Interesting links containing recent chess news!
Chess match from outer space - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43079794/ns/technology_and_science-space/
("Chess is a great game that challenges the mind and helps young people develop critical thinking skills that will serve them well in math, science and all aspects of their future careers" - Greg Chamitoff, NASA astronaut), http://www.voanews.com/english/news/science-technology/Earth-vs-Space-Chess-A-Chance-to-Checkmate-the-Cosmos-122837669.html
Here's a community idea, UK volunteers create a giant chess board for kids - http://www.bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk/news/9047943.Volunteers_help_create_giant_chess_for_youngsters/
Solitaire Chess app available - http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/05/19/prweb8444522.DTL
Kubb ("Viking Chess") lawn game combines chess and horseshoes - http://www.waaytv.com/news/content/burgerbytes/story/Burger-Bytes-The-Kubb-Kraze/85NucwQF6UiOFrHnki5brA.cspx
Chess robots - http://www.pcworld.com/article/228453/robot_plays_chess_attempts_to_assert_dominance_over_humans.html, http://articles.boston.com/2011-05-30/ae/29600135_1_kempelen-chess-openings-2d4
"I keep making good moves, until my opponents collapse." (S. Reshevsky) - http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2011/05/28/tiny-american-was-titan-of-tenacity.html?sid=101
Chess in curriculum - http://www.wltx.com/news/article/138076/2/Math-Science-English-and-Chess
Bobby Fischer Against The World movie project - http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/scene/article/865665--finding-empathy-in-bobby-fischer-s-mystery, http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/news/article_1640322.php/Bobby-Fischer-Against-the-World-kicks-off-HBO-Documentary-Films-June-6, http://www.torontosun.com/2011/05/26/bobby-fischer-doc-captures-audience
Robert Hamilton teaches chess in Fredericton - http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/cityregion/article/1408795
Lennox Lewis talks about chess - http://www.theprovince.com/sports/amateur/university/Kids+always+have+Lewis+their+corner/4840005/story.html, http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Lennox+Lewis+urges+kids+take+chess/4842644/story.html
Also check out some Chess in the Library news at the bottom of this blog page.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Would You Rather? - my answers
1. Would you rather see chess combined (in some way) with soccer or with basketball?
Soccer? Chess players need to get out more to exercise. Well, at least I need to!
2. Would you rather play chess at noon or at midnight?
If this question was asked five or ten years ago, I may have chosen midnight, since I used to focus better when it was dark out. However, now that I'm older, I don't have much energy past midnight, so I'd rather play chess at noon.
3. Would you rather get an extra hour on your chess clock in a standard weekend game (not the active 30 min. or short time control games) or an extra pawn? Assume your opponent is not granted the same benefit.
As long as the time control isn't too short (like in blitz/active), it's usually not a critical factor for me in chess. Why? It's the way my brain works - I tend to work towards deadlines. If I'm given more time, I change priorities and get a bit relaxed about some things (for instance, I get up to eat or walk around more, meaning some of my clock time isn't used very efficiently in terms of focusing on the game). If I have less time, I use it more efficiently for one or two tasks, and forget about other things (for instance, I stay at the board and wait until later to eat/walk). On the other hand, an extra pawn can make a huge difference, especially with many of my games going into the late middlegame or endgame.
4. Would you rather pay $100 for one 'amazing' chess book or $20 each for five 'okay' chess books of similar size to the 'amazing' book?
I do admire quality, so I would consider going for the 'amazing one' if it contains original ideas by a respectable author. However, in general, I would choose the five 'okay' books. One reason is I like some variety to compare different perspectives and change things up every now and then. Second, I find it difficult to drop $100 on one book. Lastly, I don't use all the content in most books anyway. I use them to get ideas, and then expand on my own or with a coach.
5. Would you rather go to a 5-week chess training camp (half-day, five times per week) with an instructor of choice or get 5 weeks of private lessons (say, a couple of hours, once or twice per week) with an instructor of choice? Assume the instructor only teaches in groups at the camp, but individually in private.
In my current situation, a private instructor would be much more convenient. With private instruction, lessons are tailor-made for the individual student instead of generalized. Anyone who has spoken with chess experts/masters can understand that needs are different as you progress, and you rely more on direct study in certain areas, rather than touching on a little of everything. On the other hand, if you are just starting out with chess (especially kids), group camps provide amazing support & motivation, as well as a general view into a variety of topics you need to get going. It really depends on your personality and experience.
Soccer? Chess players need to get out more to exercise. Well, at least I need to!
2. Would you rather play chess at noon or at midnight?
If this question was asked five or ten years ago, I may have chosen midnight, since I used to focus better when it was dark out. However, now that I'm older, I don't have much energy past midnight, so I'd rather play chess at noon.
3. Would you rather get an extra hour on your chess clock in a standard weekend game (not the active 30 min. or short time control games) or an extra pawn? Assume your opponent is not granted the same benefit.
