User Profile: offramp

Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players ·

Kibitzing

offramp
Member since Aug-16-03 · Last seen Dec-29-25

Some chess books that I think are outstanding:
1. <Fundamental Chess Endgames>, by Müller & Lamprecht, reprinted 2020. 400pp+, £25.
2. <Secrets of Practical Chess>, by Dr Nunn. 256pp (the USUAL 256pp!, i.e. the usual 2^8). £20.
3. <Capablanca's Best Chess Endings>, Irving Chernev's best work. 300pp. £15.
4. <107 Great Chess Battles 1939-1945>, written by Alexander Alekhine, but edited by Edward Winter. 256pp, £15.
5 (a) <Petrosian Year by Year Volume 1 (1942-1962)>, and - Karolyi & Gyozalyan, 484pp.
(b) <Petrosian Year by Year Volume 2 (1963-1984)> - Karolyi & Gyozalyan, 516pp.
They are £34 each. I bought one, then a few months later, the other volume.
They are available in Kindle format!

6. <The Queen's Gambit Accepted: A Sharp and Sound Response to 1. d4> by Chris Ward.
Ward wrote a superb book about the QGD, many years ago. I think this is useful for a book about the QGA. A total antidote to 1. d4, 2. c4.
And now some total clinkers. NOT those well-known garbage chess books.
The following are really bad chess books.
1. <Capablanca: A Compendium of Games, Notes, Articles, Correspondence, Illustrations and Other Rare Archival Materials on the Cuban Chess Genius Jose Raul Capablanca, 1888-1942> by Edward Winter. 360pp. c. £35. The title is the best thing.
2. <Larsen: Move by Move> - Cyrus Lakdawala
Paperback, 488pp.
3. <Emanuel Lasker Volumes 1, 2 & 3 - Forster, Negele & Tischbierek>. £55 each.
This book is unbelievably boring and tedious. Just look through it, then forget about it.
AT THIS SAME TIME a totally superb book has just come out: <Emanuel Lasker All Games Volume 1 & 2: 1889-1940 (2 books)>, £55 for two books:
Volume 1 covers the time Lasker became World Champion and played matches against Steinitz (twice for the World Championship), Bird and Blackburne amongst others. He also took part several famous tournaments including Hastings 1895, St Petersburg 1895-96 and Nuremberg 1896.
Volume 2 covers the time Lasker played matches against Marshall, Tarrasch, Janowski, Schlechter and Capablanca for the World Championship. He also took part several famous tournaments including St Petersburg 1914, New York 1924, Moscow 1935 & 1936 and Nottingham 1936.
Hardbacks, 388 and 342 pages, Russian Chess House. A real bargain.
4. <Pal Benko : My Life, Games and Compositions>, £140. Who is the most famous chess player out of Benko and Fischer? Who published the most plush, most opulent book? Benko.
.....
Here are another 7 books:

<He received a letter from his bookseller, informing him that only seven copies had been sold, and concluding with a polite request for the balance.
Scythrop <[SKI-throp]> did not despair. <Seven copies,> he thought, <have been sold. Seven is a mystical number, and the omen is good. Let me find the seven purchasers of my seven copies, and they shall be the seven golden candlesticks with which I will illuminate the world.>.>

>> Click here to see offramp's game collections.

   Current net-worth: 1,436 chessbucks
[what is this?]

   offramp has kibitzed 25118 times to chessgames [more...]

   Dec-28-25 K Tsarouhas vs X Mastalerz, 2016

offramp: To all chess-players all over the world - no matter how strong you are - I send excellent vibes for the Christmas period, like 23th Dec to 6th Jan.

   Dec-28-25 Anatoly Karpov

offramp: User: Petrosianic thank you for that interesting list. Eugenio Torre <almost> started and ended that list.

   Dec-27-25 Jonathan Hawkins

offramp: Tragic news. Sudden.

   Dec-26-25 Geoff Chandler

offramp: There is a lot of horse racing today. I took a double take: <"14:57 Market Rasen Pallinc Lincolnshire National Handicap Chase."> Eh? Albin Planinc ?

   Dec-26-25 E Elliott vs B Jefferson, 1913

offramp: It is still alive: Paolo Boi 's version of the Joko Piano: King's Pawn Game (C20) . Going strong.

   Dec-26-25 World Rapid Championship (2025)

offramp: I've been watching the games and they are really good.

   Dec-26-25 O Hole vs G Lnenickova, 2001

offramp: I really like <Boxing Day>🏋🏽🔥💪🏼🎧, it gives me the opportunity to give neighbours a load of pointless grief (gardens, dogs, children, parking, criticizing people's curtains etc.), and IF I meet some tradesmen I totally let rip. I try to wangle a refund from ...

