More Countdown Answers

Wow, I didn't expect to be so busy these past few weeks! I have a break now, so I'll start by posting answers to the remaining countdown questions. More posts to come this weekend...including fund recipient!

Countdown #17 - 23 - Would You Rather x 7

- Up to 7 points available

1. Would you rather play in a chess tournament on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve?

Probably Christmas Eve! I usually like to stay at home on New Year's Eve to watch the countdown under a warm blanket. On the other hand, if I stay at home on Christmas Eve, you can guess by now what I'd be doing - wrapping last minute gifts. (1 point for any appropriate answer)

2. Would you rather receive a wool sweater with a huge graphic of a chess king that says "Check me!" or an antenna hat with giant light-up pawns?

I'm not much of a sweater person. Plus, there's something compelling about things that bounce around, light up, and make you look like a bumble bee. (1 point for any appropriate answer)

3. Would you rather make a (chess-related) holiday logo for Apple or Microsoft?

Oooh tough one...I'd buy the software from Microsoft, and create the logo for Apple. As you'll find out below, I love apples in general, and the company Apple seems to have a more colour-oriented logo in general. (1 point for any appropriate answer)

4. Would you rather have a completely black and white holiday tree or a standard tree with all black and white ornaments?

Every now and then I like think up something fresh and unique. A black and white tree would certainly suit my style! (1 point for any appropriate answer)

5. Would you rather eat burnt holiday brownies or burnt holiday pie?

These options seem rather ridiculous, considering I'm not a big fan of sweets in the first place (I like to bake, and I'll have sweets here and there, but I don't enjoy them nearly as much as when I was younger). I prefer pie to brownies, especially if the pie has cinnamon in it, but burnt pie tastes awful. So brownies win by default. (1 point for any appropriate answer)

6. Would you rather go shopping on December 24 (Christmas Eve) or December 26 (Boxing Day)?

Easy choice - Christmas Eve. Before Christmas, I'm able to rationalize shopping for gifts (and delay wrapping them haha), even if it means finding my way through crowds. But after Christmas, I just want to relax and get back to other things that need to be done. True, there are some great deals on Boxing Day, but I've learned more than once that it's not worth lining up early in the morning for whatever scraps that didn't make it into Santa's bag. (1 point for any appropriate answer)

7. Would you rather spend Christmas day (substitute with another holiday if you don't celebrate Christmas) at home or with relatives/friends?

I love all my relatives and friends, but there is no better day than Christmas to spend time with my family. (1 point for any appropriate answer)

Countdown #24 - Knight Path (modified)

- Up to 5 points available

I haven't found a solution yet - have you? Here are my attempts (2 points for filling at least half the board):

Nh1 - g3 - f1 - h2 - f3 - g1 - h3 - f2 - g4 - e3 - g2 - e1 - d3 - b2 - d1 - c3 - e2 - c1 - a2 - b4 - c2 - a1 - b3 - d2 - b1 - a3 - c4 - d6 - f7 - h8 - g6 - h4 - f5 - h6 - g8 - f6 - e8 - g7 - h5 - f4 - e6 - g5 - h7 - f8 - d7 -b8 - a6 - c5 - a4 - b6 - c8 - e7 - c6 - d8 - b7 - a5 ouch so close

Nh1 - g3 - f1 - h2 - f3 - g1 - h3 - f2 - d1 - e3 - g2 - e1 - d3 - c1 - e2 - c3 - a2 - b4 - c2 - a1 - b3 - d2 - b1 - a3 - c4 - b2 - a4 - c5 - d7 - f6 - g4 - h6 - g8 - e7 - f5 - h4 - g6 - h8 - f7 - g5 - h7 - f8 - e6 - f4 - h5 - g7 - e8 - d6 (I can already see I've made a misstep somewhere) - b5 - a7 - c6 - e8 - b7 - a5

(third attempt = trying to work from the front and back)

Nh1 - g3 - f1 - h2 - f3 - g1 - h3 - f2 - g4 - e3 - d1 - b2 - d3 - c1 - e2 - c3 - a2 - b4 - a6 - c5 - a4 - b6 - c4 - a3 - b1 - d2 - b3 - a1 - c2 - e1 -g2 - h4 - g6 - h8 - f7 - d8 - e6 - f8 - h7 - g5

Na8 - c7 - e8 - f6 - d7 - b8 - c6 - a5 - b7 - d6 - b5 - a7 - c8 - e7 - g8 - h6 - f5 - g7 - h5 - f4

(unfortunately the two knights cannot connect)

The biggest problem is keeping moves flexible without boxing off certain squares, especially edges and corners. Even if you don't find a solution, this is a great exercise for students, since it involves thinking many moves in advance!