As long as the time control isn't too short (like in blitz/active), it's usually not a critical factor for me in chess. Why? It's the way my brain works - I tend to work towards deadlines. If I'm given more time, I change priorities and get a bit relaxed about some things (for instance, I get up to eat or walk around more, meaning some of my clock time isn't used very efficiently in terms of focusing on the game). If I have less time, I use it more efficiently for one or two tasks, and forget about other things (for instance, I stay at the board and wait until later to eat/walk). On the other hand, an extra pawn can make a huge difference, especially with many of my games going into the late middlegame or endgame.
4. Would you rather pay $100 for one 'amazing' chess book or $20 each for five 'okay' chess books of similar size to the 'amazing' book?
I do admire quality, so I would consider going for the 'amazing one' if it contains original ideas by a respectable author. However, in general, I would choose the five 'okay' books. One reason is I like some variety to compare different perspectives and change things up every now and then. Second, I find it difficult to drop $100 on one book. Lastly, I don't use all the content in most books anyway. I use them to get ideas, and then expand on my own or with a coach.
5. Would you rather go to a 5-week chess training camp (half-day, five times per week) with an instructor of choice or get 5 weeks of private lessons (say, a couple of hours, once or twice per week) with an instructor of choice? Assume the instructor only teaches in groups at the camp, but individually in private.
In my current situation, a private instructor would be much more convenient. With private instruction, lessons are tailor-made for the individual student instead of generalized. Anyone who has spoken with chess experts/masters can understand that needs are different as you progress, and you rely more on direct study in certain areas, rather than touching on a little of everything. On the other hand, if you are just starting out with chess (especially kids), group camps provide amazing support & motivation, as well as a general view into a variety of topics you need to get going. It really depends on your personality and experience.
New Haircut!
Hey Readers,
I missed another Monday post, but I have a surprise for you! Instead of blogging, I went to get a new haircut. It turned out really well - reminds me of my chess-playing days :)
Here are some photos:
I missed another Monday post, but I have a surprise for you! Instead of blogging, I went to get a new haircut. It turned out really well - reminds me of my chess-playing days :)
Here are some photos:
Me! A big change :S
My hair puffs out a bit from certain angles haha.
Even my teddy is happy about my haircut :)Hope everyone's enjoying the beautiful weather.
Hazel
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Totally Thursday - Weird Fact/Link
I got a paper cut on my finger today - not very nice when you're cooking, that's for sure. Yes, you can get paper cuts from cracker boxes! I should have known better. Since it's been on my mind constantly, I decided to look up something to do with chess and fingers. What I found was quite strange...
Did you know...in the eighth century AD, Indian chess players had to cut off a finger if they lost?
Wow, that makes me feel better about only getting a paper cut. With the number of times I've lost, I'd have no fingers left!
Here's the link (don't worry, it's all trivia, no images or extensive details): http://molly.kalafut.org/aboutme/games/chess.html
Eek!
Did you know...in the eighth century AD, Indian chess players had to cut off a finger if they lost?
Wow, that makes me feel better about only getting a paper cut. With the number of times I've lost, I'd have no fingers left!
Here's the link (don't worry, it's all trivia, no images or extensive details): http://molly.kalafut.org/aboutme/games/chess.html
Eek!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Wacky Wednesday - Chess Art
These shoes look awesome! Check out this pair, and a few other excellent pieces of chess art at http://alchessmist-chess-art.blogspot.com/Related blog: http://alchessmist.blogspot.com/
There are also some great art & videos at http://chessaleeinlondon.wordpress.com/chess-humour-art/. I especially like the 'Chess Simul and More' video!!!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Twisted Tuesday - Variant
Try 'Anticipation Chess'!
After making each move, you must immediately decide what type of piece you will move next. This leads to crazy scenarios where the king can be in check, but is not necessarily entitled to move away. Even so, you cannot capture the king - the game ends when one side checkmates.
It's a lot of fun to try:
Would You Rather?
Here are the weekend answers & five new questions...hope everyone had a nice holiday!
OLD
1. Would you rather learn an opening from a top grandmaster or from a player the opening is named after (assuming you are learning an opening named after a person, such as Petroff, Philidor, etc.)?
I think it would be cool to learn an opening from someone it was named after. While you can almost always find some sort of great instructor to teach you openings (if you have the time and $ of course!), it's a unique opportunity to be taught the underlying principles of an opening from the original perspective.
2. Would you rather win a game with a queen sacrifice or with a 10-move forced combination?
Both are fantastic, especially when a brilliancy prize is involved, but a 10-move forced combination requires more technique and insight in most cases (that would be my choice).
3. Would you rather go on vacation to play in a large chess tournament or go on vacation without a chess board in sight (but come back to chess after the vacation!)?
When I used to go on European chess trips, I often wondered how much nicer the trip would be if all my time was devoted to siteseeing rather than preparing for chess games. However, as I grew up, I realized many of those chess trips weren't so bad afterall - through the tournaments, you get to meet a lot of people with similar interests yet different styles + have something interesting to do (play chess or enjoy the tournament atmosphere) + the days you do look around town are more highly-valued. Considering these factors, I would usually lean towards the large chess tournament. However, given my current circumstance, there's no way for me to prepare for a large tournament, so I'll have to settle for smaller vacations without chess :(
4. Would you rather participate in a chess camp/event or be an instructor at a chess camp/event?
Teaching chess is hard work! It's really rewarding for everyone, but wow, it can be exhausting if you care about instructing properly. I still love teaching roles once in awhile, but it would be cool to be a participant again!
