coming day, When toil remitting lent its turn to play, And all the village train, from labour free, Led up their sports beneath the spreading tree, While many a pastime circled in the shade, The young contending as the old surveyed; And many a gambol frolicked o'er the ground, And slights of art and feats of strength went round; And still as each repeated pleasure tired, Succeeding sports the mirthful band inspired; The dancing pair that simply sought renown By holding out to tire each other down; The swain mistrustless of his smutted face, While secret laughter tittered round the place; The bashful virgin's side-long looks of love, The matron's glance that would those looks reprove! These were thy charms, sweet village; sports like these, With sweet succession, taught even toil to please; These round thy bowers their chearful influence shed, These were thy charms—But all these charms are fled. Sweet smiling village, loveliest of the lawn, Thy sports are fled, and all thy charms withdrawn; Amidst thy bowers the tyrant's hand is seen, And desolation saddens all thy green: One only master grasps the whole domain, And half a tillage stints thy smiling plain; No more thy glassy brook reflects the day, But, choaked with sedges, works its weedy way; Along thy glades, a solitary guest, The hollow-sounding bittern guards its nest; Amidst thy desert walks the lapwing flies, And tires their echoes with unvaried cries. Sunk are thy bowers, in shapeless ruin all, And the long grass o'ertops the mouldering wall; And, trembling, shrinking from the spoiler's hand, Far, far away, thy children leave the land. Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay: Princes and lords may flourish, or may fade; A breath can make them, as a breath has made; But a bold peasantry, their country's pride, When once destroyed, can never be supplied. A time there was, ere England's griefs began, When every rood of ground maintained its man; For him light labour spread her wholesome store, Just gave what life required, but gave no more: His best companions, innocence and health; And his best riches, ignorance of wealth. But times are altered; trade's unfeeling train Usurp the land and dispossess the swain; Along the lawn, where scattered hamlets rose, Unwieldy wealth and cumbrous pomp repose; And every want to oppulence allied, And every pang that folly pays to pride. Those gentle hours that plenty bade to bloom, Those calm desires that asked but little room, Those healthful sports that graced the peaceful scene, Lived in each look, and brightened all the green; These, far departing seek a kinder shore, And rural mirth and manners are no more. Sweet Auburn! parent of the blissful hour, Thy glades forlorn confess the tyrant's power. Here as I take my solitary rounds, Amidst thy tangling walks, and ruined grounds, And, many a year elapsed, return to view Where once the cottage stood, the hawthorn grew, Remembrance wakes with all her busy train, Swells at my breast, and turns the past to pain. In all my wanderings round this world of care, In all my griefs—and God has given my share— I still had hopes, my latest hours to crown, Amidst these humble bowers to lay me down; To husband out life's taper at the close, And keep the flame from wasting by repose. I still had hopes, for pride attends us still, Amidst the swains to shew my book-learned skill, Around my fire an evening groupe to draw, And tell of all I felt, and all I saw; And, as an hare whom hounds and horns pursue, Pants to the place from whence at first she flew, I still had hopes, my long vexations past, Here to return—and die at home at last. O blest retirement, friend to life's decline, Retreats from care that never must be mine, How happy he who crowns, in shades like these A youth of labour with an age of ease; Who quits a world where strong temptations try, And, since 'tis hard to combat, learns to fly! For him no wretches, born to work and weep, Explore the mine, or tempt the dangerous deep; No surly porter stands in guilty state To spurn imploring famine from the gate, But on he moves to meet his latter end, Angels around befriending virtue's friend; Bends to the grave with unperceived decay, While resignation gently slopes the way; And, all his prospects brightening to the last, His Heaven commences ere the world be past! Sweet was the sound, when oft at evening's close, Up yonder hill the village murmur rose; There, as I past with careless steps and slow, The mingling notes came soften'd from below; The swain responsive as the milk-maid sung, The sober herd that lowed to meet their young, The noisy geese that gabbled o'er the pool, The playful children just let loose from school, The watch-dog's voice that bayed the whispering wind, And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind, These all in sweet confusion sought the shade, And filled each pause the nightingale had made. But now the sounds of population fail, No cheerful murmurs fluctuate in the gale, No busy steps the grass-grown foot-way tread, For all the bloomy flush of life is fled. All but yon widowed, solitary thing That feebly bends beside the plashy spring; She, wretched matron, forced in age, for bread, To strip the brook with mantling cresses spread, To pick her wintry faggot from the thorn, To seek her nightly shed, and weep till morn; She only left of all the harmless train, The sad historian of the pensive plain. Near yonder copse, where once the garden smiled, And still where many a garden-flower grows wild; There, where a few torn shrubs the place disclose, The village preacher's modest mansion rose. A man he was, to all the country dear, And passing rich with forty pounds a year; Remote from towns he ran his godly race, Nor e'er had changed, nor wished to change his place; Unpractised he to fawn, or seek for power, By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour; Far other aims his heart had learned to prize, More skilled to raise the wretched than to rise. His house was known to all the vagrant train, He chid their wanderings but relieved their pain; The long-remembered beggar was his guest, Whose beard descending swept his aged breast; The ruined spendthrift, now no longer proud, Claim'd kindred there, and had his claims allowed; The broken soldier, kindly bade to stay, Sate by his fire, and talked the night away; Wept o'er his wounds, or, tales of sorrow done, Shouldered his crutch, and shewed how fields were won. Pleased with his guests, the good man learned to glow, And quite forgot their vices in their woe; Careless their merits, or their faults to scan, His pity gave ere charity began. Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride, And even his failings leaned to Virtue's side; But in his duty prompt at every call, He watched and wept, he prayed and felt, for all. And, as a bird each fond endearment tries, To tempt its new-fledged offspring to the skies; He tried each art, reproved each dull delay, Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way. Beside the bed where parting life was layed, And sorrow, guilt, and pain, by turns, dismayed The reverend champion stood. At his control Despair and anguish fled the struggling soul; Comfort came down the trembling wretch to raise, And his last faltering accents whispered praise. At church, with meek and unaffected grace, His looks adorned the venerable place; Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, And fools, who came to scoff, remained to pray. The service past, around the pious man, With steady zeal, each honest rustic ran; Even children followed, with endearing wile, And plucked his gown, to share the good man's smile. His ready smile a parent's warmth exprest, Their welfare pleased him, and their cares distrest: To them his heart, his love, his griefs were given, But all his serious thoughts had rest in Heaven. As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form, Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm, Tho' round its breast the rolling clouds are spread, Eternal sunshine settles on its head. Beside yon straggling fence that skirts the way, With blossomed furze unprofitably gay, There, in his noisy mansion, skill'd to rule, The village master taught his little school; A man severe he was, and stern to view, I knew him well, and every truant knew; Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace The day's disasters in his morning face; Full well they laughed, with counterfeited glee, At all his jokes, for many a joke had he: Full well the busy whisper circling round, Conveyed the dismal tidings when he frowned; Yet he was kind, or if severe in aught, The love he bore to learning was in fault; The village all declared how much he knew; 'Twas certain he could write, and cypher too; Lands he could measure, terms and tides presage, And ev'n the story ran that he could gauge. In arguing too, the parson owned his skill, For even tho' vanquished, he could argue still; While words of learned length and thundering sound, Amazed the gazing rustics ranged around; And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew, That one small head could carry all he knew. But past is all his fame. The very spot Where many a time he triumphed, is forgot. Near yonder thorn, that lifts its head on high, Where once the sign-post caught the passing eye, Low lies that house where nut-brown draughts inspired, Where grey-beard mirth and smiling toil retired, Where village statesmen talked with looks profound, And news much older than their ale went round. Imagination fondly stoops to trace The parlour splendours of that festive place; The white-washed wall, the nicely sanded floor, The varnished clock that clicked behind the door; The chest contrived a double debt to pay, A bed by night, a chest of drawers by day; The pictures placed for ornament and use, The twelve good rules, the royal game of goose; The hearth, except when winter chill'd the day, With aspen boughs, and flowers, and fennel gay; While broken tea-cups, wisely kept for shew, Ranged o'er the chimney, glistened in a row. Vain transitory splendours! Could not all Reprieve the tottering mansion from its fall! Obscure it sinks, nor shall it more impart An hour's importance to the poor man's heart; Thither no more the peasant shall repair To sweet oblivion of his daily care; No more the farmer's news, the barber's tale, No more the woodman's ballad shall prevail; No more the smith his dusky brow shall clear, Relax his ponderous strength, and lean to hear; The host himself no longer shall be found Careful to see the mantling bliss go round; Nor the coy maid, half willing to be prest, Shall kiss the cup to pass it to the rest. Yes! let the rich deride, the proud disdain, These simple blessings of the lowly train; To me more dear, congenial to my heart, One native charm, than all the gloss of art; Spontaneous joys, where Nature has its play, The soul adopts, and owns their first-born sway; Lightly they frolic o'er the vacant mind, Unenvied, unmolested, unconfined. But the long pomp, the midnight masquerade, With all the freaks of wanton wealth arrayed, In these, ere triflers half their wish obtain, The toiling pleasure sickens into pain; And, even while fashion's brightest arts decoy, The heart distrusting asks, if this be joy. Ye friends to truth, ye statesmen who survey The rich man's joys encrease, the poor's decay, 'Tis yours to judge, how wide the limits stand Between a splendid and a happy land. Proud swells the tide with loads of freighted ore, And shouting Folly hails them from her shore; Hoards even beyond the miser's wish abound, And rich men flock from all the world around. Yet count our gains. This wealth is but a name That leaves our useful products still the same. Not so the loss. The man of wealth and pride Takes up a space that many poor supplied; Space for his lake, his park's extended bounds, Space for his horses, equipage, and hounds: The robe that wraps his limbs in silken sloth, Has robbed the neighbouring fields of half their growth; His seat, where solitary sports are seen, Indignant spurns the cottage from the green: Around the world each needful product flies, For all the luxuries the world supplies. While thus the land adorned for pleasure, all In barren splendour feebly waits the fall. As some fair female unadorned and plain, Secure to please while youth confirms her reign, Slights every borrowed charm that dress supplies, Nor shares with art the triumph of her eyes. But when those charms are past, for charms are frail, When time advances, and when lovers fail, She then shines forth, solicitous to bless, In all the glaring impotence of dress. Thus fares the land, by luxury betrayed: In nature's simplest charms at first arrayed; But verging to decline, its splendours rise, Its vistas strike, its palaces surprize; While, scourged by famine from the smiling land, The mournful peasant leads his humble band; And while he sinks, without one arm to save, The country blooms—a garden, and a grave. Where then, ah where, shall poverty reside, To scape the pressure of contiguous pride? If to some common's fenceless limits strayed, He drives his flock to pick the scanty blade, Those fenceless fields the sons of wealth divide, And ev'n the bare-worn common is denied. If to the city sped—What waits him there? To see profusion that he must not share; To see ten thousand baneful arts combined To pamper luxury, and thin mankind; To see those joys the sons of pleasure know, Extorted from his fellow-creature's woe. Here while the courtier glitters in brocade, There the pale artist plies the sickly trade; Here while the proud their long-drawn pomps display, There the black gibbet glooms beside the way. The dome where Pleasure holds her midnight reign, Here, richly deckt, admits the gorgeous train; Tumultuous grandeur crowds the blazing square, The rattling chariots clash, the torches glare. Sure scenes like these no troubles e'er annoy! Sure these denote one universal joy! Are these thy serious thoughts?—Ah, turn thine eyes Where the poor houseless shivering female lies. She once, perhaps, in village plenty blest, Has wept at tales of innocence distrest; Her modest looks the cottage might adorn Sweet as the primrose peeps beneath the thorn: Now lost to all; her friends, her virtue fled, Near her betrayer's door she lays her head, And, pinch'd with cold, and shrinking from the shower, With heavy heart deplores that luckless hour When idly first, ambitious of the town, She left her wheel and robes of country brown. Do thine, sweet Auburn, thine, the loveliest train, Do thy fair tribes participate her pain? Even now, perhaps, by cold and hunger led, At proud men's doors they ask a little bread! Ah, no. To distant climes, a dreary scene, Where half the convex world intrudes between, Through torrid tracts with fainting steps they go, Where wild Altama murmurs to their woe. Far different there from all that charm'd before, The various terrors of that horrid shore; Those blazing suns that dart a downward ray, And fiercely shed intolerable day; Those matted woods where birds forget to sing, But silent bats in drowsy clusters cling; Those poisonous fields with rank luxuriance crowned, Where the dark scorpion gathers death around; Where at each step the stranger fears to wake The rattling terrors of the vengeful snake; Where crouching tigers wait their hapless prey, And savage men, more murderous still than they; While oft in whirls the mad tornado flies, Mingling the ravaged landscape with the skies. Far different these from every former scene, The cooling brook, the grassy vested green, The breezy covert of the warbling grove, That only shelter'd thefts of harmless love. Good Heaven! what sorrows gloom'd that parting day, That called them from their native walks away; When the poor exiles, every pleasure past, Hung round their bowers, and fondly looked their last, And took a long farewell, and wished in vain For seats like these beyond the western main; And shuddering still to face the distant deep, Returned and wept, and still returned to weep. The good old sire the first prepared to go To new found worlds, and wept for others woe. But for himself, in conscious virtue brave, He only wished for worlds beyond the grave. His lovely daughter, lovelier in her tears, The fond companion of his helpless years, Silent went next, neglectful of her charms, And left a lover's for a father's arms. With louder plaints the mother spoke her woes, And blessed the cot where every pleasure rose; And kist her thoughtless babes with many a tear, And claspt them close, in sorrow doubly dear; Whilst her fond husband strove to lend relief In all the silent manliness of grief. O luxury! thou curst by Heaven's decree, How ill exchanged are things like these for thee! How do thy potions, with insidious joy, Diffuse their pleasures only to destroy! Kingdoms, by thee, to sickly greatness grown, Boast of a florid vigour not their own; At every draught more large and large they grow, A bloated mass of rank unwieldy woe; Till sapped their strength, and every part unsound, Down, down they sink, and spread a ruin round. Even now the devastation is begun, And half the business of destruction done; Even now, methinks, as pondering here I stand, I see the rural virtues leave the land: Down where yon anchoring vessel spreads the sail, That idly waiting flaps with every gale, Downward they move, a melancholy band, Pass from the shore, and darken all the strand. Contented toil, and hospitable care, And kind connubial tenderness, are there; And piety with wishes placed above, And steady loyalty, and faithful love. And thou, sweet Poetry, thou loveliest maid, Still first to fly where sensual joys invade; Unfit in these degenerate times of shame, To catch the heart, or strike for honest fame; Dear charming nymph, neglected and decried, My shame in crowds, my solitary pride; Thou source of all my bliss, and all my woe, That found'st me poor at first, and keep'st me so; Thou guide by which the nobler arts excell, Thou nurse of every virtue, fare thee well! Farewell, and O where'er thy voice be tried, On Torno's cliffs, or Pambamarca's side, Whether were equinoctial fervours glow, Or winter wraps the polar world in snow, Still let thy voice, prevailing over time, Redress the rigours of the inclement clime; Aid slighted truth with thy persuasive strain, Teach erring man to spurn the rage of gain; Teach him, that states of native strength possest, Tho' very poor, may still be very blest; That trade's proud empire hastes to swift decay, As ocean sweeps the labour'd mole away; While self-dependent power can time defy, As rocks resist the billows and the sky. Banana peels have almost no friction. Banana peels have felled many cartoon characters, Mario Kart players, and average people alike. However, what makes it so slippery in the first place? To answer this, four Japanese scientists measured the amount of friction between a shoe, a banana skin, and the floor. Turns out, the friction coefficient was at an almost nonexistent 0.07 – walking with the banana peel was 6 times slippier than normal friction between a shoe and the floor. 30 games, 1960-1978 1998_D04_Colle System copy from whiteshark * Amazing: Game Collection: Amazing Chess Moves (Emms) * First of each ECO: Game Collection: First of Each ECO * How to Analyze: https://thechessworld.com/articles/... * Recommendations: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/wiki... “Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To Earth I bring; Then let me soar and sing!” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Life has, indeed, many ills, but the mind that views every object in its most cheering aspect, and every doubtful dispensation as replete with latent good, bears within itself a powerful and perpetual antidote. The gloomy soul aggravates misfortune, while a cheerful smile often dispels those mists that portend a storm.” ― Lydia Sigourney "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." ― Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States, and former Colonel in the U.S. Army "All of the real heroes are not storybook combat fighters either. Every single man in this Army play a vital role. Don't ever let up. Don't ever think that your job is unimportant. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain.” ― General George S. Patton, U.S. Army I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud William Wordsworth I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils “Chess is a sea in which a gnat may drink and an elephant may bathe.” ― Indian Proverb Logical Chess: Game Collection: Logical Chess: Move By Move (Chernev) - COMPLETE Logical Thinking: Game Collection: Logical Thinking (McDonald) Art of Planning: Game Collection: The Art of Planning in Chess: Move by Move POTD: Game Collection: POTD French 2 US CC: https://www.uschess.org/index.php/P... World CC: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_... Best Tactics: https://thechessworld.com/articles/... The Most Important Idea: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?... Go Forward: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?... Pawn Basics: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?... Know King & Pawn endings: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?... Two Ps vs None Endgames: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?... General chess advice from Joe Brooks: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comm... “On the chessboard lies and hypocrisy do not survive long. The creative combination lays bare the presumption of a lie; the merciless fact, culmination in checkmate, contradicts the hypocrite.” — Emanuel Lasker “Life is like a chess. If you lose your queen, you will probably lose the game.” — Being Caballero “Chess is life in miniature. Chess is a struggle, chess battles.” — Garry Kasparov “Age brings wisdom to some men, and to others chess.” — Evan Esar “Once you say you're going to settle for second, that's what happens to you in life.” ― John F. Kennedy Daniel 12:2 "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." “Methodical thinking is of more use in chess than inspiration.” ― C.J.S. Purdy “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” ― Maya Angelou “Insufficient facts always invite danger.” — Spock “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” ― Sun Tzu “I don't believe in psychology. I believe in good moves.” ― Bobby Fischer “I think Capablanca was one of the most important world champions for me. I studied his games, and a good book about Capablanca's games was written by International Master Vasily Panov, a Russian master. There was quite a strong influence of Capablanca's style.” ― Anatoly Karpov “By strictly observing Botvinnik’s rule regarding the thorough analysis of one’s own games, with the years I have come to realize that this provides the foundation for the continuous development of chess mastery.” ― Garry Kasparov <Magnus Carlsen, who has been ranked the No. 1 chess player in the world since 2011, announced he will not defend his world championship title. "The conclusion is very simple that I am not motivated to play another match," the five-time world champion said on his podcast, The Magnus Effect. The championship matches are held every two years and the next is scheduled for 2023. "I simply feel that I don't have a lot to gain," Carlsen added. "I don't particularly like it, and although I'm sure a match would be interesting for historical reasons and all of that, I don't have any inclinations to play and I will simply not play the match."> * Good Historical Links: https://www.saund.co.uk/britbase/in... * NY 1880: Game Collection: New York 1880 * Informant Golden Games: Game Collection: Chess Informant Golden Games * Best of 2019: Game Collection: Best Games of 2019 * 101 Greatest Moves: Game Collection: 101 greatest moves ever played(by krabbe) * Petrov's Defense: Game Collection: The Cutthroat Petrov * John Hall's Opening System: Game Collection: Opening Systems For Competive Chess Players * Play the C-K: Game Collection: Play The Caro-Kann : Varnusz * GM Lars Schandorff C-K Repertoire: Game Collection: Grandmaster Repertoire: The Caro-Kann * GK vs Deep Blue: https://www.chess.com/article/view/... * Master Boogie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSL... * Miscellaneous: Game Collection: ! Miscellaneous games * Internet tracking: https://www.studysmarter.us/magazin... “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.” ― General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur All The World’s A Stage William Shakespeare All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms. Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school. And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lined, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances; And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slippered pantaloon, With spectacles on nose and pouch on side; His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. “Compassion: that’s the one thing no machine ever had. Maybe it’s the one thing that keeps men ahead of them.” — Dr. McCoy This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill Fifteen percent concentrated power of will Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain And a hundred percent reason to remember the name! ― Fort Minor “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” ― Abraham Lincoln poem by B.H. Wood, entitled ‘The Drowser’: Ah, reverie! Ten thousand heads I see Bent over chess-boards, an infinity Of minds engaged in battle, fiendishly, Keenly, or calmly, as the case may be: World-wide, the neophyte, the veteran, The studious problemist, the fairy fan ... “What’s that? – I’m nearly sending you to sleep? Sorry! – but this position’s rather deep.” Source: Chess Amateur, September 1929, page 268. “In general there is something puzzling about the fact that the most renowned figures in chess – Morphy, Pillsbury, Capablanca and Fischer – were born in America.” ― Garry Kasparov The Ass and the Little Dog One's native talent from its course Cannot be turned aside by force; But poorly apes the country clown The polished manners of the town. Their Maker chooses but a few With power of pleasing to imbue; Where wisely leave it we, the mass, Unlike a certain fabled ass, That thought to gain his master's blessing By jumping on him and caressing. "What!" said the donkey in his heart; "Ought it to be that puppy's part To lead his useless life In full companionship With master and his wife, While I must bear the whip? What does the cur a kiss to draw? Forsooth, he only gives his paw! If that is all there needs to please, I'll do the thing myself, with ease." Possessed with this bright notion, – His master sitting on his chair, At leisure in the open air, – He ambled up, with awkward motion, And put his talents to the proof; Upraised his bruised and battered hoof, And, with an amiable mien, His master patted on the chin, The action gracing with a word – The fondest bray that ever was heard! O, such caressing was there ever? Or melody with such a quaver? "Ho! Martin! here! a club, a club bring!" Out cried the master, sore offended. So Martin gave the ass a drubbing, – And so the comedy was ended. The infinity sign is called a lemniscate. "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." ― Dalai Lama Rene Descartes came up with the theory of coordinate geometry by looking at a fly walk across a tiled ceiling. The Sun and the Frogs Rejoicing on their tyrant's wedding-day, The people drowned their care in drink; While from the general joy did Aesop shrink, And showed its folly in this way. "The sun," said he, "once took it in his head To have a partner for his bed. From swamps, and ponds, and marshy bogs, Up rose the wailings of the frogs. "What shall we do, should he have progeny?" Said they to Destiny; "One sun we scarcely can endure, And half-a-dozen, we are sure, Will dry the very sea. Adieu to marsh and fen! Our race will perish then, Or be obliged to fix Their dwelling in the Styx!" For such an humble animal, The frog, I take it, reasoned well." A Psalm of Life Henry Wadsworth Longfellow What The Heart Of The Young Man Said To The Psalmist. Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day. Art is long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave. In the world’s broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife! Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act,— act in the living Present! Heart within, and God o’erhead! Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time; Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again. Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait. “Many have become chess masters, no one has become the master of chess.” ― Siegbert Tarrasch “In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” — Max De Pree <Luke 8:16-18 New King James Version The Parable of the Revealed Light Jesus said: 16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. 18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”> 807 zem: move 21. zooter Frit z drip drip drip Kh4? partly sunny is mostly cloudy or Steinitz foot n hand. When you die, what part of the body dies last? The pupils… they dilate. “Some endgames are more equal than others.” — Antonio Radić a.k.a. agadmator Antonio Radić (born 16 June 1987), better known as agadmator ( Serbo-Croatian pronunciation: [agad'mator̩] [2] ), is a Croatian YouTuber and chess player. He has one of the most popular chess channels on YouTube, and he previously had the most subscribers of any YouTube chess channel from 2018 until late 2021 when he was surpassed by GothamChess. 92 games, 1893-2019 19h Instant Mess Trompowsky & Leningrad A QUICK FIX opening selection, here are some good choices. * Amazing: Game Collection: Amazing Chess Moves (Emms) * Benefits of Chess: https://blog.amphy.com/11-surprisin... * First of each ECO: Game Collection: First of Each ECO * How to Analyze: https://thechessworld.com/articles/... * Master Boogie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSL... * Recommendations: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/wiki... “Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To Earth I bring; Then let me soar and sing!” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Life has, indeed, many ills, but the mind that views every object in its most cheering aspect, and every doubtful dispensation as replete with latent good, bears within itself a powerful and perpetual antidote. The gloomy soul aggravates misfortune, while a cheerful smile often dispels those mists that portend a storm.” ― Lydia Sigourney “Genius does not need a special language; it uses newly whatever tongue it finds.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “In chess the most unbelievable thing for me is that it's a game for everybody: rich, poor, girl, boy, old, young. It's a fantastic game which can unite people and generations! It's a language which you'll find people "speak" in every country. If you reach a certain level you find a very rich world! Art, sport, logic, psychology, a battlefield, imagination, creativity not only in practical games but don't forget either how amazing a feeling it is to compose a study, for example (unfortunately that's not appreciated these days but it's a fantastic part of chess!).” ― Judit Polgar “Nowadays tournaments are for nurseries. Look at those kiddies.” ― Miguel Najdorf “Young players calculate everything, a requirement of their relative inexperience.” ― Samuel Reshevsky “When I start to play a game I try to forget about previous games and try to concentrate on this game. This game is now the most important to me. But of course I am not a computer and you cannot simply press a button, delete, and everything you want to forget disappears automatically. But if you want to play well, it's important to concentrate on the now.” ― Vassily Ivanchuk “The pawns are the soul of chess.” ― Francois-Andre Danican Philidor “A pawn, when separated from his fellows, will seldom or never make a fortune.” ― Francois-Andre Danican Philidor “It so often happens that, after sacrificing a pawn, a player aims not to obtain the initiative for it, but to regain sacrificed material.” ― Efim Geller “Discovered check is the dive-bomber of the chessboard.” — Reuben Fine “We can compare classical chess and rapid chess with theatre and cinema - some actors don't like the latter and prefer to work in the theatre.” ― Boris Spassky “In my opinion, the style of a player should not be formed under the influence of any single great master.” ― Vasily Smyslov “Almost immediately after Kasparov played the magic move g4, the computer started to self destruct.” — Sam Sloan “In the endgame, it's often better to form a barrier to cut-off the lone king and keep shrinking the barrier than to give check. The mistaken check might give the lone king a choice move toward the center when the idea is to force the lone king to the edge of the board and then checkmate.” — Fredthebear This game an Indian Brahmin did invent, The force of Eastern wisdom to express; From thence the same to busy Europe sent; The modern Lombards stil'd it pensive Chess. — Sir John Denham * Riddle-z-piddle: https://chessimprover.com/chess-rid... Old Russian Proverb: "A drop hollows out a stone." Drive sober or get pulled over. “For surely of all the drugs in the world, chess must be the most permanently pleasurable.” — Assiac “Life is fun. It’s all up to the person. Be satisfied. You don’t have to be ‘happy’ all the time, you need to be satisfied.” ― Lucille Boston Lewis, eternal optimist 101 years old “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.” ― Dalai Lama “Faith and joy are the ascensive forces of song.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman <Shakespearean Puns Perhaps no writer is better known for the use of puns than William Shakespeare. He plays with "tide" and "tied" in Two Gentlemen of Verona: "Panthino Away, ass! You'll lose the tide if you tarry any longer. Launce It is no matter if the tied were lost; for it is the unkindest tied that ever any man tied. Panthino What's the unkindest tide? Launce Why, he that's tied here, Crab, my dog." In the opening of Richard III, the sun refers to the blazing sun on Edward IV's banner and the fact that he is the son of the Duke of York: "Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York." In this line from Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare plays on the different meanings of heavy (which also means sad) and light: "Give me a torch: I am not for this ambling; Being but heavy I will bear the light." Later in Romeo and Juliet, a morbid pun comes from a fatally-stabbed Mercutio, where grave means serious, but also alludes to his imminent death: "Ask for me tomorrow, you shall find me a grave man." If you open any Shakesperean play, you're likely to find at least one pun on the page! Keep an eye out for a clever play on words example the next time you read Hamlet or watch As You Like It on the stage.> THE HOOSIER'S NEST by John Finley, Mayor of Richmond, Indiana from 1852 - 1866 Untaught the language of the schools, Nor versed in scientific rules, The humble bard may not presume The literati to illume; Or classic cadences indite, Attuned "to tickle ears polite;" Contented if his strains may pass the ordeal of the common mass, And raise an anti-critic smile, The brow of labor to beguile. But ever as his mind delights To follow fancy's airy flights, Some object of terrestrial mien Uncourteously obtrudes between, And rudely scatters to the winds The tangled threads of thought he spins. Yet why invoke imagination To picture out a new creation, When nature, with a lavish hand, Has formed a more than fairy land For us - an El Dorado real, Surpassing even the idea? Then who can view the glorious West, With all her hopes for coming time, And hoard his feelings unexpressed In poetry or prose, or rhyme? What mind and matter, unrevealed; Shall unborn ages her disclose! What latent treasures, long concealed, Be disinterred from dark repose! Here Science shall impel her car* O'er blended valley, hill, and plain; While Liberty's bright natal star Shines twinkling on her own domain. Yes, land of the West! thou art happy and free! And thus evermore may thy hardy sons be, Whist thy ocean-like prairies are spread far and wide, Or a tree of thy forests shall tower in pride. Blest Indiana! in thy soil Are found the sure rewards of toil, Where honest poverty and worth May make a Paradise on earth. With feelings proud we contemplate The rising glory of our State; Nor take offense by application Of its good-natured appellation. Our hardy yeomanry can smile At tourists of "the sear-girt isle," Or wits who traveled at the gallop, Like Basil Hall or Mrs. Trollope. 'T is true among the crowds that roam To seek for fortune or a home, It happens that we often find Empiricism of a kind. A strutting fop, who boasts of knowledge, Acquired at some far eastern college, Expects to take us by surprise, And dazzle our astonished eyes. He boasts of learning, skill, and talents Which, in the scale, would Andes balance; Cuts widening swaths from day to day, And in a month he runs away. Not thus the honest son of toil, Who settles here to till the soil, and with intentions just and good, Acquires an ample livelihood: He is (and not the little-great) The bone and sinew of the State. With six-horse team to one-horse cart, We hail here from every part; And some you'll see, sans shoes or socks on, With snake-pole and a yoke of oxen; Others with pack-horse, dog, and rifle, Make emigration quite a trifle. The emigrant is soon located- In Hoosier life initiated: Erects a cabin in the woods, Wherein he stows his household goods. At first, round logs and clapboard roof, With puncheon floor, quite carpet proof, And paper windows, oiled and neat, His edifice is then complete. When four clay balls, in form of plummet, Adorn his wooden chimney's summit. Ensconced in this, let those who can Find out a truly happier man. The little youngsters rise around him, So numerous they quite astound him; Each with an ax or wheel in hand, And instinct to subdue the land. Erelong the cabin disappears, A spacious mansion next he rears; His fields seem widening by stealth, An index of increasing wealth; and when the hives of Hoosiers swarm, To each is given a noble farm. These are the seedlings of the State, The stamina to make the great. 