English Chess Forum

Keith. This is a genuine inquiry, When you reach R+B v R again, is there any interest in it for you? Is it not like K + Q v K in blitz for me? The only interest is in whether I will get to mate before my flag falls. Now K + Q + N v K + R + B + N would interest all of us. Yet it takes more than 200 m...

It is not an easy matter. e.g.
In London, Islington Chess Club disappeared completely, although in the 1970s - 80s it was arguably the most successful club in Britain,
But Hackney Club came into existence and is a thriving concern. So was there any decrease in the number of players?

Returning to a point made upline. It was suggested that increments should only be introduced after move 60. I disagree. I strongly believe that the rate of play shuld remain the same throughout the game and the Laws the game is played to. Otherwise people become confused. It has been an objctive of ...

At the press conference after the 11th game, Carlsen said something like, 'If Caruana wants a draw, that is what it will be. If he wants to win, then we will see.' I interpreted that, to me, his mind set would be such that he would be satisfied with a draw. Then the American tried for perhaps a litt...

Alex > people might tune in in the hope that they're not going to watch another draw.<

You may not have noticed but the rate of play changes tomorrow! If all rapid play and blitz games are drawn, surely that would be exciting news!

It is late at night, but I simply don't understand. Indeed 'covering a bet' means I recover the £50 I have so far wagered at a cost no greater than the £137.50 I get if Caruana wins. Just explain to me how I cover the £50 if Caruana does not win. I probably won't do it because it will be too little ...

Well, I cannot cover my bet on Caruana to win in 12 games. After 4 games I got 11/4 for £50 = £137.50 profit if he does win. Tim Harding >It's probably good for arbiters to keep playing occasionally, though: "look at life from both sides now...", I tried to persuade FIDE that NEW International Arbit...

Nick was such a gentle man. Duncan Lawrie were wonderful sponsors to English chess. I believe it started with Nick contacting Harry Golombek, as Times Correspondent, asking what they could do for English chess. They then sponsored the English teams.
David Anderton was, of course, the prime contact.

Sunday Times main section pages 38-39. A very big section on 'The topstate primary and indepenent prep schools. The leading prep school in the tables is SEATON HOUSE SCHOOL. Sutton. There is a big photo of a little girl playing chess. The text does not mention chess. Does anybody know if this girls'...

I like it, that in NY, in a delicatessen, the Carnegie - now alas defunct, the helpings were so large they used to supply 'doggy bags' without waiting to be asked. People used to line-up outside the restaurant in the hope of being offered a free meal. The bags were paper, n ot the dreaded plastic. I...

Chess moves to end stalemate and attract more women. Headline in today's Daily Telegraph, article written by Helena Horton. It is mainly about the fact that the London Chess Classic offers free entry to women (and under 25s). That is hardly news - to us. Of course it isn't a stalemate at all in any ...

I have suggested to Nigel that we combine the two bees, one in each of our bonnets. His that stalemating your opponent should win. Mine, that White has too big an advantage, By the way, he says white scores 55%. With his stalemate rule, I believe it would be at least 60%. This would be proveable usi...

Joshua Gibbs >does anyone know why Tony Miles dubbed triple pawns the Irish pawn centre?<

It is a politically incorrect joke, that would probably be felt too offensive today. Tripled pawns, of course, help nobody's centre.

Wednesday evening, Leontxo Garcia, Cathy and Ian Rogers and I went to see 'THE CHESS PLAYER' (also known as 'The Royal Game') at the Tristan Bates Theatre in Covent Garden. This is a 75 minute one-man play, written and performed solo by Richard McElvain, inspired by the novella by Stefan Zweig, Imme...

I have just had a bet with bwin https://sports.bwin.com/en/sports/67/betting/chess#sportId=67 on Caruana to win in 12 games. The odds offered are 11/4. I have bet only £50. You will realise that I am by no means confident that this is a good value bet. I am certainly not betting because I think he w...