Saturday Afternoon Chess/Open Thread 02-25-2017

Looks Like They're Playing The Dewars Gambit

Good afternoon morons and moronettes, and welcome to the Saturday Afternoon Chess/Open Thread, the only AoSHQ thread with content specifically for all of us chess nerds who pay homage in the temple of Caïssa, goddess of the chessboard. And, for those of you who aren't nerdly enough for chess, you can use this thread to talk about checkers, or other games, or politics, or whatever you wish, only please try to keep it civil. Nobody wants to get in the middle of a tactical tomato melee. Unless you're Italian and could use the extra sauce.

“Many have become Chess Masters, no one has become the Master of Chess”
--Siegbert Tarrasch

Pic Notes

The chess set in the pic (h/t tsrblke) is on sale at woot for only $11.99. How can you afford *not* to buy it?

I've never played drunk chess ("capture a piece, do a shot"), and I don't think I ever will. After 3 or 4 captures, I doubt I'd be able to focus my eyes enough to tell the pieces apart. Which I guess is the point.

A friend of mine back in the day told me he once went with a buddy to a bar in San Jose, drank margaritas and played chess until closing. He remarked that the quality of their playing started out bad, got worse, and toward the end of the evening, they were throwing the pieces at each other.

Problem 1 - White To Play (412)

Hint: White mates in 2

7r/rp3q1p/1B1kbp2/1B1p2p1/2P5/P7/1P4PP/2KRR3 w - - 0 1

Problem 2 - Black To Play (40

Black can catch the white queen in a nasty pin, by moving 1...Re8. The only question is, which rook does he use? Does it matter?

k1r4r/pppRQqpp/5p2/8/2P5/1P3P2/P4PPP/4K2R b K - 0 1

Problem 3 - White To Play (BWTC 166)

There is more than one way to mate. How far can Black stretch it out?

Hint: Black can hold out for 4 moves

1nbqnrk1/1pp1bp1p/r6Q/3B4/1p2P3/8/PBPPN1PP/R4RK1 w - - 0 1

To Hijab Or Not To Hijab

In its continuing efforts to regress back to the 7th century, Iran is again making a fool of itself:

Dorsa Derakshani flouted Iranian law by refusing to wear the traditional Muslim headscarf while competing as an independent player at the recent 2017 Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival. Her brother, 15-year-old Borna Derakshani, was also banned from the chess team for competing against an Israeli player in the same tournament.

Both siblings are now prohibited from competing in future international competitions.

And this after U.S. Women's Champion Nazi Paikidze-Barnes and other players refused to play in the WWCh. tournament in Tehran.

Why? Because

Iran is notoriously anti-Semitic, prohibiting its sports athletes—including chess players like Derakshani—from fraternizing with and competing against Israelis.

OK, fine. Then Iran should be booted out from and all international sports federations that it is a member of. Screw 'em. If that country wants to act like a petulant child, it should be treated like one.

About her boycott of the WWCh., Ms. Paikidze-Barnes said:

I think it's unacceptable to host a WOMEN'S World Championship in a place where women do not have basic fundamental rights and are treated as second-class citizens. For those saying that I don't know anything about Iran: I have received the most support and gratitude from the people of Iran, who are facing this situation every day.

This seems more clear-eyed than Magdalena Andersson, the Finance Minister of Sweden and proud-n-fierce feminist who donned the hijab for her earlier visit to Iran, and then insulted pretty much every woman in that country when she said something like "what's the big deal, it's just a hat."

(h/t CBD for this story)

Problem 4 - Black To Play (CTFS 244)

Black is at a material disadvantage. What can he do here?

Hint: Black can win back the material

1Q1nb3/p3k1pp/3p1p2/1B1p4/PK1B4/4P3/5PPP/2r5 b - - 0 1

Endgame of the Week (416)

This is a won game for White.

How does he win if it's Black's move?
How does he win if it's White's move?

8/5k2/5P1p/5K1P/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1

___________

Solutions Update

Problem 1 - White To Play

7r/rp3q1p/1B1kbp2/1B1p2p1/2P5/P7/1P4PP/2KRR3 w - - 0 1

White's 2 bishops combine to cut off the Black king's escape:

1.Rxd5+ Ke7
2.Bc5#

Update:

Also possible is

1. Rxd5+ Bxd5
2.c5#

Thanks to Jeff Lebowski and Off the reservation.

Problem 2 - Black To Play

k1r4r/pppRQqpp/5p2/8/2P5/1P3P2/P4PPP/4K2R b K - 0 1

Yes, it does matter. If 1...Rce8, White can wiggle out of the pin with 2.Rd8+! (deflecting Black’s rook), which was pinning the white queen:

1...Rce8
2.Rd8+ Rxd8
3.Qxf7

So using the 'h' rook is the better choice:

1...Rhe8
2.Qxe8 Rxe8+
3.Kf1 Qxd7

Problem 3 - White To Play

1nbqnrk1/1pp1bp1p/r6Q/3B4/1p2P3/8/PBPPN1PP/R4RK1 w - - 0 1

1.Qxf8+! Kxf8

If 1...Bxf8 White mates immediately with 2.Bxf7#

2. Rxf7+ Kg8
3. Rg7+ Kf8
4. Rg8#

Or 3...Kh8 4. Rg8#

So with proper play by Black, White will have to settle for a mate in 4.