Countdown #25 - Joke IV

- Up to 5 points available

Why does Santa give chess sets without the queens and rooks?

Answer: On the busy night before Christmas, he wants to avoid major problems! (5 points for correct guess, 2 points for any creative guess)

Countdown #26 - River-crossing

- 2 points available

1. Rook and knight cross
2. Rook returns
3. Rook and one 'male' pawn cross
4. Rook and knight return
5. King and other 'male' pawn cross
6. King returns
7. King and queen cross
8. Queen returns
9. Rook and knight cross
10. King returns
11. King and queen cross
12. Queen returns
13. Queen and one 'female' pawn cross
14. Rook and knight return
15. Rook and other 'female' pawn cross
16. Rook returns
17. Rook and knight cross

(2 points for finding the entire solution)

Countdown #27 - Camel Story

- Up to 4 points available

Question 1 -What are the names of the camels and how were these names chosen?

Gamalo and Gamala. 'Gamal' means camel in Arabic. (1 point)

Question 2 - What did the camels say the chess king looked like?

A pharaoh. (1 point)

Question 3 - How did chess lose its status as a 'royal game'?

'Sandbagging'. For further information, see http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2009/12/camels-learn-truth-about-chess.html (1 point)

Question 4 - What is the name of the tournament Oscar will play in?

Ma'at. (1 point)

Countdown #28 - Brain Teaser

- 2 points available

In a single move, Johnny moved his king two squares, but did not castle. How is this possible?

Johnny is playing checkers. He moved his king two squares by jumping over one of his opponent's pieces (how nice - kings can jump in checkers but not in chess!), and hopefully winning the game. (2 points)

Countdown #29 - Top Ten II

- Up to 7 points available

Top 10 ways to signal you want to resign a chess game:

1. Say "I resign".
2. Shake (1 point) hands
3. Tip down your king (1 point)
4. Stop the clock (1 point)
5. Write "you win" on your scorepad and show it to your opponent
6. Stare at your opponent angrily, then storm/stomp/run/etc. (1 point) out of the room (not a good idea!!!)
7. Sweep all the pieces (1 point) off the board (http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/etiquette-on-resigning) (not a good idea!!!)
8. Offer to play (1 point) again
9. Spell it out using toothpicks?
10. Disconnect your computer (1 point) (not very nice, even if your opponent usually can't see you!!!)

Countdown #30 - How well do you know your blog writer?

- Up to 4 points available

Question 1 - What are my favourite colours?

I love all sorts of colours, but my favourites...
(c) Blue and purple...they're so 'cool'! (1 point)

Question 2 - What do I like to drink when I need an energy boost?

Coke Zero is okay, but a bit too bubbly to have regularly. Plain water is a bit too...plain. I never have energy drinks, so take a point off if you chose that.
(b) Vanilla cappuccino (1 point)

Question 3 - What is my favourite thing to do over the holidays?

If you took a look at one of my other countdowns, wrapping gifts is out of question. Okay...it's not so bad afterall...just not my favourite. Shops are too hectic. Visiting friends is nice, but in the end, I just want to catch up on some zzzzzzz.
(b) Sleep (1 point)

Question 4 - I was once asked what food I could live off of for the rest of my life. What was my answer?

This question was asked a long time ago, but I think my answer made sense. I love apples!
(b) Apples (1 point)

Countdown #31 - New Year

- Up to 5 points available

Five of my resolutions (1 point for each of your resolutions):

1. Aim for a healthier lifestyle - I won't list all the specific details here, but it includes drinking more water, eating daily vitamins, choosing whole grains/fruits/veggies when possible, and getting at least 6 - 8 hours of sleep most nights.

2. With first semester over, time to reorganize! Throughout January (since this post is late, I have already accomplished much of this 'reorganization'), reclean my room, get all my new course materials, sort my computer files, contact friends, ...