5. Would you rather play chess against the Prime Minister of Canada (Harper) or the President of the U.S. (Obama)?
Maybe Obama...if I lose, Obama seems more sympathetic than Harper...and if I win, I can hide back here in Canada hahaha!
NEW
1. Would you rather see chess combined (in some way) with soccer or with basketball?
2. Would you rather play chess at noon or at midnight?
3. Would you rather get an extra hour on your chess clock in a standard weekend game (not the active 30 min. or short time control games) or an extra pawn? Assume your opponent is not granted the same benefit.
4. Would you rather pay $100 for one 'amazing' chess book or $20 each for five 'okay' chess books of similar size to the 'amazing' book?
5. Would you rather go to a 5-week chess training camp (half-day, five times per week) with an instructor of choice or get 5 weeks of private lessons (say, a couple of hours, once or twice per week) with an instructor of choice? Assume the instructor only teaches in groups at the camp, but individually in private.
OLD
1. Would you rather learn an opening from a top grandmaster or from a player the opening is named after (assuming you are learning an opening named after a person, such as Petroff, Philidor, etc.)?
I think it would be cool to learn an opening from someone it was named after. While you can almost always find some sort of great instructor to teach you openings (if you have the time and $ of course!), it's a unique opportunity to be taught the underlying principles of an opening from the original perspective.
2. Would you rather win a game with a queen sacrifice or with a 10-move forced combination?
Both are fantastic, especially when a brilliancy prize is involved, but a 10-move forced combination requires more technique and insight in most cases (that would be my choice).
3. Would you rather go on vacation to play in a large chess tournament or go on vacation without a chess board in sight (but come back to chess after the vacation!)?
When I used to go on European chess trips, I often wondered how much nicer the trip would be if all my time was devoted to siteseeing rather than preparing for chess games. However, as I grew up, I realized many of those chess trips weren't so bad afterall - through the tournaments, you get to meet a lot of people with similar interests yet different styles + have something interesting to do (play chess or enjoy the tournament atmosphere) + the days you do look around town are more highly-valued. Considering these factors, I would usually lean towards the large chess tournament. However, given my current circumstance, there's no way for me to prepare for a large tournament, so I'll have to settle for smaller vacations without chess :(
4. Would you rather participate in a chess camp/event or be an instructor at a chess camp/event?
Teaching chess is hard work! It's really rewarding for everyone, but wow, it can be exhausting if you care about instructing properly. I still love teaching roles once in awhile, but it would be cool to be a participant again!
5. Would you rather play chess against the Prime Minister of Canada (Harper) or the President of the U.S. (Obama)?
Maybe Obama...if I lose, Obama seems more sympathetic than Harper...and if I win, I can hide back here in Canada hahaha!
NEW
1. Would you rather see chess combined (in some way) with soccer or with basketball?
2. Would you rather play chess at noon or at midnight?
3. Would you rather get an extra hour on your chess clock in a standard weekend game (not the active 30 min. or short time control games) or an extra pawn? Assume your opponent is not granted the same benefit.
4. Would you rather pay $100 for one 'amazing' chess book or $20 each for five 'okay' chess books of similar size to the 'amazing' book?
5. Would you rather go to a 5-week chess training camp (half-day, five times per week) with an instructor of choice or get 5 weeks of private lessons (say, a couple of hours, once or twice per week) with an instructor of choice? Assume the instructor only teaches in groups at the camp, but individually in private.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Totally Thursday - Hilarious Video Link
Take care when using a computer near a chess game...especially if you see the Just For Laughs folks around!Alexandra Kosteniuk posted this video on her blog last month: http://www.chessblog.com/2011/04/fun-chess-video-just-for-laughs-gag.html
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Wacky Wednesday - Fun Vocabulary
Here are five words that should be part of chess vocabulary, but aren't at the moment:
1. The 'pork' - a tactic involving both a pin and a fork
2. The 'nopening' - an uncommon move order at the start of the game that either makes no sense or should be avoided
3. The 'shussle' - quick movement/shuffling of a person's body or chair to avoid a distraction (such as an intrusive spectator)
4. The 'COMET' - a completely obvious move everyone tries in a certain situation
5. The 'primate' - the best way to end the game
1. The 'pork' - a tactic involving both a pin and a fork
2. The 'nopening' - an uncommon move order at the start of the game that either makes no sense or should be avoided
3. The 'shussle' - quick movement/shuffling of a person's body or chair to avoid a distraction (such as an intrusive spectator)
4. The 'COMET' - a completely obvious move everyone tries in a certain situation
5. The 'primate' - the best way to end the game
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Twisted Tuesday - Strategy Advice
Those who know me have probably caught me staring into space sometime in the past - yes, I was one of those kids occasionally sitting in the back of the room, staring into space, and thinking to myself. Not surprisingly, I was having one of those days today. Don't get me wrong, I got a lot accomplished throughout the day, but every now and then a random idea would pop into my head, the first being the fact that 'timing of things is so important'. If you think about it, timing dictates a lot in our life. Simply the time and related circumstance of an event can cause it to succeed or fail. Likewise, in chess, when to play moves and how to manage the time on your clock can be crucial factors.