Problem 4 - Black To Play

1Q1nb3/p3k1pp/3p1p2/1B1p4/PK1B4/4P3/5PPP/2r5 b - - 0 1

1...Nc6+
2.Bxc6 Rb1+
3.Ka5 Rxb8

This is the main line. Black skewers the White queen, and is now up the exchange. However, White isn't forced to take the knight on move 2, but if he doesn't, the result is a bit worse.

2.Ka3 Nxb8
3.Bxa7 Bxb5
4.axb5 Nd7

In this line, White is down an entire Rook. So it's best to let the queen skewer go through.

Endgame of the Week

8/5k2/5P1p/5K1P/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1

The answer to the question "whose move is it?" is very important in the endgames. Sometimes you get a position that would be completely awesome and you can win it easily - if only it were the other guy's move, because then he'd have to retreat, or do something equally disadvantageous.

Of course, we all know the word for this, when it's your move, but you really don't want to me because any move you make will fatally destablize your position: zugswang.

This is one of those positions.

First, with White to move, he won't be able to directly march his king up and force Black out. If he tries that, it'll be stalemate:

1.Ke5 Kf8
2.Ke6 Ke8
3.f7+ Kf8
4.Kf6 stalemate

If Black moves first:

1...Kf8
2.Kg6 Kg8
3.Kxh6 Kf7
4.Kg5

White should not be hasty with 4.Kh7 Kxf6 and now he won't be able to move his king off of the 'h' file to make room for his pawn to queen.

4...Kf8
5.Kg6 Ke8
6.f7+ Ke7
7.h6 Ke6
8.f8=Q and wins

So, given that it's a win for White if it's Black's move, can White force this same starting position, only have it be Black's move?

Yes, he can, and this is how he does it:

1.Ke5 Kf8
2.Ke4

So White doesn't advance his king just yet. He has to bide his time, and now it's Black's move:

2...Ke8

Black must also bide his time. Wrong is 2...Kf7 because 3.Kf5 and now White has achieved his objective: it is now Black's move, and it's the starting position.

3.Kf4 Kf8

Still biding...

4.Ke5 Kf7

And now Black must bring his king up to prevent the incursion: 4...Ke8 5.Ke6 Kf8 6.f7 Kg7 7.Ke7

5.Kf5

But now, we're back at the starting position, and would you look at that, it's Black's move. So now he has to back off, and White can push forward:

5...Kf8
6.Kg6 Kg8
7.Kxh6 Kf7
8.Kg5 Kf8
9.Kg6 Ke8
10.f7+ Kd7
11.f8=Q and wins

White's method of forcing the position with Black to move is called "triangulaton", because White must move his King in a triangular pattern to lose the tempo. Sometimes in endgames between grandmasters, you see both players making seemingly aimless king moves, but what they're doing is trying to jockey for the position and the tempo that is most favorable.

Hope to see you all next week!

___________

Note: that cryptic line of letters and numbers you see underneath each board diagram is a representation of the position in what is known as "Forsyth-Edwards Notation", or F.E.N. It's actually readable by humans. Most computer applications nowadays can read FEN, so those of you who may want to study the position, you can copy the line of FEN and paste into your chess app and it should automatically recreate the position on its display board. Or, Windows users can just "triple click" on it and the entire line will be highlighted so you can copy and past it into your chess app.

___________

So that about wraps it up for this week. Chess thread tips, suggestions, bribes, rumors, threats, and insults may be sent to my yahoo address: OregonMuse little-a-in-a-circle yahoo dott com.

Posted by: OregonMuse at 05:00 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 P-Q4

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 04:58 PM (HDU3V)

2 And I'll get the horde

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 04:58 PM (HDU3V)

3 A chess drinking game?

Looks like those players are already three sheets to the wind.

Posted by: logprof at February 25, 2017 04:59 PM (GsAUU)

4 The chess set in the pic (h/t tsrblke) is on sale at woot for only $11.99. How can you afford *not* to buy it?

--Wow, that's a great deal just for plain old shot glasses, never mind a chess set!

Posted by: logprof at February 25, 2017 05:01 PM (GsAUU)

5 At least I wouldn't mind loosing

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 05:01 PM (HDU3V)

6 King me!

Posted by: Tom Perez at February 25, 2017 05:03 PM (IqV8l)

7 willowed: The address for John Nolte's weekly tally of FAKE NEWS changes with each new publicaton. The link in the sidebar is old.