3. This semester, go to all my classes (unless there is a legitimate reason like illness), but leave time for other activities (at least 1 volunteer initiative and at least 1 school club).

4. Find a summer job to support my education.

5. As for my blog, throughout the next year, give out the 2010 Elaine Howie Fund, collect at least $200 for the 2011 fund, finish the camel story, think of at least five fresh new ideas for regular features on the blog, update tournament information monthly, and of course, continue to entertain my readers!

Congratulations for finishing the countdown! Hope everyone is having a great month!

Final Countdown (answers coming soon)

Hope everyone is enjoying 2011!!!

The last countdown question should be an easy one:

What are five resolutions you have for the new year?

(1 point per resolution)

~ I'll post five of mine with the answers to the other countdown questions soon ~

Countdown #25 - 30

Anyone else exhausted from the holidays? Guess they finally caught up with me. Hope everyone has been enjoying good company and good food!

Now to make up for countdown posts...

Countdown #25 - Joke IV

Value: 5 points if guessed correctly, 2 points for any creative guess

Why does Santa give chess sets without the queens and rooks?

Countdown #26 - River-crossing

Value: 2 points

Based on content from: http://brainden.com/crossing-river.htm

Two 'male' pawns, two 'female' pawns, one king, one queen, a rook, and a knight need to cross a river using a single boat. The boat can support maximum two pieces at a time, and one piece (in the boat) must be a major piece, or the king, in order to cross.

In addition,
- the 'female' pawns don't like having the king around if the queen is not present
- the 'male' pawns don't like having the queen around if the king is not present
- the knight cannot be left with any pawns, queen, or king, unless the rook is present

How can all of them cross under these circumstances?

Countdown #27 - Camel Story

Value: 1 point for each correct answer to the following questions

Question 1 -What are the names of the camels and how were these names chosen?

Question 2 - What did the camels say the chess king looked like?

Question 3 - How did chess lose its status as a 'royal game'?

Question 4 - What is the name of the tournament Oscar will play in?

Countdown #28 - Brain Teaser

Value: 2 points

In a single move, Johnny moved his king two squares, but did not castle. How is this possible?

Countdown #29 - Top Ten II

Value: 1 point per correct blank filled in.

Top 10 ways to signal you want to resign a chess game:

(note: not all methods are necessarily recommended!)

1. Say "I resign".
2. ______ hands.
3. Tip down your ______.
4. Stop the ______.
5. Write "you win" on your scorepad and show it to your opponent.
6. Stare at your opponent angrily, then ______ out of the room.
7. Sweep all the ______ off the board. (http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/etiquette-on-resigning)
8. Offer to ______ again.
9. Spell it out using toothpicks?
10. Disconnect your ______.

Countdown #30 - How well do you know your blog writer?

Value: 1 point for each correct answer to the following questions

Question 1 - What are my favourite colours?
(a) Red and green...Christmas spirit!
(b) Yellow and orange...now that's sunny!
(c) Blue and purple...they're so 'cool'!
(d) Any colour, as long as it's in the rainbow!

Question 2 - What do I like to drink when I need an energy boost?
(a) An energy drink, duh!
(b) Vanilla cappuccino
(c) Coke Zero
(d) Plain water

Question 3 - What is my favourite thing to do over the holidays?
(a) Shop
(b) Sleep
(c) Visit friends
(d) Wrap gifts

Question 4 - I was once asked what food I could live off of for the rest of my life. What was my answer?
(a) Ice cream
(b) Apples
(c) Whole wheat pitas and tzatziki
(d) I can't choose!

Countdown #24

Countdown #24 - Knight Path (modified)

Value: 2 points if you fill half the board, 5 points if you fill the whole board.

A knight moves in an L-shape, at times making it difficult to see where it is planning to go. With a knight starting on h1, can you create a path of knight moves that touches every square (see modified rule) on a standard 8 x 8 board once and only once, and ends on the square a8?

Modified rule: The knight is shy and wants to avoid the centre. Touch every square except e4, d4, e5, and d5.

Good luck!

Countdown #17 - 23

Countdown #17 - 23 - Would You Rather? x7 (one for each day)

Value: 1 point per question answered

1. Would you rather play in a chess tournament on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve?

2. Would you rather receive a wool sweater with a huge graphic of a chess king that says "Check me!" or an antenna hat with giant light-up pawns?