I decided to make a list of ten tips to help you manage time in chess. There are many more things that could be said, but we'll leave those for another day (or feel free to comment).
1. Calculate forced, realistic, and pattern-oriented moves first. This should be common sense, but it's so easy for the human mind to get distracted. There's really no point spending a bunch of your valuable time calculating inefficient or unrealistic options.
2. Arrive on time and remember to press your clock!
3. Really get to know the position and its underlying strategy on your opponent's time, so that you can focus on actual moves/tactics on your own time.
4. If you are constantly low on time, find out where the problem is occurring. Is it in the opening, middlegame, or endgame? Is it in your attack or defense? Does it involve certain trouble pieces? Once you know where the problem is, you can work to improve the situation.
5. Come to the game with fresh energy. Eat & sleep well + don't pressure yourself too much. A friend of mine advised me to relax an hour before each exam - something similar could apply to chess. Basically, if you feel drained and tired during your game, you will have to use extra time to organize your thoughts, not to mention your motivation.
6. Be flexible - don't get stuck on certain 'rules' like you must take 'x' amount of minutes per move. You have to adjust the way you manage your time in each situation. If it's a straightforward game and you are 99.99% sure a certain move is the best move, you don't need to spend all day looking for a better one. On the other hand, if it's a complicated game, and a crucial move, you may want to spend a larger chunk of time thinking - just don't go overboard because you still have the rest of the game to complete.
7. Practice, practice, practice! Try to include a variety of positions, opponents, tactics, strategy, and so forth into your studies/tournaments. The more patterns you're exposed to, the easier moves will come to your mind.
8. Stay calm, but never too calm! Almost everything in life is about finding a balance. If you panic, you won't be able to sort your thoughts efficiently. If you go into vacation mode, you may not be thinking at all! So try to find that balance and use it to your advantage.
9. Develop consistent habits - when I was younger, I used to bring juice, a teddy bear, and a certain set of pens & scorepads to each game of a tournament. I would write out my moves in a certain way, and sometimes even look at the board a certain way. While it may seem over the top, these habits helped me focus efficiently, because when you get used to your surroundings in a consistent way, you don't think about as many distractions. Of course, I would change things up occasionally (between tournaments) to keep myself from going insane (haha) but overall, my habits were quite regular.
Note: While there are many acceptable habits you can develop, make sure the habits themselves are not overly distracting to you or others.
10. Even though timing is important, don't let it overrule your thinking process. It's similar to a test - it's better to get 50 questions correct in a longer amount of time than 100 questions wrong in a shorter amount of time. Your first priority is to find reasonable moves. Your second priority is to find them efficiently.
Further resources:
http://chess.about.com/od/tipsforbeginners/qt/TimeManagement.htm
http://www.chess-game-strategies.com/beginners-chess.html
http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman40.pdf
http://www.mychessblog.com/online-chess/
http://www.chesskid.com/article/view/time-is-on-my-mind
http://www.gamecentercentral.com/improve-in-chess-manage-your-time-well-and-win-chess-games-more-and-lose-less/
http://how-to-improve-in-chess.com/2011/02/12/improve-in-chess-proper-chess-time-management-3/
http://www.thechessworld.com/learn/articles/17-chess-how-tos/131-how-to-manage-time-in-chess
http://www.chessfornovices.com/becomingastrongchesstournamentplayer2.html
http://main.uschess.org/content/view/9176/341/
http://www.chess.com/article/view/time-management2
http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman10.pdf
or search 'time management chess', 'timing moves in chess', etc... as you can see, there are many articles about this important issue :)
Good night!
I decided to make a list of ten tips to help you manage time in chess. There are many more things that could be said, but we'll leave those for another day (or feel free to comment).
1. Calculate forced, realistic, and pattern-oriented moves first. This should be common sense, but it's so easy for the human mind to get distracted. There's really no point spending a bunch of your valuable time calculating inefficient or unrealistic options.
2. Arrive on time and remember to press your clock!
3. Really get to know the position and its underlying strategy on your opponent's time, so that you can focus on actual moves/tactics on your own time.
4. If you are constantly low on time, find out where the problem is occurring. Is it in the opening, middlegame, or endgame? Is it in your attack or defense? Does it involve certain trouble pieces? Once you know where the problem is, you can work to improve the situation.
5. Come to the game with fresh energy. Eat & sleep well + don't pressure yourself too much. A friend of mine advised me to relax an hour before each exam - something similar could apply to chess. Basically, if you feel drained and tired during your game, you will have to use extra time to organize your thoughts, not to mention your motivation.