This is the addres for John Nolte's current publication of FAKE NEWS counter starting with number 77 back.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/h3tc8rn

Posted by: gNewt at February 25, 2017 05:05 PM (TrOGC)

8 6 King me!
Posted by: Tom Perez at February 25, 2017 05:03 PM (IqV8l)

--Heh, I love how the media (FNC included) did the spin that Ellison was the Sanders/Warren wing candidate, while TP was the "moderate" one. He's a total Open Borders whore, but that's moderate for the Dems I guess.

Posted by: logprof at February 25, 2017 05:05 PM (GsAUU)

9 My cousin and I used to joke that when we turned 21 we'd play checkers with shots, like Hawkeye and Trapper did in an episode of MASH.

We never did though and that's probably not a bad thing.

Posted by: Nigel West Dickens at February 25, 2017 05:05 PM (FqgrG)

10 Trump says he no go Washington Nerd Prom.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at February 25, 2017 05:08 PM (oVJmc)

11 This is the addres for John Nolte's current publication of FAKE NEWS counter starting with number 77 back.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/h3tc8rn
Posted by: gNewt at February 25, 2017 05:05 PM (TrOGC)

Thank you, I have updated the sidebar item accordingly.

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 05:10 PM (U+9Zc)

12 Sky lightening up, just dripping now

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 05:13 PM (HDU3V)

13 10 Trump says he no go Washington Nerd Prom.
Posted by: Mr. Peebles at February 25, 2017 05:08 PM (oVJmc)
-----------
Just saw that.

Although I agree with him not going, they now can take all the pot shots they want without Trump being able to return fire.

The whole WHCD is not only unseemly, but a disgrace.

Posted by: WisRich at February 25, 2017 05:14 PM (OAlmw)

14 "i consider myself to be a genius who plays chess."

bobby fischer

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at February 25, 2017 05:15 PM (WTSFk)

15 ... responding to being asked if he was a "chess genius".

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at February 25, 2017 05:16 PM (WTSFk)

16 Might be giving up on #1already, not seeing it and not many pieces to work with

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 05:16 PM (HDU3V)

17 Poor woot. That site used to be so fun, and you could really get some great deals, too. Not to mention a forum full of bright people and staying up until 1am and hitting f5 repeatedly hoping for a Bag of Crap.

Now, ever since Amazon bought them, it's just Amazon. Literally. Matter of fact, a quick search shows the chess set via woot is forty cents cheaper just buying it at Amazon.

Posted by: Moron Robbie at February 25, 2017 05:20 PM (/f1mm)

18 Although I agree with him not going, they now can take all the pot shots they want without Trump being able to return fire.

The whole WHCD is not only unseemly, but a disgrace.
Posted by: WisRich at February 25, 2017 05:14 PM (OAlmw)

--And no Milo. Even without the fracas this week they probably would not have invited him anyway.

Posted by: logprof at February 25, 2017 05:21 PM (GsAUU)

19 I think Black has the advantage in the photo, because White will be shitfaced by the 15th move.

Posted by: rickl at February 25, 2017 05:22 PM (sdi6R)

20 On 2 I'm thinking the Q'sR, because
......., Rh7 - f7;
OO, R x Q;
R x R, Q x R;
R - D7#

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 05:23 PM (HDU3V)

21 Time to feed the furry monsters

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 05:25 PM (HDU3V)

22 So, this chess app I downloaded will show you suggestions, but only for a limited time. The training wheels are off, but apparently I've learned enough to defeat my computerized opponent about a third of the time. Chess gainzzzz, brah!

Posted by: Duke Lowell at February 25, 2017 05:27 PM (kTF2Z)

23 Gotta love Trumps tweet about electing Perez to head the DNC.

https://mobile.twitter.com/realdonaldtrump

Posted by: Flyboy at February 25, 2017 05:27 PM (JKGcx)

24 We used to play euchre for shots in the dorms. One point, one shot.

Shots got real small real quick.

Posted by: Burnt Toast at February 25, 2017 05:27 PM (P/kVC)

25 Problem 1:

c5+

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at February 25, 2017 05:28 PM (zc3Db)

26

Endgame of the Week (416)

How does he win if it's Black's move?
Go after black's pawn
1. ... K to 8th rank
2. Kg6 ...
3. Kxh6 ...
4. Kg5 ...
..alternate moving pawns forward

How does he win if it's White's move?
1. Ke5 K to 8th rank
2 walk the pawn in

Posted by: Arbalest at February 25, 2017 05:28 PM (FlRtG)

27 Sky lightening up, just dripping now
Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 05:13 PM (HDU3V)

________________________________________

sounds like VD

Posted by: EVLINC! at February 25, 2017 05:29 PM (y3aQB)

28 The rules of shot-glass chess require a light and dark rum, and both parties pack black-powder firearms with a cap but no ball.

Posted by: Fritz at February 25, 2017 05:30 PM (2Bv92)

29 Crap. I really wanted Keith Ellison to win.

Posted by: JAS at February 25, 2017 05:31 PM (4sHXv)

30 ... thing is, everything fischer did outside of chess was a complete and idiotic disaster.