3. Would you rather make a (chess-related) holiday logo for Apple or Microsoft?

4. Would you rather have a completely black and white holiday tree or a standard tree with all black and white ornaments?

5. Would you rather eat burnt holiday brownies or burnt holiday pie?

6. Would you rather go shopping on December 24 (Christmas Eve) or December 26 (Boxing Day)?

7. Would you rather spend Christmas day (substitute with another holiday if you don't celebrate Christmas) at home or with relatives/friends?

I'm Back!

Final countdown questions? - Yes, more coming December 23 and extended until December 31 due to the unexpected delay.

Answers? - The answers for previous countdowns and their point breakdown are posted below:

Countdown #1 - Mystery Image

- Up to 5 points available

Image 1: http://ratings.fide.com/calculators.phtml
(1 point)

Image 2: was on http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/search/?keywords=chess&pageSize=10&cookieCheck=1 on the day countdown #1 was posted (as a promotion for Heather's Picks)
(1 point)

Image 3: http://hhchess.sa.utoronto.ca/
(1 point)

Image 4: http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/ (side bar)
(1 point)

Image 5: http://www.chess-math.org/chess/math.htm
(1 point)

Countdown #2 - Cryptograms

- Up to 6 points available

Cryptogram #1:
“It is the aim of the modern school, not to treat every position according to one general law, but according to the principle inherent in the position." (1 point)
- Richard Reti (1 point)

Cryptogram #2:
“What is the object of playing a gambit opening? To acquire a reputation of being a dashing player at the cost of losing a game.” (1 point)
- Siegbert Tarrasch (1 point)

Cryptogram #3:
"A good sacrifice is one that is not necessarily sound but leaves your opponent dazed and confused." (1 point)
- Rudolph Spielmann (1 point)

Countdown #3 - Pawn Groups

- 2 points available

The key is to group the pawns together, yet spread the groups apart. One possibility is to place the pawns on a5, a6, b5, b6, c1, c2, d1, d2, e7, e8, f7, f8, g3, g4, h3, and h4. (2 points)

Countdown #4 - Piece Scales

- 2 points available

Given:
1 P + 2 R = 3 N
2 N = 1 N + 4 R

Find:
2 P + 1 N = ? R

Calculation:

Since 2 N = 1 N + 4 R,
1 N = 4 R

Since 1 P + 2 R = 3 N and 1 N = 4 R,
1 P + 2 R = 12 R
1 P = 10 R

So 2 P + 1 N = 2 (10 R) + 1 (4 R) = 24 R

Therefore, twenty-four rooks are needed to balance the third scale. (2 points)

Countdown #5 - (No answer required)

- No points available

Countdown #6 - Mystery Image II

- Up to 5 points available

Image 1: http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2009/08/top-ten.html
August 26, 2009; top ten things chess players are good at (or think they're good at!)
(1 point)

Image 2: http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2009/09/joke.html
September 1, 2009; joke about where chess players go to eat
(1 point)

Image 3: http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2009/09/chess-puzzle-white-to-move.html
September 22, 2009; mate in 21
(1 point)

Image 4: http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2009/11/chess-in-snow.html
November 30, 2009; pictures involving chess and snow/ice
(1 point)

Image 5: http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2010/03/so-proud.html
March 7, 2010; Ontario Team Tournament results
(1 point)

Countdown #7 - Your Turn at Top Ten

- Up to 9 points available

1. Ten movies that mention the word "chess" (2 points, answers may vary)

This site contains a long list: http://chess.eusa.ed.ac.uk/Chess/Trivia/chmovies.html

2. Ten songs that mention the word "chess" (2 points, answers may vary)

Check out this forum for ideas: http://www.chess.com/forum/view/fun-with-chess/songs-about-chess

Learn more about music and chess history: http://www.chess.com/article/view/music-and-chess

3. Ten pieces of literature that mention the word "chess" (2 points, answers may vary)

A great list: http://www.oocities.com/siliconvalley/lab/7378/chess_lit.htm

(1 additional point for completing all top ten lists above)

Bonus: Ten interesting things (street names, facts, etc.) associated with the word "chess" (2 points, answers may vary)

Many possible answers, such as a street called "Chess Drive" according to http://chessdiva.blogspot.com/2008/02/cute-street-name.html

Countdown #8 - Would You Rather? x5

- Up to 5 points available

1. Would you rather play chess with Santa over candy canes and a steamy cup of hot chocolate, or play chess with Frosty over a tasty plateful of cookies and a cup of milk/chocolate milk (that you obviously took from Santa!)?