6. Be flexible - don't get stuck on certain 'rules' like you must take 'x' amount of minutes per move. You have to adjust the way you manage your time in each situation. If it's a straightforward game and you are 99.99% sure a certain move is the best move, you don't need to spend all day looking for a better one. On the other hand, if it's a complicated game, and a crucial move, you may want to spend a larger chunk of time thinking - just don't go overboard because you still have the rest of the game to complete.
7. Practice, practice, practice! Try to include a variety of positions, opponents, tactics, strategy, and so forth into your studies/tournaments. The more patterns you're exposed to, the easier moves will come to your mind.
8. Stay calm, but never too calm! Almost everything in life is about finding a balance. If you panic, you won't be able to sort your thoughts efficiently. If you go into vacation mode, you may not be thinking at all! So try to find that balance and use it to your advantage.
9. Develop consistent habits - when I was younger, I used to bring juice, a teddy bear, and a certain set of pens & scorepads to each game of a tournament. I would write out my moves in a certain way, and sometimes even look at the board a certain way. While it may seem over the top, these habits helped me focus efficiently, because when you get used to your surroundings in a consistent way, you don't think about as many distractions. Of course, I would change things up occasionally (between tournaments) to keep myself from going insane (haha) but overall, my habits were quite regular.
Note: While there are many acceptable habits you can develop, make sure the habits themselves are not overly distracting to you or others.
10. Even though timing is important, don't let it overrule your thinking process. It's similar to a test - it's better to get 50 questions correct in a longer amount of time than 100 questions wrong in a shorter amount of time. Your first priority is to find reasonable moves. Your second priority is to find them efficiently.
Further resources:
http://chess.about.com/od/tipsforbeginners/qt/TimeManagement.htm
http://www.chess-game-strategies.com/beginners-chess.html
http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman40.pdf
http://www.mychessblog.com/online-chess/
http://www.chesskid.com/article/view/time-is-on-my-mind
http://www.gamecentercentral.com/improve-in-chess-manage-your-time-well-and-win-chess-games-more-and-lose-less/
http://how-to-improve-in-chess.com/2011/02/12/improve-in-chess-proper-chess-time-management-3/
http://www.thechessworld.com/learn/articles/17-chess-how-tos/131-how-to-manage-time-in-chess
http://www.chessfornovices.com/becomingastrongchesstournamentplayer2.html
http://main.uschess.org/content/view/9176/341/
http://www.chess.com/article/view/time-management2
http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman10.pdf
or search 'time management chess', 'timing moves in chess', etc... as you can see, there are many articles about this important issue :)
Good night!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Select Pieces of Recent News
I've got an awful headache, so bear with me...this is to make up for last Thursday.
A Harvard economist played chess - http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Top-economist-warns-of-dangers-in-US-debt-fight-1381881.php
Deaf athlete relates NBA to chess - “And so you learn to be a visual player. And you're out there, you're playing chess. You have to rely on strategy and intelligence and not just brute force and athleticism all the time." - Lance Allred - http://www.3news.co.nz/Nuggets-look-to-new-gold-to-reverse-their-fortunes/tabid/415/articleID/211185/Default.aspx
New 'Gangsta' and 'Shorty' chess pieces? - http://www.thenewsgrind.com/news/world-news/chess-chiefs-hit-back-at-scrabble-with-introduction-of-two-extra-pieces/
Hip-Hop Chess Federation unites chess and rap - http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Rappers-Play-Chess-to-Help-Kids-121711299.html
"Queen to Play" chess movie - http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/movies/2014974549_mr06queen.html?prmid=head_main
To make elementary school chess compulsory or not? - http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/katharinebirbalsingh/100087302/compulsory-chess-lessons-in-every-school-now-thats-radical/
3D Standing Chess - http://www2.tbo.com/news/community-news/2011/may/11/BRNEWSO37-live-chess-teaches-math-problem-solving--ar-206028/
Artificial Intelligence (chess and computers) - http://www.i-programmer.info/programming/artificial-intelligence/2437-the-paradox-of-artificial-intelligence.html
The Importance of Defense (Susan Polgar) - http://lubbockonline.com/columnists/2011-05-16/importance-defense-chess
Quiet Moves in Endgames (Ronan Bennett, Daniel King) - http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/may/10/chess-ronan-bennett-daniel-king
Alex Beach, 12, chess master & genius despite autism and partial blindness - http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/05/13/blind-autistic-12-year-old-headed-college/
Book claims that genetics determine success more than "tiger parenting" - http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/the-author-of-a-new-book-says-genetics-rather-than-chess-lessons-have-a-bigger-effect-on-success/story-e6frg8nf-1226056760390
Chess according to Sheldon on "The Big Bang Theory" - http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/06/not-quite-a-checkmate-on-the-big-bang-theory/
(NOTE: These are just some of the many articles online. You may wish to use them to get ideas & research further :) I try to include a broad selection of news for this purpose, rather than specific articles about tournaments alone.)
