Okay, fine, I get it—I didn’t make it
September 17, 2016
For the past several decade I’ve been working earnestly to hit the magic 2200 rating, the threshold for the “master” title. … More Okay, fine, I get it—I didn’t make it
Category: Games
Howlers
June 19, 2016
World-class chess is largely a celebration of great moves (Topalov-Shirov: 47…Bh3!!!). For most of us, though, it’s a series of decent moves punctuated by total stinkers. Boldi (1750) – Slater (2130). Here I found a powerful calculation: 21…Qf6 22.Rf3 Qxd4! 23.Qxd4 Re1+!! winning the queen on d4! [Psst: Derek, you gave up your queen too. So you’re … More Howlers
The curious case of the mutual blindspot
February 8, 2016
This game is Bick (2240) – Slater (2130), Golden State Open 2016.
Something terrible and strange is about to happen.
White is about to make his 41st move, meaning both players have just made time control. … More The curious case of the mutual blindspot
Klytus, I’m bored. What plaything can you offer me today?
December 6, 2015
There’s something for everyone. There really is. Long, long ago we mentioned competitive Rock Paper Scissors tournaments. You may have seen news or video of 14-year-old Lucas Etter set a world record for solving Rubik’s Cube in less than 5 seconds. Just for fun, here he is doing 2×2 cubes. (Yes those exist too.) I … More Klytus, I’m bored. What plaything can you offer me today?
The Indianapolis Colts Punt Formation Opening
October 20, 2015
Watching the Colts punt reminded me of how I played this opening. … More The Indianapolis Colts Punt Formation Opening
Fifth position
September 29, 2015
This one here is me losing $200 or so :)
Last round, 1st board, a Mechanics Institute G/45. … More Fifth position
What Stockfish saw* Part 1
September 19, 2015
In chess, maybe you think of computers as tactics-checkers.
The big revelation to me, as I started using an engine in the past few months, is that tactics are generally the least-valuable thing Stockfish shows me. The really invaluable thing is having a positional-evaluation-checker of 2400+ strength. … More What Stockfish saw* Part 1
Fourth position
September 16, 2015
Played another G/45 at the Mechanics Institute club this past weekend. Here’s a final-round game that’s kind of comically inept, although that sounds harsher than I mean it. But there’s a long sequence where every move by either of us improves the other guy’s position by a half-pawn or more. C’mon gang, let’s count the wrong moves! Mays … More Fourth position