Playing chess against a snowman seems more like a 'once in a blue moon' opportunity. Plus, I'm not a huge fan of eating candy canes. (1 point for any appropriate answer)

2. Would you rather go ice skating or snowboarding after a weekend chess tournament?

Ice skating! Snowboarding is too intense after a hard set of games. (1 point for any appropriate answer)

3. Would you rather participate in a tiebreaker involving a snowball fight or a snowman-building competition?

Depends on my opponent. Against a more aggressive/less patient opponent, I would choose snowman-building. Against a passive/more patient opponent, perhaps a snowball fight! (1 point for any appropriate answer)

4. Would you rather take chess advice from an elf or a reindeer?

Neither...they're all working for Santa... (1 point for any appropriate answer)

5. Would you rather drive two hours through a blizzard to get to a chess event or walk in the cold for fourty-five minutes?

Usually I like to walk, but seeing that I can't really play a chess game as an icicle, the drive would have to do. (1 point for any appropriate answer)

Countdown #9 - Joke!

- Up to 5 points available

Why did Frosty the Snowman use icicles at the beginning of his chess game?

Answer: He wanted to play a 'sharp' opening! (5 points for correct guess, 2 points for any creative guess)

Countdown #10 - Joke II

- Up to 5 points available

Why is Santa Claus a bad chess player?

Answer: He gives away a lot of games! (5 points for correct guess, 2 points for any creative guess)

Countdown #11 - 13 - Words in Words

- Points will vary based on # words

Here are some of the words I found:

CHECKMATE

a
at, am, me, he, eh, em
mat, eat, tea, ate, hem, cat, hat, eke, cam, ace, tee, ham
mate, mack, tack, each, tame, hate, meet, meek, mace, meat, heat, hack, team, ache, came, etch, make
check, cheek, cheat, cache, teach, catch, match
checkmate

PERPETUAL

a
at, pa, la, up
ape, are, ale, put, rep, let, lap, eat, tea, ate, pet, perm, rut, tee, eel, rap, par, pep, ear, ule, pal, ere, tap
tape, lute, pulp, peer, late, pale, peel, leap, teal, tale, tarp, part, prep, reap, pear, lure, true, rape, rule, trap, purl, tree, pupa
taper, paler, later, alert, alter, pearl, upper
pulper, repeat, retape
perpetual

COUNTDOWN TO CHESSMAS!

So many possibilities! I'm not going to list them all here :D

What did you find???

Countdown #14 - Joke III

- Up to 5 points available

Why doesn't Rudolph like to play speed chess?

Answer: He always loses to Blitzen! (5 points for correct guess, 2 points for any creative guess)

Countdown #15 - 16 - Top Ten

- Up to 7 points available

1. Wrap is too small (1 point), and you must squeeze it tightly together to fit.
2. Wrap tears/breaks (1 point) while wrapping, so you have to rewrap or tape up the hole.
3. The gift itself has an odd shape (1 point), such as pointy or rounded ends.
4. Running out of tape/wrap.
5. Finding out someone used all the ribbon (1 point) for an art project. Now how will you be able to decorate the gift?
6. Realizing you wrapped the wrong gift (or gave it to the wrong person).
7. The wrap indents or creases and is hard to tape as a result.
8. Getting stuck wrapping too many gifts late (1 point) at night.
9. Throwing (1 point) away the mounds of waste wrap/tape.
10. For some people, gift wrapping (1 point) altogether!

Last minute gift guide? - post later today :D

Countdown #15 - 16

Countdown #15 - 16 - Top Ten

Value: 1 point per correct blank filled in.

Just for fun, here are some holiday gift wrapping pet peeves. Try to fill in the blanks. Can you think of any other wrapping peeves (1 bonus point)?