A Harvard economist played chess - http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Top-economist-warns-of-dangers-in-US-debt-fight-1381881.php
Deaf athlete relates NBA to chess - “And so you learn to be a visual player. And you're out there, you're playing chess. You have to rely on strategy and intelligence and not just brute force and athleticism all the time." - Lance Allred - http://www.3news.co.nz/Nuggets-look-to-new-gold-to-reverse-their-fortunes/tabid/415/articleID/211185/Default.aspx
New 'Gangsta' and 'Shorty' chess pieces? - http://www.thenewsgrind.com/news/world-news/chess-chiefs-hit-back-at-scrabble-with-introduction-of-two-extra-pieces/
Hip-Hop Chess Federation unites chess and rap - http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Rappers-Play-Chess-to-Help-Kids-121711299.html
"Queen to Play" chess movie - http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/movies/2014974549_mr06queen.html?prmid=head_main
To make elementary school chess compulsory or not? - http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/katharinebirbalsingh/100087302/compulsory-chess-lessons-in-every-school-now-thats-radical/
3D Standing Chess - http://www2.tbo.com/news/community-news/2011/may/11/BRNEWSO37-live-chess-teaches-math-problem-solving--ar-206028/
Artificial Intelligence (chess and computers) - http://www.i-programmer.info/programming/artificial-intelligence/2437-the-paradox-of-artificial-intelligence.html
The Importance of Defense (Susan Polgar) - http://lubbockonline.com/columnists/2011-05-16/importance-defense-chess
Quiet Moves in Endgames (Ronan Bennett, Daniel King) - http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/may/10/chess-ronan-bennett-daniel-king
Alex Beach, 12, chess master & genius despite autism and partial blindness - http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/05/13/blind-autistic-12-year-old-headed-college/
Book claims that genetics determine success more than "tiger parenting" - http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/the-author-of-a-new-book-says-genetics-rather-than-chess-lessons-have-a-bigger-effect-on-success/story-e6frg8nf-1226056760390
Chess according to Sheldon on "The Big Bang Theory" - http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/06/not-quite-a-checkmate-on-the-big-bang-theory/
(NOTE: These are just some of the many articles online. You may wish to use them to get ideas & research further :) I try to include a broad selection of news for this purpose, rather than specific articles about tournaments alone.)
Marvelous Monday - Would You Rather?
Five "Would You Rather?" Questions - my answers next weekend
1. Would you rather learn an opening from a top grandmaster or from a player the opening is named after (assuming you are learning an opening named after a person, such as Petroff, Philidor, etc.)?
2. Would you rather win a game with a queen sacrifice or with a 10-move forced combination?
3. Would you rather go on vacation to play in a large chess tournament or go on vacation without a chess board in sight (but come back to chess after the vacation!)?
4. Would you rather participate in a chess camp/event or be an instructor at a chess camp/event?
5. Would you rather play chess against the Prime Minister of Canada (Harper) or the President of the U.S. (Obama)?
1. Would you rather learn an opening from a top grandmaster or from a player the opening is named after (assuming you are learning an opening named after a person, such as Petroff, Philidor, etc.)?
2. Would you rather win a game with a queen sacrifice or with a 10-move forced combination?
3. Would you rather go on vacation to play in a large chess tournament or go on vacation without a chess board in sight (but come back to chess after the vacation!)?
4. Would you rather participate in a chess camp/event or be an instructor at a chess camp/event?
5. Would you rather play chess against the Prime Minister of Canada (Harper) or the President of the U.S. (Obama)?
Sunday, May 15, 2011
A Poetic Attempt
Pieces, pieces, pieces,
They glitter in the light.
Opening up the position
Perhaps a pawn and knight.
Bishops take diagonals,
Rooks on files and ranks.
Fortress in the centre,
And storms along the flanks.
What a fight it is!
Both sides under stress.
Realizing one mistake,
Could end up in a mess.
Anticipating many possibilities,
Not sure what to do.
Just so many pieces,
Squares and thoughts too.
Pieces, pieces, pieces,
They aim near and far.
Making golf look easy,
When all you need is par :) (haha not so easy)
Just how to win this game,
With pieces all around?
It seems like a game of hide and seek,
Where you're always lost or found.
But now you see a brilliant move -
The best you've ever seen!
It all makes sense when pieces
Have trapped the powerful queen.
They glitter in the light.
Opening up the position
Perhaps a pawn and knight.
Bishops take diagonals,
Rooks on files and ranks.
Fortress in the centre,
And storms along the flanks.
What a fight it is!
Both sides under stress.
Realizing one mistake,
Could end up in a mess.
Anticipating many possibilities,
Not sure what to do.
Just so many pieces,
Squares and thoughts too.
Pieces, pieces, pieces,
They aim near and far.
Making golf look easy,
When all you need is par :) (haha not so easy)
Just how to win this game,
With pieces all around?
It seems like a game of hide and seek,
Where you're always lost or found.
But now you see a brilliant move -
The best you've ever seen!