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at February 25, 2017 05:31 PM (WTSFk)

31 Posted by: Arbalest at February 25, 2017 05:28 PM (FlRtG)

I think the trick is to avoid stalemate.

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 05:34 PM (40TrW)

32 I don't have any idea about these problems.

In problem 1, I got c5+ followed by Bxa7, but then I saw that the hint says mate in 2, and I can't see that at all. I give up.

Posted by: rickl at February 25, 2017 05:34 PM (sdi6R)

33 Crap. I really wanted Keith Ellison to win.

Posted by: JAS at February 25, 2017 05:31 PM (4sHXv)

Yeah me to, but even insane people have moments of sanity. Sigh

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 25, 2017 05:35 PM (SjImc)

34 Problem 3:

Qh5

There seem to be too many variations to take into account. Eventually sacrifice the white bishop and exchange rooks to bring the other white rook into play.

I must be missing something because it looks like a big mess. Black has thing pretty well defended.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at February 25, 2017 05:35 PM (zc3Db)

35 30 ... thing is, everything fischer did outside of chess was a complete and idiotic disaster.

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at February 25, 2017 05:31 PM (WTSFk)

Exactly. Which makes his "I'm a genius who plays chess" line so laughable.

Although his IQ was supposedly 170+, so I'll give him that.

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 05:35 PM (U+9Zc)

36 Problem 4:

Nc6+

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at February 25, 2017 05:35 PM (zc3Db)

37 How could they be a member of an international chess (or any game) organization and not agree to play members in the first place?

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at February 25, 2017 05:36 PM (mpXpK)

38 Ahhhh...chess thread.

Good riddance to the WHCD.....just another platform for Libs to lib.

President Trump wins again. Now to the board.......

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at February 25, 2017 05:37 PM (5VlCp)

39 OM, do you have any suggestions for awesome looking chess sets to get kids excited about both under 5 and boys? (I figured I learn to play with them so they can build their confidence by beating their dad).

As much as I like that chess set, I don't want DFCS or CPS showing up to my house

Posted by: Widespread Pepe at February 25, 2017 05:37 PM (wBzi3)

40 Since I got to the Pet Thread too late, Big Black Max was Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex at today's San Jacinto KC show despite having a cut toenail that was bleeding as he was being groomed.

Posted by: Kodos the Executioner at February 25, 2017 05:37 PM (J8/9G)

41 The rest of the story in problem 4, white's queen is lost.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at February 25, 2017 05:37 PM (zc3Db)

42 Although his IQ was supposedly 170+, so I'll give him that.
Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 05:35 PM (U+9Zc)

High IQ is like 4 wheel drive. Without common sense it just gets you stuck deeper in the woods

Posted by: Kindltot at February 25, 2017 05:38 PM (XMCn6)

43 The Dangers of Careless Searching on the Internet:

Came across a video of a woman I had a very brief dalliance with about 30 years ago.

Bullet status: DODGED.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at February 25, 2017 05:39 PM (oVJmc)

44 The Deplorables Media should throw a shindig.

Posted by: gNewt at February 25, 2017 05:39 PM (TrOGC)

45 BTW I'm shocked..... SHOCKED I tell ya that The Human Centipede takes place in Germany with a German doctor.

Posted by: Widespread Pepe at February 25, 2017 05:40 PM (wBzi3)

46 Endgame:

White's move

Ke5

------------------------------
Black's move

... something
Kg6

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at February 25, 2017 05:41 PM (zc3Db)

47 In problem 2, I don't see any difference between rooks, but I would use the h rook just because it hasn't been developed yet.

I'm sure there's a reason for choosing one or the other rook, but I can't see it.

Posted by: rickl at February 25, 2017 05:42 PM (sdi6R)

48 42 Although his IQ was supposedly 170+, so I'll give him that.
Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 05:35 PM (U+9Zc)

High IQ is like 4 wheel drive. Without common sense it just gets you stuck deeper in the woods
Posted by: Kindltot at February 25, 2017 05:38 PM (XMCn6

Word.

Posted by: Widespread Pepe at February 25, 2017 05:43 PM (wBzi3)

49 Came across a video of a woman I had a very brief dalliance with about 30 years ago.

Bullet status: DODGED.
Posted by: Mr. Peebles at February 25, 2017 05:39 PM (oVJmc)

Let me guess: pornhub?

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 05:44 PM (U+9Zc)

50 Problem 1.

1. Rxd5+ Bxd5
2. c5#

Problem 2.
1. ... Rhe8 other rook gets you mated.

Problem 3.
1. Qxf8+ and either
1. ... Bxf8 Bxf7#
or
1. ... Kxf8
2. Rxf7+ Kg8
3. Rg7+ Kh8 or Kf8
4. Rg8#

Problem 4.
1. ... Nc6+
2. Bxc6 Rb1+ wins Q

Endgame.
On blacks move Kg6 wins.

