The Immortal Game (Book)

David Shenk, author of The Immortal Game, A History of Chess, is interviewed on Good Morning America last September. Very encouraging information about chess improving education and helping to prevent Alzheimer's disease.

(Don't know why this video won't give an option to post a window here, but click on the link)

Homer Nods (II)

One of the greatest players ever makes perhaps the worst move of his career:

9. ... Ba6??

I'm sure even you and I can spot the refuatation...

Can any reader identify the man, the tournament, the opponent?

For all the fascinating background see here.

My Tournaments and Ratings For the Record

Tournaments and rating since 1992. I reached a peak of around 1825 in 1988 or 89. Here's Bryan Smith, the guy I posted about playing back in 1996. Now that's progress!

I'll be playing rated tournament chess again this Thursday, and every Thursday after that (barring the ususal 'life events'). When I can get that rating to climb, I'll crow about it here.

Using Chess for Global Self-Improvement

The recent posts on Rolf Wetzell's Chessmaster...at any age have got me thinking about not just improving my chess, but using chess for self-improvement. Wetzell talks a lot about discipline: the discipline to avoid time pressure, the discipline to study on schedule, to maintain one's health as the basis for achieving long-term career goals in chess, etc.

I like this idea of using chess to improve one's life. Feel like eating junk food? Not good for your chess! Jogging not attractive on a cold morning? Get out and do it for your chess! Sleeping, eating and breathing chess could be the best thing to motivate one to do the right things in life, if it was looked at in that light.

I think some of those who've gone before us talked about training to be a warrior in this way; the great thing about chess is that after the discipline and the preparation, when you put it in practice you have a much better chance of coming home alive and with all of your limbs intact!

Homer Nods (I)

Chess is a hard game, and everyone up to World Champion has those moments when the simplest- seeming point is overlooked. Almost all of us below that level enjoy seeing the masters play like rank amateurs from time to time; hence my new series 'Homer Nods.'

From the very interesting Shakmaty Bereoleos, FM Bereleos (Black) kindly shares this moment with us from the 2006 King Island Open vs. Seth Homa (2210):


Black played 37. ... f5. What should White do (Homa didn't...).