User Profile: offramp

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offramp
Member since Aug-16-03 · Last seen Jan-17-26

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
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   offramp has kibitzed 25205 times to chessgames [more...]

   Jan-16-26 Tata Steel Masters (2026)

offramp: <Freelance Assassin>, in Giri's last major tournament I predicted that would end up no where. I lambasted him. I face-planted because Giri won that tournament easily. SO NOW I have made a volte-face, whatever that is. I believe that <GIRI> will win this Tata Masters. ...

   Jan-16-26 offramp chessforum

offramp: Here's a good DVD Database: <ChessBase '26 Premium-Package Expand Your Chess Horizons Only available as download - Most computers no longer have DVD drives and the amount of data is now so large that it can no longer be stored on a DVD. After your purchase you will receive ...

   Jan-16-26 M Schekachikhin vs C Dolgun, 2024

offramp: The Caissa Hotel is on the Aegean Sea, in Ayvalik, Turkey. This game is very interesting all the way through, right from 4...Qh4!

   Jan-15-26 Julien Song

offramp: The first game is dead level. I reckon Song will win this match easily.

   Jan-15-26 Giri vs Niemann, 2025

offramp: Giri said... <"Before the game I visualized a victory against Niemann. There's this technique.... I saw myself win. Then I went a bit too far and I started thinking about who would be in my team for the Candidates' - and that's when I realized I had gone too far."

   Jan-15-26 Dickson

offramp: Someone asked, "What the dickens??" The answer is "No."

   Jan-15-26 S Rosenthal vs Count Isouard, 1871

offramp: "Is You Is or Is You Ain't Isouard?"

   Jan-14-26 Keymer vs Carlsen, 2023

offramp: Keymer Rouge.

   Jan-14-26 Garry Kasparov

offramp: <Petrosianic>. I dislike stories about the 3rd Reich... Kasparov was expounding about Molotov and Stalin and the Germans. I could have followed the details but I <hate> checking WWII facts on Google because you get sucked into a whirlwind of right-wing horror. So I am ...

   Jan-14-26 J Puccini vs J P Gomez, 2015

offramp: Good pun and a good game. The final move is hard-to-spot! I was expecting some hay-maker final blow, but it is a quiet move. In fact, that last move, 19. Qd2, could be a <CREEPING MOVE>. Creeping moves can only made by queens; Spassky specialised in them.

indicates a reply to the comment.

Ye Olde Offrampe Predicktions

< Earlier Kibitzing · PAGE 73 OF 86 · Later Kibitzing>
Dec-30-24		offramp: ⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (One star out of 6) <This level is for games at the BOMB level which is lifted by the mention of a famous non-chess player, e.g. Bill Gates, Rafael Nadal, Letterman et al.>

Dec-30-24		offramp: ⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2 out of 6) <A grudge match between two exponents of chess who dislike each other at a low-level😜.. ..> I have realised that the vast majority of chess games are zero ✨ stars. UNLESS I started to rating every chess game.

Dec-30-24		offramp: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5 out of 6) <A game between two very strong chess players at an exclusive event. The game will be mentioned <first> in Informant. The game scoresheet will be preserved in the FIDÉ archive at Salzburg....>

Dec-30-24		offramp: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5 out of 6) (Criteria) <A game between two very strong chess players at an exclusive event. The game will exhibit cut-and-thrust The game will flood YouTube channels. A game that is called a classic, and if any future books will include this game. Even non-chess books. The game will be mentioned <first> in Informant. People memorize the game and think of it often. When people play through this game for the first time, they will feel enthused. They might reconsider their whole lives, especially in respect to chess. The game scoresheet will be preserved in the FIDÉ archive at Salzburg....>

Dec-30-24		offramp: ⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2 out of 6 stars) <An interesting game between well-matched players who make interesting errors. A VW Polo v a Mazda. Members of the same club will mention it, and one or two if them will make a YouTube video about it.>

Dec-30-24		offramp: ⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3 out of 6) <A game that will be kept in an archive in a nearby coal mine. The game will remembered for about 10 days...The game will be mentioned in the notes in <another> game in a 6-monthly chess magazine. People who like the opening of this game will be interested in this game. Strong players will play through this game rapidly...>

Dec-30-24		offramp: 💣(lowest rating)/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (zero out of 6)

Dec-31-24		offramp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 6 stars) <A classic played between two famous players at any time-control. The game attracts large amounts of kibitzing at <chessgames.com> which includes a <flame war>. When kibitzers after playing through this game may need to go to stool. Kibitzers might be moved to annotate this game à la <KEG> but they give up. This game impresses the senses in a strongly positive way; one decides to play much more chess every day😂.> ⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐<...They search for the game at <Agdamator> and find it, and leave comments. They email the Smithson Museum but don't receive a response. .>

Dec-31-24		offramp: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/6 stars, (highest rating) <A dramatic and impressive game between two of the world's strongest players of all time playing at their very best form. A game will that will instantly be published all over the world in all forms of social media, and possibly mentioned on international Tv broadcasts, e.g. BBC, Sky. CBS. Such a game may end with (or include) a magnificent or extraordinary <coup d'éclat> and would be career-defining, taking place in an event of the highest order. The opening would include cutting-edge theory, and the endgame might include new discoveries in the ending. A copy of this game's scoresheet would be sent to the Smithsonian Institute for eternity, on display, between Bonnie & Clyde's death car and Washington's dentures.>