On whites move he should try to get back to the original position with black to move, if black gets the opposition. Otherwise I think he can walk the pawn in (as PP said).

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 05:45 PM (40TrW)

51 In problem 2, I don't see any difference between rooks, but I would use the h rook just because it hasn't been developed yet.

I'm sure there's a reason for choosing one or the other rook, but I can't see it.

Posted by: rickl at February 25, 2017 05:42 PM (sdi6R)

The only difference I can see is that if you use the c rook then white can put it off for a couple of moves with d8+. But that's still a useless move for white so ... it all seems the same to me.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at February 25, 2017 05:45 PM (zc3Db)

52 High IQ is like 4 wheel drive. Without common sense it just gets you stuck deeper in the woods

Posted by: Kindltot at February 25, 2017 05:38 PM (XMCn6
Word.

Posted by: Widespread Pepe at February 25, 2017 05:43 PM (wBzi3)

The difference between "intelligence" and "wisdom."

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 05:46 PM (U+9Zc)

53 An overview:
https://radar.weather.gov/Conus/index_loop.php

Posted by: gNewt at February 25, 2017 05:46 PM (TrOGC)

54 Oops. Never mind that comment I just made. White going d8+ forces black's rook to take back and white gets black's queen.

So it has to be black's h rook to snag the queen.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at February 25, 2017 05:47 PM (zc3Db)

55 Problem 3:

More than one way to mate? I can't even find one way.

Posted by: rickl at February 25, 2017 05:48 PM (sdi6R)

56 Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 05:45 PM (40TrW)

Very nice. Even if you kind of broad-brushed the last one, the method you described is exactly correct.

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 05:48 PM (U+9Zc)

57

31 Off the reservation

I think the trick is to avoid stalemate.

It is, but White has 2 movable pieces, and can slip past any black attempt to be trapped. When the whit pawn moves up, supported by the king on the E file, the black king will still be able to / have to slip past it, or move to the corner.

If white has to move first, Ke5 still protects the pawn, and the e5-f5-e6 triangle allows white to control the timing, forcing effectively the same situation as if black moves first, and potentially allowing capture of the black pawn as an alternative.

Posted by: Arbalest at February 25, 2017 05:48 PM (FlRtG)

58 More than one way to mate? I can't even find one way.
Posted by: rickl

I think it means there are different mates depending on Black's response ... I could not find any choices for white.

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 05:49 PM (40TrW)

59 Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 05:45 PM (40TrW)

Good job.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at February 25, 2017 05:49 PM (zc3Db)

60 51 In problem 2, I don't see any difference between rooks, but I would use the h rook just because it hasn't been developed yet.

I'm sure there's a reason for choosing one or the other rook, but I can't see it.
Posted by: rickl at February 25, 2017 05:42 PM (sd

Right. It's not just a question of development.

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 05:50 PM (U+9Zc)

61 43 The Dangers of Careless Searching on the Internet:

Came across a video of a woman I had a very brief dalliance with about 30 years ago.

Bullet status: DODGED.
Posted by: Mr. Peebles at February 25, 2017 05:39 PM (oVJmc)
---
Dude. Back when I was in the Navy I dated a fellow whose charming roguishness quickly devolved into churlish assholery.

He is now an "expert" often seen on MSNBC.

On MSNBC.

I cleared the blast radius of an A-Bomb.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 25, 2017 05:50 PM (EnKk6)

62 Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 05:48 PM (U+9Zc)

Mathematician by training. Just reduce it to previous case ;-)

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 05:52 PM (40TrW)

63 I think it means there are different mates depending on Black's response ... I could not find any choices for white.

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 05:49 PM (40TrW)

I was worried that my problem description was poorly worded, and you just demonstrated that it was. And you're right, the different ways to mate depend on Black's responses, not on White finding news way.

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 05:53 PM (U+9Zc)

64 Mathematician by training.

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 05:52 PM (40TrW)

What was your field? I did Category Theory.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at February 25, 2017 05:53 PM (zc3Db)

65 Straighforward from here:
1. Install Puppet Perez
2. Russia Boogeyman Narrative Daily
3. Soros Paid Riots Everywhere
4. Plane Crash Liz Warren
5. President Clinton

Posted by: Nathan R. Jessup at February 25, 2017 05:53 PM (TixTl)

66 44 The Deplorables Media should throw a shindig.
Posted by: gNewt at February 25, 2017 05:39 PM (TrOGC)

--That would be awesome. My other wish is for and alt-sports network. Since the last presidential campaign began, we've been blessed with DIY efforts giving us Infogalactic, Infogalactic News, and Gab. If someone with media know-how and fairly deep pockets would start a sports network that is not BLM's bitch like the Mickey Mouse Sports Network, it'd be a cherry on top.