1. Wrap is too ______, and you must squeeze it tightly together to fit.
2. Wrap ______ while wrapping, so you have to rewrap or tape up the hole.
3. The gift itself has an odd ______, such as pointy or rounded ends.
4. Running out of tape/wrap.
5. Finding out someone used all the ______ for an art project. Now how will you be able to decorate the gift?
6. Realizing you wrapped the wrong gift (or gave it to the wrong person).
7. The wrap indents or creases and is hard to tape as a result.
8. Getting stuck wrapping too many gifts ______ at night.
9. ______ away the mounds of waste wrap/tape.
10. For some people, _______________ altogether!

I will be posting answers to countdown questions (for those following along at home) + a very last minute gift guide sometime next week. I'm sorry I haven't been able to post every day -- and will not be able to for a few more -- because my roommates and I have to conserve our monthly Internet usage. As a result, I have decided to find some way to give a small gift to all my readers (any ideas?) instead of one prize to a contest winner. Hope everyone is having a great season :)

Countdown #14

Countdown #14 - Joke III

Value: 5 points if guessed correctly, 2 points for any creative guess

Why doesn't Rudolph like to play speed chess?

(image above and fun English activities can be found at
http://rleschool.blogspot.com/)

Countdown #11 - 13

Countdown #11 - 13 - Words in Words

Value: 1 point per 10 words

How many words (of any length) can you find in the following chess terms?

CHECKMATE

PERPETUAL

COUNTDOWN TO CHESSMAS!

Countdown #10

Countdown #10 - Joke II

Value: 5 points if guessed correctly, 2 points for any creative guess

Why is Santa Claus a bad chess player?

(image above and more xmas activities can be found at http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/find-santa-claus.htm)

Countdown #9

A reminder to read the contest rules (http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2010/11/countdown-begins-soon.html) before attempting to send your answers :)

Countdown #9 - Joke!

Value: 5 points if guessed correctly, 2 points for any creative guess

Why did Frosty the Snowman use icicles at the beginning of his chess game?

(HINT - the answer has more to do with icicles than Frosty)

Countdown #8

A reminder to read the contest rules (http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2010/11/countdown-begins-soon.html) before attempting to send your answers :)

Countdown #8 - Would You Rather? x5

Value: 1 point per question answered

This one's pretty simple - all your have to do is send your answers to these "would you rather" questions. Your answer does not have to match my answer, does not need a lengthy explanation, and as long as it answers the question appropriately ("appropriately" means not just random answers that make no sense), it will score the point(s)!

1. Would you rather play chess with Santa over candy canes and a steamy cup of hot chocolate, or play chess with Frosty over a tasty plateful of cookies and a cup of milk/chocolate milk (that you obviously took from Santa!)?

2. Would you rather go ice skating or snowboarding after a weekend chess tournament?

3. Would you rather participate in a tiebreaker involving a snowball fight or a snowman-building competition?

4. Would you rather take chess advice from an elf or a reindeer?

5. Would you rather drive two hours through a blizzard to get to a chess event or walk in the cold for fourty-five minutes?

Countdown #7

A reminder to read the contest rules (http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2010/11/countdown-begins-soon.html) before attempting to send your answers :)

Countdown #7 - Your Turn at Top Ten

Value: 2 points for each list with ten items (1 point for each list with at least five correct items), bonus 1 point for completing all three lists fully

Had something important to do this morning, but since this post is quite late, I have doubled its point value (2 points per list instead of 1 point per list)!

Send lists for the following:

1. Ten movies that mention the word "chess"

2. Ten songs that mention the word "chess"
3. Ten pieces of literature that mention the word "chess"

Another bonus (2 points):

- Ten interesting things (street names, facts, etc.) associated with the word "chess"

Countdown #6

A reminder to read the contest rules (http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2010/11/countdown-begins-soon.html) before attempting to send your answers :)

Countdown #6 - Mystery Image II

Value: 1 point for each correctly identified image

The images below can be found throughout this blog. Find the post containing the image (not including this post), and send a list of dates (of the posts) and a brief description of the content the image was associated with.



Image 1








Image 2










Image 3















Image 4









Image 5

Countdown #5

It seems some people were too busy to have a look at the first few contest puzzles, so instead of adding a new one today, I decided to give everyone an extended opportunity to complete countdown puzzles # 1 - 4. Send in your answers before 11:59 pm EST on Friday December 10, 2010 to receive a bonus 2 points for countdown #5 (you will receive these points as long as you attempt the puzzles, even if some of your answers are incorrect).