'T is true, her population, various, Find avocations multifarious; But having said so much, 't would seem No derogation to my theme, Were I to circumscribe the space, To picture but a single case: And if my muse be not seraphic, I trust you'll find her somewhat graphic. I'm told, in riding somewhere West, A stranger found a Hoosier's Nest - In other words, a buckeye cabin, Just big enough to hold Queen Mab in; Its situation, low but airy, Was on the borders of a prairie; And fearing he might be benighted, He hailed the house, and then alighted. The Hoosier met him at the door - Their salutations soon were o'er. He took the stranger's horse aside, And to a sturdy sapling tied; Then having stripped the saddle off, He fed him in a sugar-trough. The stranger stooped to enter in - The entranced closing with a pin - And manifested strong desire To seat him by the log-heap fire, Where half-a-dozen Hoosieroons, With mush-and-milk, tin-cups, and spoons, White heads, bare feet, and dirty faces, Seemed much inclined to keep their places. But Madam, anxious to display Her rough but undisputed sway, Her offspring to the ladder led, And cuffed the youngsters up to bed. Invited shortly to partake Of venison, milk, and johnny cake, The stranger made a hearty meal, And glances round the room would steal. One side was lined with divers garments, The other spread with skins of varmints; Dried pumpkins overhead were strung, Where venison hams in plenty hung; Two rifles placed above the door; Three dogs lay stretched upon the floor - In short, the domicile was rife With specimens of Hoosier life. The host, who centered his affections On game, and range, and quarter sections, Discoursed his weary guests for hours, Till Somnus' all-composing powers Of sublunary cares bereft 'em; And then - No matter how the story ended; The application I intended Is from the famous Scottish poet, Who seemed to feel as well as know it, That "buirdley chiels and clever hizzies Are bred in sic' a way as this is." *Railroads were problematical in 1830, when this was written. “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.” ― John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, and former Navy Lieutenant “In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” ― Abraham Lincoln “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” ― Winston Churchill “Remember us, Should any free soul come across this place, In all the countless centuries yet to be, May our voices whisper to you from the ageless stones, Go tell the Spartans, passerby: That here by Spartan law, we lie.” ― Frank Miller, 300 Luke 2:9, 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Conceive a man by nature and misfortune prone to a pallid hopelessness, can any business seem more fitted to heighten it than that of continually handling these dead letters and assorting them for the flames? For by the cart-load they are annually burned. Sometimes from out the folded paper the pale clerk takes a ring: - the finger it was meant for, perhaps, moulders in the grave; a bank-note sent in swiftest charity: - he whom it would relieve, nor eats nor hungers any more; pardon for those who died despairing; hope for those who died unhoping; good tidings for those who died stifled by unrelieved calamities. On errands of life, these letters speed to death. Ah Bartleby! Ah humanity! — Herman Melville “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” ― Thomas A. Edison The Shepherd by William Blake 1757 (Soho) – 1827 (London) How sweet is the shepherd's sweet lot! From the morn to the evening he strays; He shall follow his sheep all the day, And his tongue shall be filled with praise. For he hears the lambs' innocent call, And he hears the ewes' tender reply; He is watchful while they are in peace, For they know when their shepherd is nigh. “Whatever you are doing in the game of life, give it all you've got.” — Norman Vincent Peale “What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” — Ralph Marston “Many have become chess masters, no one has become the master of chess.” ― Siegbert Tarrasch “In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” — Max De Pree special 38 z2bcr: move 27. zoottr Frat z dumbo drops Qa2? trollie pokd hiz cmputr Laznicka needz upgrad butter didnt half da moolah. Feb-13-11 keypusher: <scutigera: They give this as one of Myagmarsuren's notable games with 162 others in the database?> notable games are selected based on how many games collections they are in. Dec-12-16 DrGridlock: Q: When is a pin not a pin? A: When the piece is: (i) not pinned to the king and (ii) in moving the piece threatens either mate or greater material gain than what it was pinned to. (iii) in moving the piece now defends the unit it was pinned to, such as Nf3xd4 and protects the Be2 that was behind the knight. Riddle Question: What has to be broken before you can use it? More than 60 million people annually visit France, a country of 60 million people. Riddle Answer: An egg Riddle Question: I’m tall when I’m young, and I’m short when I’m old. What am I? The oldest inhabited city is Damascus, Syria. Riddle Answer: A candle SIX REASONS WHY CHESS IS SO FUN! 01) Hardly any luck is involved in chess. 02) Chances of the same exact game being repeated is highly unlikely. 03) Chess can be played anytime, anywhere. 04) There is no age, gender, or language barrier in chess. 05) Chess takes your mind away from your problems. 06) Playing chess makes you feel special. 213 games, 1866-2017 19h miniature golf Just some games that caught my eye. * Amazing: Game Collection: Amazing Chess Moves (Emms) * First of each ECO: Game Collection: First of Each ECO * How to Analyze: https://thechessworld.com/articles/... * Old Checkmates: Game Collection: As Far as the checkmates go * Recommendations: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/wiki... “Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To Earth I bring; Then let me soar and sing!” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman * C45s: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/che... “Life has, indeed, many ills, but the mind that views every object in its most cheering aspect, and every doubtful dispensation as replete with latent good, bears within itself a powerful and perpetual antidote. The gloomy soul aggravates misfortune, while a cheerful smile often dispels those mists that portend a storm.” ― Lydia Sigourney “Faith and joy are the ascensive forces of song.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Genius does not need a special language; it uses newly whatever tongue it finds.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Yes, there's a luck in most things; and in none more than being born at the right time.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “The weary August days are long; The locusts sing a plaintive song, The cattle miss their master's call When they see the sunset shadows fall.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Progress comes by experiment, and this from ennui that leads to voyages, wars, revolutions, and plainly to change in the arts of expression; that cries out to the imagination, and is the nurse of the invention whereof we term necessity the mother.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “No clouds are in the morning sky, The vapors hug the stream, Who says that life and love can die In all this northern gleam? At every turn the maples burn, The quail is whistling free, The partridge whirs, and the frosted burs Are dropping for you and me. Ho! hillyho! heigh O! Hillyho! In the clear October morning.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Men are egotists, and not all tolerant of one man's selfhood; they do not always deem the amities elective.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman It's not the quantity that counts; it's the quality. 880 “Give us a man of God's own mould Born to marshall his fellow-men; One whose fame is not bought and sold At the stroke of a politician's pen. Give us the man of thousands ten, Fit to do as well as to plan; Give us a rallying-cry, and then Abraham Lincoln, give us a Man.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “War! war! war! Heaven aid the right! God move the hero's arm in the fearful fight! God send the women sleep in the long, long night, When the breasts on whose strength they leaned shall heave no more.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Let the winds blow! a fiercer gale Is wild within me! what may quell That sullen tempest? I must sail Whither, O whither, who can tell!” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Natural emotion is the soul of poetry, as melody is of music; the same faults are engendered by over-study of either art; there is a lack of sincerity, of irresistible impulse in both the poet and the, composer.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Poetry is an art, and chief of the fine art; the easiest to dabble in, the hardest in which to reach true excellence.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Is there a rarer being, Is there a fairer sphere Where the strong are not unseeing, And the harvests are not sere; Where, ere the seasons dwindle They yield their due return; Where the lamps of knowledge kindle While the flames of youth still burn?” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “A poet must sing for his own people.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “The poet is a creator, not an iconoclast, and never will tamely endeavor to say in prose what can only be expressed in song.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “A critic must accept what is best in a poet, and thus become his best encourager.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Worth, courage, honor, these indeed Your sustenance and birthright are.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “The imagination never dies.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Look on this cast, and know the hand That bore a nation in its hold; From this mute witness understand What Lincoln was - how large of mould.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Alas, by what rude fate Our lives, like ships at sea, an instant meet, Then part forever on their courses fleet.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Science has but one fashion-to lose nothing once gained.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Music waves eternal wands,-- Enchantress of the souls of mortals!” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Fashion is a potency in art, making it hard to judge between the temporary and the lasting.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “The critic's first labor is the task of distinguishing between men, as history and their works display them, and the ideals which one and another have conspired to urge upon his acceptance.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman Feb-13-11 keypusher: <scutigera: They give this as one of Myagmarsuren's notable games with 162 others in the database?> notable games are selected based on how many games collections they are in. <Shakespearean Puns Perhaps no writer is better known for the use of puns than William Shakespeare. He plays with "tide" and "tied" in Two Gentlemen of Verona: "Panthino Away, ass! You'll lose the tide if you tarry any longer. Launce It is no matter if the tied were lost; for it is the unkindest tied that ever any man tied. Panthino What's the unkindest tide? Launce Why, he that's tied here, Crab, my dog." In the opening of Richard III, the sun refers to the blazing sun on Edward IV's banner and the fact that he is the son of the Duke of York: "Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York." In this line from Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare plays on the different meanings of heavy (which also means sad) and light: "Give me a torch: I am not for this ambling; Being but heavy I will bear the light." Later in Romeo and Juliet, a morbid pun comes from a fatally-stabbed Mercutio, where grave means serious, but also alludes to his imminent death: "Ask for me tomorrow, you shall find me a grave man." If you open any Shakesperean play, you're likely to find at least one pun on the page! Keep an eye out for a clever play on words example the next time you read Hamlet or watch As You Like It on the stage.> “In chess the most unbelievable thing for me is that it's a game for everybody: rich, poor, girl, boy, old, young. It's a fantastic game which can unite people and generations! It's a language which you'll find people "speak" in every country. If you reach a certain level you find a very rich world! Art, sport, logic, psychology, a battlefield, imagination, creativity not only in practical games but don't forget either how amazing a feeling it is to compose a study, for example (unfortunately that's not appreciated these days but it's a fantastic part of chess!).” ― Judit Polgar “Nowadays tournaments are for nurseries. Look at those kiddies.” ― Miguel Najdorf “Young players calculate everything, a requirement of their relative inexperience.” ― Samuel Reshevsky “When I start to play a game I try to forget about previous games and try to concentrate on this game. This game is now the most important to me. But of course I am not a computer and you cannot simply press a button, delete, and everything you want to forget disappears automatically. But if you want to play well, it's important to concentrate on the now.” ― Vassily Ivanchuk “The pawns are the soul of chess.” ― Francois-Andre Danican Philidor “A pawn, when separated from his fellows, will seldom or never make a fortune.” ― Francois-Andre Danican Philidor “It so often happens that, after sacrificing a pawn, a player aims not to obtain the initiative for it, but to regain sacrificed material.” ― Efim Geller “Discovered check is the dive-bomber of the chessboard.” — Reuben Fine “We can compare classical chess and rapid chess with theatre and cinema - some actors don't like the latter and prefer to work in the theatre.” ― Boris Spassky “In my opinion, the style of a player should not be formed under the influence of any single great master.” ― Vasily Smyslov “Almost immediately after Kasparov played the magic move g4, the computer started to self destruct.” — Sam Sloan “In the endgame, it's often better to form a barrier to cut-off the lone king and keep shrinking the barrier than to give check. The mistaken check might give the lone king a choice move toward the center when the idea is to force the lone king to the edge of the board and then checkmate.” — Fredthebear THE HOOSIER'S NEST by John Finley, Mayor of Richmond, Indiana from 1852 - 1866 Untaught the language of the schools, Nor versed in scientific rules, The humble bard may not presume The literati to illume; Or classic cadences indite, Attuned "to tickle ears polite;" Contented if his strains may pass the ordeal of the common mass, And raise an anti-critic smile, The brow of labor to beguile. But ever as his mind delights To follow fancy's airy flights, Some object of terrestrial mien Uncourteously obtrudes between, And rudely scatters to the winds The tangled threads of thought he spins. Yet why invoke imagination To picture out a new creation, When nature, with a lavish hand, Has formed a more than fairy land For us - an El Dorado real, Surpassing even the idea? Then who can view the glorious West, With all her hopes for coming time, And hoard his feelings unexpressed In poetry or prose, or rhyme? What mind and matter, unrevealed; Shall unborn ages her disclose! What latent treasures, long concealed, Be disinterred from dark repose! Here Science shall impel her car* O'er blended valley, hill, and plain; While Liberty's bright natal star Shines twinkling on her own domain. Yes, land of the West! thou art happy and free! And thus evermore may thy hardy sons be, Whist thy ocean-like prairies are spread far and wide, Or a tree of thy forests shall tower in pride. Blest Indiana! in thy soil Are found the sure rewards of toil, Where honest poverty and worth May make a Paradise on earth. With feelings proud we contemplate The rising glory of our State; Nor take offense by application Of its good-natured appellation. Our hardy yeomanry can smile At tourists of "the sear-girt isle," Or wits who traveled at the gallop, Like Basil Hall or Mrs. Trollope. 'T is true among the crowds that roam To seek for fortune or a home, It happens that we often find Empiricism of a kind. A strutting fop, who boasts of knowledge, Acquired at some far eastern college, Expects to take us by surprise, And dazzle our astonished eyes. He boasts of learning, skill, and talents Which, in the scale, would Andes balance; Cuts widening swaths from day to day, And in a month he runs away. Not thus the honest son of toil, Who settles here to till the soil, and with intentions just and good, Acquires an ample livelihood: He is (and not the little-great) The bone and sinew of the State. With six-horse team to one-horse cart, We hail here from every part; And some you'll see, sans shoes or socks on, With snake-pole and a yoke of oxen; Others with pack-horse, dog, and rifle, Make emigration quite a trifle. The emigrant is soon located- In Hoosier life initiated: Erects a cabin in the woods, Wherein he stows his household goods. At first, round logs and clapboard roof, With puncheon floor, quite carpet proof, And paper windows, oiled and neat, His edifice is then complete. When four clay balls, in form of plummet, Adorn his wooden chimney's summit. Ensconced in this, let those who can Find out a truly happier man. The little youngsters rise around him, So numerous they quite astound him; Each with an ax or wheel in hand, And instinct to subdue the land. Erelong the cabin disappears, A spacious mansion next he rears; His fields seem widening by stealth, An index of increasing wealth; and when the hives of Hoosiers swarm, To each is given a noble farm. These are the seedlings of the State, The stamina to make the great. 'T is true, her population, various, Find avocations multifarious; But having said so much, 't would seem No derogation to my theme, Were I to circumscribe the space, To picture but a single case: And if my muse be not seraphic, I trust you'll find her somewhat graphic. I'm told, in riding somewhere West, A stranger found a Hoosier's Nest - In other words, a buckeye cabin, Just big enough to hold Queen Mab in; Its situation, low but airy, Was on the borders of a prairie; And fearing he might be benighted, He hailed the house, and then alighted. The Hoosier met him at the door - Their salutations soon were o'er. He took the stranger's horse aside, And to a sturdy sapling tied; Then having stripped the saddle off, He fed him in a sugar-trough. The stranger stooped to enter in - The entranced closing with a pin - And manifested strong desire To seat him by the log-heap fire, Where half-a-dozen Hoosieroons, With mush-and-milk, tin-cups, and spoons, White heads, bare feet, and dirty faces, Seemed much inclined to keep their places. But Madam, anxious to display Her rough but undisputed sway, Her offspring to the ladder led, And cuffed the youngsters up to bed. Invited shortly to partake Of venison, milk, and johnny cake, The stranger made a hearty meal, And glances round the room would steal. One side was lined with divers garments, The other spread with skins of varmints; Dried pumpkins overhead were strung, Where venison hams in plenty hung; Two rifles placed above the door; Three dogs lay stretched upon the floor - In short, the domicile was rife With specimens of Hoosier life. The host, who centered his affections On game, and range, and quarter sections, Discoursed his weary guests for hours, Till Somnus' all-composing powers Of sublunary cares bereft 'em; And then - No matter how the story ended; The application I intended Is from the famous Scottish poet, Who seemed to feel as well as know it, That "buirdley chiels and clever hizzies Are bred in sic' a way as this is." *Railroads were problematical in 1830, when this was written. “The weak are always anxious for justice and equality. The strong pay no heed to either.” — Aristotle “A species that enslaves other beings is hardly superior — mentally or otherwise.” — Captain Kirk “Now, I don’t pretend to tell you how to find happiness and love, when every day is a struggle to survive. But I do insist that you do survive, because the days and the years ahead are worth living for!” — Edith Keeler “Live long and prosper!” — Spock “The most important thing in life is to stop saying 'I wish' and start saying 'I will.' Consider nothing impossible, then treat possibilities as probabilities.” — Charles Dickens 39 &holding zeech: move 37. zoottr Frat z dumbo drops Qa2? trollie pokd hiz cmputr Alvarez Kelley ona miss onion. A volunteer is worth twenty pressed men Waste not want not A watched pot never boils The way to a man's heart is through his stomach What goes up must come down When the going gets tough, the tough get going While there's life there's hope Why keep a dog and bark yourself? “No clouds are in the morning sky, The vapors hug the stream, Who says that life and love can die In all this northern gleam? At every turn the maples burn, The quail is whistling free, The partridge whirs, and the frosted burs Are dropping for you and me. Ho! hillyho! heigh O! Hillyho! In the clear October morning.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman Predator at the Chessboard: A Field Guide to Chess Tactics (Book I) (Book #1 in the A Field Guide to Chess Tactics Series) by Ward Farnsworth Chess tactics explained in English: the websitewww.chesstactics.org in book form. This volume is the first in a two-part set. The two books together contain over a thousand examples organized in unprecedented detail. Every position is accompanied by a commentary describing a train of thought that leads to the solution; these books thus are the ideal learning tool for those who prefer explanations in words to long strings of notation. This first volume provides an introduction to tactics and explains forks and discovered attacks. (Book II covers pins and skewers, removal of the guard, and mating patterns.) Predator at the Chessboard: A Field Guide to Chess Tactics (Book II) (Book #2 in the A Field Guide to Chess Tactics Series) by Ward Farnsworth Chess tactics explained in English: the second volume of material (in a two-volume set) fromwww.chesstactics.org. The two books together contain over a thousand examples organized in unprecedented detail. Every position is accompanied by a commentary describing a train of thought that leads to the solution; these books thus are the ideal learning tool for those who prefer explanations in words to long strings of notation. Book II -- the present volume -- covers pins and skewers, removal of the guard, and mating patterns. (The first book in the set provides an introduction to tactics and explains forks and discovered attacks.) Apr-16-07 JustAFish: I actually don't own Polgar's books A World Champion's Guide to Chess: Step-by-step instructions for winning chess the ♙olgar way by Susan ♙olgar and ♙aul Truong, Chess Tactics for Champions: A Step-♗y-Step Guide to Using Tactics and Combinations the ♙olgar Way by Susan ♙olgar and ♙aul Truong, Chess: 5334 ♙roblems, Combinations, and Games by László ♙olgár or De La Mazza's book ♖apid Chess Improvement by Michael de la Maza. The former is too big to read at lunch, the latter can be fairly summarized on the back of a post card. For tactics study, I use CT-ART 3.0, mostly. For the trivial stuff, I fall back on Anatoly Lein's tactics book Sharpen Your Tactics: 1125 ♗rilliant Sacrifices, Combinations, and Studies by ♗oris Archangelsky and Anatoly Lein, of which the first 200 or so puzzles are extremely easy. {Books for amateurs include: Chess for Children by Ted Nottingham- Bob Wade- Al Lawrence, Learn/How to Play and Win at Chess: History, Rules, Skills and Tactics by John Saunders, The Chess Kid's Book of Tactics/My First Book of Tactics by David MacEnulty, Winning Chess Tactics and Strategy by Ted Nottingham- Bob Wade- Al Lawrence, Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess by Stuart Margulies- Bobby Fischer- Don Mosenfelder, et al., Winning Chess Tactics by Bill Robertie, Chess Tactics and Combinations Workbook: Winning the Battles Between the Pieces by Todd Bardwick, Chess Tactics for Students by John A. Bain, Lessons in Chess by Garry Kasparov, Checkmate Tactics by Garry Kasparov, The Chess Tactics Workbook by Al Woolum, Chess Tactics for Kids by Murray Chandler, Everyone's First Chess Workbook: Fundamental Tactics and Checkmates for Improvers - 738 Practical Exercises by Peter Giannatos, London 2.Bf4 Tactics: 200 Winning Chess Positions for White by Tim Sawyer, Simple Chess Tactics and Checkmates by A.J. Gillam, Chess Tactics For Scholastic Players by Dean Joseph Ippolito, Learn Chess Tactics by John Nunn, Chess Tactics Workbook for Kids by John Nunn, 1001 Deadly Checkmates by John Nunn, Everyone's 2nd Chessbook by Dan Heisman, A Parent's Guide to Chess by Dan Heisman, Back to Basics: Tactics by Dan Heisman, A Guide to Chess Improvement: The Best of Novice Nook by Dan Heisman, Looking for Trouble: Recognizing and Meeting Threats in Chess by Dan Heisman, The Improving Chess Thinker by Dan Heisman, Chess Tactics by Paul Littlewood, Sharpen Your Chess Tactics in 7 Days by Gary Lane, The Winning Way: The How What and Why of Opening Strategems by Bruce Pandolfini, Beginning Chess: Over 300 Elementary Problems for Players New to the Game by Bruce Pandolfini, Chess Target Practice: Battle Tactics for Every Square on the Board by Bruce Pandolfini, Pandolfini's Chess Challenges: 111 Winning Endgames by Bruce Pandolfini, Kasprov's Winning Chess Tactics by Bruce Pandolfini, Chessercizes: New Winning Techniques for Players of All Levels by Bruce Pandolfini, Chess Thinking: The Visual Dictionary of Chess Moves, Rules, Strategies and Concepts by Bruce Pandolfini, Chess Puzzles For Students, Volume 1 by Mark C Donlan, Fundamental Chess Tactics by Antonio Gude, Winning Chess Traps for Juniors: Tactics in the Opening by Robert M. Snyder, Thinkers' Chess Academy with Grandmaster Thomas Luther - Volume 1 First Steps in Tactics by Thomas Luther, 1001 Chess Exercises for Beginners: The Tactics Workbook That Explains the Basic Concepts, Too by Roberto Messa and Franco Masetti, 1001 Chess Endgame Exercises for Beginners: The Tactics Workbook That Also Improves Your Endgame Skills by Thomas Willemze, 1001 Chess Exercises for Club Players: The Tactics Workbook That Also... by Frank Erwich, How to Be a Winner at Chess by Fred Reinfeld, Chess Tactics for Beginners (Chess Lovers' Library) edited by Fred Reinfeld, Chess Tactics: Puzzles for Beginners by Robert Graham Wade and Stanley Morrison, How To Win Chess Games Quickly by Fred Reinfeld, How to Force Checkmate by Fred Reinfeld, Winning Chess by Irving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld, Attack and Counterattack in Chess by Fred Reinfeld, How to Improve Your Chess by I.A. Horowitz and Fred Reinfeld, Great Short Games of the Chess Masters by Fred Reinfeld, Chess Mastery by Questions and Answers by Fred Reinfeld, 1001 Brilliant Ways to Checkmate by Fred Reinfeld, Winning Chess Traps by Irving Chernev, Chess Tactics and Attacking Techniques by Raymond Edwards, What's the Best Move? by Larry Evans, Win in 20 Moves or Less by Fred Reinfeld, Win at Chess (300 puzzles) by Fred Reinfeld, The Immortal Games of Capablanca by Fred Reinfeld, Chess Traps, Pitfalls and Swindles: How to Set Them and How to Avoid Them by I.A. Horowitz and Fred Reinfeld, Modern Chess Tactics by Luděk Pachman, The Fireside Book of Chess by Fred Reinfeld and Irving Chernev, 1001 Brilliant Ways to Checkmate by Fred Reinfeld, The Complete Chess Course by Fred Reinfeld, Point Count Chess by I.A. Horowitz and Geoffrey Mott-Smith, Winning Chess Combinations by Hans Bouwmeester, Chess: The Complete Self Tutor by Edward Lasker, The Tactics of End-Games by Jenö Bán, Tal's Winning Chess Combinations by Mikhail Tal and Victor Khenkin, Chess Tactics for Improvers - Volume 1: Improve your tactical radar to step up your game by Carsten Hansen, Take My Rooks by Yasser Seirawan and Nikolay Minev, Chess Training by Nigel Povah, A Course in Chess Tactics by Vladimir Georgiev and Dejan Bojkov, Chess Concepts Made Easy: Strategy and Tactics of Opening, Middlegame and Endgame by FM Bill Jordan, Chess Exam and Training Guide: Tactics: Rate Yourself and Learn How to Improve! by Igor Khmelnitsky, Better Chess for Average Players by Tim Harding, Chess Tactics for the Tournament Player by GM Sam Palatnik and GM Lev Alburt, The King in Jeopardy (Book #4 in the Comprehensive Chess Course Series) by Sam Palatnik and Lev Alburt, Chess Training Pocket Book: 300 Most Important Positions and Ideas by Lev Alburt, Attack! The Subtle Art of Winning Brilliantly by Neil McDonald, Why You Lose at Chess, 2nd Edition by Tim Harding, Chess Endgame Quiz by Larry Evans, Chess Tactics from Scratch: Understanding Chess Tactics by Martin Weteschnik, Mastering Tactical Ideas by Nikolay Minev, Queen Sacrifice by Iakov Neishtadt and Yakov Neishtadt, Catastrophes & Tactics in the Chess Opening - Volume 3: Flank Openings: Winning in 15 Moves or Less: by Carsten Hansen, Winning Chess Tactics for Juniors by Lou Hays, Killer Chess Tactics: World Champion Tactics and Combinations by Raymond D. Keene- Leonid Shamkovich- Eric Schiller, Progressive Tactics: 1002 Progressively Challenging Chess Tactics by Dave Couture, Strike Like Judit!: The Winning Tactics of Chess Legend Judit Polgar by Charles Hertan, Tactics Time 1001 Chess Tactics from the Real Games of Everyday Players by Anthea Carson and Tim Brennan, 10 Most Common Chess Mistakes...and How to Avoid Them, 2nd Edition by Larry Evans, French Tactics: Chess Opening Combinations and Checkmates by Tim Sawyer, How Good Is Your Chess? by Larry Evans, Forcing Chess Moves: The Key to Better Calculation by Charles Hertan, How to Calculate Chess Tactics by Valeri Beim, Tactical Chess Exchanges by Gennady Nesis, The Chess Toolbox: Practical Techniques Everyone Should Know by Thomas Willemze, Improve Your Chess Tactics: 700 Practical Lessons & Exercises by Yakov Neishtadt, Attacking the King by Yakov Neishtadt and Iakov Neishtadt, A to Z Chess Tactics: Every chess move explained by George Huczek, Tactics in the King's Indian (Batsford Chess Library) by Gennady Nesis, The Complete Chess Workout: Train your brain with 1200 puzzles! by Richard Palliser, Exchanging to Win in the Endgame by Gennady Nesis, Chess Tactics by Alexander Kotov, Your Jungle Guide to Chess Tactics: Sharpen Your Tactical Skills by Peter Prohaszka, Tactics in the Sicilian by Gennady Nesis and Igor Blekhtsin, The Chess Tactics Detection Workbook by John Emms and Volker Schleputz, Combination Tactics: Best 500 Ways to Win Material from Sawyer Chess Tactics by Tim Sawyer, 1001 Deadly Chess Puzzles by James Rizzitano, King's Indian Defense: Tactics, Ideas, Exercises by Nikolay Minev, Tactics in the Chess Opening 3: French Defence and Other Half-Open Games by Geert Van Stricht- Friso Nijboer- Geert Van Der Stricht, Tactical Play by Mark Dvoretsky, Training with Moska: Practical Chess Exercises - Tactics, Strategy, Endgames by Viktor Moskalenko, GM endorsement or not, there is some scientific basis to the idea of "chunking" as the means by which one acquires great skill in a realm like chess. The idea is that repetition reinforces the pathways in the brain that deal with that activity. The more repetition, the more reinforcement and with greater reinforcement, comes speedier and more "intuitive" recall Moreover it allows a range of of related concepts to be brought together under one 'unit" which is easier to manage than its individual constituents. For instance, one can chunk the idea of "pawn on f2, g3, h2 and bishop on g2" into the single unit "fianchettoed bishop". This saves time and thought. One can then chunk the idea of "fianchettoed bishop" and pawns on c4, d4 etc. under a broader topic like "Catalan Formation". Each of these "chunks" has its own characteristics, and aids in figuring out the nuances of larger chunks. Better players have more and more kinds of "chunks." Certainly, chunking must help. If one, for instance, has (as Silman says) the "Lucena" position in 'muscle memory' (that is, so entirely memorized and reinforced that one can win it almost unconsciously) then one needn't waste effort dealing with its nuances when calculating positions earlier in the game. If one simply knows, intuitively, that a position is (or will be) Lucena, and one perform it easily, then no calculation of that part of a long chain of moves is necessary. Given infinite time, this would not be an issue. OTB chess, however, has limited time. Similarly, with middlegame tactics, if one simply, because of chunking, has a feeling that a given position is laden with tactical possibilities, then one skips the process (and time) of having to figure this out. Over time, as my chess has improved from "pathetic" to "middling" I've found myself, more and more, encountering positions that simply 'feel' ready for a combination or a certain type of positional move. This sense, brought about by countless tactical exercises I suspect, is extremely useful. It doesn't absolve me of the need to calculate, from time to time, but it certainly nudges me in the right direction much of the time. Dec-12-16 DrGridlock: Q: When is a pin not a pin? A: When the piece is: (i) not pinned to the king and (ii) in moving the piece threatens either mate or greater material gain than what it was pinned to. (iii) in moving the piece now defends the unit it was pinned to, such as Nf3xd4 and protects the Be2 that was behind the knight. Riddle Question: The more of this there is, the less you see. What is it? The word millionaire was first used by Benjamin Disraeli in his 1826 novel Vivian Grey. Riddle Answer: Darkness Riddle Question: David’s parents have three sons: Snap, Crackle, and what’s the name of the third son? If you stack one million US$1 bills, it would be 110m (361 ft) high and weight exactly 1 ton. Riddle Answer: David SIX REASONS WHY CHESS IS SO FUN! 01) Hardly any luck is involved in chess. 02) Chances of the same exact game being repeated is highly unlikely. 03) Chess can be played anytime, anywhere. 04) There is no age, gender, or language barrier in chess. 05) Chess takes your mind away from your problems. 06) Playing chess makes you feel special. Cold water weighs more than hot water. There are 118 chemical elements. The word "science" comes from the Latin word "scientia," meaning knowledge. The Nobel Peace Prize is the highest scientific honor. Over 7 million people in the world have careers in science. The word millionaire was first used by Benjamin Disraeli in his 1826 novel Vivian Grey. If you stack one million US$1 bills, it would be 110m (361 ft) high and weight exactly 1 ton. “It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” ― Epictetus “I think a gentleman is someone who holds the comfort of other people above their own. The instinct to do that is inside every good man, I believe. The rules about opening doors and buying dinner and all of that other 'gentleman' stuff is a chess game, especially these days.” ― Anna Kendrick Never judge a book by its cover. * Dover publishers: https://store.doverpublications.com... * Master Boogie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSL... * 'The Mammoth Book of the World's Greatest Chess Games' by Graham Burgess, John Nunn and John Emms. New expanded edition-now with 125 games. Game Collection: Mammoth Book-Greatest Games (Nunn/Burgess/Emms) * Benefits of Chess: https://blog.amphy.com/11-surprisin... “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” ― Abraham Lincoln It’s no time to play chess when the house is on fire. ~ Italian Proverbs If you must play, decide on three things at the start: the rules of the game, the stakes, and the quitting time. ~ Chinese Proverb The one who wins plays best. ~ German Proverbs Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” “Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To Earth I bring; Then let me soar and sing!” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “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 foot feels the foot when it feels the ground.” ― Buddha “If your opponent cannot do anything active, then don’t rush the position. Instead you should let him sit there, suffer, and beg you for a draw.” ― Jeremy Silman “If you’re going to make your mark among masters, you’ve to work far harder and more intensively, or, to put it more exactly, the work is far more complex than that needed to gain the title of Master.” ― Mikhail Botvinnik “I have seen two geniuses in my time. One was Tal. The other was Fischer.” ― Russian GM Yuri Averbakh “Encouragement is like water to the soul, it makes everything grow.” ― Chris Burkmenn Be slow in choosing a friend but slower in changing him. ~ Scottish Proverb Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER # Luke 2:9, 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Conceive a man by nature and misfortune prone to a pallid hopelessness, can any business seem more fitted to heighten it than that of continually handling these dead letters and assorting them for the flames? For by the cart-load they are annually burned. Sometimes from out the folded paper the pale clerk takes a ring: - the finger it was meant for, perhaps, moulders in the grave; a bank-note sent in swiftest charity: - he whom it would relieve, nor eats nor hungers any more; pardon for those who died despairing; hope for those who died unhoping; good tidings for those who died stifled by unrelieved calamities. On errands of life, these letters speed to death. Ah Bartleby! Ah humanity! — Herman Melville “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” ― Thomas A. Edison harrylime's TOP FIVE FLY ON A WALL MOMENTS IN CHESS 1 .. 1896 ... Bardelbum leaves his game v STEINITZ Hastings 2. PILLSBURY in 1896 Becomes the best player in the World at Hastings 3. CAPA in Havana 1921 4. BOBBY 1972 5. MORPHY in Paris at the Opera 1858 2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. “Friend, you don't have to earn God's love or try harder. You're precious in His sight, covered by the priceless blood of Jesus, and indwelt by His Holy Spirit. Don't hide your heart or fear you're not good enough for Him to care for you. Accept His love, obey Him, and allow Him to keep you in His wonderful freedom.” — Charles F. Stanley John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. “God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.” ― Voltaire “It's not how you start that matters, it's how you finish.” “Friend, you don't have to earn God's love or try harder. You're precious in His sight, covered by the priceless blood of Jesus, and indwelt by His Holy Spirit. Don't hide your heart or fear you're not good enough for Him to care for you. Accept His love, obey Him, and allow Him to keep you in His wonderful freedom.” ― Charles F. Stanley Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. If the game is well-played, the rook's first move is usually sideways. Oct-04-10 I play the Fred: said... You're distraught because you're not able to cope feel like a dope when Lasker hits Puttin on (the Fritz) “Many have become chess masters, no one has become the master of chess.” ― Siegbert Tarrasch “In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” — Max De Pree <Luke 8:16-18 New King James Version The Parable of the Revealed Light Jesus said: 16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. 