Posted by: logprof at February 25, 2017 05:54 PM (GsAUU)

67 Mathematician by training. Just reduce it to previous case ;-)
Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 05:52 PM (40TrW)

Exactly. This is how you solve for White:

1. Solve for Black
2. Figure out how to lose the tempo
3. Repeat #1.

Mathematicians never do any work they can avoid.

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 05:56 PM (U+9Zc)

68 What was your field? I did Category Theory.

One undergraduate prof warned me off Category Theory.

Grad school was applied. Tokamak physics.

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 05:57 PM (40TrW)

69 Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 05:56 PM (U+9Zc)

Hikaru Nakamura says he has given up on problem #1.

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 05:58 PM (40TrW)

70 Electrical Engineering, back in the day, never finished. Years later, completed a Computer Science bachelor with Mathematics minor.

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 06:01 PM (U+9Zc)

71 One undergraduate prof warned me off Category Theory.

Heh. That happens a lot. A good number of mathematicians just don't understand. Category Theory is the most elegant and profound area of all mathematics. But ... it's almost like the equivalent of the long bow/crossbow debate in mathematics

Grad school was applied. Tokamak physics.

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 05:57 PM (40TrW)

Interesting.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at February 25, 2017 06:01 PM (zc3Db)

72 *peeks in*

Yep, I'm still licking windows on the short bus.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 25, 2017 06:02 PM (0mRoj)

73 Have to use the H rook.
If you use the C, white moves rd8 check.
Black forced to take that rook and boom.

Posted by: teej at February 25, 2017 06:03 PM (mzTVj)

74 Hikaru Nakamura says he has given up on problem #1.

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 05:58 PM (40TrW)

Huh. Every week, I try to include a problem that I think most, if not all, chess thread readers will get. For encouragement. This week, it was that problem.

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 06:03 PM (U+9Zc)

75 Electrical Engineering, back in the day, never finished. Years later, completed a Computer Science bachelor with Mathematics minor.

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 06:01 PM (U+9Zc)

You really covered the gamut, there, from applied to theoretical.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at February 25, 2017 06:03 PM (zc3Db)

76 Dude. Back when I was in the Navy I dated a fellow whose charming roguishness quickly devolved into churlish assholery.

He is now an "expert" often seen on MSNBC.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 25, 2017 05:50 PM (EnKk6)

--In many ways, that resembles the story of Keith Olbermann.

(--and I'm not being sarcastic)

Posted by: logprof at February 25, 2017 06:04 PM (GsAUU)

77 Fuck, just found out my van has to stay in the shop for longer.

So, gotta take the bus to work Monday. Ugh.

Oh well, time to tipple and keep watching the Hobbit marathon.

Posted by: logprof at February 25, 2017 06:06 PM (GsAUU)

78 There is more than one way to mate. How far can Black stretch it out?

That's some racist shit right there.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 25, 2017 06:06 PM (0mRoj)

79 Posted by: logprof at February 25, 2017 06:04 PM (GsAUU)

There was a time -- a brief time -- when Olbermann was entertaining and informative, and not a cautionary example.

(And no, it wasn't Olbie

)

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 25, 2017 06:07 PM (EnKk6)

80 Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 06:03 PM (U+9Zc)

Badly worded. I meant Step 1. Solve for Black

Nakamura used to try to win every game but he now says he thinks the best black can do is draw unless white blunders.

Another thing he said at Gibraltar this year is that 2600+ players have no disadvantage to 2700+ players in opening preparation because the engines and databases are so good now.

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 06:07 PM (40TrW)

81 Shelvie dropped a Nood on the Chessboard.

...that sounds dirtier than I thought it would...

Posted by: Bete stays up at February 25, 2017 06:10 PM (Ojki1)

82 There was a time -- a brief time -- when Olbermann was entertaining and informative, and not a cautionary example.

(And no, it wasn't Olbie )

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 25, 2017 06:07 PM (EnKk6)

I used to watch MSNBC when it first came on the air. It wasn't bad, at all. It wasn't getting many viewers but the programs were fine. Even Chris Matthews was fairly reasonable. Then something happened, the whole network went apeshit, and they never looked back.

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at February 25, 2017 06:10 PM (zc3Db)

83 Wow, I didn't know I have the same IQ as Bobby Fischer.

Posted by: Wile E Coyote at February 25, 2017 06:13 PM (VdICR)

84 If they made a chess set where all the pieces were famous actresses feet, then I might be interested.

Posted by: Quentin Tarantino at February 25, 2017 06:13 PM (W8bn5)

85 I seem to be completely useless for chess this week, so I will go for "open thread".

I was reading old Life magazines when I came across this January 1943 issue. Check this out:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/jkc4eb7

(I hope that link goes to the page I want; otherwise see page 28 in the magazine.)

The government banned "pleasure driving" and the so-called "greatest generation" meekly complied. Some spoke out against that outrage and were condemned as unpatriotic.

I cannot express how disgusted I was to read this. Governments love war, because they get to impose dictates on their citizens that they never could get away with in peacetime.