Countdown #4

A reminder to read the contest rules (http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2010/11/countdown-begins-soon.html) before attempting to send your answers :)

Countdown #4 - Piece Scales

Value: 2 points

In a non-standard chess game, there are three types of pieces - pawns, knights and rooks. They have non-standard values which cause them to be in balance in the first two situations (scales). How many rooks are needed to replace the question mark to balance the third scale?

Countdown #3

A reminder to read the contest rules (http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2010/11/countdown-begins-soon.html) before attempting to send your answers :)

Here's a short one:

Countdown #3 - Pawn Groups

Value: 2 points

On a standard 8 x 8 chess board, how can you arrange all 16 pawns so that each rank, file, and diagonal contains a maximum of 2 pawns?

Countdown #2

A reminder to read the contest rules (http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2010/11/countdown-begins-soon.html) before attempting to send your answers :)

Countdown #2 - Cryptograms

Value: 2 points for each correctly identified quote (details below)

The phrases below have been encoded, with each number representing a unique letter. Each cryptogram contains a different code, so if A = 1 in one cryptogram, A may not equal 1 in another.

Your job is to decode the quote (1 point each), and find out who said it (1 point each - hint: you can just put the quote into a search engine like Google once it is decoded). Don't forget to send in your answers -your answers can simply be the quote and speaker - you don't have to send a chart of letters/numbers.

Note: click the cryptogram for a slightly better view!

(Sorry the cryptogram below has a title that won't seem to stay centred like the other two - I may have to fix that later :D)

Countdown #1

Happy December! Here is an interesting scavenger hunt to start off the contest. Remember to read the contest rules (http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2010/11/countdown-begins-soon.html) before attempting to send your answers, and don't forget to have fun!

Countdown #1 - Mystery Image

Value: 1 point for each correctly identified image

The images below were found on various chess-related sites, all of which can be found in the quick links on the side bar. You are to find the image's original location, record the exact web address, and then send me your list of answers (web addresses).



Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Image 4

Image 5

Countdown Begins Soon!

"Checkmate!" Blog's First Contest Coming Soon!!!

Announcing two important initiatives coming up in the next month:

1) Elaine Howie Fund - a reminder to all my friends to help contribute this holiday season! I will be deciding on how the 2010 fund will be distributed soon!!!

http://checkmateupdate.blogspot.com/2010/07/elaine-howie-fund-for-chess-juniors.html

2) Countdown to Chessmas - now for the real fun!

How it will work:

EVERY DAY (well most days) from December 1 through December 25, I will be posting a puzzle, brain teaser, online scavenger hunt, or some other task for readers to do, which will range in difficulty. Your job is to complete the task, then send me the answer by email with subject line marked "Countdown #" followed by the day number (see side bar for my email - please do not leave answers in comments). For instance, if the puzzle was posted December 15, send an email marked "Countdown #15".

Don't forget to include your name, phone number, and mailing address with your email. This information will be kept confidential, and used solely to track points (each puzzle will be worth a certain number of points) + contact winners. The only piece of information that may be displayed online is your name when announcing top results.

Each part of the contest will be posted around 10 am EST, and answers will be considered until 11:59 pm EST the next day. So if I post a puzzle at 10 am EST on Dec. 15, I will read emails that reach my inbox by 11:59 pm EST on Dec. 16. Remember to mark the email based on the day the part was posted, even if you decide to send the answer the next day.

As mentioned earlier, a certain number of points will be awarded for each part of the countdown. Points may vary, so check each day's post for the point value. To be objective, either your answer will be right or wrong. There will be no "part marks".

Whoever has the most points at the end will get bragging rights and a prize on behalf of my blog, which will likely be some sort of gift certificate. I will mention the prize later on, but rest secure that this prize will NOT come out of the Elaine Howie Fund, and is NOT part of any agreement with third parties. Think of it as my gift to you!

Contest is open to Canadian residents. Readers from other countries are welcome to participate for fun, but will not be part of the main prize pool.

All answers will be posted at the end of the entire contest.

Let me know if you have any questions! Countdown #1 will be posted Wednesday!!!