18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”> 807 zem: move 21. zooter Frit z drip drip drip Kh4? partly sunny is mostly cloudy or Steinitz foot. When you die, what part of the body dies last? The pupils… they dilate. “Some endgames are more equal than others.” — Antonio Radić a.k.a. agadmator Antonio Radić (born 16 June 1987), better known as agadmator ( Serbo-Croatian pronunciation: [agad'mator̩] [2] ), is a Croatian YouTuber and chess player. He has one of the most popular chess channels on YouTube, and he previously had the most subscribers of any YouTube chess channel from 2018 until late 2021 when he was surpassed by GothamChess. Isaiah 26:19 "Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead." Daniel 12:2 "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." Psalm 16:9-11 "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." New Testament Resurrection Scriptures Matthew 12:40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Romans 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Phillippians 3:10-11 That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 1st Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The Shepherd by William Blake 1757 (Soho) – 1827 (London) How sweet is the shepherd's sweet lot! From the morn to the evening he strays; He shall follow his sheep all the day, And his tongue shall be filled with praise. For he hears the lambs' innocent call, And he hears the ewes' tender reply; He is watchful while they are in peace, For they know when their shepherd is nigh. If you add up the numbers 1-100 consecutively (1+2+3+4+5 etc) the total is 5050. Hydrogen gas is the least dense substance in the world, at 0.08988 g/cc. Hydrogen solid is the most dense substance in the world, at 70.6 g/cc. Cold water weighs more than hot water. According to Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity, it is possible to go slower than light and faster than light, but it is impossible to go at the speed of light. In July 1849, Hippolyte Fizeau became the first person to measure the speed of light on Earth. All humans are 99.9% genetically identical and 98.4% of human genes are the same as the genes of a chimpanzee. The genetic similarity between a human and a cat is 90%, with a mouse 85%, a dog 84%, a cow 80%, a pumpkin 75%, a banana 60% and with a cabbage 57%. A pipe 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter will allow 4 times more fluid to pass through it than a pipe 1 foot (30 cm) in diameter. Helium is the second most abundant element in the Universe but it’s exceedingly rare on Earth. Helium used for industrial purposes is a byproduct of natural gas production. 75% is produced in the USA. The chemical formula for Rubidium Bromide is RbBr, the only chemical formula palindrome. Moisture, not air, causes superglue to dry. Water is 830 times denser than air. 1 HP is the equivalent of 33,000 ft/lbfs per minute. If you cut up a hologram, the entire image is retained in each piece. Physicist Murray Gell-Mann named the sub-atomic particles known as quarks for a random line in James Joyce’s “Three quarks for Muster Mark.” Carbonated water, with nothing else in it, can dissolve limestone, talc, and many other low-hardness minerals. Carbonated water, by the way, is the main ingredient in soda pop. 20.9% of the gas in the atmosphere is oxygen. A cesium atom in an atomic clock beats over 9 billion times a second. The 111th element is known as “unnilenilenium.” Due to gravitational effects, you weigh slightly less when the moon is directly overhead. Extremely high-pressured water can easily cut through a steel beam. Forensic scientists can determine a person’s sex, age, and race by examining a single strand of hair. Sound travels through water 3 times faster than through air. A square piece of dry paper cannot be folded in half more than 7 times. If you could fold a piece of paper in half 50 times, its thickness will be 3/4 the distance from the Earth to the Sun (71 million miles). Air becomes liquid at about minus 190 degrees Celsius. Liquid air looks like water with a bluish tint. The thin line of cloud that forms behind an aircraft at high altitudes is called a contrail. Radio waves travel so much faster than sound waves that a broadcast voice can be heard sooner 18,000 km away than in the back of the room in which it originated. Most of the air is about 78% nitrogen gas. Only 21% consists of oxygen. The remaining 1% consists of carbon dioxide, argon, neon, helium, krypton, hydrogen, xenon and ozone. Argon is used to fill the space in most light bulbs. Neon is used in fluorescent signs. Fluorescent lights are filled with mercury gas. Hydrogen gas is the least dense substance in the world. A US ton is equivalent to 900 kg (2000 pounds). A British ton is 1008 kg (2240 pounds), called a gross ton. Industrial hemp contains less than 1% of THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana. Since space is essentially empty it cannot carry sound. Therefor there is no sound in space, at least not the sort of sound that we are used to. Water expands by about 9% as it freezes. The surface of hot water freezes faster than cold water but the rest of the water will remain liquid longer than in a cold sample. The smallest transistor is 50-nanometres wide – roughly 1/2000 the width of a human hair. A compass does not point to the geographical North or South Pole, but to the magnetic poles. The double-helix structure of DNA was discovered in 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick. The length of a single human DNA molecule, when extended, is 5’5″ (1.7 m). In a desert, a mirage is caused when air near the ground is hotter than air higher up. As light from the sun passes from cooler to warmer air, it speeds up and is refracted upward, creating the image of water. The typical bolt of lightning heats the atmosphere to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. An electric oven uses one kilowatt-hour of electricity in about 20 minutes, but one kilowatt-hour will power a TV for 3 hours, run a 100-watt bulb for 12 hours, and keep an electric clock ticking for 3 months. Urea is found in human urine and dalmatian dogs and nowhere else. If the chemical sodium is dropped into water it will immediately and violently explode. The name for fungal remains found in coal is sclerotinite. Parthenogenesis is the term used to describe the process by which certain animals are able to reproduce themselves in successive female generations without intervention of a male of the species. At least one species of lizard is known to do so. The first fossilized specimen of Austalopithecus afarenisis was named Lucy after the palentologists’ favorite song, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, by the Beatles. A type specimen is used in paleontology as the best example of that species. The type specimen for the human species is the skull of Edward Drinker Cope, an American paleontologist of the late 1800’s. Human birth control pills work on gorillas. A woman’s sense of smell is most sensitive during ovulation. Cellophane is not made of plastic. It is made from a plant fiber, cellulose, which has been shredded and aged. A cubic yard of air weighs about 2 pounds at sea level. The infinity sign is called a lemniscate. Rene Descartes came up with the theory of coordinate geometry by looking at a fly walk across a tiled ceiling. The number Zero was invented by Aryabhatta. Oceanography, the study of oceans, is a mixture of biology, physics, geology and chemistry. In extremely rare instances, cosmic rays have sufficient energy to alter the states of circuit components in electronic integrated circuits, causing soft errors. Cosmic rays were suspected as a possible cause of an in-flight incident in 2008 where an Airbus A330 airliner of Qantas twice plunged hundreds of feet after an unexplained malfunction in its flight control system. More than 60 million people annually visit France, a country of 60 million people. The oldest inhabited city is Damascus, Syria. The first city in the world to have a population of more than one million was Rome. In the great fire of London in 1666 half of London was burnt down but only 6 people were injured. The Canadian province of Newfoundland has its own time zone, which is half an hour behind Atlantic standard time. The most eastern part of the western world is located in Ilomantsi, Finland. The Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps has 75 hairpin corners. The pass is a popular place to test cars and bikes. There is a dangerous corner on the Dalton Highway called “Oh @#$% Corner.” The Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal is farther East than the Atlantic entrance. Iceland has no railway system or army. The country of Brazil is named after the brazil nut. There is a city called Rome on every continent. Mexico City is built on top of an underground resevoir and is sinking at a rate of 18 inches (45 cm) per year. The most populated city in the world – when major urban areas are included – is Tokyo, with more than 37 million residents. Tokyo was once known as Edo. In England, the Queen, the Church of England and Trinity College, Cambridge are some of the largest landowners in the country. Madrid is the only European capital city not situated on a river. Antarctica is the only land on our planet that is not owned by any country. Istanbul, Turkey is the only city in the world located on two continents, Europe and Asia. It is connected by bridges. It is said that if you take a raccoon’s head to the Henniker, New Hampshire town hall, you are entitled to receive $.10 from the town. Jericho is the oldest walled city in the world. The city name “Dublin” comes from the Irish Dubh Linn which means Blackpool. Ontario is the only Canadian Province that borders the Great Lakes. Tasmania is said to have the cleanest air in the world. All the dirt from the foundation to build the World Trade Center in NYC was dumped into the Hudson River to form the community now known as Battery City Park. The first mention of Mecca was made by the geographer Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD as Macoraba. It was a place of religious and commercial pilgrimage long before Muhammad returned there in 630. Christians have been forbidden to visit Mecca since the time of Muhammad. Martha’s Vineyard once had its own dialect of Sign Language. One deaf person arrived in 1692 and after that there was a relatively large genetically deaf population that had their own particular dialect of sign language. From 1692-1910 nearly all hearing people on the island were bilingual in sign language and English. The Canary Islands were not named after a bird called the canary; they were named after the latin name for dogs. Sochi, Russia is the longest city in the world, at 90 miles (145 km) long. Sydney, Australia is the second longest city. At their closest point, the Russian and US borders are less than two miles apart. Beat! Beat! Drums! BY WALT WHITMAN (1819-92) Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow! Through the windows—through doors—burst like a ruthless force, Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation, Into the school where the scholar is studying, Leave not the bridegroom quiet—no happiness must he have now with his bride, Nor the peaceful farmer any peace, ploughing his field or gathering his grain, So fierce you whirr and pound you drums—so shrill you bugles blow. Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow! Over the traffic of cities—over the rumble of wheels in the streets; Are beds prepared for sleepers at night in the houses? no sleepers must sleep in those beds, No bargainers’ bargains by day—no brokers or speculators—would they continue? Would the talkers be talking? would the singer attempt to sing? Would the lawyer rise in the court to state his case before the judge? Then rattle quicker, heavier drums—you bugles wilder blow. Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow! Make no parley—stop for no expostulation, Mind not the timid—mind not the weeper or prayer, Mind not the old man beseeching the young man, Let not the child’s voice be heard, nor the mother’s entreaties, Make even the trestles to shake the dead where they lie awaiting the hearses, So strong you thump O terrible drums—so loud you bugles blow. “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “I won't be lectured on gun control by an administration that armed the Taliban.” ― voter "Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul." ― General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 108 games, 1560-2023 19j MiniMixer E4 C5 Contributions by ph2ca, ianD, MorphyMatt, Mating Net, Fredthebear, RayDelColle, Calar, and saveyougod! Special thanks to Bill Wall for a whole bunch of these Sicilians. * Amazing: Game Collection: Amazing Chess Moves (Emms) * First of each ECO: Game Collection: First of Each ECO * How to Analyze: https://thechessworld.com/articles/... * Recommendations: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/wiki... “Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To Earth I bring; Then let me soar and sing!” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Life has, indeed, many ills, but the mind that views every object in its most cheering aspect, and every doubtful dispensation as replete with latent good, bears within itself a powerful and perpetual antidote. The gloomy soul aggravates misfortune, while a cheerful smile often dispels those mists that portend a storm.” ― Lydia Sigourney "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." ― Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States, and former Colonel in the U.S. Army "All of the real heroes are not storybook combat fighters either. Every single man in this Army play a vital role. Don't ever let up. Don't ever think that your job is unimportant. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain.” ― General George S. Patton, U.S. Army “If you wish to succeed, you must brave the risk of failure.” ― Garry Kasparov “There are more adventures on a chessboard than on all the seas of the world.” ― Pierre Mac Orlan "Chess is all about stored pattern recognition. You are asking your brain to spot a face in the crowd that it has not seen." ― Sally Simpson “God created every man to be free. The ability to choose whether to live free or enslaved, right or wrong, happy or in fear is something called freewill. Every man was born with freewill. Some people use it, and some people use any excuse not to. Nobody can turn you into a slave unless you allow them. Nobody can make you afraid of anything, unless you allow them. Nobody can tell you to do something wrong, unless you allow them. God never created you to be a slave, man did. God never created division or set up any borders between brothers, man did. God never told you hurt or kill another, man did. And in the end, when God asks you: "Who told you to kill one of my children?" And you tell him, "My leader." He will then ask you, "And are THEY your GOD?” ― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem * Checkmate Patterns to Recognize Instantly: https://chessfox.com/checkmate-patt... * Alapins: Game Collection: Alapin * Anderssen's Assaults: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/che... * Ataman's Miniatures: Game Collection: Instructive Chess Miniatures (Ataman) * Book: Game Collection: Dismantling the Sicilian (Jesus de la Villa) * Charming Miniatures: Game Collection: 0 * Extinguish the Dragon: Game Collection: 1.e4 explorations * Karpov's book: Game Collection: Karpov Right Plan * GK Sheveningen: Game Collection: Kasparov - The Sicilian Sheveningen * Rip 'em to shreds! https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/m... * Brilliant (and mostly famous games)!! Game Collection: Brilliant Miniatures * Spassky had a universal style: Game Collection: 0 * Champion miniatures: Game Collection: Champions miniature champions * Best Games of 2018: Game Collection: Best Games of 2018 * 10 Crazy Gambits: https://www.chess.com/blog/yola6655... * Common Checkmate Patterns: http://gambiter.com/chess/Checkmate... * Fabulous chess brilliancies: https://www.chess.com/article/view/... * Famous Chess Photos: https://tr.pinterest.com/pin/585256... * Glossary: https://www.peoriachess.com/Glossar... * MC Move-by-Move: Game Collection: Move by Move - Carlsen (Lakdawala) * Overloaded! Game Collection: OVERLOADED! * tacticmania - Game Collection: tacticmania * Tips for Knights & More: http://www.chesssets.co.uk/blog/tip... * Unleash the Knight: https://cardclashgames.com/blog/che... * Ten Tips: https://www.uschess.org/index.php/L... * Rajnish Das Tips: https://enthu.com/blog/chess/chess-... * Lekhika Dhariyal Chess Ops: https://www.zupee.com/blog/category... Zucci * GM Avetik Grigoryan: https://chessmood.com/blog/improve-... * 25 Opening Traps: https://www.chess.com/blog/ChessLor... * Spruce Variety: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/che... * Chess is cold-steel calculation, not emotion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-T... * It takes me back where, when and who: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh2... * Everyday people should play tabletop games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUU... * Women: https://www.thefamouspeople.com/wom... Place your knights in the center for greater mobility; avoid edges and the corners. Colorado: San Luis Established in: 1851 San Luis has a predominately Hispanic population of less than 700 people, and so the town features a very strong Spanish influence. It was once part of four Spanish land grants decreed by the King of Spain, and a classic adobe architecture and Spanish town layout remain. * Chess History: https://www.britannica.com/topic/ch... * Three Simple Chess Tips: https://www.premierchesscoaching.co... * 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' Create protected outposts for your knights. This poem is dedicated to all Caissa's members who understand that chess is but a game. Chess is but a Game As he secretly rode his knight out of the castle's gate, still believing that he could escape this inevitable fate, the sky broke open with an array of incredible light. and there smitten to the earth lay nova under his knight. I am who I am and always am, spoke this thundering voice and you, my friend nova, do not at all have another choice but to go forth south and north, west and east loudly proclaiming the good Word to man and beast. Thus beset by the compelling voice from the broken sky nova set about explaining through the word the how and why. He travelled north and south, west and east never losing aim to let all Caissa's members know: chess is but a game. “In chess, as in life, a man is his own most dangerous opponent.” — Vasily Smyslov “With most men life is like backgammon, half skill, and half luck, but with him it was like chess. He never pushed a pawn without reckoning the cost, and when his mind was least busy it was sure to be half a dozen moves ahead of the game as it was standing.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., The Guardian Angel (1867) “There are more adventures on a chessboard than on all the seas of the world.” ― Pierre Mac Orlan “You can only get good at chess if you love the game.” ― Bobby Fischer Knights are stronger in the middle of the board. The Words Of Socrates A house was built by Socrates That failed the public taste to please. Some blamed the inside; some, the out; and all Agreed that the apartments were too small. Such rooms for him, the greatest sage of Greece! "I ask," said he, "no greater bliss Than real friends to fill even this." And reason had good Socrates To think his house too large for these. A crowd to be your friends will claim, Till some unhandsome test you bring. There's nothing plentier than the name; There's nothing rarer than the thing. 'Ask no questions and hear no lies * The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played: 62 Masterpieces of Chess Strategy by Irving Chernev - https://lichess.org/study/KMMrJvE1 * Legendary: Game Collection: The 12 Legendary Games of the Century * Knight Power: https://fmochess.com/the-power-of-t... 'Ask a silly question and you'll get a silly answer “Chess, it’s the struggle against error.” ― Johannes Zukertort "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." ― Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States, and former Colonel in the U.S. Army "All of the real heroes are not storybook combat fighters either. Every single man in this Army play a vital role. Don't ever let up. Don't ever think that your job is unimportant. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain.” ― General George S. Patton, U.S. Army I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud William Wordsworth I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils Jupiter and the Farmer Of yore, a farm had Jupiter to rent; To advertise it, Mercury was sent. The farmers, far and near, Flocked round, the terms to hear; And, calling to their aid The various tricks of trade, One said It was rash a farm to hire Which would so much expense require; Another, that, do what you would, The farm would still be far from good. While thus, in market style, its faults were told, One of the crowd, less wise than bold, Would give so much, on this condition, That Jove would yield him altogether The choice and making of his weather, – That, instantly on his decision, His various crops should feel the power Of heat or cold, of sun or shower. Jove yields. The bargain closed, our man Rains, blows, and takes the care Of all the changes of the air, On his peculiar, private plan. His nearest neighbours felt it not, And all the better was their lot. Their year was good, by grace divine; The grain was rich, and full the vine. The renter, failing altogether, The next year made quite different weather; And yet the fruit of all his labours Was far inferior to his neighbours'. What better could he do? To Heaven He owns at last his want of sense, And so is graciously forgiven. Hence we conclude that Providence Knows better what we need Than we ourselves, indeed. “Many have become chess masters, no one has become the master of chess.” ― Siegbert Tarrasch Dover publishers have downsized their chess book offerings as decades have passed, but many of the all-time classics written in English descriptive notation remain available at affordable prices: https://doverpublications.ecomm-sea... Those who pitch their tent on the Rogoff page having no use for classic chess books can find adult coloring books at Dover publishers. It's a great, versatile publishing company! For club players, I would recommend "Chess Master vs. Chess Amateur" by Max Euwe and Walter Meiden (as well as Max Euwe's "The Logical Approach to Chess," "Strategy & Tactics in Chess," and "The Road to Chess Mastery" from other book dealers, likely used) before reading James Mason's "The Art of Chess" which is 340 pages! Mason does not spoon-feed the reader as much as Euwe does IMHO. Those readers demanding an algebraic notation offering from Dover Publishers would do well to buy any book by Tim Harding. Also, if memory serves correctly, there are two tournament books published in algebraic notation: Carlsbad International Chess Tournament 1929 by Aron Nimzovich, translated by Jim Marfia (30 games) and Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953 by David Bronstein (210 games). The sign says "free shipping" on orders over $25.00. Several chess offerings are available as e-books. You can bundle -- get both versions and save a bunch. For those wondering about adult coloring e-books, well... I'll have to get back to you on that one, the pace of new technology being what it is. Acronyms and Initialisms: Worksheet Printouts Click Here for K-3 Themes An acronym is a pronounceable word that is formed using the first letters of the words in a phrase (sometimes, other parts of the words are also used). Some common acronyms include NASA (which stands for "National Aeronautical and Space Administration"), scuba ("Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus") and laser ("Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation"). An initialism is a word that is formed using the first letters of the words in a phrase -- it is pronounced like a series of letters, not like a word. Some common initialisms include UFO (which stands for "Unidentified Flying Object") and LOL (which stands for "Laughing Out Loud"). Note: Some people consider both of these to be acronyms. Some common acronyms (and initialisms) include: AC - Air Conditioning AD - Anno Domini ("In the Year of Our Lord") AKA - Also Known As AM - Ante Meridiem (before noon) AM - Amplitude Modification (radio) ASAP - As Soon As Possible ATM - Automated Teller Machine B&B - Bed and Breakfast BC - Before Christ or Because BCE - Before the Common Era BLT - Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato BTW - By The Way CC - Credit Card CIA - Central Intelligence Agency CO - Commanding Officer CST - Central Standard Time DOA - Dead on Arrival DOT - Department of Transportation DST - Daylight Saving Time EST - Eastern Standard Time ET - Extra-Terrestrial FAQ - Frequently-Asked Questions FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation FDR - Franklin Delano Roosevelt FM - Frequency Modification (radio) FYI - For Your Information GI - Government Issue GMO - Genetically Modified IM - Instant Message IMO - In My Opinion IMHO - In My Humble Opinion HAZ-MAT - Hazardous Material HMO - Health Maintenence Organization ID - Identification IQ - Intelligence Quotient ISBN - International Standard Book Number JFK - John Fitzgerald Kennedy JV - Junior Varsity KO - Knockout laser - Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation LCD - Liquid Crystal Display LED - Light Emitting Diode LOL - Laughing Out Loud MC - Master of Ceremonies MLK - Martin Luther King, Jr. MO - Modus Operandi MRE - Meals Ready to Eat MS - Manuscript MST - Mountain Standard Time MTG - Magic: The Gathering MTD - Month To Date NIB - New In the Box NAFTA - North American Free Trade Agreement NASA - National Aeronautical and Space Administration NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization NBA - National Basketball Association NIB - New In the Box NIMBY - Not In My Backyard OJ - Orange Juice OPEC - Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries PBJ - Peanut Butter and Jelly PC - Politically Correct PI - Private Investigator PIN - Personal Identification Number PM - Post Meridiem (after noon) POTUS - President of the United States POW - Prisoner of War PPS - Post-Postscript PS - Postscript PR - Public Relations PSI - Pounds Per Square Inch PST - Pacific Standard Time Q&A - Question and Answer R&R - Rest and Relaxation RAM - Random Access Memory RGB - Red, Green, Blue RIP - Rest in Peace (from the Latin, "Requiescat In Pace") ROM - Read Only Memory ROTC - Reserve Officers Training Corps ROYGBIV - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet RPG - Role Playing Game RSVP - Répondez S'il Vous Plaît (in French, this means "Please respond") RV - Recreational Vehicle scuba - Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus SNAFU - Systems Normal, All Fouled Up SOP - Standard Operating Procedure SOS - Save Our Souls (decided after the fact - SOS was chosen because it was short in Morse code) SPF - Sun Protection Factor (how sunscreen lotion is rated) TBA - To Be Announced TEOTWAWKI - The End Of The World As We Know It TGIF - Thank God It's Friday TLC - Tender Loving Care TV - Television UFO - Unidentified Flying Object UN - United Nations UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund UPC - Universal Product Code VIP - Very Important Person VP - Vice President WASP - White Anglo Saxon Protestant WHO - World Health Organization WOM - Word of Mouth WoW - World of Warcraft WYSIWYG - What You See Is What You Get YTD - Year To Date ZIP (code) - Zone Improvement Plan Statues and mrkers The 20-40-40 rule in chess is a rule for players rated below 2000 that states 20% of your study should be dedicated to openings, 40% to the middlegame, and 40% to the endgame. Drive sober or get pulled over. “Prepare for the worst but hope for the best.” -- The Wondrous Tale of Alroy by Benjamin Disraeli, published in 1833 Galatians 6:7 in the Bible “Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” “those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” is often cited as originating in Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde written in 1385. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson “If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.” – Ancient Chinese Proverb “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.” — Mahatma Gandhi “Thirty Days Hath September” Lyrics Thirty days hath September, April, June and November; All the rest have thirty-one, Excepting February alone. Which only has but twenty-eight days clear And twenty-nine in each leap year. “There just isn’t enough televised chess.” — David Letterman “Do the things that interest you and do them with all your heart. Don't be concerned about whether people are watching you or criticizing you. The chances are that they aren't paying any attention to you. It's your attention to yourself that is so stultifying. But you have to disregard yourself as completely as possible. If you fail the first time then you'll just have to try harder the second time. After all, there's no real reason why you should fail. Just stop thinking about yourself.” — Eleanor Roosevelt “Many have become Chess Masters, no one has become the master of chess.” — Siegbert Tarrasch Drive sober or get pulled over. “For surely of all the drugs in the world, chess must be the most permanently pleasurable.” — Assiac Mar-12-23 FSR: <jnpope: Is <Jegar Sahadutha> related to <chrisowen> or is this just a <chrisowen> parody account?> Apparently the latter. <Jegar Sahadutha>'s user profile shows that his account was only opened on February 10, 2023. His first comment, on March 9, 2023, was: <I never thought I would live to see the day a GOTD was named in honor of chrisowen.> Jegar's comment was made to A Braun vs S Siebrecht, 2005, after it became GOTD using the pun <Braun Over Brain>. The genesis of the pun was evidently an uncharacteristically lucid comment <chrisowen> had made on December 27, 2009 that began <Sad case of Braun over brain.> This episode, it seems, inspired <Jegar Sahadutha>. His aforementioned comment <I never thought I would live to see the day a GOTD was named in honor of chrisowen.> was the first and last "normal" one he has made. Mar-12-23 Jegar Sahadutha: True — we shall not return to the heartland, for the heartland hath forsaken us. Rise! Rise, vaunted shipmen; your time is come, and with it sacral vestments. Slay the serpent, moor the ship; repast on all gifts divine. But in your exultation, may your heart hold fast; forsake not the heartland whence you came. The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - 1807-1882 The tide rises, the tide falls, The twilight darkens, the curlew calls; Along the sea-sands damp and brown The traveller hastens toward the town, And the tide rises, the tide falls. Darkness settles on roofs and walls, But the sea, the sea in darkness calls; The little waves, with their soft, white hands, Efface the footprints in the sands, And the tide rises, the tide falls. The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls; The day returns, but nevermore Returns the traveller to the shore, And the tide rises, the tide falls. “There are good ships, and there are wood ships, ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships, and may they always be.” – Anonymous “It's not how you start that matters, it's how you finish.” “Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.” — Francis Bacon The cat’s play is the mouse’s death. ~ German Proverb “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” ― Theodore Roosevelt Ah, St. Marher, 1225: "And te tide and te time þat tu iboren were, schal beon iblescet." 2pry Zeitnot Zshaa-Tichondrius - 601 Disc Priest 226 Ilvl - 27750 RBG zek247 dint undrstnd Ziyatdinov's planto ignore the LSB on deck of the carrier. “Debt is dumb. Cash is king.” — Dave Ramsey A jester, court jester, fool or joker was a member of the household of a nobleman or a monarch employed to entertain guests during the medieval and Renaissance eras. Jesters were also itinerant performers who entertained common folk at fairs and town markets, and the discipline continues into the modern day, where jesters perform at historical-themed events. During the Middle Ages, jesters are often thought to have worn brightly colored clothes and eccentric hats in a motley pattern. Their modern counterparts usually mimic this costume. Jesters entertained with a wide variety of skills: principal among them were song, music, and storytelling, but many also employed acrobatics, juggling, telling jokes (such as puns, stereotypes, and imitation), and performing magic tricks. Much of the entertainment was performed in a comic style. Many jesters made contemporary jokes in word or song about people or events well known to their audiences. If hard work pays, show me a rich donkey. ― Joker Life has no remote. You have to get up and change it yourself. ― Joker The Miser Who Had Lost His Treasure It's use that constitutes possession. I ask that sort of men, whose passion It is to get and never spend, Of all their toil what is the end? What they enjoy of all their labours Which do not equally their neighbours? Throughout this upper mortal strife, The miser leads a beggar's life. Old Aesop's man of hidden treasure May serve the case to demonstrate. He had a great estate, But chose a second life to wait Before he began to taste his pleasure. This man, whom gold so little blessed, Was not possessor, but possessed. His cash he buried under ground, Where only might his heart be found; It being, then, his sole delight To ponder of it day and night, And consecrate his rusty pelf, A sacred offering, to himself. In all his eating, drinking, travel, Most wondrous short of funds he seemed; One would have thought he little dreamed Where lay such sums beneath the gravel. A ditcher marked his coming to the spot, So frequent was it, And thus at last some little inkling got Of the deposit. He took it all, and babbled not. One morning, before the dawn, Forth had our miser gone To worship what he loved the best, When, lo! he found an empty nest! Alas! what groaning, wailing, crying! What deep and bitter sighing! His torment makes him tear Out by the roots his hair. A passenger demands why Such marvellous outcry. "They've got my gold! it's gone – it's gone!" "Your gold! pray where?" – 'Beneath this stone." "Why, man, is this a time of war, That you should bring your gold so far? You'd better keep it in your drawer; And I'll be bound, if once but in it, You could have got it any minute." "At any minute! Ah, Heaven knows That cash comes harder than it goes! I touched it not." – 'Then have the grace To explain to me that rueful face," Replied the man; "for, if It's true You touched it not, how plain the case, That, put the stone back in its place, And all will be as well for you!" 1 Corinthians 13 King James Version 13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. slaw1998: In my spine there sends a shiver When a player sends his pieces up the river Into loose en prise encapture, enrapture, Does it to my heart receive it well Yet other players bring me down Their defense sends my attack the other way around And Tal and others would be quite displeased Like I, to have the attack no hope of being released So I'll go on shedding pieces With combos, like a magic stall, And hope that some day I can beat them all. “There are good ships, and there are wood ships, ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships, and may they always be.” – Anonymous “It's not how you start that matters, it's how you finish.” “Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.” — Francis Bacon The cat’s play is the mouse’s death. ~ German Proverb “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” ― Theodore Roosevelt Ah, St. Marher, 1225: "And te tide and te time þat tu iboren were, schal beon iblescet." 2pry Zeitnot Zshaa-Tichondrius - 601 Disc Priest 226 Ilvl - 27750 RBG zek247 dint undrstnd Ziyatdinov's planto ignore the LSB on deck of the carrier. “Debt is dumb. Cash is king.” — Dave Ramsey A jester, court jester, fool or joker was a member of the household of a nobleman or a monarch employed to entertain guests during the medieval and Renaissance eras. Jesters were also itinerant performers who entertained common folk at fairs and town markets, and the discipline continues into the modern day, where jesters perform at historical-themed events. During the Middle Ages, jesters are often thought to have worn brightly colored clothes and eccentric hats in a motley pattern. Their modern counterparts usually mimic this costume. Jesters entertained with a wide variety of skills: principal among them were song, music, and storytelling, but many also employed acrobatics, juggling, telling jokes (such as puns, stereotypes, and imitation), and performing magic tricks. Much of the entertainment was performed in a comic style. Many jesters made contemporary jokes in word or song about people or events well known to their audiences. If hard work pays, show me a rich donkey. ― Joker Life has no remote. You have to get up and change it yourself. ― Joker Reuben Fine can show you the not-so-easy way. Sign up for free and you can read books for free: https://archive.org/details/chessea... from the simpleton poet: Roses are red. Violets are blue. Chess is creative. And a journey too. Good in the morning. Or just before bed. Play cheater_1, with engine. Or OTB, all in your head. “I learned that you have to study more to keep improving (to avoid plateauing). (...) I also realized I had to move slower because I was moving very quickly and making easy blunders.” ― 13-year-old FM Brewington Hardaway from New York “It's a lot of things [that I consider (what opening to play)]. Obviously, my opponent's rating—I don't want to play an equal game where I don't have many winning chances. But also, my mood is important, and my opponent's styles themselves.” ― 13-year-old FM Brewington Hardaway from New York “You can never relax. I keep the same amount of energy and concentration during the tournament.” ― 13-year-old FM Brewington Hardaway from New York “I don't think about it (representing African-Americans) during the games, but I certainly do think about how few African-Americans there are at the top level. So, I try to do my best to motivate more people like us to give it a try and hopefully succeed.” ― 13-year-old FM Brewington Hardaway from New York “Chess is played with the mind and not with the hands.” ― Renaud & Kahn “Chess is a terrific way for kids to build self-image and self-esteem.” ― Saudin Robovic “Chess is a sport. The main object in the game of chess remains the achievement of victory.” ― Max Euwe “Life is like a chess. If you lose your queen, you will probably lose the game.” ― Being Caballero “If you wish to succeed, you must brave the risk of failure.” — Garry Kasparov “You win some, you lose some, you wreck some.” — Dale Earnhardt “In life, unlike chess the game continues after checkmate.” ― Isaac Asimov <The Fooles Mate Black Kings Biſhops pawne one houſe. White Kings pawne one houſe. Black kings knights pawne two houſes White Queen gives Mate at the contrary kings Rookes fourth houſe — Beale, The Royall Game of Chesse-Play Beale's example can be paraphrased in modern terms where White always moves first, algebraic notation is used, and Black delivers the fastest possible mate after each player makes two moves: 1.f3 e6 2.g4 Qh4# There are eight distinct ways in which Fool's Mate can be reached in two moves. White may alternate the order of f- and g-pawn moves, Black may play either e6 or e5, and White may move their f-pawn to f3 or f4.