Dec-31-24		offramp: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/ out of 6 stars <A game between two very strong chess players at an exclusive event. The game will exhibit cut-and-thrust where the defence matches the offence. The game will be mentioned <first> in Informant. The game will rapidly appear on many YouTube channels. Future books will include this game, if any books appear. When people play through this game for the first time, they will feel enthused. They might decide to play much more chess. The game scoresheet will be preserved in the FIDÉ archive at Salzburg.>

Dec-31-24		offramp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/ out of 6 stars <A classic game played between two famous players at any time-control. A game that attracts large amounts of kibitzing at <chessgames.com> which includes a <flame war>. When kibitzers after playing through this game may need to go to stool. Kibitzers might be moved to annotate this game à la <KEG> but they give up. This game impresses the senses in a strongly positive way; one decides to play much more chess every day😂.>

Dec-31-24		offramp: ⭐⭐⭐/ out of 6 stars <An extremely good game that attracts 10-15 pages of kibitzing. The game will appear in Informant. Somewhere at the front. The game will be mentioned in the notes in <another> game. People who like the opening of this game will be interested in this game. Strong players will play through this game <rapidly>. The game scoresheet will be kept in a filing cabinet in a nearby disused coal mine.>

Dec-31-24		offramp: ⭐⭐/ out of 6 stars <A grudge match between two exponents of chess who dislike each other at a base-level😜. An interesting game between well-matched players who make interesting errors. It's like a race between a VW Polo v a Mazda. Would you watch? Members of the same chess club will mention it, and one or two if them will make a YouTube video about it.>.

Dec-31-24		offramp: ⭐/out of 6 stars <This level is for games at the 💣level which is lifted by the mention of a famous non-chess player, e.g. Bill Gates, Rafael Nadal, Letterman et al.>

Dec-31-24		offramp: 💣 (lowest rating)/out of 6 stars <Such a game will begin with Fool's Mate or Scholar's Mate, or a similar opening. Both players will be unknown. One or both players will be very young or very old or brand new to the game of chess. The game is not even funny.>

Dec-31-24		offramp: That completes the rating system.

Dec-31-24		offramp: I wish New Years wishes for every member at <chessgames.com>. I have had a great time at chessgames.com for the last year. I hope it carries on. 🎉

Jan-01-25		offramp: 💣 (lowest rating)/out of 6 stars <Such a game will begin (and end) with Fool's Mate or Scholar's Mate, or a similar opening. Both players will be unknown. One or both players will be very young or very old or brand new to the game of chess. If the game includes Bxh7+ before move 10, kibitzers will become extremely angry. If a kibitzer happens to be required to play through such 3 games (e.g. from an Olympiad) in a row, he may destroy his monitor. If members of chessgames.com discover such a game, they will complain to Moderators. <This game is not even funny>.>

Jan-01-25		offramp: ⭐/out of 6 stars <Rating is for games at the 💣level which is lifted by the mention of a famous non-chess player, e.g. Bill Gates, Rafael Nadal, Letterman, heads of state playing for the cameras et al. Kibitzers rarely comment on this game, only in a tangential way.\>

Jan-01-25		offramp: ⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2 out of 6 stars) <An interesting game between well-matched players that are both IMs. The game has been GoTD or Move of the Day, or this game has a page of one good kibitz, then drivel.>

Jan-02-25		Teyss: Hi offramp, A very happy new year to you as well as to your loved ones. Keep up the funny posts in 2025. Rest assured that for every 100% drivel, I'll answer with 150%. Take care.

Jan-02-25		moronovich: Also a very happy new year to you from me in good old Denmark. See you down the road and take care.

Jan-03-25		offramp: offramp chessforum (kibitz #1840) offramp: ⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2 out of 6 stars) <An interesting game between well-matched players that are both IMs. The game has been GoTD or Move of the Day, or this game has a page of one good kibitz, then drivel.>

Jan-03-25		offramp: AN EPISODE IN THE NETHERLANDS I went to Holland a few times. I went to Deventer, then I wandered to Almelo. I stayed in a woman's house, and she had three or four kids. What was odd that she had two big fridges; one was full of normal food, like eggs, tomatoes, lettuce, mince, sausages, Pepsi, champagne etc etc... The OTHER fridge was exclusively for DAIRY. It contained a lot of milk, loads of both 4% and 1%, and lots of butter. For the kids there was kilos of yoghurt, in different flavours. She obviously liked cottage cheese: there was about s kilo of that. That was popular in the UK in the 1970s, then faded away. The Dutch loved it. The fridge had two or three Dutch cheeses. There were also 4 foreign cheeses, camembert, brie, Gruyere and stilton. Two big bottles of kefir which I had never heard of. A huge container of quark - I thought that was a practical joke. There was a lot of Actimel (strawberry and blueberry). Buttermilk: I should have mentioned that first. Apart from normally milk, the fridge had gallons of buttermilk. What did they DO with it? Is it for cooking? There was a can of whipped cream. Also, single cream, double cream and that <rara avis> clotted cream. After I had examined her fridge I told her that it was excellent. She responded by saying, "Dank!". When I was there the woman made me a cup of tea. I said, "Do you have some milk?" She said that the milk was for the children.

Feb-21-25		offramp: I watched the second half of a superb film: <MACHETE KILLS>, 2013. I think Lady Gaga made an appearance. Hopefully I'll see the film in its entirety. What a movie!

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