Or could they? We're supposedly in peacetime now, and the federal government imposes all sorts of restrictions on speech and behavior that would have been unthinkable in World War II. And the American people just shrug and accept it.

Posted by: rickl at February 25, 2017 06:15 PM (sdi6R)

86 Even Chris Matthews was fairly reasonable. Then something happened, the whole network went apeshit, and they never looked back.
Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at February 25, 2017 06:10 PM (zc3Db)

I remember watching Matthews show and then checking his book out.

I sometimes wonder if somewhere I went mad and it only shows up some of the time given how bonkers 50% or so of the population seems to be today.

Posted by: Bete stays up at February 25, 2017 06:17 PM (Ojki1)

87 What was your field? I did Category Theory.

One undergraduate prof warned me off Category Theory.

Grad school was applied. Tokamak physics.

Posted by: Off the reservation

Could you explain Monads to me? I think I messed something up somewhere.

Posted by: Phil Wadler at February 25, 2017 06:17 PM (W8bn5)

88 There was a time -- a brief time -- when Olbermann was entertaining and informative, and not a cautionary example.

(And no, it wasn't Olbie )
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 25, 2017 06:07 PM (EnKk6)

--He was good on Spoertscenter, though not quite as funny as Steiner or Patrick or Myers (Myers is a conservative by the way). His Boston Market commercial was hilarious (it may still be on Youtube).

Then he went political. Hell, he could have just stuck around ESPN and he'd pretty much still fit in even with his political rants.

Posted by: logprof at February 25, 2017 06:17 PM (GsAUU)

89 I hope that link goes to the page I want

Posted by: rickl at February 25, 2017 06:15 PM (sdi6R)

Worked for me.

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 06:19 PM (40TrW)

90 There wasn't a rubber shortage, can't remember the bogus reason. My grandfather was a train conductor. It went to the Mexico border once a week. He brought back sugar every week. There was no sugar shortage either. There's more.

Posted by: gNewt at February 25, 2017 06:19 PM (TrOGC)

91 Solutions now up.

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 06:22 PM (U+9Zc)

92 Could you explain Monads to me? I think I messed something up somewhere.

Posted by: Phil Wadler at February 25, 2017 06:17 PM (W8bn5)

What are you doing, computer science?

Posted by: ThePrimordialOrderedPair at February 25, 2017 06:23 PM (zc3Db)

93 Could you explain Monads to me?

Posted by: Phil Wadler at February 25, 2017 06:17 PM (W8bn5)

No clue. The word is vaguely familiar ... I just use wikipedia these days. I'm sure it's there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monad

There are *four* different uses in Math ... and I don't remember any of them. Presumably you want the category theory one? Try PoP.

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 06:23 PM (40TrW)

94 Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 06:22 PM (U+9Zc)

Typo in solution to problem 1. You have Bc5 rather than c5.

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 06:25 PM (40TrW)

95 Cows don't need mouthwash, but we do. That is why we must all become vegans.

Posted by: Joe Biden at February 25, 2017 06:26 PM (W8bn5)

96 Monads are similar to gonads except that they are for the third way.

Posted by: Intergalactic Reptilian at February 25, 2017 06:30 PM (r6s/p)

97 To expand on my #85 comment, this isn't the same as gas rationing. There may or may not be legitimate reasons for the government to ration gasoline. In that case, individuals must use their allotment wisely and stretch it as far as they can.

No, this was the Federal government banning "pleasure driving", and people were asking whether attending weddings or visiting relatives in the hospital was "acceptable". Infuriating.

Posted by: rickl at February 25, 2017 06:31 PM (sdi6R)

98 Was watching The Hobbit but switched to Lone Survivor

Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 06:31 PM (HDU3V)

99 98 Was watching The Hobbit but switched to Lone Survivor
Posted by: Skip at February 25, 2017 06:31 PM (HDU3V)
---
You chose well.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 25, 2017 06:33 PM (EnKk6)

100 @92, @93 sorry, it was a dumb joke.

Phil Wadler is a computer scientist who put the concept of "monads" into his language Haskell. The concept is very confusing to many people, including me, even though we can follow the procedure itself. If you define a class M you can wrap instances of that class in it, Ma, for example. So a monad is a function that obeys Ma->(a->Mb)->Mb. That function description is simple, but the actual code gives me headaches. I'd say I was just stupid, but it confuses a lot of people.

Posted by: Steve and Cold Bear at February 25, 2017 06:34 PM (W8bn5)

101 Fixed typo, thank you OTR.

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 06:39 PM (U+9Zc)

102 Monads are similar to gonads except that they are for the third way.
Posted by: Intergalactic Reptilian at February 25, 2017 06:30 PM (r6s/p)

Don't get me started on "monads."

Posted by: A. Hitler at February 25, 2017 06:39 PM (U+9Zc)

103 Sounds like it's raining hard outside, here on LI. Has to be global warming. Why can't you people stop driving cars? Why are you doing this to me? I need to make a booze run.