It all makes sense when pieces
Have trapped the powerful queen.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Totally Thursday - Blogger Error
Sorry to everyone who checked the blog yesterday for a Thursday post. Blogger was not allowing access to accounts for most of yesterday, and also this morning.
See http://status.blogger.com/
I will add an extra post to what I have planned later this weekend or Monday. In the meantime, check out some of the Chess in the Library posts below (find links at the bottom of this blog)!
Have a nice day!
See http://status.blogger.com/
I will add an extra post to what I have planned later this weekend or Monday. In the meantime, check out some of the Chess in the Library posts below (find links at the bottom of this blog)!
Have a nice day!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Wacky Wednesday - Personality Quiz
Let's try something new for a change. Personality quizzes are popular in magazines, so why not include them in a blog?
What type of 'chess animal' are you?
For each of these questions, choose the answer that suits you best!
Question 1: How do you usually win your games?
(a) Brilliant checkmate
(b) Long, drawn-out endgame
(c) Perhaps win some material, then use the advantage later on to checkmate
Question 2: What is your first instinct when you realize a king's castle is open?
(a) That king is not safe!
(b) There may be a way to get an advantage!
(c) What a great chance to attack!
Question 3: If there was one type of piece you feel you couldn't play without, what would it be?
(a) Queens
(b) Minor Pieces (Knights or Bishops)
(c) Pawns
Question 4: When you see yourself playing black against a higher-rated opponent, what result do you tend to anticipate?
(a) Loss
(b) Draw
(c) Win
Question 5: If your position gets closed, you immediately
(a) Decide on a new plan
(b) Try to open up the position
(c) Reorganize your pieces, but let the closed structure remain
Total up your points:
Q1 (a) 3 points (b) 1 point (c) 2 points
Q2 (a) 1 point (b) 2 points (c) 3 points
Q3 (a) 3 points (b) 2 points (c) 1 point
Q4 (a) 1 point (b) 2 points (c) 3 points
Q5 (a) 2 points (b) 3 points (c) 1 point
Score:
5 points - 8 points
You're a bear -
You tend to sit back and wait for something to happen. You like solid structures and calm positions. However, if your opponent causes too many disruptions, you unleash your inner strength. To improve, bring your strength to the next level - take initiative as soon as there is an opportunity - don't wait for your opponent to make the first attack, otherwise you risk getting too passive.
9 points - 11 points
You're a chameleon -
No one really knows what's on your mind. You 'change the colour' of each of your games by adding unique twists and turns. Sometimes you choose to stay calm like a bear, sometimes you push ahead like a lion, and sometimes you do something really extraordinary. To improve, be aware of your tendencies and situations, then match various styles to appropriate positions.
12 points - 15 points
You're a lion -
You are always on the prowl for a fresh way to attack. You like unbalanced, unclear positions. People fear your fierceness, and may try to hide or fight back. Either way, you are always ready for a challenge. To improve, keep up with tactical themes, and make sure to build your attacks thoroughly (rather than spontaneously). Of course, not all positions call for an immediate attack, so be patient - even lions need up to 20 hours rest per day!
Wasn't that fun?
(Note - this quiz is just for fun, not for serious training. You should consult your instructor or further resources before determining your precise style. Quiz was designed by Hazel :) Hope you liked it - more to come in the future!)
What type of 'chess animal' are you?
For each of these questions, choose the answer that suits you best!
Question 1: How do you usually win your games?
(a) Brilliant checkmate
(b) Long, drawn-out endgame
(c) Perhaps win some material, then use the advantage later on to checkmate
Question 2: What is your first instinct when you realize a king's castle is open?
(a) That king is not safe!
(b) There may be a way to get an advantage!
(c) What a great chance to attack!
Question 3: If there was one type of piece you feel you couldn't play without, what would it be?
(a) Queens
(b) Minor Pieces (Knights or Bishops)
(c) Pawns
Question 4: When you see yourself playing black against a higher-rated opponent, what result do you tend to anticipate?
(a) Loss
(b) Draw
(c) Win
Question 5: If your position gets closed, you immediately
(a) Decide on a new plan
(b) Try to open up the position
(c) Reorganize your pieces, but let the closed structure remain
Total up your points:
Q1 (a) 3 points (b) 1 point (c) 2 points
Q2 (a) 1 point (b) 2 points (c) 3 points
Q3 (a) 3 points (b) 2 points (c) 1 point
Q4 (a) 1 point (b) 2 points (c) 3 points
Q5 (a) 2 points (b) 3 points (c) 1 point
Score:
5 points - 8 points
You're a bear -
You tend to sit back and wait for something to happen. You like solid structures and calm positions. However, if your opponent causes too many disruptions, you unleash your inner strength. To improve, bring your strength to the next level - take initiative as soon as there is an opportunity - don't wait for your opponent to make the first attack, otherwise you risk getting too passive.
9 points - 11 points
You're a chameleon -
No one really knows what's on your mind. You 'change the colour' of each of your games by adding unique twists and turns. Sometimes you choose to stay calm like a bear, sometimes you push ahead like a lion, and sometimes you do something really extraordinary. To improve, be aware of your tendencies and situations, then match various styles to appropriate positions.