   Dec-25-25 moronovich chessforum

offramp: Merry Christmas to you! ⋆꙳❅*°⋆❆.ೃ࿔*:･*❆ ₊⋆ ☃︎🎅🎄❄️☃️🎁🦌 🧣🧸🎀🎄

   Dec-25-25 Torre vs R Smirka, 1924

offramp: <stone free or die: You guys are likely just spoofing, but I always thought the phrase <Ka-Ching!> was onomatopoetic.> I have many adult-age children and they have only ever heard one noise from a cash register: <BEEP>.

   Dec-25-25 offramp chessforum

offramp: Kibitz repeated for my future use. V Loginov vs F Sideifzade, 1983 (kibitz #9) <Messiah: Terrible pun. Did not check the game.> I have already copied that post: Torre vs R Smirka, 1924 (kibitz #15) <offramp: Did not check the game.>

indicates a reply to the comment.

Ye Olde Offrampe Predicktions

< Earlier Kibitzing · PAGE 14 OF 86 · Later Kibitzing>
Dec-27-15		FSR: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, <offramp>! To answer your question, the history of "Immortal Zugzwang Game" indicates that I did contribute to it, but I was not its creator or primary author. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.ph...

Jan-06-16		offramp: In the bleak midwinter BY CHRISTINA ROSSETTI In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Jan-07-16		offramp: Memo: Good anarchist Penguin cw Petrosianic Zanzibar (best collection).

Jan-12-16		offramp: It's not the cronyism that makes me puke. Nor is it the name "Caissars", as vomit-inducing as it is. What makes me puke my guts up is that fact that SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE liked that name and chose it for the awards....

Jan-12-16		Justin Flint: <offramp: It's not the cronyism that makes me puke. Nor is it the name "Caissars", as vomit-inducing as it is. What makes me puke my guts up is that fact that SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE liked that name and chose it for the awards....> http://www.motorera.com/dictionary/...

Jan-23-16		offramp: <<12. BEST (WORST) PUN OF THE YEAR> Nominees: <Mr. Georgiev, Wear Down this Tal!> (Kiril D Georgiev vs Shaked, 1999) <Brace Yourself, Winter is Coming> (Botvinnik vs W Winter, 1936) Winner: <Brace Yourself, Winter is Coming>> A fantstic win!

Jan-29-16		offramp: There is a pub near me called the Sultan, http://www.hopback.co.uk/our-pubs/t.... It is a superb pub, really homely. Anyway, they are holding a beer festival from 22-24 April 2016. I put this in my diary as <SULTAN B.F.>, and I thought, wow! Victor Ivanovich Soultanbeieff!

Feb-11-16		thegoodanarchist: <offramp: There is a pub near me called the Sultan> I think it is part of an elaborate con: Mir Sultan Khan

Feb-16-16		offramp: I've been puzzling over this one for a while. click for larger view It's a mate in 4. I cannot see it.

Feb-16-16		thegoodanarchist: Poor white - in that puzzle all of his heavy pieces are en prix.

Feb-17-16		offramp: Gah! I made a mistake in the diagram! The black pawn on h5. This is it: click for larger view #4. M. Xavier Marquez, (Burgos, ESP).

Feb-17-16		offramp: Solution: [FEN " click for larger view "] [PlyCount "7"] 1. Qxh3 Δ ♕f5+(#2) Nd3 (1... Nc6 2. Qe6+ Kc5 (2... Kxe6 3. Bc4+) 3.Qc4+) (1... Kc5 2. Qc3+ Kb6 3. Qxb4+) (1... Ke4 2. Rxd7 Δ ♗g2+(#2) a3 (2... Bd5 3. Qc3) (2... c1=B 3. Rd3 (3. Bg2+) (3. Bd3+) (3. f3+) (3. Qf5+) (3. Qe6+) (3. Qe3+) (3. Qh1+)) (2... Rxd7 3. Qf5+ (3. Qe6+)) 3. Bg2+ (3. Rd3) (3. Bd3+) (3. f3+) (3. Qf5+) (3. Qe6+) (3. Qe3+) (3. Qh1+)) (1... Qd6 2. Rxd6+ Ke4 3. Qf5+ (3. Rd3) (3. Bg2+) (3. Qe6+)) (1... Re7 2. Qf5+ Kd4 (2... Re5 3.Qxe5+) 3. Ba7+) 2. Qxd3+ Kc5 3. Bd6+ Kc6 (3... Kb6 4. Qa6#) 4. Qb5#

Feb-22-16		offramp: Blimey. My transcription talents are poor. This is the actual position. click for larger view #4. The solution is the same as I gave earlier.

Mar-02-16		offramp: 13:32 We get signal!!