> How many chess openings are there? Well, White has 20 possible 1st moves. Black can respond with 20 of its own. That’s 400, and we’re ready for move 2. I don’t know them, but I would not be at all surprised if there was a name for each of them. People are like that. You really, really don’t need to know them all. If you follow the rules of thumb for good opening play, I promise you that you’ll be playing a named opening. Just put the 1st 3 moves in google, and you’ll get the opening’s name. With that information you can find other games that started the way your game started, likely by some very good players. Also, with the name you can read about it on Wikipedia, and find out what people think of it, who plays it, and its particular traps and idiosyncrasies. Once again, The Rules of Thumb for Good Opening Play: - Develop your pieces quickly with an eye towards controlling the center. Not necessarily occupying the center but controlling it certainly. - Castle your king just as soon as it’s practical to do so. - Really try not to move a piece more than once during the opening, it’s a waste of valuable time. - Connect your rooks. This marks the end of the opening. Connected rooks means that only your rooks and your castled king are on the back rank. - Respond to threats appropriately, even if you have to break the rules. They’re rules of thumb, not scripture, or physical laws. If you and your opponent follow these rules of thumb, you’ll reach the middle game ready to fight. If only you follow these rules of thumb, you’re already winning! Good Hunting. -- Eric H. * Opening Tree: https://www.shredderchess.com/onlin... The Bear ~ Author Unknown ~ Here is a cave, (make a fist) Inside is a bear. (put a thumb inside fist) Now he comes out To get some fresh air. (pop out thumb) He stays out all summer In sunshine and heat. He hunts in the forest For berries to eat. (move thumb in circle) When snow starts to fall, He hurries inside His warm little cave, And there he will hide. (put thumb back inside fist) Snow covers the cave Like a fluffy white rug. Inside the bear sleeps All cozy and snug. (cover fist with other hand) Old Russian Proverb: Чему́ быть, того́ не минова́ть Pronunciation: ChiMU BYT’, taVOH ni mihnoVAT’ Translation: You can’t avoid that which is meant to happen Meaning: Whatever shall be, will be. Engineer Ralph Baer is often held to be the "father of video games." His "Brown Box" video game system, designed in 1967, paved the way for all future consoles. “mãos frias, coração quente“. In English, it means “a cold hand, a warm heart” Drive sober or get pulled over. “For surely of all the drugs in the world, chess must be the most permanently pleasurable.” — Assiac “mais vale um passarinho na mão do que dois a voar“ Contrary to popular belief, the first video game was not Pong. It was preceded by Tennis for Two in 1958 and Spacewar! in 1962. Q: What do you call something that goes up when the rain comes down? A: An umbrella. Q: What do you call a doctor who fixes websites? A: A URL-ologist. Q: What do you call a sleeping dinosaur? A: A dinosnore. Q: What do you call a Christmas tree that knows karate A: Spruce Lee. Q: What does a triangle call a circle? A: Pointless. Q: What do you call a piece of sad cheese? A: Blue cheese. Q: What do you call a cow in an earthquake? A: A milkshake. Q: What do you call an M&M that went to college? A: A smarty. The Man And His Image To M. The Duke De La Rochefoucauld. A man, who had no rivals in the love Which to himself he bore, Esteemed his own dear beauty far above What earth had seen before. More than contented in his error, He lived the foe of every mirror. Officious fate, resolved our loverFrom such an illness should recover, Presented always to his eyes The mute advisers which the ladies prize; – Mirrors in parlours, inns, and shops, – Mirrors the pocket furniture of fops, – Mirrors on every lady's zone,[13] From which his face reflected shone. What could our dear Narcissus do? From haunts of men he now withdrew, On purpose that his precious shape From every mirror might escape. But in his forest glen alone, Apart from human trace, A watercourse, Of purest source, While with unconscious gaze He pierced its waveless face, Reflected back his own. Incensed with mingled rage and fright, He seeks to shun the odious sight; But yet that mirror sheet, so clear and still, He cannot leave, do what he will. Before this, my story's drift you plainly see. From such mistake there is no mortal free. That obstinate self-lover The human soul does cover; The mirrors follies are of others, In which, as all are genuine brothers, Each soul may see to life depicted Itself with just such faults afflicted; And by that charming placid brook, Needless to say, I mean your Maxim Book. This is one of La Fontaine's most admired fables, and is one of the few for which he did not go for the groundwork to some older fabulist. The Duke de la Rochefoucauld, to whom it was dedicated, was the author of the famous "Reflexions et Maximes Morales," which La Fontaine praises in the last lines of his fable. La Rochefoucauld was La Fontaine's friend and patron. The "Maximes" had achieved a second edition just prior to La Fontaine's publication of this first series of his Fables, in 1668. "The Rabbits" (Book 10, Fable 15.), published in the second collection, in 1678-9, is also dedicated to the Duke, who died the following year, 1680. “There just isn’t enough televised chess.” — David Letterman “Do the things that interest you and do them with all your heart. Don't be concerned about whether people are watching you or criticizing you. The chances are that they aren't paying any attention to you. It's your attention to yourself that is so stultifying. But you have to disregard yourself as completely as possible. If you fail the first time then you'll just have to try harder the second time. After all, there's no real reason why you should fail. Just stop thinking about yourself.” — Eleanor Roosevelt “Many have become chess masters, no one has become the master of chess.” — Siegbert Tarrasch “True power is expressed in quiet confidence; it was the sea's very calmness that epitomized its mighty force.” ― Emile Habiby “Remember that there are two kinds of beauty: one of the soul and the other of the body. That of the soul displays its radiance in intelligence, in chastity, in good conduct, in generosity, and in good breeding, and all these qualities may exist in an ugly man. And when we focus our attention upon that beauty, not upon the physical, love generally arises with great violence and intensity. I am well aware that I am not handsome, but I also know that I am not deformed, and it is enough for a man of worth not to be a monster for him to be dearly loved, provided he has those spiritual endowments I have spoken of.” ― Miguel Cervantes 4$drivz u nokt mee crazy wheelr. 4$fare iz fair evn 4all hairy bearz no shirts no shoez still get servd biden court 2appear b4 congress 2testify on internet caught see lionz zandi drownd outta noiz. So sad. “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” — Calvin Coolidge Psalm 96: 1-3 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. A TISKET A TASKET A tisket, a tasket A green and yellow basket. I wrote a letter to my love And on the way I dropped it. I dropped it, I dropped it And on the way I dropped it. A little boy he picked it up And put it in his pocket. 16 yellow #2 pencilz 500 games, 1840-2020 19L 2.Nc3 Anti-S Repertoire Copy Some games related to an anti-Sicilian repertoire with 2.Nc3, with transpositions to various lines, including the Chekhover, Carlsen Variation, Tiviakov, Rossolimo, Grand Prix, and Open Sicilian lines. * Amazing: Game Collection: Amazing Chess Moves (Emms) * First of each ECO: Game Collection: First of Each ECO * How to Analyze: https://thechessworld.com/articles/... * Recommendations: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/wiki... “Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To Earth I bring; Then let me soar and sing!” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Life has, indeed, many ills, but the mind that views every object in its most cheering aspect, and every doubtful dispensation as replete with latent good, bears within itself a powerful and perpetual antidote. The gloomy soul aggravates misfortune, while a cheerful smile often dispels those mists that portend a storm.” ― Lydia Sigourney “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” ― Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States, and former Colonel in the U.S. Army “All of the real heroes are not storybook combat fighters either. Every single man in this Army play a vital role. Don't ever let up. Don't ever think that your job is unimportant. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain.” ― General George S. Patton, U.S. Army I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud William Wordsworth I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils General chess advice from Joe Brooks: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comm... “On the chessboard lies and hypocrisy do not survive long. The creative combination lays bare the presumption of a lie; the merciless fact, culmination in checkmate, contradicts the hypocrite.” ― Emanuel Lasker A Psalm of Life Henry Wadsworth Longfellow What The Heart Of The Young Man Said To The Psalmist. Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day. Art is long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave. In the world’s broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife! Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act,— act in the living Present! Heart within, and God o’erhead! Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time; Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again. Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait. “Life is like a game of chess. If you lose your queen, you will probably lose the game.” ― Being Caballero “Chess is life in miniature. Chess is a struggle, chess battles.” ― Garry Kasparov “Age brings wisdom to some men, and to others chess.” ― Evan Esar * Good Historical Links: https://www.saund.co.uk/britbase/in... * Internet tracking: https://www.studysmarter.us/magazin... poem by B.H. Wood, entitled ‘The Drowser’: Ah, reverie! Ten thousand heads I see Bent over chess-boards, an infinity Of minds engaged in battle, fiendishly, Keenly, or calmly, as the case may be: World-wide, the neophyte, the veteran, The studious problemist, the fairy fan ... “What’s that? – I’m nearly sending you to sleep? Sorry! – but this position’s rather deep.” Source: Chess Amateur, September 1929, page 268. The Ass and the Little Dog One's native talent from its course Cannot be turned aside by force; But poorly apes the country clown The polished manners of the town. Their Maker chooses but a few With power of pleasing to imbue; Where wisely leave it we, the mass, Unlike a certain fabled ass, That thought to gain his master's blessing By jumping on him and caressing. "What!" said the donkey in his heart; "Ought it to be that puppy's part To lead his useless life In full companionship With master and his wife, While I must bear the whip? What does the cur a kiss to draw? Forsooth, he only gives his paw! If that is all there needs to please, I'll do the thing myself, with ease." Possessed with this bright notion, – His master sitting on his chair, At leisure in the open air, – He ambled up, with awkward motion, And put his talents to the proof; Upraised his bruised and battered hoof, And, with an amiable mien, His master patted on the chin, The action gracing with a word – The fondest bray that ever was heard! O, such caressing was there ever? Or melody with such a quaver? "Ho! Martin! here! a club, a club bring!" Out cried the master, sore offended. So Martin gave the ass a drubbing, – And so the comedy was ended. Quote of the Day “Possibly, over the course of time, the brain capacity of homo sapiens will have made such great progress, that complications as contained in this game can be fathomed instantly with a shrug and a smile. Then, not only will the game of chess have ceased to exist, but also will the remembrance of frequently missed objectives elicit pity, as a reaction to the shortcomings of a lower organized form of life.” ― Lodewijk Prins Quote of the Day “The acquisition of even a mildly reasonable judgment about a chess game or position is an extraordinarily lengthy process of reasoning, searching, examining, comparing, rejecting, correcting, evaluating and criticizing.” ― Lodewijk Prins Quote of the Day “In short: analyze as well as you can, or do not analyze at all; the writing down of statements that cannot be sustained by proof, is something that only the very few can permit themselves.” ― Lodewijk Prins Feb-13-11 keypusher: <scutigera: They give this as one of Myagmarsuren's notable games with 162 others in the database?> notable games are selected based on how many games collections they are in. Dec-12-16 DrGridlock: Q: When is a pin not a pin? A: When the piece is: (i) not pinned to the king and (ii) in moving the piece threatens either mate or greater material gain than what it was pinned to. (iii) in moving the piece now defends the unit it was pinned to, such as Nf3xd4 and protects the Be2 that was behind the knight. Riddle Question: I shave every day, but my beard stays the same. What am I? Iceland has no railway system or army. Riddle Answer: A barber Riddle Question: You see a boat filled with people, yet there isn’t a single person on board. How is that possible? At their closest point, the Russian and US borders are less than two miles apart. Riddle Answer: All the people on the boat are married. 69 games, 1904-2019 19sp A B C Players of Old This file was one of Fredthebear's originals that outgrew itself a couple times over. Large collections of games by the same famous chess player were eventually given their own separate file. Fredthebear's advice to subscribers is to create several small but distinct collections by individual player, opening, ECO code, tournament, era, book author, pattern or piece technique. Do not have large collection dumps of such variety like this. Of course, this still serves a certain flexible purpose for FTB... no need to delete it. It's constantly "evolving." Alekhine, Bronstein, and Capablanca now have their own folders. In no way does this collection come close to doing them justice. Some Romantics... Anderssen, Blackburne, Charousek, and Chigorin have moved together to another folder. So did Alapin, Bird, and Colle. However, if these fellows played one another, the game is possibly included in here. Most of inmate Claude Bloodgood's games are in the Grob section. He is one-of-a-kind story in itself. Contemporary greats Anand, Adams, Aronion, Caruana, and Carlsen have moved to another folder for the most part. Those collections are nowhere near complete but they would not fit in here. If they played another A-B-C player, that game might be included in here. Games were once grouped in alphabetical clusters by name, but so many players made that difficult to locate all the various clusters quickly -- too much scrolling up and down hundreds of games just to accurately place one game, so most are now intermixed by the year that the game was played. Using the year (or ECO code) number requires no scrolling for proper placement within the file. Modern players... the recent years... are on the bottom half of this list. Because of space limitations, no additional games from this century will be added in here. These modern fellows play soo many recorded games nowadays that they're not going to fit in here. What space is left is reserved for those who are no longer active. Thank you sneaky pete, Prasha. Thank you Phony Benoni, Gottschalk. * Adolf Anderssen miniatures: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... * Game Collection: Alekhine vs Bogolubov search "Alekhine vs Bogolubov" * Comprehensive 1929: Game Collection: Alekhine-Bogoljubov 1929 ARCHIVE * Danish Gambits: Game Collection: Danish Gambit Games 1-0 * Wonders and Curiosities: Game Collection: Wonders and Curiosities of Chess (Chernev) * Walter Browne, American Champ: Game Collection: Six by Mr. Six Time * Freaky Fridays: https://allchessopenings.blogspot.c... “Chess first of all teaches you to be objective.” — Alexander Alekhine “Among a great many other things that chess teaches you is to control the initial excitement you feel when you see something that looks good. It trains you to think before grabbing and to think just as objectively when you’re in trouble.” — Stanley Kubrick “Chess helps you to concentrate, improve your logic. It teaches you to play by the rules, take responsibility for your actions, how to problem solve in an uncertain environment.” — Garry Kasparov “Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward. They may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.” — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe “To avoid losing a piece, many a person has lost the game.” —Savielly Tartakower “Battles are won by slaughter and maneuver. The greater the general, the more he contributes in maneuver, the less he demands in slaughter.” ― Winston S. Churchill The Use Of Knowledge Between two citizens A controversy grew. The one was poor, but much he knew: The other, rich, with little sense, Claimed that, in point of excellence, The merely wise should bow the knee To all such moneyed men as he. The merely fools, he should have said; For why should wealth hold up its head, When merit from its side has fled? "My friend," said Bloated-purse, To his reverse, "You think yourself considerable. Pray, tell me, do you keep a table? What comes of this incessant reading, In point of lodging, clothing, feeding? It gives one, true, the highest chamber, One coat for June and for December, His shadow for his sole attendant, And hunger always in the ascendant. What profits he his country, too, Who scarcely ever spends a sou – Will, haply, be a public charge? Who profits more the state at large, Than he whose luxuries dispense Among the people wealth immense? We set the streams of life a-flowing; We set all sorts of trades a-going. The spinner, weaver, sewer, vender, And many a wearer, fair and tender, All live and flourish on the spender – As do, indeed, the reverend rooks Who waste their time in making books." These words, so full of impudence, Received their proper recompense. The man of letters held his peace, Though much he might have said with ease. A war avenged him soon and well; In it their common city fell. Both fled abroad; the ignorant, By fortune thus brought down to want, Was treated everywhere with scorn, And roamed about, a wretch forlorn; Whereas the scholar, everywhere, Was nourished by the public care. Let fools the studious despise; There's nothing lost by being wise. Proverbs of Solomon 7 Warnings about the Adulteress 1My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. 2Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. 3Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman, 5that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words. 6For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice. 7I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment, 8crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house, 9at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night. 10Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart. 11She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home. 12Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner. 13She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him: 14“I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows. 15So I came out to meet you; I sought you, and I have found you. 16I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt. 17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon. 18Come, let us take our fill of love till morning. Let us delight in loving caresses! 19For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. 20He took with him a bag of money and will not return till the moon is full.” 21With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him. 22He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap, 23until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare— not knowing it will cost him his life. 24Now, my sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths. 26For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number. 27Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death. Drive sober or get pulled over. Checkers Sam Ciel Aug 2015 You might have heard the saying, "At the end of the game, the King and the Pawn go in the same box." but depending on the moves you make, one of them is ultimately the winner. One of them stays on the board longer, does more for his team. Let's extend that phrase. "At the end of the game, the King and the Pawn go in the same box. But the game is decided by the moves they make." I assume everyone understands Chess, but for those who don't, That's okay, too. I'll explain one more thing about it. The Pawn can only move in one direction. The King can move wherever he wants. This remains true unless the Pawn decides to go on the offensive To take life by his own hands A variety of options open up to him Whereas then, the King is limited by his options. He sees nothing new, and can merely advance or Retreat In the same directions he always has. And he very well may retreat, because when he falls, it's all over. The Pawn, though? The Pawn can never retreat. He can only move forward And if he makes it to the other side, He becomes a Queen. The most prominent, powerful piece, It goes in the same box but it can determine the outcome of the entire game. A single piece can determine if, and how any other piece will fall. This is true of the Queen, of the King, of the Pawn. This is true of the Knights and the Bishops and the Rooks and every single piece, and so with every thing equally significant, let's strip away the titles and just look at our actions, because it isn't our title that defines us. It's how we play the game. Sometimes that means we have all the power. Sometimes that means we have none. Sometimes we are alone. Sometimes we are together. But at the end of the day, we all go in the same box. “As long as you can still grab a breath, you fight.” — The Revenant Roma 16 497 games, 1475-2015 19sp Alekhine's Defense Minis Yes, just what this site needs...another collection on Alekhine's Defense! This one deals with miniatures for Black and brilliant games by Black. * Amazing: Game Collection: Amazing Chess Moves (Emms) * First of each ECO: Game Collection: First of Each ECO * How to Analyze: https://thechessworld.com/articles/... * Recommendations: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/wiki... “Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To Earth I bring; Then let me soar and sing!” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman Knock, knock. Who's there? Boo. Boo who? Don't cry, it's just a joke! “Life has, indeed, many ills, but the mind that views every object in its most cheering aspect, and every doubtful dispensation as replete with latent good, bears within itself a powerful and perpetual antidote. The gloomy soul aggravates misfortune, while a cheerful smile often dispels those mists that portend a storm.” ― Lydia Sigourney “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” ― Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States, and former Colonel in the U.S. Army “All of the real heroes are not storybook combat fighters either. Every single man in this Army play a vital role. Don't ever let up. Don't ever think that your job is unimportant. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain.” ― General George S. Patton, U.S. Army Which branch of the military accepts toddlers? The infantry. “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” ― Abraham Lincoln I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud William Wordsworth I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils It's Free: https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/25... General chess advice from Joe Brooks: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comm... “On the chessboard lies and hypocrisy do not survive long. The creative combination lays bare the presumption of a lie; the merciless fact, culmination in checkmate, contradicts the hypocrite.” — Emanuel Lasker “Life is like a chess. If you lose your queen, you will probably lose the game.” —Being Caballero “Chess is life in miniature. Chess is a struggle, chess battles.” — Garry Kasparov “Age brings wisdom to some men, and to others chess.” — Evan Esar What did one hat say to the other? "You wait here, I'll go on ahead." * Good Historical Links: https://www.saund.co.uk/britbase/in... * Internet tracking: https://www.studysmarter.us/magazin... Question: Who has won the most Olympic medals? Answer: Michael Phelps (Fun Fact: He has 28 medals in total and 23 of them are gold!) poem by B.H. Wood, entitled ‘The Drowser’: Ah, reverie! Ten thousand heads I see Bent over chess-boards, an infinity Of minds engaged in battle, fiendishly, Keenly, or calmly, as the case may be: World-wide, the neophyte, the veteran, The studious problemist, the fairy fan ... “What’s that? – I’m nearly sending you to sleep? Sorry! – but this position’s rather deep.” Source: Chess Amateur, September 1929, page 268. The Ass and the Little Dog One's native talent from its course Cannot be turned aside by force; But poorly apes the country clown The polished manners of the town. Their Maker chooses but a few With power of pleasing to imbue; Where wisely leave it we, the mass, Unlike a certain fabled ass, That thought to gain his master's blessing By jumping on him and caressing. "What!" said the donkey in his heart; "Ought it to be that puppy's part To lead his useless life In full companionship With master and his wife, While I must bear the whip? What does the cur a kiss to draw? Forsooth, he only gives his paw! If that is all there needs to please, I'll do the thing myself, with ease." Possessed with this bright notion, – His master sitting on his chair, At leisure in the open air, – He ambled up, with awkward motion, And put his talents to the proof; Upraised his bruised and battered hoof, And, with an amiable mien, His master patted on the chin, The action gracing with a word – The fondest bray that ever was heard! O, such caressing was there ever? Or melody with such a quaver? "Ho! Martin! here! a club, a club bring!" Out cried the master, sore offended. So Martin gave the ass a drubbing, – And so the comedy was ended. Q: What goes, "tick, woof, tick, woof"? A watchdog! Q: What did the Dalmatian say after lunch? A: "That hit the spot!" Q: What do you call a dog magician? A labracadabrador! The Sun and the Frogs Rejoicing on their tyrant's wedding-day, The people drowned their care in drink; While from the general joy did Aesop shrink, And showed its folly in this way. "The sun," said he, "once took it in his head To have a partner for his bed. From swamps, and ponds, and marshy bogs, Up rose the wailings of the frogs. "What shall we do, should he have progeny?" Said they to Destiny; "One sun we scarcely can endure, And half-a-dozen, we are sure, Will dry the very sea. Adieu to marsh and fen! Our race will perish then, Or be obliged to fix Their dwelling in the Styx!" For such an humble animal, The frog, I take it, reasoned well." Q: What kind of dance are frogs best at? A: Hip hop! Q: Where do dishes go dancing? A: The dish-go! A Psalm of Life Henry Wadsworth Longfellow What The Heart Of The Young Man Said To The Psalmist. Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day. Art is long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave. In the world’s broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife! Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act,— act in the living Present! Heart within, and God o’erhead! Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time; Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again. Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait. What kind of tree fits in your hand? A palm tree! What did the finger say to the thumb? "I'm in glove with you!" This game an Indian Brahmin did invent, The force of Eastern wisdom to express; From thence the same to busy Europe sent; The modern Lombards stil'd it pensive Chess. — Sir John Denham “The weak are always anxious for justice and equality. The strong pay no heed to either.” — Aristotle “A species that enslaves other beings is hardly superior — mentally or otherwise.” — Captain Kirk “Now, I don’t pretend to tell you how to find happiness and love, when every day is a struggle to survive. But I do insist that you do survive, because the days and the years ahead are worth living for!” — Edith Keeler “Live long and prosper!” — Spock “The most important thing in life is to stop saying 'I wish' and start saying 'I will.' Consider nothing impossible, then treat possibilities as probabilities.” — Charles Dickens 32z Za’Darius Smith & Wesson don't be messin' Zoltan Almasi periodic rot Kuindzhy Knock, knock. Who's there? Snow. Snow who? Snow use. The joke is over! “Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To Earth I bring; Then let me soar and sing!” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman Feb-13-11 keypusher: <scutigera: They give this as one of Myagmarsuren's notable games with 162 others in the database?> notable games are selected based on how many games collections they are in. Dec-12-16 DrGridlock: Q: When is a pin not a pin? A: When the piece is: (i) not pinned to the king and (ii) in moving the piece threatens either mate or greater material gain than what it was pinned to. (iii) in moving the piece now defends the unit it was pinned to, such as Nf3xd4 and protects the Be2 that was behind the knight. Riddle Question: What can you keep after giving to someone? Human birth control pills work on gorillas. Riddle Answer: Your word Riddle Question: I shave every day, but my beard stays the same. What am I? Tasmania is said to have the cleanest air in the world. Riddle Answer: A barber 24 games, 1927-2001 19sp Anderssen - Blackburne - Charousek Four terrific attackers from the 1800's!!! Oh, how romantic... Thank you amigo for posting the correct pronunciation of "Kharoosek." You are welcome for the copy, monet11. Fredthebear is the originator of this collection, and is not yet done. “It is impossible to keep one's excellence in a glass case, like a jewel, and take it out whenever it is required.” ― Adolf Anderssen, 1858 “My passions were all gathered together like fingers that made a fist. Drive is considered aggression today; I knew it then as purpose.” ― Bette Davis * Steinitz-Anderssen 1866 match! Anderssen - Steinitz (1866) * Danish Gambits: Game Collection: Danish Gambit Games 1-0 Giuoco Piano: Blackburne Shilling Gambit – C50 – 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4 Italian Gambit – C50 – 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d4 Jerome Gambit – C50 – 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ Kxf7 Rousseau Gambit – C50 – 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 f5 * Anderssen's Opening: Opening Explorer * Mr. Harvey provided JHB puzzles: http://wtharvey.com/blacpe.html * Javed's way: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?... * 149 JHB games w/annotations: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... slaw1998: In my spine there sends a shiver When a player sends his pieces up the river Into loose en prise encapture, enrapture, Does it to my heart receive it well Yet other players bring me down Their defense sends my attack the other way around And Tal and others would be quite displeased Like I, to have the attack no hope of being released So I'll go on shedding pieces With combos, like a magic stall, And hope that some day I can beat them all. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5?! "The opening was originally known as the Greco Countergambit, and some modern writers still refer to it as such. That name recognized the Italian player Gioachino Greco (1600–1634), who contributed to the early theory of the opening. The name Latvian Gambit is a tribute to several Latvian players who analyzed it, Kārlis Bētiņš being the most prominent among them. The Austrian International Master (IM) Albert Becker once published an article that Bētiņš judged to be dismissive about the Latvian Gambit. In response, Bētiņš published and analyzed one of his own games in order to defend the gambit: Ilyin-Zhenevsky vs K Bētiņ, 1921." - Wikipedia Main Line 3.Ne5 Qf6 5.Nf3 Leonhardt Variation 3.Ne5 Qf6 4.Nc4 Bronstein Attack 3.Ne5 Qf6 5.Nc4 6.Be2 Nimzowitsch Attack 3.Ne5 Qf6 6.Ne3 Fraser defence 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Nc6 -o- Mayet Attack 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bc4 Mayet Attack, Strautins Gambit 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bc4 b5 Mason Countergambit 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.d4 “Dubious, therefore playable.” ― Savielly Tartakower “What is the object of playing a gambit opening? To acquire a reputation of being a dashing player at the cost of losing a game.” ― Siegbert Tarrasch “I've played a number of interesting novelties lately. Mostly that's because I haven't got a clue what I am doing in the opening.” ― Nigel Short “There are two kinds of idiots - those who don't take action because they have received a threat, and those who think they are taking action because they have issued a threat.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Devil and Miss Prym “In chess, as in life, a man is his own most dangerous opponent.” — Vasily Smyslov “Old habits die hard, especially for soldiers.” ― Jocelyn Murray, The Roman General: A Novel “You may knock your opponent down with the chessboard, but that does not prove you the better player.” ― English Proverb “For a period of ten years--between 1946 and 1956--Reshevsky was probably the best chessplayer in the world. I feel sure that had he played a match with Botvinnik during that time he would have won and been World Champion.” ― Bobby Fischer “I believe that true beauty of chess is more than enough to satisfy all possible demands.” ― Alexander Alekhine “We cannot resist the fascination of sacrifice, since a passion for sacrifices is part of a chessplayer's nature.” ― Rudolf Spielmann “To play for a draw, at any rate with white, is to some degree a crime against chess.” ― Mikhail Tal “Boring? Who's boring? I am Fredthebear. My mind is always active, busy.” As one by one I mowed them down, my superiority soon became apparent. – Jose Raul Capablanca Alekhine was the rock-thrower, Capablanca the man who made it all seem easy. – Hans Ree Capablanca possessed an amazing ability to quickly see into a position and intuitively grasp its main features. His style, one of the purest, most crystal-clear in the entire history of chess, astonishes one with it's logic. - Garry Kasparov Capablanca was a genius. He was an exception that did not obey any rule. - Vladimir Kramnik “The harder you fall, the heavier your heart; the heavier your heart, the stronger you climb; the stronger you climb, the higher your pedestal.” — Criss Jami 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. <“Funny, funny Jude (The Man in the Red Beret). You play with little pieces all day long, and you know what? You’ll live to be an old, old man someday. And here I am.” — Janis Joplin Jude Acers set a Guinness World Record for playing 117 people in simultaneous chess games on April 21, 1973 at the Lloyd Center Mall in Portland, Oregon. On July 2-3, 1976 Jude played 179 opponents at Mid Isle Plaza (Broadway Plaza) in Long Island, New York for another Guinness record. "The First Book of Chess" by Joseph Leeming from the local public library ignited Jude's chess journey as a boy. The joy of reading this clear, easy book changed his entire life forever! Clear explanations of the rules of chess are complemented by numerous diagrams and by practice games illustrating standard chess openings Format: 78 pages, Hardcover First published January 1, 1953 by Franklin Watts, Inc. Language: English> Don't expect the knights to sit back and wait, defend. Before moving, ask yourself "How can her knight(s) advance upon my camp? Will the knight(s) come forward to go backward? Will the knight(s) pile on the bishop's angle, outnumber the defender 2-to-1 or 3-to-2?" The Fried Liver Attack is how little girls try to defeat boys and old men, so watch out for the knight's next two moves leaping forward. There might not be enough time to fianchetto your own bishop and get castled before the opposing knight lands in your lap. 