12 points - 15 points
You're a lion -
You are always on the prowl for a fresh way to attack. You like unbalanced, unclear positions. People fear your fierceness, and may try to hide or fight back. Either way, you are always ready for a challenge. To improve, keep up with tactical themes, and make sure to build your attacks thoroughly (rather than spontaneously). Of course, not all positions call for an immediate attack, so be patient - even lions need up to 20 hours rest per day!
Wasn't that fun?
(Note - this quiz is just for fun, not for serious training. You should consult your instructor or further resources before determining your precise style. Quiz was designed by Hazel :) Hope you liked it - more to come in the future!)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Twisted Tuesday - Puzzles
These are the puzzles I selected for the OGCC this past weekend (+ added the rhymes). Try them for yourself!
Kindergarten - Grade 1
"I really want to take the knight, but after 2. Kc2 the game is tight. Can I win material in three? Help me, help me, what can you see?"
Grade 2
"When I got his queen, my advantage grew. Now I have mate in two!"
Grade 3
"Two knights patiently wait, for the next two moves become checkmate!"
Grade 4
"My access to black's king seems quite low. But wait, isn't he on the back row?"
Grade 5
"A few moves here and there - I'm sure to get to his king - beware!"
Grade 6
"Now we're starting to get in the groove. Tell me, tell me, what's the best move?"
Grade 7 - 8
"Pieces, pieces, point east and west. Which move here is the best?"
Grade 9 - 12
"A couple ways to end this game. More or less, the checkmate's the same."
Kindergarten - Grade 1
"I really want to take the knight, but after 2. Kc2 the game is tight. Can I win material in three? Help me, help me, what can you see?"
Grade 2
"When I got his queen, my advantage grew. Now I have mate in two!"
Grade 3
"Two knights patiently wait, for the next two moves become checkmate!"
Grade 4
"My access to black's king seems quite low. But wait, isn't he on the back row?"
Grade 5
"A few moves here and there - I'm sure to get to his king - beware!"
Grade 6
"Now we're starting to get in the groove. Tell me, tell me, what's the best move?"
Grade 7 - 8
"Pieces, pieces, point east and west. Which move here is the best?"
Grade 9 - 12
"A couple ways to end this game. More or less, the checkmate's the same."
Monday, May 9, 2011
Marvelous Monday - Joke!
How does chess relate to furniture?Answer: There are winners, losers, and "drawers"!
Looking for chess table designs like the one above? http://www.thisnext.com/tag/wood-chess-table/
Thursday, May 5, 2011
More Stuff Soon!
Hey Readers!!!
How is everyone doing? Hope you aren't under the weather - I hear a lot of illnesses are going around & it's been raining like crazy in Toronto. Let's cross our fingers for a sunny weekend!
You may be wondering why there has been a delay in blog posts. I've been extremely busy with errands + preparing activities for the OGCC (this Saturday). Time just seems to fly by! However, I do have plans starting next week to keep this blog fresh & up to date:
Weekday Posts -
Marvelous Mondays
* Begin each week with a "Checkmate!" classic - joke, quote, top ten, would you rather?, ...
Twisted Tuesdays
* Come back for brain teasers, puzzles, variants, strategy, ...
Wacky Wednesdays
* Reserved for newer features like chess libs, personality quizzes, contests, art/animations, ...
Totally Thursdays
* News, written pieces, links, visits/photos, gift guides, ...
Weekend + Friday Posts -
* surprise posts = a variety of chess-related topics, games, jokes, etc. depending on my mood
Monthly Posts -
* tournament and link updates
* camel story continuation
* player or game of the month
+ other fun stuff :)
- feel free to send in your games, photos, suggestions, etc.
If you're attending the OGCC, hope to see you there! If not, have a nice weekend & check back next week for more exciting posts!
Hazel
How is everyone doing? Hope you aren't under the weather - I hear a lot of illnesses are going around & it's been raining like crazy in Toronto. Let's cross our fingers for a sunny weekend!
You may be wondering why there has been a delay in blog posts. I've been extremely busy with errands + preparing activities for the OGCC (this Saturday). Time just seems to fly by! However, I do have plans starting next week to keep this blog fresh & up to date:
Weekday Posts -
Marvelous Mondays
* Begin each week with a "Checkmate!" classic - joke, quote, top ten, would you rather?, ...
Twisted Tuesdays
* Come back for brain teasers, puzzles, variants, strategy, ...
Wacky Wednesdays
* Reserved for newer features like chess libs, personality quizzes, contests, art/animations, ...
Totally Thursdays
* News, written pieces, links, visits/photos, gift guides, ...
Weekend + Friday Posts -
* surprise posts = a variety of chess-related topics, games, jokes, etc. depending on my mood
Monthly Posts -
* tournament and link updates
* camel story continuation
* player or game of the month
+ other fun stuff :)
- feel free to send in your games, photos, suggestions, etc.
If you're attending the OGCC, hope to see you there! If not, have a nice weekend & check back next week for more exciting posts!
Hazel
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