Mar-02-16		luftforlife: <offramp>: Just wanted to say hello, and to let you know I appreciate your kibitzes and your insights. I'm duly impressed by, and I'm glad you received due recognition for, your prevailing analysis of the alternate line in Reshevsky vs Botvinnik, 1955, which led to your stated assessment, subsequently considered and critically accepted, that the proffered line led only to a draw, and not to a win as had been previously espoused. Kudos to you, and many thanks for your meaningful contribution. I look forward to learning more from you and from other knowledgeable and capable kibitzers in the future. Best wishes. Respectfully, ~ lufty

Mar-06-16		offramp: Thank you very much, Lufty! You have been for a long time in my FAVOURITES list!

Mar-11-16		luftforlife: You're welcome, <offramp>. It can be hard to gain traction here, and to make acquaintances, and so I'm pleased to read I'm on your favorites list. Better than being on someone's ignore list! Hope you're well, and kind regards.

Mar-12-16		offramp: keypusher: <beenthere240: Something interesting about bridge is that computers still aren't as good as the best humans. They're getting better but still not world class. It just occurred to me that a 2 handed variant of chess might be possible in which a team alternates moves without being permitted to communicate with their partners. A great combination could come to nothing if the partner didn't understand the idea behind it. The most successful teams would be those who thought alike. It wouldn't have the mano a mano aspect that chess players love, but it might be interesting. Perhaps as a training exercise.> It's been done; I thought it was called tandem chess, but the internet disagrees. Andy Soltis discussed it in a column 30 years ago. He said two experts would probably beat a C-player and Kasparov because the C-player wouldn't know how to follow up Kasparov's moves. There was also a funny anecdote about someone, I think Kavalek, playing with Ulf Andersson. Kavalek said it was awful -- he'd move a piece forward and then when it was Andersson's turn he would move it back. Seems like it would be a good way for the teammates to get into a fight, if one was just consistently failing to figure out what the other one was trying to do. Bridge has wrecked a lot of marriages for that reason, I understand.

Apr-03-16		morfishine: Thanks for dropping by <offramp>! As for <not not> Please do lay into him, preferably with a full broadside. And when he attempts to come about leeward, apply right full rudder, drop the topsails, then give him the other broadside Admiral, the country expects nothing less *****

Apr-03-16		morfishine: <offramp> That was terrific, your 2-part post countering <not not>. I was particularly impressed with your references to diversity and strength derived thereof *****

Apr-03-16		Karposian: <morfishine: <offramp> That was terrific, your 2-part post countering <not not>. I was particularly impressed with your references to diversity and strength derived thereof> LOL. Yeah, it would have been terrific, if it wasn't for the fact that it was taken from an Indian newspaper. But don't feel bad, <offie>. T.S.Eliot, dr. King, Jane Goodall, you now join an illustrious list of great men and women who have done the same. Plagiarism is widespread. Hey, Led Zeppelin stole most of their songs from others! And no one cares!! On behalf of a grateful <CG>-nation: stay proud and strong, and fight to see another day. From a guy who has the nerve to admire Aleister Crowley, I would expect no less :)

Apr-04-16		offramp: <Karposian: <morfishine: <offramp> That was terrific, your 2-part post countering <not not>. I was particularly impressed with your references to diversity and strength derived thereof> LOL. Yeah, it would have been terrific, if it wasn't for the fact that it was taken from an Indian newspaper....> I don't think <Not not> has noticed the part about India which I forgot to take out. As Billy Idol once said, "I should have looked harder."

Apr-04-16		offramp: Remember Marshall vs Nimzowitsch, 1930 for a funny and original post.

Apr-05-16		Karposian: <offramp: Remember Marshall vs Nimzowitsch, 1930 for a funny and original post.Nimzowitsch> LOL. Great story, <offramp>. Nimzowitsch had a wonderfully eccentric personality. He was a bit mad, but hey, he was a chess player, after all :)

Apr-07-16		thegoodanarchist: The <offramp> forum is THE appropriate location for me to post the following insight, which is not commonly known. The <Petrov Defense> was actually invented by Karl Rove's Great Grandfather, Pete Rove, while Pete was playing a Simul in Moscow at the Czar's favorite sporting venue, the Hall of Columns. It was widely cabled back to the West, but <Pete Rove's Defense> was unfortunately shortened to <Petrov's Defense>, which every recipient assumed to be accurate because the game was played in M'skow.

Jump to page # (enter # from 1 to 86)
search thread:
< Earlier Kibitzing · PAGE 14 OF 86 · Later Kibitzing>

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
Nothing in violation of United States law.
No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
No trolling.
The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.

NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific user only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

Participating Grandmasters are Not Allowed Here!

You are not logged in to chessgames.com.
If you need an account, register now;
it's quick, anonymous, and free!
If you already have an account, click here to sign-in.