Posted by: Steve and Cold Bear at February 25, 2017 06:43 PM (W8bn5)

104 Problem 1 not a mate in two:

1 Rd5+ BxR
2 Bc5+ KxB

And the game goes on...

Unless I'm really misreading this board?

Posted by: Captain Comic at February 25, 2017 06:51 PM (bqNHb)

105 Unless I'm really misreading this board?

Posted by: Captain Comic at February 25, 2017 06:51 PM (bqNHb)

There was a typo in the solution which has been fixed. It should have been 2. c5#

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 06:56 PM (40TrW)

106 1 Rd5+ BxR
2 Bc5+ KxB
And the game goes on...
Unless I'm really misreading this board?
Posted by: Captain Comic at February 25, 2017 06:51 PM (bqNHb)

Typo, my bad. Should be 2.c5#

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 06:57 PM (U+9Zc)

107 I had read somewhere that the scrap metal collected during WW2 was never used, just left to rust. Something about how people could feel as though they were contributing to the war effort.

Posted by: 1921 C DRUM at February 25, 2017 07:11 PM (zwsnd)

108 Ah, I've been mixing two different losses

1 Rxd5+ BxR
2 c5#

or

1 Rxd5+ Ke7
2 Bc5#

Posted by: Captain Comic at February 25, 2017 07:16 PM (bqNHb)

109 Posted by: Captain Comic at February 25, 2017 07:16 PM (bqNHb)

Interesting. I missed the second line ...

Posted by: Off the reservation at February 25, 2017 07:32 PM (40TrW)

110 Hi, OM,

Thanks for another column. However, you misspelled Zugzwang.

On problem 2, it would be worth elaborating that 1...Rce8 2.Rd8+ Rxd8 3.Qxf7 doesn't look particularly fantastic for White after 3...Rhe8+ 4.Qxe8 (4.Kf1?? Rd1+ 5.Qe1 Rxe1#) 4...Rxe8+ 5.Kd2, but it's true that at least he dodged the bullet.

Posted by: Philip at February 25, 2017 07:47 PM (xqCxA)

111 It seems 2. c5# only works if the prior move was 1....Bxd5.

If 1...Ke7, then 2. Bc5#.

Or perhaps my need to see the eye doctor and my chess app are both wrong....

Posted by: Jeff Lebowski at February 25, 2017 09:35 PM (wpJaq)

112 Sorry, first series should be

1 Rc5+ BxR
2 Pc5#

The pawn and bishop cover each other and the king can't retreat.

Posted by: Captain Comic at February 25, 2017 09:59 PM (bqNHb)

113 If 1...Ke7, then 2. Bc5#.
Or perhaps my need to see the eye doctor and my chess app are both wrong....
Posted by: Jeff Lebowski at February 25, 2017 09:35 PM (wpJaq)

Thank you, I need to revise the solution. There's more than one option for Black here.

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 10:01 PM (U+9Zc)

114 Dang it, I'm tired.

1 Rd5+ BxR
2 Pc5#

Posted by: Captain Comic at February 25, 2017 10:01 PM (bqNHb)

115 114 Dang it, I'm tired.
1 Rd5+ BxR
2 Pc5#
Posted by: Captain Comic at February 25, 2017 10:01 PM (bqNHb)

Yes, as per my revised solution.

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 10:08 PM (U+9Zc)

116 On problem 2, it would be worth elaborating that 1...Rce8 2.Rd8+ Rxd8 3.Qxf7 doesn't look particularly fantastic for White after 3...Rhe8+ 4.Qxe8 (4.Kf1?? Rd1+ 5.Qe1 Rxe1#) 4...Rxe8+ 5.Kd2, but it's true that at least he dodged the bullet.
Posted by: Philip at February 25, 2017 07:47 PM (xqCxA)

Not sure I agree that the position doesn't look "particularly fantastic" for White. Position looks roughly equal to me. So considering that White was looking at the short end of a queen-for-rook exchange, I'd say that's a net plus.

Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 10:15 PM (U+9Zc)

117 <i>Not
sure I agree that the position doesn't look "particularly fantastic"
for White. Position looks roughly equal to me. So considering that White
was looking at the short end of a queen-for-rook exchange, I'd say
that's a net plus.
Posted by: OregonMuse, deplorable since 2004 at February 25, 2017 10:15 PM (U+9Zc)</i>

True, but I described it as "not particularly fantastic" in the context of the initial impression that Black was blundering his queen after 1...Rce8 2.Rd8+ Rxd8 3.Qxf7. As I said, if Black chooses the wrong rook, White dodges a bullet, but not much more than that.

Posted by: Philip at February 25, 2017 11:51 PM (xqCxA)

118 On problem one, what if BxR???

Posted by: shreck at February 26, 2017 08:30 PM (m1YwQ)

119 Never mind, I should read all the comments first, doh!!

Posted by: shreck at February 26, 2017 08:31 PM (m1YwQ)

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