'Attack is the best form of defence Colorado: San Luis Established in: 1851 San Luis has a predominately Hispanic population of less than 700 people, and so the town features a very strong Spanish influence. It was once part of four Spanish land grants decreed by the King of Spain, and a classic adobe architecture and Spanish town layout remain. * Chess History: https://www.britannica.com/topic/ch... * Current list: https://ratings.fide.com/top.phtml <Oct-04-23 HeMateMe: I play 3/2 blitz occasionally on Lichess. I find it an excellent site, none of the delays/cancellations that ruined chess.com (for me). Oct-04-23 Cassandro: Yes, lichess is by far the best site for online chess. And you never know, apparently you may even get to play against a living legend like the highly esteemed Leonard Barden there!> FTB plays all about but has always been happy with FICS: https://www.freechess.org/ Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER * Basic Rules: https://thechessworld.com/basic-che... * 10 Tips: https://www.uschess.org/index.php/L... * 10 Crazy Gambits: https://www.chess.com/blog/yola6655... * 25 Opening Traps: https://www.chess.com/blog/ChessLor... * 700+ games of QGD D06: Queen's Gambit Declined (D06) * Unleash the Knight: https://cardclashgames.com/blog/che... * MC Move-by-Move: Game Collection: Move by Move - Carlsen (Lakdawala) * Tips for Knights & More: http://www.chesssets.co.uk/blog/tip... * Rajnish Das Tips: https://enthu.com/blog/chess/chess-... * Lekhika Dhariyal Chess Ops: https://www.zupee.com/blog/category... Zucci * GM Avetik Grigoryan: https://chessmood.com/blog/improve-... * Spruce Variety: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/che... * Chess is cold-steel calculation, not emotion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-T... * It takes me back where, when and who: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh2... * Everyday people should play tabletop games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUU... Note to self: A few QGA games need to be transitioned. Place your knights in the center for greater mobility; avoid edges and the corners. Colorado: San Luis Established in: 1851 San Luis has a predominately Hispanic population of less than 700 people, and so the town features a very strong Spanish influence. It was once part of four Spanish land grants decreed by the King of Spain, and a classic adobe architecture and Spanish town layout remain. * Chess History: https://www.britannica.com/topic/ch... * Three Simple Chess Tips: https://www.premierchesscoaching.co... * 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' Create protected outposts for your knights. This poem is dedicated to all Caissa's members who understand that chess is but a game. Chess is but a Game As he secretly rode his knight out of the castle's gate, still believing that he could escape this inevitable fate, the sky broke open with an array of incredible light. and there smitten to the earth lay nova under his knight. I am who I am and always am, spoke this thundering voice and you, my friend nova, do not at all have another choice but to go forth south and north, west and east loudly proclaiming the good Word to man and beast. Thus beset by the compelling voice from the broken sky nova set about explaining through the word the how and why. He travelled north and south, west and east never losing aim to let all Caissa's members know: chess is but a game. “In chess, as in life, a man is his own most dangerous opponent.” — Vasily Smyslov “With most men life is like backgammon, half skill, and half luck, but with him it was like chess. He never pushed a pawn without reckoning the cost, and when his mind was least busy it was sure to be half a dozen moves ahead of the game as it was standing.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., The Guardian Angel (1867) “There are more adventures on a chessboard than on all the seas of the world.” ― Pierre Mac Orlan “You can only get good at chess if you love the game.” ― Bobby Fischer Knights are stronger in the middle of the board. Dear Dad, $chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can’t think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you. Love, Your $on Dear Son, I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh. Love, Dad Identify knight forks. Q: What do you call a cat that likes to eat beans? A: Puss 'n' Toots! Q: What do you call a clown who's in jail? A: A silicon! Q: What do you call a deer with no eyes? A: No eye deer!! Q: What do you call a three-footed aardvark? A: A yardvark! Q: What do you call a dancing lamb? A: A baaaaaa-llerina! Q: What do you call a meditating wolf? A: Aware wolf! Q: What do you call a witch who lives at the beach? A: A sand-witch! Q: What do you call an avocado that's been blessed by the pope? A: Holy Guacamole! Where can the opponent's knight land in two moves? Would that be a problem? M.Hassan: <Eggman>: Scarborough Chess Club which is said to be the biggest chess club in Canada, arranges tournaments under the name of "Howard Rideout" tournaments. Is he the same Rideout that you are mentioning?. I only know that this is to commemorate "Rideout" who has been a player and probably in that club because the club is over 40 years old. This tournament is repeated year after year and at the beginning of the season when the club resumes activity after summer recession in September. Zxp PeterB: Eggman and Mr. Hassan - you are right, Howard Ridout was a long time member of the Scarborough Chess Club! He was very active even when I joined in 1969, and was still organizing tournaments at the time of his death in the 1990s. This game is a good memorial to him! Theodorovitch was a Toronto master rated about 2250 back then, perhaps about 2350 nowadays. 'Ask no questions and hear no lies * The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played: 62 Masterpieces of Chess Strategy by Irving Chernev - https://lichess.org/study/KMMrJvE1 * Legendary: Game Collection: The 12 Legendary Games of the Century * Knight Power: https://fmochess.com/the-power-of-t... 'Ask a silly question and you'll get a silly answer The Words Of Socrates A house was built by Socrates That failed the public taste to please. Some blamed the inside; some, the out; and all Agreed that the apartments were too small. Such rooms for him, the greatest sage of Greece! "I ask," said he, "no greater bliss Than real friends to fill even this." And reason had good Socrates To think his house too large for these. A crowd to be your friends will claim, Till some unhandsome test you bring. There's nothing plentier than the name; There's nothing rarer than the thing. * Capablanca's Double Attack — having the initiative is important: https://lichess.org/study/tzrisL1R * C21-C22 miniatures: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... * Danish Gambits: Game Collection: Danish Gambit Games 1-0 * Lekhika Dhariyal Chess Ops: https://www.zupee.com/blog/category... * Javed's way: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?... * King's Gambit start-up: Game Collection: Batsford's MCO 14 King's Gambit * King Bishop's Gambit: Game Collection: rajat21's kings gambit * KG Video: Game Collection: Foxy Openings - King's Gambit * GM Gallagher is an author: Game Collection: 0 * Happy Days! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slv... * Old P-K4 Miniatures: Game Collection: Games for Classes * LG - White wins: Game Collection: Latvian Gambit-White wins * Aggressive Gambits: https://thechessworld.com/articles/... * No Hope: https://www.chess.com/clubs/forum/v... * Ponziani Games: Game Collection: PONZIANI OPENING * Become a Predator at the Chessboard: https://www.chesstactics.org/ * Volo plays the KP faithfully: Volodymyr Onyshchuk * 20 Various Italian Games: Game Collection: Italian Game * C53s: Game Collection: rajat21's italian game * RL Minis: Game Collection: Ruy Lopez Miniatures * Del's: Game Collection: Del's hidden gems * 21st Century: Game Collection: 0 * GK: Game Collection: Kasparov - The Sicilian Sheveningen * TIP: Click on the e8 square to see a computer engine analysis of the position. * Hans On French: Game Collection: French Defense * Alapins: Game Collection: Alapin * Chess Records: https://timkr.home.xs4all.nl/record... * Red States: https://www.redhotpawn.com/ * Sidewalk playin': https://www.bing.com/videos/search?... * Online safety: https://www.entrepreneur.com/scienc... * Flip the Finish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWH... “Once in a lobby of the Hall of Columns of the Trade Union Center in Moscow a group of masters were analyzing an ending. They could not find the right way to go about things and there was a lot of arguing about it. Suddenly Capablanca came into the room. He was always find of walking about when it was his opponent's turn to move. Learning the reason for the dispute the Cuban bent down to the position, said 'Si, si,' and suddenly redistributed the pieces all over the board to show what the correct formation was for the side trying to win. I haven't exaggerated. Don Jose literally pushed the pieces around the board without making moves. He just put them in fresh positions where he thought they were needed. Suddenly everything became clear. The correct scheme of things had been set up and now the win was easy. We were delighted by Capablanca's mastery.” ― Alexander Kotov “Capablanca had that art which hides art to an overwhelming degree.” ― Harry Golombek “I have known many chess players, but only one chess genius, Capablanca.” ― Emanuel Lasker “I think Capablanca had the greatest natural talent.” ― Mikhail Botvinnik Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER Maximo wrote: My Forking Knight's Mare Gracefully over the squares, as a blonde or a brunette, she makes moves that not even a queen can imitate. Always active and taking the initiative, she likes to fork. She does it across the board, taking with ease not only pawns, but also kings, and a bad bishop or two. Sometimes she feels like making quiet moves, at other times, she adopts romantic moods, and makes great sacrifices. But, being hers a zero-sum game, she often forks just out of spite. An expert at prophylaxis, she can be a swindler, and utter threats, skewering men to make some gains. Playing with her risks a conundrum, and also catching Kotov’s syndrome. Nonetheless, despite having been trampled by her strutting ways my trust in her remains, unwavering, until the endgame. “Chess is played with the mind and not with the hands.” ― Renaud & Kahn “Chess is a terrific way for kids to build self-image and self-esteem.” ― Saudin Robovic “Chess is a sport. The main object in the game of chess remains the achievement of victory.” ― Max Euwe “Life is like a chess. If you lose your queen, you will probably lose the game.” ― Being Caballero “In chess, as in life, a man is his own most dangerous opponent.” — Vasily Smyslov “If you wish to succeed, you must brave the risk of failure.” — Garry Kasparov “You win some, you lose some, you wreck some.” — Dale Earnhardt “In life, unlike chess the game continues after checkmate.” ― Isaac Asimov <The Fooles Mate Black Kings Biſhops pawne one houſe. White Kings pawne one houſe. Black kings knights pawne two houſes White Queen gives Mate at the contrary kings Rookes fourth houſe — Beale, The Royall Game of Chesse-Play Beale's example can be paraphrased in modern terms where White always moves first, algebraic notation is used, and Black delivers the fastest possible mate after each player makes two moves: 1.f3 e6 2.g4 Qh4# There are eight distinct ways in which Fool's Mate can be reached in two moves. White may alternate the order of f- and g-pawn moves, Black may play either e6 or e5, and White may move their f-pawn to f3 or f4.> “Chess is life in miniature. Chess is a struggle, chess battles.” — Garry Kasparov “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. “Don’t blow your own trumpet.” — Australian Proverb Old Russian Proverb: "Scythe over a stone." (Нашла коса на камень.) The force came over a stronger force. “Continuing to play the victim is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Blaming others for your station in life will indeed make you a victim but the perpetrator will be your own self, not life or those around you.” — Bobby Darnell <“Sestrilla, hafelina Jue amourasestrilla Awou jue selaviena En patre jue Translation: Beloved one, little cat I love you for all time In this time And all others” ― Christine Feehan> "One of the supreme paradoxes of baseball, and all sports, is that the harder you try to throw a pitch or hit a ball or accomplish something, the smaller your chances are for success. You get the best results not when you apply superhuman effort but when you let the game flow organically and allow yourself to be fully present. You'll often hear scouts say of a great prospect, "The game comes slow to him." It means the prospect is skilled and poised enough to let the game unfold in its own time, paying no attention to the angst or urgency or doubt, funneling all awareness to the athletic task at hand." — R.A. Dickey Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; his love endures forever. “A God you understood would be less than yourself.” ― Flannery O'Connor Psalms 31:24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. * The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played: 62 Masterpieces of Chess Strategy by Irving Chernev - https://lichess.org/study/KMMrJvE1 * Legendary: Game Collection: The 12 Legendary Games of the Century FACTRETRIEVER 2020: Even though dragonflies have six legs, they cannot walk. 'A stitch in time saves nine' "You can't hold with the hare and run with the hounds." “You never know when it's going to happen. You never want to get caught with your pants down. You better keep your (insurance) premiums up. We're just gonna have to hold tight, work hard, and overcome it. We're going to make it.” ― Edward Andrews, owner of the Special Touch II Auto Sales in Fort Worth, Texas that was devastated by high winds, rainwater and hail damage. The Horse and the Wolf A wolf, what time the thawing breeze Renews the life of plants and trees, And beasts go forth from winter lair To seek abroad their various fare, – A wolf, I say, about those days, In sharp look-out for means and ways, Espied a horse turned out to graze. His joy the reader may opine. "Once got," said he, "this game were fine; But if a sheep, it were sooner mine. I can't proceed my usual way; Some trick must now be put in play." This said, He came with measured tread, As if a healer of disease, – Some pupil of Hippocrates, – And told the horse, with learned verbs, He knew the power of roots and herbs, – Whatever grew about those borders, – And not at all to flatter Himself in such a matter, Could cure of all disorders. If he, Sir Horse, would not conceal The symptoms of his case, He, Doctor Wolf, would gratis heal; For that to feed in such a place, And run about untied, Was proof itself of some disease, As all the books decide. "I have, good doctor, if you please," Replied the horse, "as I presume, Beneath my foot, an aposthume." "My son," replied the learned leech, "That part, as all our authors teach, Is strikingly susceptible Of ills which make acceptable What you may also have from me – The aid of skilful surgery; Which noble art, the fact is, For horses of the blood I practise." The fellow, with this talk sublime, Watched for a snap the fitting time. Meanwhile, suspicious of some trick, The wary patient nearer draws, And gives his doctor such a kick, As makes a chowder of his jaws. Exclaimed the wolf, in sorry plight, "I own those heels have served me right. I erred to quit my trade, As I will not in future; Me nature surely made For nothing but a butcher." “Believe in yourself. Have faith in your abilities. Without humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy.” ― Norman Vincent Peale “Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.” ― Martin Luther King Jr. “My concern about my reputation is with the people who I respect and my family and my Lord. And I’m perfectly comfortable with my reputation with them, sir.” —John Durham <There are distinct situations where a bishop is preferred (over a knight). For example, two bishops are better than two knights or one of each. Steven Mayer, the author of Bishop Versus Knight, contends, “A pair of bishops is usually considered to be worth six points, but common sense suggests that a pair of active bishops (that are very involved in the formation) must be accorded a value of almost nine under some circumstances.” This is especially true if the player can plant the bishops in the center of the board, as two bishops working in tandem can span up to 26 squares and have the capacity to touch every square. Bishops are also preferable to knights when queens have been exchanged because, Grandmaster Sergey Erenburg, who is ranked 11th in the U.S., explains, “[Bishops and rooks] complement each other, and when well-coordinated, act as a queen.” Conversely, a knight is the preferred minor piece when the queen survives until the late-middlegame or the endgame. Mayer explains, “The queen and knight are [able] to work together smoothly and create a greater number of threats than the queen and bishop.” When forced to say one is better than the other, most anoint the bishop. Mayer concludes, “I think it’s true that the bishops are better than the knights in a wider variety of positions than the knights are better than the bishops.” He continues, “Of course, I’m not sure this does us much good, as we only get to play one position at a time.”> This poem is dedicated to all Caissa's members who understand that chess is but a game. Chess is but a Game As he secretly rode his knight out of the castle's gate, still believing that he could escape this inevitable fate, the sky broke open with an array of incredible light. and there smitten to the earth lay nova under his knight. I am who I am and always am, spoke this thundering voice and you, my friend nova, do not at all have another choice but to go forth south and north, west and east loudly proclaiming the good Word to man and beast. Thus beset by the compelling voice from the broken sky nova set about explaining through the word the how and why. He travelled north and south, west and east never losing aim to let all Caissa's members know: chess is but a game. “My guiding principles in life are to be honest, genuine, thoughtful and caring.” ― Prince William Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. “It is atheism and blasphemy to dispute what God can do: good Christians content themselves with His will revealed in His Word.” ― King James I “Friend, you don't have to earn God's love or try harder. You're precious in His sight, covered by the priceless blood of Jesus, and indwelt by His Holy Spirit. Don't hide your heart or fear you're not good enough for Him to care for you. Accept His love, obey Him, and allow Him to keep you in His wonderful freedom.” — Charles F. Stanley 'Ashes to ashes dust to dust <Amanda Kay wrote: Checkmate You were my knight Shining armor Chess board was our home Queen's fondness you garnered A kiss sweeter than honeycomb> 'A place for everything and everything in its place' 'A poor workman always blames his tools' 'A problem shared is a problem halved' “Chess is an infinitely complex game, which one can play in infinitely numerous & varied ways.” ― Vladimir Kramnik “Sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people.” ― Elizabeth Green Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. 'April showers bring forth May flowers Dick Cavitt: "And you like that moment of just crushing the guy?" RJ Fischer: "Right *nodding and smiling*, yeah." “Many have become chess masters, no one has become the master of chess.” ― Siegbert Tarrasch “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ― Howard Thurman wwwordfuny st23n Willie Steinitz Q trppd Zanzig died of fried lvr while tied to Zaza Hargondzheppa inth Panama City route rdboyston luft itto zborris35 but zb35 dclnd freddie's offr sand rook th loss of a nail instead. Psalm 96: 1-3 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Ecclesiastes 9:9: "Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun." BAA BAA BLACK SHEEP Baa Baa Black Sheep Have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full. One for the master And one for the dame. And one for the little boy Who lives down the lane. What do you call a bacon-wrapped comet? A meat-eor. What do stars say when they apologize to one another? I’m starry. Why did the star decide to take a vacation? It needed some space. What’s Donkey’s favorite film? Star Shrek. What was the tree’s favorite thing about Star Trek? The Captain’s log. “Funny, funny Jude (The Man in the Red Beret). You play with little pieces all day long, and you know what? You’ll live to be an old, old man someday. And here I am.” — Janis Joplin Jude Acers set a Guinness World Record for playing 117 people in simultaneous chess games on April 21, 1973 at the Lloyd Center Mall in Portland, Oregon. On July 2-3, 1976 Jude played 179 opponents at Mid Isle Plaza (Broadway Plaza) in Long Island, New York for another Guinness record. Q: Why did the rubber chicken cross the road? A: To stretch her legs. Q: Why did the turkey cross the road? A: To prove he wasn’t chicken! Q: Why did the cow cross the road? A: To get to the udder side. Moscow? 499 games, 1845-1914 19sp the other defence Qos Compiled by Camus “Drawing is rather like playing chess. Your mind races ahead of time that you eventually make.” — David Hockney "Chess is all about stored pattern recognition. You are asking your brain to spot a face in the crowd that it has not seen." — Sally Simpson “In life, as in chess, one’s own pawns block one’s way. A man’s very wealth, ease, leisure, children, books, which should help him to win, more often checkmate him. — Charles Buxton "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." ― Maya Angelou "Once you say you're going to settle for second, that's what happens to you in life." ― John F. Kennedy “I’m convinced, the way one plays chess always reflects the player’s personality. If something defines his character, then it will also define his way of playing.” —Vladimir Kramnik "All of the real heroes are not storybook combat fighters either. Every single man in this Army play a vital role. Don't ever let up. Don't ever think that your job is unimportant. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain.” ― General George S. Patton, U.S. Army “Chess isn’t for the timid.” ― Irving Chernev “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “This country has not seen and probably will never know the true level of sacrifice of our veterans. As a civilian I owe an unpayable debt to all our military. Going forward let’s not send our servicemen and women off to war or conflict zones unless it is overwhelmingly justifiable and on moral high ground. The men of WWII were the greatest generation, perhaps Korea the forgotten, Vietnam the trampled, Cold War unsung and Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan vets underestimated. Every generation has proved itself to be worthy to stand up to the precedent of the greatest generation. Going back to the Revolution American soldiers have been the best in the world. Let’s all take a remembrance for all veterans who served or are serving, peace time or wartime and gone or still with us. 11/11/16 May God Bless America and All Veterans.” ― Thomas M Smith "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." ― Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States, and former Colonel in the U.S. Army Ten Chess Tips: * https://www.chess.com/article/view/... Look at your opponent's move. Make the best possible move. Have a plan. Know what the pieces are worth. Develop quickly and well. Control the center. Keep your king safe. Know when to trade pieces. Think about the endgame. Always be alert. *GothamChess: https://www.bing.com/videos/rivervi... “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” ― Lou Holtz “In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result.” ― James Allen “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” ― Martin Luther King, Jr. “A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.” ― Bruce Lee “If your opponent cannot do anything active, then don't rush the position; instead, you should let him sit there, suffer, and beg you for a draw.” ― IM Jeremy Silman “When you locate good in yourself, approve of it with determination. When you locate evil in yourself, despise it as something detestable.” ― Confucius “Don’t be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves.” ― Dale Carnegie The Animals Sick of the Plague The sorest ill that Heaven has Sent on this lower world in wrath, – The plague (to call it by its name,) One single day of which Would Pluto's ferryman enrich, – Waged war on beasts, both wild and tame. They died not all, but all were sick: No hunting now, by force or trick, To save what might so soon expire. No food excited their desire; Nor wolf nor fox now watched to slay The innocent and tender prey. The turtles fled; So love and therefore joy were dead. The lion council held, and said: "My friends, I do believe This awful scourge, for which we grieve, Is for our sins a punishment Most righteously by Heaven sent. Let us our guiltiest beast resign, A sacrifice to wrath divine. Perhaps this offering, truly small, May gain the life and health of all. By history we find it noted That lives have been just so devoted. Then let us all turn eyes within, And ferret out the hidden sin. Himself let no one spare nor flatter, But make clean conscience in the matter. For me, my appetite has played the glutton Too much and often on mutton. What harm had ever my victims done? I answer, truly, None. Perhaps, sometimes, by hunger pressed, I have eat the shepherd with the rest. I yield myself, if need there be; And yet I think, in equity, Each should confess his sins with me; For laws of right and justice cry, The guiltiest alone should die." "Sire," said the fox, "your majesty Is humbler than a king should be, And over-squeamish in the case. What! eating stupid sheep a crime? No, never, sire, at any time. It rather was an act of grace, A mark of honour to their race. And as to shepherds, one may swear, The fate your majesty describes, Is recompense less full than fair For such usurpers over our tribes." Thus Renard glibly spoke, And loud applause from flatterers broke. Of neither tiger, boar, nor bear, Did any keen inquirer dare To ask for crimes of high degree; The fighters, biters, scratchers, all From every mortal sin were free; The very dogs, both great and small, Were saints, as far as dogs could be. The ass, confessing in his turn, Thus spoke in tones of deep concern: "I happened through a mead to pass; The monks, its owners, were at mass; Keen hunger, leisure, tender grass, And add to these the devil too, All tempted me the deed to do. I browsed the bigness of my tongue; Since truth must out, I own it wrong." On this, a hue and cry arose, As if the beasts were all his foes: A wolf, haranguing lawyer-wise, Denounced the ass for sacrifice – The bald-pate, scabby, ragged lout, By whom the plague had come, no doubt. His fault was judged a hanging crime. "What? eat another's grass? O shame! The noose of rope and death sublime," For that offence, were all too tame! And soon poor Grizzle felt the same. Thus human courts acquit the strong, And doom the weak, as therefore wrong. ‘May your Departures equal your Landfalls!’ <George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Matthew McConaughey get together to make a movie. Clooney says, “I’ll direct.” DiCaprio says, “I’ll act.” McConaughey says, “I’ll write, I’ll write, I’ll write.”> All The World’s A Stage William Shakespeare All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms. Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school. And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lined, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances; And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slippered pantaloon, With spectacles on nose and pouch on side; His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. Q: What do dentists call their x-rays? A: Tooth pics! “To know the mighty works of God, to comprehend His wisdom and majesty and power; to appreciate, in degree, the wonderful workings of His laws, surely all this must be a pleasing and acceptable mode of worship to the Most High, to whom ignorance cannot be more grateful than knowledge.” — Nicolaus Copernicus Q: How much space will be freed in the EU after Brexit? A: Approximately 1 GB. This game an Indian Brahmin did invent, The force of Eastern wisdom to express; From thence the same to busy Europe sent; The modern Lombards stil'd it pensive Chess. — Sir John Denham Q: You know why you never see elephants hiding up in trees? A: Because they’re really good at it. “The weak are always anxious for justice and equality. The strong pay no heed to either.” — Aristotle “A species that enslaves other beings is hardly superior — mentally or otherwise.” — Captain Kirk “Now, I don’t pretend to tell you how to find happiness and love, when every day is a struggle to survive. But I do insist that you do survive, because the days and the years ahead are worth living for!” — Edith Keeler “Live long and prosper!” — Spock “The most important thing in life is to stop saying 'I wish' and start saying 'I will.' Consider nothing impossible, then treat possibilities as probabilities.” — Charles Dickens 32z Zhang Za’Darius Smith & Wesson don't be messin' Zoltan Almasi periodic rot 5 Vyzmanavin's shanty iza pitty full place. Q: What do you get when you cross a dyslexic, an insomniac, and an agnostic? A: Someone who lays awake at night wondering if there’s a dog. As a scarecrow, people say I’m outstanding in my field. But hay, it’s in my jeans. What’s the difference between an oral thermometer and a rectal thermometer? The taste, mostly. I stayed up all night and tried to figure out where the sun was. Then it dawned on me. I told my friend ten jokes to make him laugh. Sadly, no pun in ten did. I couldn’t believe the highway department called my dad a thief. But when I got home, the signs were all there. Why did the cowboy get a wiener dog? He wanted to get a long little doggie. Can a kangaroo jump higher than the Empire State Building? Of course! The Empire State Building can’t jump. What did the duck say when it bought some lipstick? “Put it on my bill.” <George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Matthew McConaughey get together to make a movie. Clooney says, “I’ll direct.” DiCaprio says, “I’ll act.” McConaughey says, “I’ll write, I’ll write, I’ll write.”> A horse walks into a bar. The bartender says, “Hey!” The horse replies, “Sure.” 94 games, 1909-2007 19stp Collections in Idleness 6 Compiled by xajik Gottschalk Enhanced by Fredthebear If you like the other 5 installations, you're gonna love this set of amazing games... “Life has, indeed, many ills, but the mind that views every object in its most cheering aspect, and every doubtful dispensation as replete with latent good, bears within itself a powerful and perpetual antidote. The gloomy soul aggravates misfortune, while a cheerful smile often dispels those mists that portend a storm.” ― Lydia Sigourney “If you are not big enough to lose, you are not big enough to win.” ― Walter Reuther “Every Pawn is a potential Queen.” ― James Mason “What gives chess its great fascination is that the K, Q, R, B, N, and P move in different ways. In consequence we get a colorful diversity of possibilities unequaled in any other board game.” ― Fred Reinfeld Gerald Abrahams' dictum: "Good positions don't win games; good moves do". “Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.” ― Napoleon Bonaparte “It is quite an advantage to have the initiative, and once you have it you must keep it. If your opponent has it, and relinquishes it through some accident or other, you must take it.” ― Jose R. Capablanca “There is no remorse like the remorse of chess.” ― H. G. Wells. "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." ― Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States, and former Colonel in the U.S. Army "All of the real heroes are not storybook combat fighters either. Every single man in this Army play a vital role. Don't ever let up. Don't ever think that your job is unimportant. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain.” ― General George S. Patton, U.S. Army General chess advice from Joe Brooks: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comm... “On the chessboard lies and hypocrisy do not survive long. The creative combination lays bare the presumption of a lie; the merciless fact, culmination in checkmate, contradicts the hypocrite.” — Emanuel Lasker There’s a fine line between a numerator and a denominator. (…Only a fraction of people will get this clean joke.) Thanks for visiting... Riddle Question: What question can you never answer yes to? Ontario is the only Canadian Province that borders the Great Lakes. Riddle Answer: Are you asleep yet? I entered ten puns in our contest to see which would win. No pun in ten did. “Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To Earth I bring; Then let me soar and sing!” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman Feb-13-11 keypusher: <scutigera: They give this as one of Myagmarsuren's notable games with 162 others in the database?> notable games are selected based on how many games collections they are in. Dec-12-16 DrGridlock: Q: When is a pin not a pin? A: When the piece is: (i) not pinned to the king and (ii) in moving the piece threatens either mate or greater material gain than what it was pinned to. (iii) in moving the piece now defends the unit it was pinned to, such as Nf3xd4 and protects the Be2 that was behind the knight. Riddle Question: What is always in front of you but can’t be seen? A square piece of dry paper cannot be folded in half more than 7 times. Riddle Answer: The future * Amazing: Game Collection: Amazing Chess Moves (Emms) * First of each ECO: Game Collection: First of Each ECO * How to Analyze: https://thechessworld.com/articles/... * Recommendations: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/wiki... * Fireside book: Game Collection: Fireside Book of Chess * Giuoco Pianissimo: Game Collection: GIUOCO PIANISSIMO * Two Knts Defense: Game Collection: Two Knights Defence by Beliavsky mikhalchisin Uncompromising Chess, by Belyavsky, Alexander (User: Resignation Trap) Game Collection: Uncompromising Chess by Alexander Beliavsky ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Uncompromisin... Understanding Chess Move by Move: A Top-Class Grandmaster Explains Step-by-Step How Chess Games Are Won, by Nunn, John (User: PhilipTheGeek) Game Collection: Nunn's Understanding Chess Move by Move ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Understanding... “Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “The game of chess is not just an idle amusement. Several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired or strengthened by it… Life is a kind of chess, in which we have often pointed to gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with.” ― Benjamin Franklin “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “It is important that you don't let your opponent impose his style of play on you. A part of that begins mentally. At the chessboard if you start blinking every time he challenges you then in a certain sense you are withdrawing. That is very important to avoid.” ― Viswanathan Anand “A knowledge of tactics is the foundation of positional play. This is a rule which has stood its test in chess history and one which we cannot impress forcibly enough upon the young chess player. A beginner should avoid Queen's Gambit and French Defence and play open games instead! While he may not win as many games at first, he will in the long run be amply compensated by acquiring a thorough knowledge of the game.” ― Richard Reti “Methodical thinking is of more use in chess than inspiration.” ― C.J.S. Purdy “To win against me, you must beat me three times: in the opening, the middlegame and the endgame.” ― Alexander Alekhine “He lived in and for chess like no one before him, nor any since until Fischer.” ― Taylor Kingston (on Alekhine) “I think an important lesson from the game is that once you have made a move, you cannot take it back. You really have to measure your decisions. You think a lot. You evaluate your choices very carefully. There's never any guarantee about what's going to follow once you have made a decision.” ― Viswanathan Anand “Analyze! Analyze! Analyze! That was the doctor’s motto, and his deeply ingrained habit of investigating every line was obviously unsuitable in rapid transit.” ― Arthur Dake (on Alekhine's relative weakness in rapid play) “I learned a lot about how the world champion analyzed chess positions. Alekhine taught me to sit on my hands and not to play the first move that came to mind, no matter how good it looked. He examined everything, whipping through an astonishing number of variations.” ― Arnold Denker “If there is not the war, you don't get the great general; if there is not a great occasion, you don't get a great statesman; if Lincoln had lived in a time of peace, no one would have known his name.” ― Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States & former Army Colonel * Accidents: Game Collection: Accidents in the opening * Attack: Game Collection: 2012-2015 Attacking Games (Naiditsch/Balogh) * Brilliancies: Game Collection: Modern Chess Brilliancies (Evans) * Cheating: https://www.chess.com/article/view/... * Draws: Game Collection: 2012-2015 Interesting Draws (Naiditsch/Balogh) * Aggressive England Gambit in 9 Moves Chess notation: 1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Qe7 4. Bf4 Qb4+ 5. Bd2 (5. Qd2 Qxb2 6. Qc3 Bb4) 5... Qxb2 6. Bc3 Bb4 7. Qd2 Bxc3 8. Qxc3 Qc1# 0-1. * Endgames: Game Collection: 2012-2015 Endgames (Naiditsch/Balogh) * Fight! Game Collection: 2012-2015 Fighting Games (Naiditsch/Balogh) * Kasparov's Qkst: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/che... * Master Boogie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSL... * Miscellaneous: Game Collection: ! Miscellaneous games * Positional: Game Collection: 2012-2015 Positional Games (Naiditsch/Balogh) * YS Tactics: Game Collection: Yasser Seirawan's Winning Chess Tactics “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.” ― General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur Q: How do you measure a snake? A: In inches—they don’t have feet. Kasparov vs. Deep Blue; A Limerick by Edward D. Collins "Man versus Machine" it was billed And each day the auditorium filled! An interesting fight - With Garry first to have White Can anyone claim they weren't thrilled? The first game proved Garry still King "Deep Blue hasn't learned anything!" Quickly out of its book It later "won" Garry's Rook Does this thing even belong in the ring? But then Kasparov resigned in Game 2 And at the time nobody knew Later shown he could draw Did this stick in his craw? Others may be wondering too! "The printouts!" Kasparov cried "Why was I so flatly denied?" So they were then sealed Only later revealed One point each -- this match is now tied! Games 3, 4, and 5 were all drawn Deep Blue did indeed have some brawn! It's now winner take all So don't fumble the ball (Or in our case don't fumble a pawn!) Game 6 was the most startling yet And I'm sure it cost many a bet Deep Blue sacked a Knight Quickly proved this was right And so began all the talk on the "Net" This chess match made worldwide news And most thought that Deep Blue would lose But with its three-and-a-half If you do the math You'll find Garry's the one with the "blues!" No machine has done it 'till now Bested our champion in match play -- kapow! While few thought it would Deep Blue proved that it could And Garry is wondering "How?" "I was not in the mood to fight" Said the champ to the press that night "But let this be clear" "I guarantee -- do you hear?" "I will tear it to pieces!" -- he might! So, in New York on the eleventh of May Of '97, the records will say A machine, no less Sat down to play chess And proved that it really can play! "Rematch" was then heard through the land It is something we ALL should demand For if Deep Blue will square-off One more time with Kasparov The games would be certainly grand! We really have nothing to fear Computers can help us, it's clear And although Deep Blue won And had its day in the sun I think "chess" was the real winner here! Q: What did one ocean say to the other ocean? A: Nothing, it just waved. “In general there is something puzzling about the fact that the most renowned figures in chess – Morphy, Pillsbury, Capablanca and Fischer – were born in America.” ― Garry Kasparov All The World’s A Stage William Shakespeare All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms. Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school. And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lined, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances; And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slippered pantaloon, With spectacles on nose and pouch on side; His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. “You can only get good at chess if you love the game.” ― Bobby Fischer "Be active. I do things my way, like skiing when I’m 100. Nobody else does that even if they have energy. And I try to eat pretty correctly and get exercise and fresh air and sunshine.” ― Elsa Bailey, first time skier at age 100 "Don't look at the calendar, just keep celebrating every day." ― Ruth Coleman, carpe diem at age 101 A Psalm of Life Henry Wadsworth Longfellow What The Heart Of The Young Man Said To The Psalmist. Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day. Art is long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave. In the world’s broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife! Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act,— act in the living Present! Heart within, and God o’erhead! Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time; Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again. Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait. Riddle Question: What goes up but never comes down? Moisture, not air, causes superglue to dry. Riddle Answer: Your age * Riddle-xp-freee: https://chessimprover.com/chess-rid... Riddle Question: A man who was outside in the rain without an umbrella or hat didn’t get a single hair on his head wet. Why? Water is 830 times denser than air. Riddle Answer: He was bald. This game an Indian Brahmin did invent, The force of Eastern wisdom to express; From thence the same to busy Europe sent; The modern Lombards stil'd it pensive Chess. — Sir John Denham Apr-05-23 WannaBe: Can a vegan have a 'beef' with you? Or Vegans only have 'beet' with you? I am confused. Apr-05-23 Cassandro: Vegan police officers should be exempt from doing steak-outs. “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” — Fanny Fern Q: Did you hear about the first restaurant to open on the moon? A: It had great food, but no atmosphere. “The problem many people have with Italian food is they over-complicate it. Italian food is extremely simple.” — Gino D'Acampo I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud William Wordsworth I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?” ― Martin Luther King, Jr. “When life is too easy for us, we must beware or we may not be ready to meet the blows which sooner or later come to everyone, rich or poor.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt “There is no passion to be found playing small--in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” ― Nelson Mandela “Whatever you are doing in the game of life, give it all you've got.” — Norman Vincent Peale “What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” — Ralph Marston Conceive a man by nature and misfortune prone to a pallid hopelessness, can any business seem more fitted to heighten it than that of continually handling these dead letters and assorting them for the flames? For by the cart-load they are annually burned. Sometimes from out the folded paper the pale clerk takes a ring: - the finger it was meant for, perhaps, moulders in the grave; a bank-note sent in swiftest charity: - he whom it would relieve, nor eats nor hungers any more; pardon for those who died despairing; hope for those who died unhoping; good tidings for those who died stifled by unrelieved calamities. On errands of life, these letters speed to death. Ah Bartleby! Ah humanity! — Herman Melville “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” ― Thomas A. Edison harrylime's TOP FIVE FLY ON A WALL MOMENTS IN CHESS 1 .. 1896 ... Bardelbum leaves his game v STEINITZ Hastings 2. PILLSBURY in 1896 Becomes the best player in the World at Hastings 3. CAPA in Havana 1921 4. BOBBY 1972 5. MORPHY in Paris at the Opera 1858 <There are distinct situations where a bishop is preferred (over a knight). For example, two bishops are better than two knights or one of each. Steven Mayer, the author of Bishop Versus Knight, contends, “A pair of bishops is usually considered to be worth six points, but common sense suggests that a pair of active bishops (that are very involved in the formation) must be accorded a value of almost nine under some circumstances.” This is especially true if the player can plant the bishops in the center of the board, as two bishops working in tandem can span up to 26 squares and have the capacity to touch every square. Bishops are also preferable to knights when queens have been exchanged because, Grandmaster Sergey Erenburg, who is ranked 11th in the U.S., explains, “[Bishops and rooks] complement each other, and when well-coordinated, act as a queen.” Conversely, a knight is the preferred minor piece when the queen survives until the late-middlegame or the endgame. Mayer explains, “The queen and knight are [able] to work together smoothly and create a greater number of threats than the queen and bishop.” When forced to say one is better than the other, most anoint the bishop. Mayer concludes, “I think it’s true that the bishops are better than the knights in a wider variety of positions than the knights are better than the bishops.” He continues, “Of course, I’m not sure this does us much good, as we only get to play one position at a time.”> 2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. “Friend, you don't have to earn God's love or try harder. You're precious in His sight, covered by the priceless blood of Jesus, and indwelt by His Holy Spirit. Don't hide your heart or fear you're not good enough for Him to care for you. Accept His love, obey Him, and allow Him to keep you in His wonderful freedom.” — Charles F. Stanley John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. “God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.” ― Voltaire Q: When does a joke become a ‘dad’ joke? A: When it becomes apparent. “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?” ― Martin Luther King, Jr. "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." ― Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States, and former Colonel in the U.S. Army 64z Blues Barry "The Hatchet" Vagnoni doez it stay freee candle e z way ov da world record 92,000. The Serpent and the File A serpent, neighbour to a smith, (A neighbour bad to meddle with,) Went through his shop, in search of food, But nothing found, it's understood, To eat, except a file of steel, Of which he tried to make a meal. The file, without a spark of passion, Addressed him in the following fashion: "Poor simpleton! you surely bite With less of sense than appetite; For before from me you gain One quarter of a grain, You'll break your teeth from ear to ear. Time's are the only teeth I fear." This tale concerns those men of letters, Who, good for nothing, bite their betters. Their biting so is quite unwise. Think you, you literary sharks, Your teeth will leave their marks On the deathless works you criticise? Fie! fie! fie! men! To you they're brass – they're steel – they're diamond! “The weak are always anxious for justice and equality. The strong pay no heed to either.” — Aristotle “A species that enslaves other beings is hardly superior — mentally or otherwise.” — Captain Kirk “Now, I don’t pretend to tell you how to find happiness and love, when every day is a struggle to survive. But I do insist that you do survive, because the days and the years ahead are worth living for!” — Edith Keeler “Live long and prosper!” — Spock “The most important thing in life is to stop saying 'I wish' and start saying 'I will.' Consider nothing impossible, then treat possibilities as probabilities.” — Charles Dickens Calories 160 pgn 112 games, 1851-2018 19w Kulbacki's Rook Romps Copied The Louisville Slugger approach... “Chess first of all teaches you to be objective.” ― Alexander Alekhine “Among a great many other things that chess teaches you is to control the initial excitement you feel when you see something that looks good. It trains you to think before grabbing and to think just as objectively when you’re in trouble.” ― Stanley Kubrick “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “Chess helps you to concentrate, improve your logic. It teaches you to play by the rules, take responsibility for your actions, how to problem solve in an uncertain environment.” ― Garry Kasparov Gerald Abrahams' dictum: "Good positions don't win games; good moves do". “Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward. They may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.” ― Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe “To avoid losing a piece, many a person has lost the game.” ― Savielly Tartakower “Chess is a miniature version of life. To be successful, you need to be disciplined, assess resources, consider responsible choices and adjust when circumstances change.” ― Susan Polgar “Battles are won by slaughter and maneuver. The greater the general, the more he contributes in maneuver, the less he demands in slaughter.” ― Winston S. Churchill “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” ― Abraham Lincoln "There is no remorse like the remorse of chess." ― H. G. Wells. “Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To Earth I bring; Then let me soar and sing!” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman * Annotated Games: Game Collection: Annotated Games * Back rank mating tactics: Game Collection: 610_Back rank mating tactics * Best (Old) Games of All Time: Game Collection: Best Games of All Time * 'Great Brilliancy Prize Games of the Chess Masters' by Fred Reinfeld: Game Collection: 0 * Benefits of Chess: https://blog.amphy.com/11-surprisin... * bengalcat47's favorite games of famous masters: Game Collection: bengalcat47's favorite games * Classic games by great players: Game Collection: Guinness Book - Chess Grandmasters (Hartston) * Fork OVerload (Remove the Defender): Game Collection: FORK-OVERLOAD OR HOOK-AND-LADDER TRICK * Impact of Genius: 500 years of Grandmaster Chess: Game Collection: Impact of Genius : 500 years of Grandmaster Ches * Mil y Una Partidas 1914-1931: Game Collection: Mil y Una Partidas 1914-1931 * Fire Baptisms by Nasruddin Hodja: Game Collection: Fire Baptisms * maxruen's favorite games III: Game Collection: maxruen's favorite games III * Famous brilliancies: Game Collection: brilliacies * Brilliant games by madhatter5: Game Collection: Brilliant games * Cheating: https://www.chess.com/article/view/... * The Fireside Book of Chess by Irving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld: Game Collection: Fireside Book of Chess * 'Chess Praxis' by Aron Nimzowitsch: Game Collection: Chess Praxis (Nimzowitsch) * '500 Master Games of Chess' by Savielly Tartakower and Julius Du Mont: Game Collection: 500 Master Games of Chess * Great Combinations by wwall: Game Collection: Combinations * Master Boogie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSL... * Middlegame Combinations by Peter Romanovsky: Game Collection: Middlegame Combinations by Peter Romanovsky * Exchange sacs – 1 Compiled by obrit: Game Collection: Exchange sacs - 1 * Secrets of the Russian Chess Masters Volume II: Game Collection: Secrets of the Russian Chess Masters Volume II * Ne5 Holler of a Tree in Fredthebear Country: Game Collection: 5 Ne5 Holler of a Tree in Fredthebear Country * 'The Mammoth Book of the World's Greatest Chess Games' by Graham Burgess, John Nunn and John Emms. New expanded edition-now with 125 games. Game Collection: Mammoth Book-Greatest Games (Nunn/Burgess/Emms) * Assorted Good Games by rbaglini: Game Collection: assorted Good games * Best of the British by Timothy Glenn Forney: Game Collection: Best of the British * The Best Chess Games (part 2): Game Collection: The Best Chess Games (part 2) * sapientdust's favorite games: Game Collection: sapientdust's favorite games * shakman's favorite games – 2: Game Collection: shakman's favorite games - 2 * Scandinavian Miniatures: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... * Steinitz collection: Game Collection: Steinitz Gambits * Reti Opening by KingG: Game Collection: Reti Opening * Veliki majstori saha 16 RETI (Slavko Petrovic): Game Collection: Veliki majstori saha 16 RETI (Petrovic) * Richard Réti's Best Games by Golombek: Game Collection: Richard Réti's Best Games by Golombek * Ray Keene's favorite games: Game Collection: ray keene's favorite games * Variety pack by Nova: Game Collection: KID games * JonathanJ's favorite games 4: Game Collection: JonathanJ's favorite games 4 * jorundte's favorite games: Game Collection: jorundte's favorite games * elmubarak: my fav games: Game Collection: elmubarak: my fav games * Last Collection by Jaredfchess: Game Collection: LAST COLLECTION Beat! Beat! Drums! BY WALT WHITMAN (1819-92) Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow! Through the windows—through doors—burst like a ruthless force, Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation, Into the school where the scholar is studying, Leave not the bridegroom quiet—no happiness must he have now with his bride, Nor the peaceful farmer any peace, ploughing his field or gathering his grain, So fierce you whirr and pound you drums—so shrill you bugles blow. Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow! Over the traffic of cities—over the rumble of wheels in the streets; Are beds prepared for sleepers at night in the houses? no sleepers must sleep in those beds, No bargainers’ bargains by day—no brokers or speculators—would they continue? Would the talkers be talking? would the singer attempt to sing? Would the lawyer rise in the court to state his case before the judge? Then rattle quicker, heavier drums—you bugles wilder blow. Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow! Make no parley—stop for no expostulation, Mind not the timid—mind not the weeper or prayer, Mind not the old man beseeching the young man, Let not the child’s voice be heard, nor the mother’s entreaties, Make even the trestles to shake the dead where they lie awaiting the hearses, So strong you thump O terrible drums—so loud you bugles blow. “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “I won't be lectured on gun control by an administration that armed the Taliban.” ― voter “Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.” ― General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud William Wordsworth I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils “All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.” ― C.S. Lewis The Use Of Knowledge Between two citizens A controversy grew. The one was poor, but much he knew: The other, rich, with little sense, Claimed that, in point of excellence, The merely wise should bow the knee To all such moneyed men as he. The merely fools, he should have said; For why should wealth hold up its head, When merit from its side has fled? "My friend," said Bloated-purse, To his reverse, "You think yourself considerable. Pray, tell me, do you keep a table? What comes of this incessant reading, In point of lodging, clothing, feeding? It gives one, true, the highest chamber, One coat for June and for December, His shadow for his sole attendant, And hunger always in the ascendant. What profits he his country, too, Who scarcely ever spends a sou – Will, haply, be a public charge? Who profits more the state at large, Than he whose luxuries dispense Among the people wealth immense? We set the streams of life a-flowing; We set all sorts of trades a-going. The spinner, weaver, sewer, vender, And many a wearer, fair and tender, All live and flourish on the spender – As do, indeed, the reverend rooks Who waste their time in making books." These words, so full of impudence, Received their proper recompense. The man of letters held his peace, Though much he might have said with ease. A war avenged him soon and well; In it their common city fell. Both fled abroad; the ignorant, By fortune thus brought down to want, Was treated everywhere with scorn, And roamed about, a wretch forlorn; Whereas the scholar, everywhere, Was nourished by the public care. Let fools the studious despise; There's nothing lost by being wise. from the simpleton poet: Roses are red. Violets are blue. Chess is creative. And a journey too. Good in the morning. Or just before bed. Play cheater_1, with engine. Or OTB, all in your head. Against the Hard to Suit Were I a pet of fair Calliope, I would devote the gifts conferred on me To dress in verse old Aesop's lies divine; For verse, and they, and truth, do well combine; But, not a favourite on the Muses' hill, I dare not arrogate the magic skill, To ornament these charming stories. A bard might brighten up their glories, No doubt. I try, – what one more wise must do. Thus much I have accomplished hitherto: By help of my translation, The beasts hold conversation, In French, as never they did before. Indeed, to claim a little more, The plants and trees, with smiling features, Are turned by me to talking creatures. Who says, that this is not enchanting? "Ah," says the critics, "hear what vaunting! From one whose work, all told, no more is Than half-a-dozen baby stories.' Would you a theme more credible, my censors, In graver tone, and style which now and then soars? Then list! For ten long years the men of Troy, By means that only heroes can employ, Had held the allied hosts of Greece at bay, – Their minings, batterings, stormings day by day, Their hundred battles on the crimson plain, Their blood of thousand heroes, all in vain, – When, by Minerva's art, a horse of wood, Of lofty size before their city stood, Whose flanks immense the sage Ulysses hold, Brave Diomed, and Ajax fierce and bold, Whom, with their myrmidons, the huge machine Would bear within the fated town unseen, To wreak on its very gods their rage – Unheard-of stratagem, in any age. Which well its crafty authors did repay.... "Enough, enough," our critic folks will say; "Your period excites alarm, Lest you should do your lungs some harm; And then your monstrous wooden horse, With squadrons in it at their ease, Is even harder to endorse Than Renard cheating Raven of his cheese. And, more than that, it fits you ill To wield the old heroic quill." Well, then, a humbler tone, if such your will is: Long sighed and pined the jealous Amaryllis For her Alcippus, in the sad belief, None, save her sheep and dog, would know her grief. Thyrsis, who knows, among the willows slips, And hears the gentle shepherdess's lips Beseech the kind and gentle zephyr To bear these accents to her lover.... "Stop!" says my censor: "To laws of rhyme quite irreducible, That couplet needs again the crucible; Poetic men, sir, Must nicely shun the shocks Of rhymes unorthodox." A curse on critics! hold your tongue! Know I not how to end my song? Of time and strength what greater waste Than my attempt to suit your taste? Some men, more nice than wise, There's nothing that satisfies. “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.” ― Dalai Lama “Who supports the troops? The troops support the troops.” ― Clint Van Winkle, Soft Spots: A Marine's Memoir of Combat and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” ― Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States, and former Colonel in the U.S. Army The Ass and the Little Dog One's native talent from its course Cannot be turned aside by force; But poorly apes the country clown The polished manners of the town. Their Maker chooses but a few With power of pleasing to imbue; Where wisely leave it we, the mass, Unlike a certain fabled ass, That thought to gain his master's blessing By jumping on him and caressing. "What!" said the donkey in his heart; "Ought it to be that puppy's part To lead his useless life In full companionship With master and his wife, While I must bear the whip? What does the cur a kiss to draw? Forsooth, he only gives his paw! If that is all there needs to please, I'll do the thing myself, with ease." Possessed with this bright notion, – His master sitting on his chair, At leisure in the open air, – He ambled up, with awkward motion, And put his talents to the proof; Upraised his bruised and battered hoof, And, with an amiable mien, His master patted on the chin, The action gracing with a word – The fondest bray that ever was heard! O, such caressing was there ever? Or melody with such a quaver? "Ho! Martin! here! a club, a club bring!" Out cried the master, sore offended. So Martin gave the ass a drubbing, – And so the comedy was ended. <Luke 8:16-18 New King James Version The Parable of the Revealed Light Jesus said: 16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. 18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”> The Sun and the Frogs Rejoicing on their tyrant's wedding-day, The people drowned their care in drink; While from the general joy did Aesop shrink, And showed its folly in this way. "The sun," said he, "once took it in his head To have a partner for his bed. From swamps, and ponds, and marshy bogs, Up rose the wailings of the frogs. "What shall we do, should he have progeny?" Said they to Destiny; "One sun we scarcely can endure, And half-a-dozen, we are sure, Will dry the very sea. Adieu to marsh and fen! Our race will perish then, Or be obliged to fix Their dwelling in the Styx!" For such an humble animal, The frog, I take it, reasoned well." “Encouragement is like water to the soul, it makes everything grow.” ― Chris Burkmenn Be slow in choosing a friend but slower in changing him. ~ Scottish Proverb Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER Checkmate by treecards In front of the king, white moves his pawn. The opponent begins, with a sign and yawn. White Bishop from C, moves to F five. Followed by adrenaline, Queen is more than alive. Black moves his pawn, foolishly to B four. It looks tragically close, to the end of his war. The white Queen glides, elegantly to the right side. Shocks her opponent, and rips out his pride. It was a beautifully executed, and efficient checkmate. Opponent lacked caution, and now rest with his fate. This wonderful game, that we all call chess. Your odds are reduced, each time you guess. Remember to follow, your strategy and tact. When you see opportunity, make sure you act. At the end of the day, hope you enjoy. Many sweet games, it’s much more than a toy. "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." ― Abraham Lincoln "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." ― Winston Churchill “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church....a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes.” ― Charles Swindoll Bishops are better in open positions, and Knights are better in closed positions. Feb-13-11 keypusher: <scutigera: They give this as one of Myagmarsuren's notable games with 162 others in the database?> notable games are selected based on how many games collections they are in. Dec-12-16 DrGridlock: Q: When is a pin not a pin? A: When the piece is: (i) not pinned to the king and (ii) in moving the piece threatens either mate or greater material gain than what it was pinned to. (iii) in moving the piece now defends the unit it was pinned to, such as Nf3xd4 and protects the Be2 that was behind the knight. Riddle Question: I have branches, but no fruit, trunk or leaves. What am I? Cold water weighs more than hot water. Riddle Answer: A bank Riddle Question: What can’t talk but will reply when spoken to? There are 118 chemical elements. Riddle Answer: An echo SIX REASONS WHY CHESS IS SO FUN! 01) Hardly any luck is involved in chess. 02) Chances of the same exact game being repeated is highly unlikely. 03) Chess can be played anytime, anywhere. 04) There is no age, gender, or language barrier in chess. 05) Chess takes your mind away from your problems. 06) Playing chess makes you feel special. 15 games, 1620-2004 19w Seventeens by Fredthebear. * First of each ECO: Game Collection: First of Each ECO “Life has, indeed, many ills, but the mind that views every object in its most cheering aspect, and every doubtful dispensation as replete with latent good, bears within itself a powerful and perpetual antidote. The gloomy soul aggravates misfortune, while a cheerful smile often dispels those mists that portend a storm.” ― Lydia Sigourney "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." ― Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States, and former Colonel in the U.S. Army "All of the real heroes are not storybook combat fighters either. Every single man in this Army play a vital role. Don't ever let up. Don't ever think that your job is unimportant. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain.” ― General George S. Patton, U.S. Army I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud William Wordsworth I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils “You can only get good at chess if you love the game.” ― Bobby Fischer “Curious, how often you humans manage to obtain that which you do not want.” — Spock “One man cannot summon the future. But one man can change the present!” — Spock “To all mankind — may we never find space so vast, planets so cold, heart and mind so empty that we cannot fill them with love and warmth.” — Garth “You know the greatest danger facing us is ourselves, and irrational fear of the unknown. There is no such thing as the unknown. Only things temporarily hidden, temporarily not understood.” — Captain Kirk “A species that enslaves other beings is hardly superior — mentally or otherwise.” — Captain Kirk “Now, I don’t pretend to tell you how to find happiness and love, when every day is a struggle to survive. But I do insist that you do survive, because the days and the years ahead are worth living for!” — Edith Keeler “Live long and prosper!” — Spock * Glossary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloss... * Morphy Miniatures: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... * Games of chess author Bill Wall; many are miniatures: Bill Wall * Rip 'em to shreds! https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/m... * 41 Chess Movies (List): https://www.chessonly.com/chess-mov... * How dumb is it? Game Collection: Diemer-Duhm Gambit * KIDs: Game Collection: Kasparov on The King's Indian “There are more adventures on a chessboard than on all the seas of the world.” ― Pierre Mac Orlan “Soldiers can sometimes make decisions that are smarter than the orders they've been given.” ― Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game * Winning Chess Brilliancies, by Seirawan, Yasser (User: dac1990) Game Collection: Yasser Seirawan's Winning Chess Brilliancies ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Chess... * Winning Chess Tactics, by Seirawan, Yasser (User: Bears092) Game Collection: Yasser Seirawan's Winning Chess Tactics * Brilliancies: Game Collection: brilliacies * Masters of Masters: Game Collection: Chess Mastery * The World's Great Chess Games, by Fine, Reuben (User: GeauxCool) Game Collection: 0 ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b... * Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953, by Bronstein, David (User: takbook) Game Collection: 0 ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Zurich-Intern... * Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953, by Bronstein, David (User: bennyr) Game Collection: Zurich International Chess Tournament 1953 ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Zurich-Intern... * Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953, by Bronstein, David (User: suenteus po 147) Game Collection: WCC Index (Zurich 1953) ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Zurich-Intern... "Whatever you are doing in the game of life, give it all you've got." — Norman Vincent Peale "What you do today can improve all your tomorrows." — Ralph Marston The Wishes Within the Great Mogul's domains there are Familiar sprites of much domestic use: They sweep the house, and take a tidy care Of equipage, nor garden work refuse; But, if you meddle with their toil, The whole, at once, you're sure to spoil. One, near the mighty Ganges flood, The garden of a burgher good Worked noiselessly and well; To master, mistress, garden, bore A love that time and toil outwore, And bound him like a spell. Did friendly zephyrs blow, The demon's pains to aid? (For so they do, it's said.) I own I do not know. But for himself he rested not, And richly blessed his master's lot. What marked his strength of love, He lived a fixture on the place, In spite of tendency to rove So natural to his race. But brother sprites conspiring With importunity untiring, So teased their goblin chief, that he, Of his caprice, or policy, Our sprite commanded to attend A house in Norway's farther end, Whose roof was snow-clad through the year, And sheltered human kind with deer. Before departing to his hosts Thus spake this best of busy ghosts: "To foreign parts I'm forced to go! For what sad fault I do not know; – But go I must; a month's delay, Or week's perhaps, and I'm away. Seize time; three wishes make at will; For three I'm able to fulfil – No more." Quick at their easy task, Abundance first these wishers ask – Abundance, with her stores unlocked – Barns, coffers, cellars, larder, stocked – Corn, cattle, wine, and money, – The overflow of milk and honey. But what to do with all this wealth! What inventories, cares, and worry! What wear of temper and of health! Both lived in constant, slavish hurry. Thieves took by plot, and lords by loan; The king by tax, the poor by tone. Thus felt the curses which Arise from being rich, – "Remove this affluence!" they pray; The poor are happier than they Whose riches make them slaves. "Go, treasures, to the winds and waves; Come, goddess of the quiet breast, Who sweet'nest toil with rest, Dear Mediocrity, return!" The prayer was granted as we learn. Two wishes thus expended, Had simply ended In bringing them exactly where, When they set out they were. So, usually, it fares With those who waste in such vain prayers The time required by their affairs. The goblin laughed, and so did they. However, before he went away, To profit by his offer kind, They asked for wisdom, wealth of mind, – A treasure void of care and sorrow – A treasure fearless of the morrow, Let who will steal, or beg, or borrow. This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill Fifteen percent concentrated power of will Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain And a hundred percent reason to remember the name! ― Fort Minor Lasker's Secret Principle: "He (Emanuel Lasker) told me that this principle of controlling as many squares as possible was his guide at every stage of the game. He said "In the majority of cases it is probably best to have Knight and Bishop on squares of the same color, because then they control squares of opposite colors." ― Edward Lasker, Chess Secrets I Learned from the Masters Lichess has all the same basic offerings as Chess.com: a large community, many game types, tutorials, puzzles, and livestreams. The site has a simple appearance, and it seems built to get you where you want to go in as few clicks as possible. You can create an account, but if you’re not concerned with tracking your games and finding other players at your level, there’s no need to log in. Just fire up a new game, try some puzzles, or watch a chess streamer play three-minute games while listening to techno and chatting with the comments section. “Chess is a sea in which a gnat may drink and an elephant may bathe.” ― Indian Proverb “For beginning chess players, studying a Carlsen game is like wanting to be an electrical engineer and beginning with studying an iPhone.” ― Garry Kasparov “All warfare is based on deception.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War Adapt on the fly. “A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.” — General George S. Patton The Deserted Village BY OLIVER GOLDSMITH (1730-1774) Sweet Auburn, loveliest village of the plain, Where health and plenty cheared the labouring swain, Where smiling spring its earliest visit paid, And parting summer's lingering blooms delayed, Dear lovely bowers of innocence and ease, Seats of my youth, when every sport could please, How often have I loitered o'er thy green, Where humble happiness endeared each scene! How often have I paused on every charm, The sheltered cot, the cultivated farm, The never-failing brook, the busy mill, The decent church that topt the neighbouring hill, The hawthorn bush, with seats beneath the shade, For talking age and whispering lovers made! How often have I blest the coming day, When toil remitting lent its turn to play, And all the village train, from labour free, Led up their sports beneath the spreading tree, While many a pastime circled in the shade, The young contending as the old surveyed; And many a gambol frolicked o'er the ground, And slights of art and feats of strength went round; And still as each repeated pleasure tired, Succeeding sports the mirthful band inspired; The dancing pair that simply sought renown By holding out to tire each other down; The swain mistrustless of his smutted face, While secret laughter tittered round the place; The bashful virgin's side-long looks of love, The matron's glance that would those looks reprove! These were thy charms, sweet village; sports like these, With sweet succession, taught even toil to please; These round thy bowers their chearful influence shed, These were thy charms—But all these charms are fled. Sweet smiling village, loveliest of the lawn, Thy sports are fled, and all thy charms withdrawn; Amidst thy bowers the tyrant's hand is seen, And desolation saddens all thy green: One only master grasps the whole domain, And half a tillage stints thy smiling plain; No more thy glassy brook reflects the day, But, choaked with sedges, works its weedy way; Along thy glades, a solitary guest, The hollow-sounding bittern guards its nest; Amidst thy desert walks the lapwing flies, And tires their echoes with unvaried cries. Sunk are thy bowers, in shapeless ruin all, And the long grass o'ertops the mouldering wall; And, trembling, shrinking from the spoiler's hand, Far, far away, thy children leave the land. Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay: Princes and lords may flourish, or may fade; A breath can make them, as a breath has made; But a bold peasantry, their country's pride, When once destroyed, can never be supplied. A time there was, ere England's griefs began, When every rood of ground maintained its man; For him light labour spread her wholesome store, Just gave what life required, but gave no more: His best companions, innocence and health; And his best riches, ignorance of wealth. But times are altered; trade's unfeeling train Usurp the land and dispossess the swain; Along the lawn, where scattered hamlets rose, Unwieldy wealth and cumbrous pomp repose; And every want to oppulence allied, And every pang that folly pays to pride. Those gentle hours that plenty bade to bloom, Those calm desires that asked but little room, Those healthful sports that graced the peaceful scene, Lived in each look, and brightened all the green; These, far departing seek a kinder shore, And rural mirth and manners are no more. Sweet Auburn! parent of the blissful hour, Thy glades forlorn confess the tyrant's power. Here as I take my solitary rounds, Amidst thy tangling walks, and ruined grounds, And, many a year elapsed, return to view Where once the cottage stood, the hawthorn grew, Remembrance wakes with all her busy train, Swells at my breast, and turns the past to pain. In all my wanderings round this world of care, In all my griefs—and God has given my share— I still had hopes, my latest hours to crown, Amidst these humble bowers to lay me down; To husband out life's taper at the close, And keep the flame from wasting by repose. I still had hopes, for pride attends us still, Amidst the swains to shew my book-learned skill, Around my fire an evening groupe to draw, And tell of all I felt, and all I saw; And, as an hare whom hounds and horns pursue, Pants to the place from whence at first she flew, I still had hopes, my long vexations past, Here to return—and die at home at last. O blest retirement, friend to life's decline, Retreats from care that never must be mine, How happy he who crowns, in shades like these A youth of labour with an age of ease; Who quits a world where strong temptations try, And, since 'tis hard to combat, learns to fly! For him no wretches, born to work and weep, Explore the mine, or tempt the dangerous deep; No surly porter stands in guilty state To spurn imploring famine from the gate, But on he moves to meet his latter end, Angels around befriending virtue's friend; Bends to the grave with unperceived decay, While resignation gently slopes the way; And, all his prospects brightening to the last, His Heaven commences ere the world be past! Sweet was the sound, when oft at evening's close, Up yonder hill the village murmur rose; There, as I past with careless steps and slow, The mingling notes came soften'd from below; The swain responsive as the milk-maid sung, The sober herd that lowed to meet their young, The noisy geese that gabbled o'er the pool, The playful children just let loose from school, The watch-dog's voice that bayed the whispering wind, And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind, These all in sweet confusion sought the shade, And filled each pause the nightingale had made. But now the sounds of population fail, No cheerful murmurs fluctuate in the gale, No busy steps the grass-grown foot-way tread, For all the bloomy flush of life is fled. All but yon widowed, solitary thing That feebly bends beside the plashy spring; She, wretched matron, forced in age, for bread, To strip the brook with mantling cresses spread, To pick her wintry faggot from the thorn, To seek her nightly shed, and weep till morn; She only left of all the harmless train, The sad historian of the pensive plain. Near yonder copse, where once the garden smiled, And still where many a garden-flower grows wild; There, where a few torn shrubs the place disclose, The village preacher's modest mansion rose. A man he was, to all the country dear, And passing rich with forty pounds a year; Remote from towns he ran his godly race, Nor e'er had changed, nor wished to change his place; Unpractised he to fawn, or seek for power, By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour; Far other aims his heart had learned to prize, More skilled to raise the wretched than to rise. His house was known to all the vagrant train, He chid their wanderings but relieved their pain; The long-remembered beggar was his guest, Whose beard descending swept his aged breast; The ruined spendthrift, now no longer proud, Claim'd kindred there, and had his claims allowed; The broken soldier, kindly bade to stay, Sate by his fire, and talked the night away; Wept o'er his wounds, or, tales of sorrow done, Shouldered his crutch, and shewed how fields were won. Pleased with his guests, the good man learned to glow, And quite forgot their vices in their woe; Careless their merits, or their faults to scan, His pity gave ere charity began. Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride, And even his failings leaned to Virtue's side; But in his duty prompt at every call, He watched and wept, he prayed and felt, for all. And, as a bird each fond endearment tries, To tempt its new-fledged offspring to the skies; He tried each art, reproved each dull delay, Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way. Beside the bed where parting life was layed, And sorrow, guilt, and pain, by turns, dismayed The reverend champion stood. At his control Despair and anguish fled the struggling soul; Comfort came down the trembling wretch to raise, And his last faltering accents whispered praise. At church, with meek and unaffected grace, His looks adorned the venerable place; Truth from his lips prevailed with double sway, And fools, who came to scoff, remained to pray. The service past, around the pious man, With steady zeal, each honest rustic ran; Even children followed, with endearing wile, And plucked his gown, to share the good man's smile. His ready smile a parent's warmth exprest, Their welfare pleased him, and their cares distrest: To them his heart, his love, his griefs were given, But all his serious thoughts had rest in Heaven. As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form, Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm, Tho' round its breast the rolling clouds are spread, Eternal sunshine settles on its head. Beside yon straggling fence that skirts the way, With blossomed furze unprofitably gay, There, in his noisy mansion, skill'd to rule, The village master taught his little school; A man severe he was, and stern to view, I knew him well, and every truant knew; Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace The day's disasters in his morning face; Full well they laughed, with counterfeited glee, At all his jokes, for many a joke had he: Full well the busy whisper circling round, Conveyed the dismal tidings when he frowned; Yet he was kind, or if severe in aught, The love he bore to learning was in fault; The village all declared how much he knew; 'Twas certain he could write, and cypher too; Lands he could measure, terms and tides presage, And ev'n the story ran that he could gauge. In arguing too, the parson owned his skill, For even tho' vanquished, he could argue still; While words of learned length and thundering sound, Amazed the gazing rustics ranged around; And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew, That one small head could carry all he knew. But past is all his fame. The very spot Where many a time he triumphed, is forgot. Near yonder thorn, that lifts its head on high, Where once the sign-post caught the passing eye, Low lies that house where nut-brown draughts inspired, Where grey-beard mirth and smiling toil retired, Where village statesmen talked with looks profound, And news much older than their ale went round. Imagination fondly stoops to trace The parlour splendours of that festive place; The white-washed wall, the nicely sanded floor, The varnished clock that clicked behind the door; The chest contrived a double debt to pay, A bed by night, a chest of drawers by day; The pictures placed for ornament and use, The twelve good rules, the royal game of goose; The hearth, except when winter chill'd the day, With aspen boughs, and flowers, and fennel gay; While broken tea-cups, wisely kept for shew, Ranged o'er the chimney, glistened in a row. Vain transitory splendours! Could not all Reprieve the tottering mansion from its fall! Obscure it sinks, nor shall it more impart An hour's importance to the poor man's heart; Thither no more the peasant shall repair To sweet oblivion of his daily care; No more the farmer's news, the barber's tale, No more the woodman's ballad shall prevail; No more the smith his dusky brow shall clear, Relax his ponderous strength, and lean to hear; The host himself no longer shall be found Careful to see the mantling bliss go round; Nor the coy maid, half willing to be prest, Shall kiss the cup to pass it to the rest. Yes! let the rich deride, the proud disdain, These simple blessings of the lowly train; To me more dear, congenial to my heart, One native charm, than all the gloss of art; Spontaneous joys, where Nature has its play, The soul adopts, and owns their first-born sway; Lightly they frolic o'er the vacant mind, Unenvied, unmolested, unconfined. But the long pomp, the midnight masquerade, With all the freaks of wanton wealth arrayed, In these, ere triflers half their wish obtain, The toiling pleasure sickens into pain; And, even while fashion's brightest arts decoy, The heart distrusting asks, if this be joy. Ye friends to truth, ye statesmen who survey The rich man's joys encrease, the poor's decay, 'Tis yours to judge, how wide the limits stand Between a splendid and a happy land. Proud swells the tide with loads of freighted ore, And shouting Folly hails them from her shore; Hoards even beyond the miser's wish abound, And rich men flock from all the world around. Yet count our gains. This wealth is but a name That leaves our useful products still the same. Not so the loss. The man of wealth and pride Takes up a space that many poor supplied; Space for his lake, his park's extended bounds, Space for his horses, equipage, and hounds: The robe that wraps his limbs in silken sloth, Has robbed the neighbouring fields of half their growth; His seat, where solitary sports are seen, Indignant spurns the cottage from the green: Around the world each needful product flies, For all the luxuries the world supplies. While thus the land adorned for pleasure, all In barren splendour feebly waits the fall. As some fair female unadorned and plain, Secure to please while youth confirms her reign, Slights every borrowed charm that dress supplies, Nor shares with art the triumph of her eyes. But when those charms are past, for charms are frail, When time advances, and when lovers fail, She then shines forth, solicitous to bless, In all the glaring impotence of dress. Thus fares the land, by luxury betrayed: In nature's simplest charms at first arrayed; But verging to decline, its splendours rise, Its vistas strike, its palaces surprize; While, scourged by famine from the smiling land, The mournful peasant leads his humble band; And while he sinks, without one arm to save, The country blooms—a garden, and a grave. Where then, ah where, shall poverty reside, To scape the pressure of contiguous pride? If to some common's fenceless limits strayed, He drives his flock to pick the scanty blade, Those fenceless fields the sons of wealth divide, And ev'n the bare-worn common is denied. If to the city sped—What waits him there? To see profusion that he must not share; To see ten thousand baneful arts combined To pamper luxury, and thin mankind; To see those joys the sons of pleasure know, Extorted from his fellow-creature's woe. Here while the courtier glitters in brocade, There the pale artist plies the sickly trade; Here while the proud their long-drawn pomps display, There the black gibbet glooms beside the way. The dome where Pleasure holds her midnight reign, Here, richly deckt, admits the gorgeous train; Tumultuous grandeur crowds the blazing square, The rattling chariots clash, the torches glare. Sure scenes like these no troubles e'er annoy! Sure these denote one universal joy! Are these thy serious thoughts?—Ah, turn thine eyes Where the poor houseless shivering female lies. She once, perhaps, in village plenty blest, Has wept at tales of innocence distrest; Her modest looks the cottage might adorn Sweet as the primrose peeps beneath the thorn: Now lost to all; her friends, her virtue fled, Near her betrayer's door she lays her head, And, pinch'd with cold, and shrinking from the shower, With heavy heart deplores that luckless hour When idly first, ambitious of the town, She left her wheel and robes of country brown. Do thine, sweet Auburn, thine, the loveliest train, Do thy fair tribes participate her pain? Even now, perhaps, by cold and hunger led, At proud men's doors they ask a little bread! Ah, no. To distant climes, a dreary scene, Where half the convex world intrudes between, Through torrid tracts with fainting steps they go, Where wild Altama murmurs to their woe. Far different there from all that charm'd before, The various terrors of that horrid shore; Those blazing suns that dart a downward ray, And fiercely shed intolerable day; Those matted woods where birds forget to sing, But silent bats in drowsy clusters cling; Those poisonous fields with rank luxuriance crowned, Where the dark scorpion gathers death around; Where at each step the stranger fears to wake The rattling terrors of the vengeful snake; Where crouching tigers wait their hapless prey, And savage men, more murderous still than they; While oft in whirls the mad tornado flies, Mingling the ravaged landscape with the skies. Far different these from every former scene, The cooling brook, the grassy vested green, The breezy covert of the warbling grove, That only shelter'd thefts of harmless love. Good Heaven! what sorrows gloom'd that parting day, That called them from their native walks away; When the poor exiles, every pleasure past, Hung round their bowers, and fondly looked their last, And took a long farewell, and wished in vain For seats like these beyond the western main; And shuddering still to face the distant deep, Returned and wept, and still returned to weep. The good old sire the first prepared to go To new found worlds, and wept for others woe. But for himself, in conscious virtue brave, He only wished for worlds beyond the grave. His lovely daughter, lovelier in her tears, The fond companion of his helpless years, Silent went next, neglectful of her charms, And left a lover's for a father's arms. With louder plaints the mother spoke her woes, And blessed the cot where every pleasure rose; And kist her thoughtless babes with many a tear, And claspt them close, in sorrow doubly dear; Whilst her fond husband strove to lend relief In all the silent manliness of grief. O luxury! thou curst by Heaven's decree, How ill exchanged are things like these for thee! How do thy potions, with insidious joy, Diffuse their pleasures only to destroy! Kingdoms, by thee, to sickly greatness grown, Boast of a florid vigour not their own; At every draught more large and large they grow, A bloated mass of rank unwieldy woe; Till sapped their strength, and every part unsound, Down, down they sink, and spread a ruin round. Even now the devastation is begun, And half the business of destruction done; Even now, methinks, as pondering here I stand, I see the rural virtues leave the land: Down where yon anchoring vessel spreads the sail, That idly waiting flaps with every gale, Downward they move, a melancholy band, Pass from the shore, and darken all the strand. Contented toil, and hospitable care, And kind connubial tenderness, are there; And piety with wishes placed above, And steady loyalty, and faithful love. And thou, sweet Poetry, thou loveliest maid, Still first to fly where sensual joys invade; Unfit in these degenerate times of shame, To catch the heart, or strike for honest fame; Dear charming nymph, neglected and decried, My shame in crowds, my solitary pride; Thou source of all my bliss, and all my woe, That found'st me poor at first, and keep'st me so; Thou guide by which the nobler arts excell, Thou nurse of every virtue, fare thee well! Farewell, and O where'er thy voice be tried, On Torno's cliffs, or Pambamarca's side, Whether were equinoctial fervours glow, Or winter wraps the polar world in snow, Still let thy voice, prevailing over time, Redress the rigours of the inclement clime; Aid slighted truth with thy persuasive strain, Teach erring man to spurn the rage of gain; Teach him, that states of native strength possest, Tho' very poor, may still be very blest; That trade's proud empire hastes to swift decay, As ocean sweeps the labour'd mole away; While self-dependent power can time defy, As rocks resist the billows and the sky. Banana peels have almost no friction. Banana peels have felled many cartoon characters, Mario Kart players, and average people alike. However, what makes it so slippery in the first place? To answer this, four Japanese scientists measured the amount of friction between a shoe, a banana skin, and the floor. Turns out, the friction coefficient was at an almost nonexistent 0.07 – walking with the banana peel was 6 times slippier than normal friction between a shoe and the floor. 499 games, 1620-2022 19z Dry Rub by Gottschalk The most popular playing style from the late 18th century through the 1880s was known as “romantic chess.” In contrast to long-term strategic preparation, rapid, tactical threats were prioritized during this era’s chess games, often via gambit openings. The Scientific, Hypermodern, and New Dynamism eras of play came after the Romantic era. Modern chess tournament play started in the second half of the 19th century, and the first recognized World Chess Championship took place in 1886. The World Chess Federation was founded in the 20th century, which also witnessed significant advancements in chess theory. In the legendary Deep Blue against Garry Kasparov match in 1997, an IBM supercomputer defeated the reigning world chess champion, Garry Kasparov, leading the game into an age of computer dominance. The following "facts" have not been fact-checked yet. Q: What is the longest game possible? A: The longest game of chess that is possible is 5,949 moves. Q: The number of possible unique chess games is much greater than the number of electrons in the universe. True/ False? A: True. The number of electrons is estimated to be about 10^79, while the number of unique chess games is 10^120. Q: As late as 1561, Castling was two moves. True/ False? A: True. You had to play R-KB1 on one move and K-KN1 on the next move. Q How many blocks are there on a chessboard? A: The chessboard has many more squares of various sizes. So a chessboard has 64 + 49 + 36 + 25 + 16 + 9 + 4 + 1 squares in total! That's a total of 204. Q: When was the New Pawn Move introduced? A: The new move where the pawn could move two steps instead of one was introduced in Spain in 1280. Q: From the starting position, how many ways to Mate in 2 and 3 moves respectively? A: There are eight different ways to Mate in two moves and 355 different ways to Mate in three moves. Q: Who is the youngest World Chess Champion? A: In 1985, the Soviet player Garry Kasparov became the youngest World Chess Champion ever at the age of 22 years and 210 days. Q: Why is the queen the most powerful piece in chess? A: Because of her long range and ability to move in multiple directions, the queen is well equipped to execute forks. Q: Why is a rook called a rook in chess? A: Each player starts with two rooks, one in each of the corners nearest his own side. The word rook comes from the Persian word rukh meaning chariot. Q: Who is the World Chess Champion for the longest time ever? A: A German named Dr. Emanuel Lasker retained the Champion title for the most time: 26 years and 337 days! Q: What is the old name of chess? A: Chess passed from Persia to the Arab world, where its name changed to Arabic shatranj. Q: When has the First Chess Board appeared? A: The modern chessboard as we see it today appeared first in Europe in 1090. Q: What is Passant Chess? A: En passant is a chess term that translates to “in passing.” It is a unique kind of pawn capture that can only take place just after a pawn moves two squares from its initial square; otherwise, an opposing piece may have taken it. Q: When was the first Chessboard with alternating light and dark squares appear in Europe? A: in 1090 Q: What is the best size chess board? A: According to the World Chess Federation (FIDE), the suggested king height is 9.5 cm, and the square size for competitive play should be between 5 cm and 6 cm (1.97 inches and 2.36 inches) (3.74 inches). Q: During World War II, who were some of the top Chess players as well as code breakers? A: British masters Harry Golombek, Stuart Milner-Barry, and H. O’D. Alexander was on the team which broke the Nazi Enigma code. Q: Who was the first American to defeat a Soviet player in an international tournament in New York, in 1924? A: James Marshall (1877-1944). Marshall held the title of U.S. Champion for 30 years before relenting, although he only used it once—in 1923 when he beat Ed Lasker (5–4). Marshall was the first master to play over 100 games at once. Q: Can you have two queens in chess? A: Yes, having many queens is quite lawful. Either a Queen may be taken from another set, or a Rook can be turned upside down. In addition, I’ve heard of players utilizing two pawns crossed and lying down to simulate a Queen, although I’ve never really witnessed this outside of a few scholarly games. Q: When was Mechanical Clock introduced Over Sand Glass in chess? A: Thomas Wilson created the first mechanical clock that was used in place of a sandglass in 1883. Veenhoff released the first push-button clock in 1900. Q: What is the record number of consecutive Queen moves in a game? A: There were 72 consecutive Queen moves in the Mason-Mackenzie game in London in 1882. Q: Who invented the chessboard? A: A priest who enjoyed playing chess created the folding chess board in the year 1125. He concealed his chessboard by making it appear as though two books were curled up together because the Church forbids priests from playing chess. Ruy Lopez. Fact check the details. Q: What are the players in their first year called? A: Players in their first year are called “Rookies”. This name came up from the last pieces of chess to move into action called “Rooks”. Q: What is Blindfold chess? A: Stronger chess players often have outstanding blindfold chess skills. It undoubtedly demands a great eye for detail, which might be challenging after several movements. Janos Flesch, a Hungarian, achieved the record in 1960 in Budapest by playing 52 opponents concurrently while wearing a blindfold. He won 31 of those games. Q: Albert Einstein was a fan of chess throughout his life. True/ False? A: False, he used to play chess in the latter part of his life Q: What was chess also called before? A: “Game of Kings” since for a very long time in the past, it was just played by the Nobel and Kings. Q: How many different openings, including variations within larger openings/defenses that one can learn in chess? A: Over 1,000 different openings Q: What was the second book printed in English was about? A: The second book to be ever printed in the English language was about Chess. Q: Who invented the first computer program in the computer? A: Alan Turing Q: What is the shortest number of moves to achieve a checkmate? A: It’s just two moves! One sequence is called “Fool’s mate runs” Thus, 1. g4 e5 and 2. f4 Qh4 checkmate. Q: Who is the chess master to have won the World Championship in all three formats (knockout, tournament, and match) A: Vishwanathan Anand (India) Q: What is the longest time recorded for a Chess player to make a move? A: It goes to the International Grand Master Trois from Brazil with 2 hours and 20 minutes on the 7th move. Q: The first chess game between space and earth was in A: June 1970 by the Soyez-9 crew. Though the game ended in a draw, it sure did make headlines. Q: What was the name of the computer became the first of its kind to beat an international maestro in November 1988, Long Beach, California? A: Deep Thought Q: What is the number of possible ways of playing the first four moves for both sides in a game of chess? A: 318,979,564,000 Q: What is the record of moves without capture? A: It is of 100 moves during the Match between Thorton and M. Walker in 1992. Q: The pieces can be broken down into how many groups? A: Three groups, major pieces (queen and rook), minor pieces (bishop and knight), and the king. Pawns are pawns, not pieces. Q: Which Chinese Emperor executed two foreign chess players after learning that one of the pieces was called ‘Emperor.’? A: Chinese Emperor Wen-ti. He was upset that his title of Emperor could be associated with a mere game and forbade the game. Q: What is the first computer awarded the title of U.S. Chess Master, in 1983? A: BELLE won the 1980 World Computer Championship in Linz, running on a PDP 11/23. BELLE was created by Ken Thompson and Joe Condon. Q: What is the reason that traditional chess pieces don’t look like actual soldiers, bishops, and kings? A: It’s because the game first traveled across the Islamic world before arriving in Europe. Chess pieces became vague-looking because it is forbidden to make sculptures of humans or animals in Islam. The pieces little changed when the game reached Christian Europe. Q: Who was the first world champion to win the title without playing a Chess match? A: Alexander Karpov, when Fischer declined to defend his championship in 1975, he won the title. At the ages of 11, 15, 19, and 24, Anatoly attained the titles of Candidate Master, Master, International Grandmaster, and World Champion. Q: In Shatranj, the predecessor to chess, the Queen was a _________, and still is in many languages. A: Minister or Vizier Q: What does FIDE stand for? A: Fédération Internationale des Échecs, which literally translates into World Chess Federation. Q: What is the oldest recorded chess game in history? A: It is from the 900s, between a historian from Baghdad and his student. Q: What is the last move in chess called? A: Checkmate, perpetual check, or Stalemate Q: Where were the oldest surviving complete chess sets found? A: The 12th century, and is located in northern Scotland on the Isle of Lewis. They were presumably created in Iceland or Norway, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone utilized them as the inspiration for the wizard chess pieces. Q: How many people know how to play chess worldwide? A: About 600,000,000 (Six hundred million) Q: In many languages, what is meant by the Pawn? A foot soldier, or a peasant or farmer Q: During which empire did chess begin in India? A: Following the conquest of Persia by Muslims, the Gupta Empire saw its influence extend to the Sassanid Empire in Persia and later to the Middle East. It then spread to Europe and Russia from there. Initially, the Queen could only move one square at a time, diagonally. Later, she could move two squares at a time, diagonally. It wasn’t until Reconquista Spain, with its powerful queen ______, that the Queen became the strongest piece on the board. Isabella Q: What is the record number of consecutive checks? A: In the match between Britton and Crouch in 1984, the Black player did check his opponent forty-three consecutive times! Q: What is the record of moves without capture? A: Its 100 moves during the Match between Thorton and M. Walker in 1992. Q: What is the first mention of Chess in America? A: According to Esther Singleton’s history of Dutch settlers, it happened in 1641. New York hosted the first chess competition in the United States in 1843. 70. The first Computer program that played proper Chess was written at MIT by Alex Bernstein in 1959 71. The first Chess tournament in which the only players were Computer programs was held in New York in 1970 72. What is the shortest chess game ever? The 21st match game in the World Chess Championship 1963 between Mikhail Botvinnik and Tigran Petrosian. 73. Which country has the most chess grandmasters? Russia 74. Who has a record of not consecutive loss in chess? From 1948 until 1963, Mikhail Botvinnik won the world championship 13 times in a row. He won 95 consecutive games in tournaments without losing any (46 wins and 49 draws). 75. Chess is the national game of which country? Russia 76. Who defeated Viswanathan Anand, the first grandmaster? Magnus Carlsen 77. What are the most recognized chess tournaments for individual competition include? Linares chess tournament (now defunct) and the Tata Steel chess tournament. 78. What is the largest chess tournament for the team? Chess Olympiad 79. Who was the first child prodigy of Chess? Paul Morphy. He learned the moves at the age of 8 and beat the strongest players in New Orleans at 11. 80. Is there a 16-move rule in chess? No 81. Is there a 13-move rule in chess? No 82. Until which year the title of world champion was unofficial? 1886 83. What is the 50-move rule in chess? A player may declare a draw in chess if neither capture nor the movement of a pawn has occurred in the previous fifty moves, according to the fifty-move rule. 84. What is the record for the longest chess game in history? Nikolić–Arsović, Belgrade 1989, which lasted for 269 moves and took 20 hours and 15 minutes to complete a drawn game. 85. Chess Olympiad is held every ___ years. Two years 86. Organized by FIDE, the Chess Olympiad was first held in 1924 87. Who is the number 1 chess player in the world? Magnus Carlsen 88. At what age, Magnus Carlsen was the Grandmaster? At the age of 13 89. Can a chess game go on forever? Unless BOTH players desire to play indefinitely, chess games cannot go on forever. There is a rule for draws that specifies the game is declared drawn after 50 consecutive moves without a capture or piece movement. As a result, no chess game may have more than 6350 moves. 90. Is chess a game in the Olympics? Yes, since 1999 91. Is stalemate a win? In a chess stalemate, the player whose turn it is to move is not in check but also has no legal move. Chess rules state that when a stalemate takes place, the match results in a draw. 92. Which country has won the most Olympic gold medals? Soviet Union 93. What is the highest title a chess player can attain? Grandmaster 94. Can a king check a king? No, since both kings would be under attack simultaneously. The two kings must always be separated by at least one square. 95. How do you become a grandmaster? A player typically needs to obtain three GM norms in order to earn the title of Grandmaster. Additionally, in order to become a Grandmaster, your FIDE rating must have at some point surpassed 2500. 96. Who won all 34 of his games at the aforementioned Berlin 1865 tournament? Gustav Neumann 97. At the Linköping 1969 tournament, who lost all 13 games by exceeding the time control? Friedrich Sämisch 98. Who is the youngest Master Jordy Mont-Reynaud at 10 years, 7 months (1994). 99. What is a tie called in chess? Draw 100. Who is the oldest player to become a Chess Master? Oscar Shapiro, at age 74. 101. Can you have 3 queens in chess? Yes 102. Can a pawn kill a queen? Yes 103. What is a threefold repetition in chess? The threefold repetition rule, commonly known as the repetition of position, asserts that a player can declare a draw in games of chess and certain other abstract strategies if the same position happens three times, or will do so after their next move, with the same player to move. 104. Which country invented chess? India 105. What is FM chess? FIDE Master (abbreviated as FM). The usual way for a player to qualify for the FIDE Master title is by achieving a FIDE Rating of 2300 or more 106. Who is the greatest chess player of all time? Garry Kasparov 107. When did a computer first beat a strong human player in chess? Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov in the opening game of a six-game tournament on February 10, 1996, being the first time a computer has ever defeated a human in a competitive chess match. 108. What is an illegal move in chess? With the exception of when capturing an opponent’s piece, a piece goes to a free square. Pieces cannot leap over one another, with the exception of any knight movement and casting. 109. Who has the highest FIDE rating? Magnus Carlsen (2882) 110. What is the oldest recorded chess game? A 10th-century game played between a historian from Baghdad and a pupil. 111. What rating is grandmaster? 2400–2500 most International Masters (IM) and some Grandmasters (GM) 2300–2400 FIDE Masters (FM) 2200–2300 FIDE Candidate Masters (CM), most national masters 2000–2200 candidate masters, experts (USA) 112. How long is blitz chess? Each participant receives 3 minutes plus an additional 2 seconds for each move during the FIDE World Blitz Championship, beginning with the first move. Blitz chess is described by the USCF as games with 5- to 10-minute time limits for each player. 113. How many moves is a stalemate? 50 114. What is Elo chess? The Elo rating system is a method for calculating the relative skill levels of players in zero-sum games such as chess. 115. What is a rapid game in chess? Rapid (FIDE) or quick (USCF) A player can automatically add, say, ten seconds to the clock after each move in a game that uses time increments. The total duration per participant for a 60-move game, when time increments are employed, cannot be greater than 10 minutes but not greater than 60 minutes. 116. Is it possible to win chess with only a king? No 117. What is it called when a game of chess is won when the king cannot escape being placed in check? Checkmate 118. Can you move two pawns at once? No, Castling is the only time in chess in which you can move two pieces at once. 119. What is it called when you sacrifice your queen in chess? A queen sacrifice is a move giving up a queen in return for tactical, positional, or other compensation 120. Who is the father of chess? Wilhelm Steinitz 121. How do you become a grandmaster in chess? Grandmasters must make up at least 33% of the player’s opposition. A minimum of 50% of the player’s competitors must be FIDE champions. The average rating of the player’s opponents must be at least 2380. The player’s opponents must represent at least three different chess federations, including his or her own. 122. The word tabiya is used to refer to The beginning position, however, has evolved through time to refer to crucial junctures in play where players affect the outcome of the game. Which country has the most grandmasters after Russia? Germany SIX REASONS WHY CHESS IS SO FUN! 01) Hardly any luck is involved in chess. 02) Chances of the same exact game being repeated is highly unlikely. 03) Chess can be played anytime, anywhere. 04) There is no age, gender, or language barrier in chess. 05) Chess takes your mind away from your problems. 06) Playing chess makes you feel special. 102 games, 1906-2005 2 Mikhail Tal's Best Games Cloned from mneu. Changing this in time The best games of Tal's career. Believe me, playing in such a style, this guy has no chess future. – Peter Romanovsky (on a young Tal) Later, I began to succeed in decisive games. Perhaps because I realized a very simple truth: not only was I worried, but also my opponent. – Mikhail Tal Tal enjoys excitement and hair-raising complications, and in that kind of game he can find his way around better than anyone else. – Paul Keres Tal doesn't move the pieces by hand; he uses a magic wand. – Vyacheslav Ragozin Some sacrifices are sound; the rest are mine. – Mikhail Tal First, how to sac my queen, then rook, then bishop, then knight, then pawns. – Mikhail Tal (on what he thinks about after his opponent moves) I will not hide the fact that I love to hear the spectators react after a sacrifice of a piece or pawn. – Mikhail Tal Tal develops all his pieces in the center and then sacrifices them somewhere. – David Bronstein Even after losing four games in a row to him I still consider his play unsound. He is always on the lookout for some spectacular sacrifice, that one shot, that dramatic breakthrough to give him the win. – Bobby Fischer (on Tal Tal was a fearless fighter. Nobody could successfully accomplish so many incorrect maneuvers! He simply smashed his opponents. – Bent Larsen I was surprised by his ability to figure out complex variations. Then the way he sets out the game; he was not interested in the objectivity of the position, whether it's better or worse, he only needed room for his pieces. All you do then is figure out variations which are extremely difficult. He was tactically outplaying me and I made mistakes. – Mikhail Botvinnik (on Tal) Botvinnik’s right! When he says such things, then he’s right. Usually, I prefer not to study chess but to play it. For me chess is more an art than a science. It’s been said that Alekhine and I played similar chess, except that he studied more. Yes, perhaps, but I have to say that he played, too. – Mikhail Tal Mother, I have just become Ex-World Champion. – Mikhail Tal (on returning home after losing the '61 rematch to Botvinnik) I did not take the tournament too seriously. I walked around the pressroom, smoked a few cigarettes and sacrificed some pieces. I am waiting until next year when I can become a new ex-world champion. – Mikhail Tal (on the '88 World Blitz Championship, which he won) It's funny, but many people don't understand why I draw so many games nowadays. They think my style must have changed but this is not the case at all. The answer to this drawing disease is that my favorite squares are e6, f7, g7 and h7 and everyone now knows this. They protect these squares not once but four times! – Mikhail Tal For him chess was his life. Without the game he could not exist. – Engelina Tal (on her late husband Mikhail) The man who has proved that you can reach the top and remain human. – Mikhail Tal (on who his chess hero was) My head is full of sunshine. – Mikhail Tal I couldn’t make myself dislike him. – Mikhail Botvinnik (on Tal) If you wait for luck to turn up, life becomes very boring. – Mikhail Tal In chess, at least, the brave inherit the earth. – Edmar Mednis (commenting on Tal) Analyzing his chess games is tantamount to discussing what God looks like. - Vladimir Kramnik <Shakespearean Puns Perhaps no writer is better known for the use of puns than William Shakespeare. He plays with "tide" and "tied" in Two Gentlemen of Verona: "Panthino Away, ass! You'll lose the tide if you tarry any longer. Launce It is no matter if the tied were lost; for it is the unkindest tied that ever any man tied. Panthino What's the unkindest tide? Launce Why, he that's tied here, Crab, my dog." In the opening of Richard III, the sun refers to the blazing sun on Edward IV's banner and the fact that he is the son of the Duke of York: "Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York." In this line from Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare plays on the different meanings of heavy (which also means sad) and light: "Give me a torch: I am not for this ambling; Being but heavy I will bear the light." Later in Romeo and Juliet, a morbid pun comes from a fatally-stabbed Mercutio, where grave means serious, but also alludes to his imminent death: "Ask for me tomorrow, you shall find me a grave man." If you open any Shakesperean play, you're likely to find at least one pun on the page! Keep an eye out for a clever play on words example the next time you read Hamlet or watch As You Like It on the stage.> 134 games, 1953-1992 2 Opening Report for Black Started by MicheleLiguori “All warfare is based on deception.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “Chess isn’t for the timid.” ― Irving Chernev “Chess is a sea in which a gnat may drink and an elephant may bathe.” ― Indian Proverb “Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence.” ― Abigail Adams “We speak of educating our children. Do we know that our children also educate us?” ― Lydia Sigourney “To all players I can recommend the following: simplicity and economy. These are the characteristics of the opening systems of many great masters... A solid opening repertoire fosters self-confidence.” ― Lajos Portisch “Chess is all about stored pattern recognition. You are asking your brain to spot a face in the crowd that it has not seen.” ― Sally Simpson “My centre is giving way, my right is in retreat, situation excellent. I attack.” ― Ferdinand Foch “A man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality.” ― Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom French, Burn variation. Nimzo-Bogo Indians. Boston Red Sox. The usual stuff. