Calling Ab Chess-Grandmaster Wannabees

[Khandro]

Sounds like a great BBC initiative, you can sign up here;

https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/bbc-makes-moves-with-new-factual-commission-chess-masters

 

[Old_Geezer]

When I was young I wanted to be good at chess, but never managed it.  I'm sure my lifelong poor memory didn't help. Would never remember all those classical openings, mid-games, and end plays.

[naomi24]

Fantastic!  Will you sign up, Khandro?

[Khandro]

^^ No sadly, I'm not up to that standard, but I look forward to watching the program when it is eventually screened.

[naomi24]

Same here.  

[Khandro]

Do you know Stefan Zweig? He was a great writer, this novella is very good;

 

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendationref=sr_1_1?crid=3VO5QEOL2FSHL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yslce7kIkhzF6R1aYG6cRV3oC_ZNi9WgSzJnZL9_NHsht39s7Nxz3A4lUZT5ZJObT0DmfdOSMBcNVTg9cGJfPcmCWp9zT8Xi_5DfEXY0XsGygERQA-IsSjAlpcO8cnS9DqGc9WuO2seBCc9UlYeDcN_eQTIlv1Wd9picGunBbxbN6gDDQN5CFbhqDA7zbz4RFeZkVLhPdQe3AoDdsRg26gHq3pl1darumeaU5Joi3PM.60PuBF3BTiGtTjrgin-gQ4rv65ygMw5aEzZbzM9aag0&dib_tag=se&keywords=stefan+zweig+chess&qid=1715761753&s=books&sprefix=Stefan+zweig%2C+chess%2Cstripbooks%2C177&sr=1-1

I recently gave it as a present to friend in N.Y. She doesn't play chess but she thought it was terrific. 

[douglas9401]

"Chess is the fastest growing sport in the world,..."

 

Second only to Ludo I suppose, get a grip people, it's not a sport.

[naomi24]

Thanks Khandro.

[Khandro]

douglas //Second only to Ludo I suppose, get a grip people, it's not a sport//

 

That reminds me of W.C.Fields.  

Gambler: Say, is this a game of chance?
Cuthbert J. Twillie: Not the way I play it.

[Khandro]

also;

'Is Chess Really A Sport? In short, yes, is recognised as a sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is acknowledged as such in over 100 countries.'

Chess is physically as well as mentally demanding and exhausting. Arguably more of sport than say, shot-putting, which is only physical.  

[Hymie]

I can’t see such an initiative doing much for chess – the blurb mentions rapid play games, but does not specify the time limits; it may be 5 minutes per player or where the time limit is increased by a few seconds per move.  Either way, rapid play chess is totally different from normal play, where each player may have one hour in which to make 20 moves.

 

Rapid play chess inevitably leads to blunders due to time pressures, meaning the winner is not necessarily the best player, but the one who makes fewer blunders (under time pressure).

[Khandro]

Hymie //Rapid play chess inevitably leads to blunders due to time pressures, meaning the winner is not necessarily the best player, but the one who makes fewer blunders (under time pressure).//

Yeah, but he/she's the best Rapid player! 

[Hymie]

Yeah, but he/she's the best Rapid player!

 

Not necessarily; if the competition format is based on individual knockout games, then the best rapid chess player could be knocked out as the result of a single blunder – but if the competition is based on an all play all basis (ideally involving playing both black and white against each opponent), then I would agree that the best rapid player would win.

[david small]

I like a game of chess. Unfortunately I can only play against a computer.

[Khandro]

david, If you go to chessworld.net and sign up you can play against real people. 

[david small]

Thanks Khandro. I knew about the site. But, it's not the same as watching my opponent writhing and sweating, lol.

[Khandro]

david; Yes, also you are never quite sure with online games whether or not your opponent is entirely a human.                    At least when you knowingly play against a computer you know where you are.

[DTCwordfan]

this reminds me - it's time to go and see the pawnbroker....