But they were playing an open-ended match, first to ten wins (same as Fischer-Spassky, 1992 rematch). The first draw came in game 8, and Steinitz soon went ahead, winning 10-5 with just 5 draws.

In Inspiration-vs-Technician matches, Inspiration often forges ahead (Zukertort, Tal) ... but the Technician, given enough time (or a rematch like Botvinnik) will reel him in.

Even in 3-cushion Billiards the <50 caramboles> format was changed to best of five sets to <15> caramboles -- and in MY sport, table-tennis, the 21 point game best-of-three (or five) was changed to iddy biddy small sets of first to <11 points> (difference of two) and best of <seven> sets...

In table tennis, I most remember the wins from a 12-3 or even a 15-5 deficit, within a game to 21 points, or the agonizing 19-11 lead, or 20-13 even, and nerves grabbing a hold of you and matchpoint after matchpoint is wasted---

You could really journey into a 21 point game, unlike in the 11 point ones we have now... I MISS THAT in the short, chopped up formats.

But with the perceived (by me) draw backs, the chopped up formats offer some positive elements as well.

Point being I can't think of any right now... I like heroic come backs and players losing it, with the finishing line in sight.

In the 12 game WCC, a new armoured suit may well be required, more diversified, in order to force an earlier come-back, when for example confronted with a -2 or -3 after 5 or 6 games. Gives the preparation a whole new look, and the surprise weapon tactics need to be pulled out of the bag earlier, perhaps...

But that Aronian-Carlsen mini match of last year proves how incredibly exciting a short format can be, as Carlsen kept pulling back, countering each loss with some powerhouse performance, where you could just feel the enormous energy through the live transmission, as Maggie forced complication after complication, as White, upon Aronian...

Rapid and Blitz had to decide who'd walk away as the winner. Just saying.

Yes- I believe that <Top O' the Morning> will dispense with <Cam-Corder>, and I really hope that match happens because I think it will be roaring good.

This <Cam-Corder> is no pushover...

I don't want to alarm you, but their is buzz in the "blogosphere" that your recent chess posts have been too <serious, reasoned, well written, well thought out, appropriate, interesting, relevant, helpful, and instructive>.

Many are worried that you are no longer a <Bona fide> "funny man."

Hey- I have no doubts.

It's this pesky "Blogosphere" that I"m worried about.

Diminishing space ---> freedom ---> discretion...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nvg...

http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...

<Nina> singing <Tom Thumb's Blues>

NO IT ISN'T!!

But Eskimos are.

that's what I heard anyway.

"Can't you just hear things freezing
And aren't the big mooses pleasing
And ain't it just like a polar bear
To hit you from behind
Yes, I'm off to northern Canada
In my mind."

yes!!!

<THE LUMBERJACK SONG>

<I'm a lumberjack, and I'm okay. I sleep all night. I work all day.

Mounties : He's a lumberjack, and he's okay.
He sleeps all night and he works all day.

I cut down trees. I eat my lunch.
I go to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays I go shoppin'
And have buttered scones for tea.

Mounties: He cuts down trees. He eats his lunch.
He goes to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays he goes shopping
And has buttered scones for tea.

Chorus : I'm (He's) a lumberjack, and I'm (he's) okay. I (He) sleep(s) all night and I (he) work(s) all day.

I cut down trees. I skip and jump.
I like to press wild flowers.
I put on women's clothing
And hang around in bars.

Mounties : He cuts down trees. He skips and jumps.
He likes to press wild flowers.
He puts on women's clothing
And hangs around in bars?!

Chorus : I'm (He's) a lumberjack, and I'm (he's) okay. I (He) sleep(s) all night and I (he) work(s) all day.

I cut down trees. I wear high heels,
Suspendies, and a bra.
I wish I'd been a girlie,
Just like my dear Mama (or Papa in later versions)

Mounties : He cuts down trees. He wears high heels,
Suspendies, and a bra?!

Chorus : I'm (He's) a lumberjack, and I'm (he's) okay. I (He) sleep(s) all night and I (he) work(s) all day.

Reminds me of one of my all-time favorite posts: <LOL the grim ripper will get you>.

Have I been wrong about the LOLlards and LOLlers? Maybe they're just healthy types?

No. Because they are *not* laughing. LOL actually means something like *vacuous sneer of ignorant contempt* or *I am waving the soft fleshy parts of my body at you*. It's not "laughing out loud" -- it's "lumps of lardbrain".

And bolshy great yarbockles to thee and thine, lollardites.

In the Socialist People's Republic of the Arctic Circle, currently being formed in Canada, Russia, Norway, Sweden and Finland, we will (a) invade and subjugate Alaska, (b) make laughter compulsory, and (c) ban the use of LOL. Also, no pole-dancing except within a one-kilometer radius of the north pole.

(Dear Sir,

I wish to complain on the strongest possible terms about the previous entry in this webpage about the lumberjack who wears womens' clothes. Some of my best friends are lumberjacks, and only a few of them are transvestites.

Yours faithfully,

Brigadier Sir Charles Arthur Strong (Mrs.)

P.S. : I have never kissed the editor of the Radio Times.)

But this would lead to <financial meltdown> and <total recession> and a <banking crisis> and <a total loss of faith in the system of global capitalism>. That stuff sounds scary. Couldn't really happen, of course.

Just to be on the safe side, you can't just declare something to be a work of art anymore. You now need a backup statement of affirmation from <a bona fide art critic>.

Luckily, I have one here. I happened to have one handy because I was working on my own installation 'Terminal Review' -- it features fifty critics walking through a real minefield. Any survivors get to write a review which then becomes part of the <documentation> which is so vital these days.