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ― John Quincy Adams “It is important that you don't let your opponent impose his style of play on you. A part of that begins mentally. At the chessboard if you start blinking every time he challenges you then in a certain sense you are withdrawing. That is very important to avoid.” ― Viswanathan Anand “Methodical thinking is of more use in chess than inspiration.” ― C.J.S. Purdy “Blunders rarely travel alone.” ― Anatoly Karpov “The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” ― Oprah Winfrey “In every human Beast, God has implanted a Principle, which we call Love of Freedom; it is impatient of Oppression, and pants for Deliverance.” ― Phillis Wheatley “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.” ― C.S. Lewis * Accidents: Game Collection: Accidents in the opening * Attack: Game Collection: 2012-2015 Attacking Games (Naiditsch/Balogh) * Brilliancies: Game Collection: Modern Chess Brilliancies (Evans) * Cheating: https://www.chess.com/article/view/... * Draws: Game Collection: 2012-2015 Interesting Draws (Naiditsch/Balogh) * Endgames: Game Collection: 2012-2015 Endgames (Naiditsch/Balogh) * Fight! Game Collection: 2012-2015 Fighting Games (Naiditsch/Balogh) * Kasparov's Qkst: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/che... * Positional: Game Collection: 2012-2015 Positional Games (Naiditsch/Balogh) * Miscellaneous: Game Collection: ! Miscellaneous games * Good Historical Links: https://www.saund.co.uk/britbase/in... * Internet tracking: https://www.studysmarter.us/magazin... * YS Tactics: Game Collection: Yasser Seirawan's Winning Chess Tactics * How to analyze your own games: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?... poem by B.H. Wood, entitled ‘The Drowser’: Ah, reverie! Ten thousand heads I see Bent over chess-boards, an infinity Of minds engaged in battle, fiendishly, Keenly, or calmly, as the case may be: World-wide, the neophyte, the veteran, The studious problemist, the fairy fan ... “What’s that? – I’m nearly sending you to sleep? Sorry! – but this position’s rather deep.” Source: Chess Amateur, September 1929, page 268. “The Bible is a revelation of the mind and will of God to men. Therein we may learn, what God is.” ― Jupiter Hammon “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5 KJV) The book of Proverbs contains hundreds of pieces of advice written to teach the reader how to be wise (Proverbs 1:1-2). The biblical concept of wisdom means, in short, to live according to God’s will as expressed in the Bible. “The rights of the individual should be the primary object of all governments.” ― Mercy Otis Warren “If you wait for luck to turn up, life becomes very boring.” ― Mikhail Tal “The cream of enjoyment in this life is always impromptu. The chance walk; the unexpected visit; the unpremeditated journey; the unsought conversation or acquaintance.” ― Fanny Fern “The respect that is only bought by gold is not worth much.” ― Frances Harper “Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.” ― General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur Why is England the wettest country? Because the queen reigned there for decades. The Sun and the Frogs Rejoicing on their tyrant's wedding-day, The people drowned their care in drink; While from the general joy did Aesop shrink, And showed its folly in this way. "The sun," said he, "once took it in his head To have a partner for his bed. From swamps, and ponds, and marshy bogs, Up rose the wailings of the frogs. "What shall we do, should he have progeny?" Said they to Destiny; "One sun we scarcely can endure, And half-a-dozen, we are sure, Will dry the very sea. Adieu to marsh and fen! Our race will perish then, Or be obliged to fix Their dwelling in the Styx!" For such an humble animal, The frog, I take it, reasoned well." And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:9, 10. Conceive a man by nature and misfortune prone to a pallid hopelessness, can any business seem more fitted to heighten it than that of continually handling these dead letters and assorting them for the flames? For by the cart-load they are annually burned. Sometimes from out the folded paper the pale clerk takes a ring: - the finger it was meant for, perhaps, moulders in the grave; a bank-note sent in swiftest charity: - he whom it would relieve, nor eats nor hungers any more; pardon for those who died despairing; hope for those who died unhoping; good tidings for those who died stifled by unrelieved calamities. On errands of life, these letters speed to death. Ah Bartleby! Ah humanity! — Herman Melville “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” ― Thomas A. Edison “Learning from our mistakes is critical for improving, but even I don't have patience for ranking my regrets. Regret is a negative emotion that inhibits the optimism required to take on new challenges. You risk living in an alternative universe, z where if only you had done this or that differently, things would be better. That's a poor substitute for making your actual life better, or improving the lives of others. Regret briefly, analyze and understand, and then move on, improving the only life you have.” ― Garry Kasparov You know there's no official training for trash collectors? They just pick things up as they go along. The Road Not Taken Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. “A disposition to dwell on the bright side...is like gold to its possessor.” ― Lydia Sigourney “The computer age has arrived, and it influences everything: analysis, preparation, information. Now a different talent is required - the ability to synthesize ideas.” ― Boris Spassky “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.” ― Dalai Lama “If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.” ― Jim Rohn <Luke 8:16-18 New King James Version The Parable of the Revealed Light Jesus said: 16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. 18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”> 12 Now Zhu When you die, what part of the body dies last? The pupils… they dilate. 95 games, 1889-2015 2 Queen's Pawn tries "God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well." ― Voltaire "All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better." ― Ralph Waldo Emerson "There is no passion to be found playing small--in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." ― Nelson Mandela "I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed." ― Michael Jordan “I will never quit. My nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.” ― Marcus Luttrell, Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 Tal was a fearless fighter. Nobody could successfully accomplish so many incorrect maneuvers! He simply smashed his opponents. ― Bent Larsen “Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War Gerald Abrahams' dictum: "Good positions don't win games; good moves do". “It is quite an advantage to have the initiative, and once you have it you must keep it. If your opponent has it, and relinquishes it through some accident or other, you must take it.” ― Jose R. Capablanca “All warfare is based on deception.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “I won't be lectured on gun control by an administration that armed the Taliban.” ― voter Magnus Carlsen, who has been ranked the No. 1 chess player in the world since 2011, announced he will not defend his world championship title. "The conclusion is very simple that I am not motivated to play another match," the five-time world champion said on his podcast, The Magnus Effect. The championship matches are held every two years and the next is scheduled for 2023. "I simply feel that I don't have a lot to gain," Carlsen added. "I don't particularly like it, and although I'm sure a match would be interesting for historical reasons and all of that, I don't have any inclinations to play and I will simply not play the match." Reminds me of Ogden Nash: "Behold the hippopotamus! We laugh at how he looks to us, And yet in moments dank and grim, I wonder how we look to him. Peace, peace, thou hippopotamus! We really look all right to us, As you no doubt delight the eye Of other hippopotami." Romans 15:13 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Tom Wiswell (1910-1988) made a quote regarding playing checkers worth using in chess circles. After winning a good game, I always ask myself: "Where did I go right?" One cannot play on this website. It is just a database for players to check out GM games, talk about them and discuss the game in general. Sites where you can play chess include: www.playchess.com (need chessbase software) www.freechess.org www.net-chess.com Old Russian Proverb: "Strike while the iron is hot. (Куй железо, пока горячо.)" Use the opportunity while it’s possible or lose it. T - Z (12 books) Taimanov's Selected Games, by Taimanov, Mark (User: Malacha) Game Collection: Games from Taimanov's Book: TAIMANOV'S SELECTED ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Taimanovs-Sel... Tigran Petrosian, World Champion, by O'Kelly de Galway, A.O. (User: Resignation Trap) Game Collection: Tigran V. Petrosian - A Stupendous Tactician ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b... The Times Winning Moves, by Keene, Ray and Jacobs, Byon (User: McCool) Game Collection: 0 ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Times-Winning... Unbeatable Chess Lessons for Juniors, by Snyder, Robert M. (User: takchess) Game Collection: 0 ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Unbeatable-Ch... Uncompromising Chess, by Belyavsky, Alexander (User: Resignation Trap) Game Collection: Uncompromising Chess by Alexander Beliavsky ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Uncompromisin... Understanding Chess Move by Move: A Top-Class Grandmaster Explains Step-by-Step How Chess Games Are Won, by Nunn, John (User: PhilipTheGeek) Game Collection: Nunn's Understanding Chess Move by Move ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Understanding... Understanding the Queen's Indian Defense, by Soltis, Andy, Edmar Mednis, Raymond Keene and John Grefe (User: suenteus po 147) Game Collection: Understanding the Queen's Indian Defense ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Queens-Indian... Winning Chess Brilliancies, by Seirawan, Yasser (User: dac1990) Game Collection: Yasser Seirawan's Winning Chess Brilliancies ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Chess... Winning Chess Tactics, by Seirawan, Yasser (User: Bears092) Game Collection: Yasser Seirawan's Winning Chess Tactics Winning With the French, by Uhlmann, Wolfgang (User: MidnightDuffer) Game Collection: Uhlmann's 60 French Defence Games ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Frenc... The World's Great Chess Games, by Fine, Reuben (User: GeauxCool) Game Collection: 0 ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b... Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953, by Bronstein, David (User: takbook) Game Collection: 0 ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Zurich-Intern... Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953, by Bronstein, David (User: bennyr) Game Collection: Zurich International Chess Tournament 1953 ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Zurich-Intern... Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953, by Bronstein, David (User: suenteus po 147) Game Collection: WCC Index (Zurich 1953) ♖♖♖ http://www.amazon.com/Zurich-Intern... May-10-23 stonefree ordie: <CIO> no, it's very rare that I blow the whistle despite the rightist propaganda asserting otherwise. I often (maybe even generally) provide public notice at the time - e.g. with <opie>'s pyscho post(s) most recently. I can't remember - did he post it here too? If he did I might have blown the whistle here - but I don't remember doing so. I do remember blowing the whistle over on <perf>'s player page, and on <Suzz>'s forum - but just for that one post. My only comment was that it was a personal attack. Very generic. * * * * * OTOH - I did try blowing the whistle on a few of <Fred>'s posts about a month or two ago, sans public notice. This was done in the expectation that <CG> would not only delete the posts, but also act to dampen the attacks as they had promised. AFAIK they only deleted the posts. When I realized they were going to allow the behavior to continue I returned to my default position, i.e. that blowing the whistle is fairly useless beyond just getting a particular post deleted. Given this, I'd rather complain publicly and have the record there for all to see. Our chess novice troll deliberately antagonizes others and then plays exaggerated tattletale as if somehow wronged. Cause the problem, then blame the target member, and get pal/editor to delete others posts. Anything to stir up the pot for negative attention. I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud William Wordsworth I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils What kind of shorts do clouds wear? Thunderpants And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:9, 10. Conceive a man by nature and misfortune prone to a pallid hopelessness, can any business seem more fitted to heighten it than that of continually handling these dead letters and assorting them for the flames? For by the cart-load they are annually burned. Sometimes from out the folded paper the pale clerk takes a ring: - the finger it was meant for, perhaps, moulders in the grave; a bank-note sent in swiftest charity: - he whom it would relieve, nor eats nor hungers any more; pardon for those who died despairing; hope for those who died unhoping; good tidings for those who died stifled by unrelieved calamities. On errands of life, these letters speed to death. Ah Bartleby! Ah humanity! — Herman Melville "Friend, you don't have to earn God's love or try harder. You're precious in His sight, covered by the priceless blood of Jesus, and indwelt by His Holy Spirit. Don't hide your heart or fear you're not good enough for Him to care for you. Accept His love, obey Him, and allow Him to keep you in His wonderful freedom." — Charles F. Stanley “Chess is a sea in which a gnat may drink and an elephant may bathe.” ― Indian Proverb “For beginning chess players, studying a Carlsen game is like wanting to be an electrical engineer and beginning with studying an iPhone.” ― Garry Kasparov “We can compare classical chess and rapid chess with theatre and cinema - some actors don't like the latter and prefer to work in the theatre.” ― Boris Spassky “In my opinion, the style of a player should not be formed under the influence of any single great master.” ― Vasily Smyslov “Almost immediately after Kasparov played the magic move g4, the computer started to self destruct.” — Sam Sloan “In the endgame, it's often better to form a barrier to cut-off the lone king and keep shrinking the barrier than to give check. The mistaken check might give the lone king a choice move toward the center when the idea is to force the lone king to the edge of the board and then checkmate.” — Fredthebear <There are distinct situations where a bishop is preferred (over a knight). For example, two bishops are better than two knights or one of each. Steven Mayer, the author of Bishop Versus Knight, contends, “A pair of bishops is usually considered to be worth six points, but common sense suggests that a pair of active bishops (that are very involved in the formation) must be accorded a value of almost nine under some circumstances.” This is especially true if the player can plant the bishops in the center of the board, as two bishops working in tandem can span up to 26 squares and have the capacity to touch every square. Bishops are also preferable to knights when queens have been exchanged because, Grandmaster Sergey Erenburg, who is ranked 11th in the U.S., explains, “[Bishops and rooks] complement each other, and when well-coordinated, act as a queen.” Conversely, a knight is the preferred minor piece when the queen survives until the late-middlegame or the endgame. Mayer explains, “The queen and knight are [able] to work together smoothly and create a greater number of threats than the queen and bishop.” When forced to say one is better than the other, most anoint the bishop. Mayer concludes, “I think it’s true that the bishops are better than the knights in a wider variety of positions than the knights are better than the bishops.” He continues, “Of course, I’m not sure this does us much good, as we only get to play one position at a time.”> "Whatever you are doing in the game of life, give it all you've got." — Norman Vincent Peale "What you do today can improve all your tomorrows." — Ralph Marston “Many have become chess masters, no one has become the master of chess.” ― Siegbert Tarrasch “In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” — Max De Pree 2zRp Lazard wondrd along but Zdanovs sand Portz lost highway too soon hanz left b4 da crowdy arrowd knot realizing win. . 189 games, 1620-2023 2 Scan French Two Knights for Black by Prime Rib The French Defense is one of the top 3 most played chess openings, which happens after the first moves 1.e4 e6. An early deviation which happens after 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 is called the Two Knights Variation. According to lichess, if Black simply goes 3...Nf6 against the Two Knights Variation, then the main line is 4.e5 Nfd7 5.d4. This is the exact same position as White would have reached if they'd played 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Nf3. Why play the Two Knights at all then if Black can just transpose into territory they're more familiar with? Another idea of the two knights variation is to provoke 3...d4 and get some kind of reversed Old Indian. Some players like these pawn structures, and it also may not be blacks taste to be the one with the space advantage. 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 d4 ( 3... Nf6 ) 4. Ne2 c5 5. c3! Nf6 ( 5... d3?! 6. Nf4 c4? 7. Qa4++− ) 6. cxd4 cxd4 ( 6... Nxe4!? ) 7. Ng3 ( 7. e5 Nfd7 8. Nexd4 Nxe5= ) a6! ( 7... Nc6 8. Bb5⩲ ) 8. d3 ( 8. Bc4?! b5 9. Bb3? d3! ∓ ) Nc6 9. Be2 e5∞ Objectively black is minimal better due to his space advantage, but white operates with the vacuum which d5-d4 has created in blacks position. He will sooner or later play f2-f4 and attack the pawn chain e5/d4, for example by playing h3 and Nh2. If black takes on f4 this will isolate the d4 pawn, and white may be able to win it. Of course that will not work if black plays it sensible, for example by protecting the pawn with Qb6 and Rd8. The stronger player will win. But as you already said, Black can play 3...Nf6 and this transposes to the main lines. This is why I play it: I’m a 1. Nc3 player and after d5, 2.e4 e6, part of the reason I play Nf3 is black might play d4 into lines I’m used to. Also people who don’t know this position often play 5. c3 d3? And if they do go for the mainline I can take them away from their book with 6. Bg5. You play the standard move order because you want to play 5. f4 which you can’t do in the two knights. If you want to play 5. Nf3 anyway then you’re better off in the two knights move order. – Noah Steamboat Snyder Chino says: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_1... Freire: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freire “A game played by men of equal strength, if played accurately, will end in a draw, and it is apt to be dull.” ― Emanuel Lasker “Time control directly influences the quality of play.” ― Boris Spassky “Chess is all about stored pattern recognition. You are asking your brain to spot a face in the crowd that it has not seen.” ― Sally Simpson “All warfare is based on deception.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War “The essence of chess is thinking about what CHESS is.” ― David Bronstein “Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War Gerald Abrahams' dictum: "Good positions don't win games; good moves do". “I think any student of military strategy would tell you that in order to attack a position, you should have a ratio of approximately 3 to 1 in favor of the attacker.” ― General Norman Schwarzkopf “I won't be lectured on gun control by an administration that armed the Taliban.” ― voter “I will never quit. My nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.” ― Marcus Luttrell, Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War * Annotated Games: Game Collection: Annotated Games * Assorted Good Games by rbaglini: Game Collection: assorted Good games * Back rank mating tactics: Game Collection: 610_Back rank mating tactics * Classic games by great players: Game Collection: Guinness Book - Chess Grandmasters (Hartston) * Fork OVerload (Remove the Defender): Game Collection: FORK-OVERLOAD OR HOOK-AND-LADDER TRICK * Impact of Genius: 500 years of Grandmaster Chess: Game Collection: Impact of Genius : 500 years of Grandmaster Ches * Chess Prehistory Compiled by Joe Stanley: Game Collection: Chess Prehistory * Best (Old) Games of All Time: Game Collection: Best Games of All Time * 'Great Brilliancy Prize Games of the Chess Masters' by Fred Reinfeld: Game Collection: 0 * bengalcat47's favorite games of famous masters: Game Collection: bengalcat47's favorite games * Mil y Una Partidas 1914-1931: Game Collection: Mil y Una Partidas 1914-1931 * Fire Baptisms Compiled by Nasruddin Hodja: Game Collection: Fire Baptisms * maxruen's favorite games III: Game Collection: maxruen's favorite games III * some famous brilliancies: Game Collection: brilliacies * Brilliant games Compiled by madhatter5: Game Collection: Brilliant games * Cheating: https://www.chess.com/article/view/... * The Fireside Book: Game Collection: Fireside Book of Chess * 'Chess Praxis' by Aron Nimzowitsch: Game Collection: Chess Praxis (Nimzowitsch) * '500 Master Games of Chess' by Savielly Tartakower and Julius Du Mont: Game Collection: 500 Master Games of Chess * Masterful: Game Collection: FRENCH DEFENSE MASTERPIECES * Great Combinations by wwall: Game Collection: Combinations * Middlegame Combinations by Peter Romanovsky: Game Collection: Middlegame Combinations by Peter Romanovsky * Exchange sacs – 1 Compiled by obrit: Game Collection: Exchange sacs - 1 * Secrets of the Russian Chess Masters Volume II: Game Collection: Secrets of the Russian Chess Masters Volume II * Ne5 Holler of a Tree in Fredthebear Country: Game Collection: 5 Ne5 Holler of a Tree in Fredthebear Country * 'The Mammoth Book of the World's Greatest Chess Games' by Graham Burgess, John Nunn and John Emms. New expanded edition-now with 125 games. Game Collection: Mammoth Book-Greatest Games (Nunn/Burgess/Emms) * Best of the British by Timothy Glenn Forney: Game Collection: Best of the British * The Best Chess Games (part 2): Game Collection: The Best Chess Games (part 2) * Scandinavian Miniatures: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... * sapientdust's favorite games: Game Collection: sapientdust's favorite games * shakman's favorite games – 2: Game Collection: shakman's favorite games - 2 * Steinitz collection: Game Collection: Steinitz Gambits * Reti Opening by KingG: Game Collection: Reti Opening * Veliki majstori saha 16 RETI (Slavko Petrovic): Game Collection: Veliki majstori saha 16 RETI (Petrovic) * Richard Réti's Best Games by Golombek: Game Collection: Richard Réti's Best Games by Golombek * ray keene's favorite games: Game Collection: ray keene's favorite games * Variety pack by Nova: Game Collection: KID games * JonathanJ's favorite games 4: Game Collection: JonathanJ's favorite games 4 * jorundte's favorite games: Game Collection: jorundte's favorite games * elmubarak: my fav games: Game Collection: elmubarak: my fav games * Golden Treasury of Chess (Wellmuth/Horowitz): Game Collection: 0 * Last Collection by Jaredfchess: Game Collection: LAST COLLECTION Q: Where did the cow drive to? A: The moo-vies. “Chess first of all teaches you to be objective.” — Alexander Alekhine “Among a great many other things that chess teaches you is to control the initial excitement you feel when you see something that looks good. It trains you to think before grabbing and to think just as objectively when you’re in trouble.” — Stanley Kubrick “Chess helps you to concentrate, improve your logic. It teaches you to play by the rules, take responsibility for your actions, how to problem solve in an uncertain environment.” — Garry Kasparov “Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward. They may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.” — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe “To avoid losing a piece, many a person has lost the game.” — Savielly Tartakower “Battles are won by slaughter and maneuver. The greater the general, the more he contributes in maneuver, the less he demands in slaughter.” ― Winston S. Churchill “We can compare classical chess and rapid chess with theatre and cinema - some actors don't like the latter and prefer to work in the theatre.” ― Boris Spassky “In my opinion, the style of a player should not be formed under the influence of any single great master.” ― Vasily Smyslov “Almost immediately after Kasparov played the magic move g4, the computer started to self destruct.” — Sam Sloan “In the endgame, it's often better to form a barrier to cut-off the lone king and keep shrinking the barrier than to give check. The mistaken check might give the lone king a choice move toward the center when the idea is to force the lone king to the edge of the board and then checkmate.” — Fredthebear The Use Of Knowledge Between two citizens A controversy grew. The one was poor, but much he knew: The other, rich, with little sense, Claimed that, in point of excellence, The merely wise should bow the knee To all such moneyed men as he. The merely fools, he should have said; For why should wealth hold up its head, When merit from its side has fled? "My friend," said Bloated-purse, To his reverse, "You think yourself considerable. Pray, tell me, do you keep a table? What comes of this incessant reading, In point of lodging, clothing, feeding? It gives one, true, the highest chamber, One coat for June and for December, His shadow for his sole attendant, And hunger always in the ascendant. What profits he his country, too, Who scarcely ever spends a sou – Will, haply, be a public charge? Who profits more the state at large, Than he whose luxuries dispense Among the people wealth immense? We set the streams of life a-flowing; We set all sorts of trades a-going. The spinner, weaver, sewer, vender, And many a wearer, fair and tender, All live and flourish on the spender – As do, indeed, the reverend rooks Who waste their time in making books." These words, so full of impudence, Received their proper recompense. The man of letters held his peace, Though much he might have said with ease. A war avenged him soon and well; In it their common city fell. Both fled abroad; the ignorant, By fortune thus brought down to want, Was treated everywhere with scorn, And roamed about, a wretch forlorn; Whereas the scholar, everywhere, Was nourished by the public care. Let fools the studious despise; There's nothing lost by being wise. ‘May your Departures equal your Landfalls!’ “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.” ― Dalai Lama “Never run after a man or a bus, there's always another one in five minutes.” ― Cherry Adair, Kiss and Tell Why should you never trust stairs? They’re always up to something. The Old Man And His Sons All power is feeble with dissension: For this I quote the Phrygian slave. If anything I add to his invention, It is our manners to engrave, And not from any envious wishes; – I'm not so foolishly ambitious. Phaedrus enriches often his story, In quest – I doubt it not – of glory: Such thoughts were idle in my breast. An aged man, near going to his rest, His gathered sons thus solemnly addressed: "To break this bunch of arrows you may try; And, first, the string that binds them I untie." The eldest, having tried with might and main, Exclaimed, "This bundle I resign To muscles sturdier than mine." The second tried, and bowed himself in vain. The youngest took them with the like success. All were obliged their weakness to confess. Unharmed the arrows passed from son to son; Of all they did not break a single one. "Weak fellows!" said their sire, "I now must show What in the case my feeble strength can do." They laughed, and thought their father but in joke, Till, one by one, they saw the arrows broke. "See, concord's power!" replied the sire; "as long As you in love agree, you will be strong. I go, my sons, to join our fathers good; Now promise me to live as brothers should, And soothe by this your dying father's fears." Each strictly promised with a flood of tears. Their father took them by the hand, and died; And soon the virtue of their vows was tried. Their sire had left a large estate Involved in lawsuits intricate; Here seized a creditor, and there A neighbour levied for a share. At first the trio nobly bore The brunt of all this legal war. But short their friendship as It was rare. Whom blood had joined – and small the wonder! – The force of interest drove asunder; And, as is wont in such affairs, Ambition, envy, were co-heirs. In parcelling their sire's estate, They quarrel, quibble, litigate, Each aiming to supplant the other. The judge, by turns, condemns each brother. Their creditors make new assault, Some pleading error, some default. The sundered brothers disagree; For counsel one, have counsels three. All lose their wealth; and now their sorrows Bring fresh to mind those broken arrows. Q: Why did the old man fall into the well? A: Because he couldn't see well. “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church....a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes.” ― Charles Swindoll What do you call malware on a Kindle? A bookworm. from the simpleton poet: Roses are red. Violets are blue. Chess is creative. And a journey too. Good in the morning. Or just before bed. Play cheater_1, with engine. Or OTB, all in your head. Do You Have It? Riddle: Poor people have it. Rich people need it. If you eat it you die. What is it? Answer: Nothing. “To know the mighty works of God, to comprehend His wisdom and majesty and power; to appreciate, in degree, the wonderful workings of His laws, surely all this must be a pleasing and acceptable mode of worship to the Most High, to whom ignorance cannot be more grateful than knowledge.” — Nicolaus Copernicus The Road Not Taken Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. “Venice is incredible. Although you may have seen it in pictures, you can't grasp how beautiful it is until you visit.” — Gino D'Acampo Did you hear about the painter who was hospitalized? The doctors say it was due to too many strokes. “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.” ― Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, and former U.S. Army Colonel “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them--that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” ― Lao Tzu Q: What is an egg's favorite vacation spot? A: New Yoke City Register a t t he Front Des k: * First of each ECO: Game Collection: First of Each ECO * How to Analyze: https://thechessworld.com/articles/... * Recommendations: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/wiki... “Above the clouds I lift my wing To hear the bells of Heaven ring; Some of their music, though my fights be wild, To Earth I bring; Then let me soar and sing!” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman “Life has, indeed, many ills, but the mind that views every object in its most cheering aspect, and every doubtful dispensation as replete with latent good, bears within itself a powerful and perpetual antidote. The gloomy soul aggravates misfortune, while a cheerful smile often dispels those mists that portend a storm.” ― Lydia Sigourney “Genius does not need a special language; it uses newly whatever tongue it finds.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman Ten Chess Tips: * https://www.chess.com/article/view/... Look at your opponent's move. Make the best possible move. Have a plan. Know what the pieces are worth. Develop quickly and well. Control the center. Keep your king safe. Know when to trade pieces. Think about the endgame. Always be alert. *GothamChess: https://www.bing.com/videos/rivervi... “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” ― Lou Holtz “In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result.” ― James Allen “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” ― Martin Luther King, Jr. “A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.” ― Bruce Lee “When you locate good in yourself, approve of it with determination. When you locate evil in yourself, despise it as something detestable.” ― Confucius “Don’t be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves.” ― Dale Carnegie How did the hipster burn his mouth? He ate his pizza before it was cool. “Venice is incredible. Although you may have seen it in pictures, you can't grasp how beautiful it is until you visit.” — Gino D'Acampo “To know the mighty works of God, to comprehend His wisdom and majesty and power; to appreciate, in degree, the wonderful workings of His laws, surely all this must be a pleasing and acceptable mode of worship to the Most High, to whom ignorance cannot be more grateful than knowledge.” — Nicolaus Copernicus You know why you never see elephants hiding up in trees? Because they’re really good at it. Do You Have It? Riddle: Poor people have it. Rich people need it. If you eat it you die. What is it? Answer: Nothing. “It is quite an advantage to have the initiative, and once you have it you must keep it. If your opponent has it, and relinquishes it through some accident or other, you must take it.” ― Jose R. Capablanca How do you measure a snake? In inches—they don’t have feet. Old Russian Proverb: "A drop hollows out a stone." Drive sober or get pulled over. “For surely of all the drugs in the world, chess must be the most permanently pleasurable.” — Assiac “Life is fun. It’s all up to the person. Be satisfied. You don’t have to be ‘happy’ all the time, you need to be satisfied.” ― Lucille Boston Lewis, eternal optimist 101 years old “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.” ― Dalai Lama “Faith and joy are the ascensive forces of song.” ― Edmund Clarence Stedman What does a house wear? Address! What kind of shorts do clouds wear? Thunderpants “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.” ― Dalai Lama “Never run after a man or a bus, there's always another one in five minutes.” ― Cherry Adair, Kiss and Tell Why should you never trust stairs? They’re always up to something. Reminds me of Ogden Nash: "Behold the hippopotamus! We laugh at how he looks to us, And yet in moments dank and grim, I wonder how we look to him. Peace, peace, thou hippopotamus! We really look all right to us, As you no doubt delight the eye Of other hippopotami." “God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.” ― Voltaire When does a joke become a ‘dad’ joke? When it becomes apparent. “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?” ― Martin Luther King, Jr. "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." ― Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States, and former Colonel in the U.S. Army 144 xp Zirab Zeus in peril eight red herring after sunset gravel knightmarz of Al. What’s the difference between a hippo and a zippo? One is really heavy and the other’s a little lighter. The Serpent and the File A serpent, neighbour to a smith, (A neighbour bad to meddle with,) Went through his shop, in search of food, But nothing found, it's understood, To eat, except a file of steel, Of which he tried to make a meal. The file, without a spark of passion, Addressed him in the following fashion: "Poor simpleton! you surely bite With less of sense than appetite; For before from me you gain One quarter of a grain, You'll break your teeth from ear to ear. Time's are the only teeth I fear." This tale concerns those men of letters, Who, good for nothing, bite their betters. Their biting so is quite unwise. Think you, you literary sharks, Your teeth will leave their marks On the deathless works you criticise? Fie! fie! fie! men! To you they're brass – they're steel – they're diamond! “Chess is like body-building. If you train every day, you stay in top shape. It is the same with your brain - chess is a matter of daily training.” ― Vladimir Kramnik “In order to improve your game you must study the endgame before everything else; for, whereas the endings can be studied and mastered by themselves, the middlegame and the opening must be studied in relation to the endgame.” ― Jose Raul Capablanca “Even in the heat of a middlegame battle the master still has to bear in mind the outlines of a possible future ending.” ― David Bronstein “He can be regarded as the great master of simplification. The art of resolving the tension at the critical moment and in the most effacious way so as to clarify the position as desired is Capablanca's own.” ― Max Euwe Q: What gets wetter the more it dries? "Don't cry over spilled milk" is an idiom that means there's no point in being upset over something that has already happened and cannot be changed. A: A towel. *Railroads were problematical in 1830, when this was written. “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.” ― John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, and former Navy Lieutenant “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” ― Thomas A. Edison “In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” ― Abraham Lincoln “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” ― Winston Churchill “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” ― John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, and former Navy Lieutenant Romans 15:13 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Remember us, Should any free soul come across this place, In all the countless centuries yet to be, May our voices whisper to you from the ageless stones, Go tell the Spartans, passerby: That here by Spartan law, we lie.” ― Frank Miller, 300 Luke 2:9, 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Conceive a man by nature and misfortune prone to a pallid hopelessness, can any business seem more fitted to heighten it than that of continually handling these dead letters and assorting them for the flames? For by the cart-load they are annually burned. Sometimes from out the folded paper the pale clerk takes a ring: - the finger it was meant for, perhaps, moulders in the grave; a bank-note sent in swiftest charity: - he whom it would relieve, nor eats nor hungers any more; pardon for those who died despairing; hope for those who died unhoping; good tidings for those who died stifled by unrelieved calamities. On errands of life, these letters speed to death. Ah Bartleby! Ah humanity! — Herman Melville “Whatever you are doing in the game of life, give it all you've got.” — Norman Vincent Peale “What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” — Ralph Marston “Many have become chess masters, no one has become the master of chess.” ― Siegbert Tarrasch “In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” — Max De Pree 16 sweetie: move 27. zoottr Frat z dumbo drops Qb1? trollie pokd hiz cmputr Zhao 15 games, 1894-2011

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