Search found 1204 matches

by Tim Spanton
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:49 am
Forum: 4NCL
Topic: 4NCL Time control
Replies: 10
Views: 372

Re: 4NCL Time control

I have no strong feelings on this, but to me the best argument for a quicker time control is the ability to be more confident about booking a team meal on the Saturday evening.
by Tim Spanton
Sun Mar 03, 2024 4:24 pm
Forum: Rating Debate
Topic: FIDE ratings revaluation
Replies: 14
Views: 2324

Re: FIDE ratings revaluation

Mine is perhaps a better, or at least a more dramatic, example. You are now 1910 ECF and 1876 FIDE, so the gap has closed. I am now 1920 ECF and 1904 FIDE, so now close. My ECF rating is slightly distorted by the reluctance/refusal of the Chiltern grader to submit results, but with both missing gam...
by Tim Spanton
Fri Mar 01, 2024 11:21 am
Forum: Rating Debate
Topic: FIDE ratings revaluation
Replies: 14
Views: 2324

Re: FIDE ratings revaluation

Mine is perhaps a better, or at least a more dramatic, example.

My February rating of 1766 was due to rise 27.6, but with the revaluation I am now 1876.
by Tim Spanton
Sat Feb 24, 2024 8:24 pm
Forum: Congress Diary
Topic: 2nd Cambridge International Open
Replies: 109
Views: 13363

Re: 2nd Cambridge International Open

On the link you highlighted yesterday, it did speak of a tiebreak system, whilst also saying that money would be shared equally. I don't pretend to understand ... There was a physical trophy on display at the start of the final round as well as a few medals. Your eyesight must be good if you could ...
by Tim Spanton
Sat Feb 24, 2024 8:45 am
Forum: Not Chess!
Topic: Pedants United
Replies: 478
Views: 50387

Re: Pedants United

Saintly Susie has preached to us on many occasions that meanings of words change, and I almost accept that "silo", "prestigious" etc. can now mean different things, but you can't "level up". One highlight of my career was when of our senior managers said the company was "prestigious". I agreed with...
by Tim Spanton
Fri Feb 23, 2024 9:00 pm
Forum: Not Chess!
Topic: Pedants United
Replies: 478
Views: 50387

Re: Pedants United

Matt Mackenzie wrote:
Fri Feb 23, 2024 7:03 pm
John Upham wrote:
Fri Feb 23, 2024 1:49 pm
Is there mince in Mars?
Well we have something called mincemeat that contains no actual meat, so who knows?
That's because the meaning of meat, or mete, has changed from 'food' to something more specific.
by Tim Spanton
Fri Feb 23, 2024 1:39 pm
Forum: Not Chess!
Topic: Pedants United
Replies: 478
Views: 50387

Re: Pedants United

It bothers me that there is a "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities". You cannot "level up", you can only "level down". Using stupid jargon in the name of a Government Department is really awful. English is a living language; see https://www.google.com/search?q=%22level+up%22+dictio...
by Tim Spanton
Fri Feb 23, 2024 9:13 am
Forum: Congress Diary
Topic: 2nd Cambridge International Open
Replies: 109
Views: 13363

Re: 2nd Cambridge International Open

Leonard's Guardian column has been published with (after the main topic) a fair amount about the Cambridge International Open and comparisons with other events like this abroad. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/feb/23/freestyle-chess-plans-2025-global-tour-for-carlsen-and-the-worlds-top-playe...
by Tim Spanton
Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:54 pm
Forum: Junior Chess
Topic: Two Junior-Related Questions
Replies: 8
Views: 1786

Re: Two Junior-Related Questions

As my mother would have said, I'm sure both issues could be sorted with a good slap. Something like this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8XeDvKqI4E When I read Tim's comment I immediately thought of the incident involving poor Nigel Pomeroy of Stocksfield, Northumberland: https://www.youtube.com/...
by Tim Spanton
Wed Feb 14, 2024 3:53 pm
Forum: Junior Chess
Topic: Two Junior-Related Questions
Replies: 8
Views: 1786

Re: Two Junior-Related Questions

John Upham wrote:
Wed Feb 14, 2024 3:20 pm
Tim Spanton wrote:
Wed Feb 14, 2024 3:04 pm
As my mother would have said, I'm sure both issues could be sorted with a good slap.
Something like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8XeDvKqI4E
Long time, no see
by Tim Spanton
Wed Feb 14, 2024 3:04 pm
Forum: Junior Chess
Topic: Two Junior-Related Questions
Replies: 8
Views: 1786

Re: Two Junior-Related Questions

As my mother would have said, I'm sure both issues could be sorted with a good slap.
by Tim Spanton
Sun Feb 11, 2024 12:24 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Trading Places
Replies: 7
Views: 1029

Re: Trading Places

Come on then - show us the card with you on it ...
by Tim Spanton
Fri Feb 09, 2024 5:00 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Trading Places
Replies: 7
Views: 1029

Trading Places

I am assuming this is not an early April Fool, but ChessBase has announced a series of chess trading cards.
https://en.chessbase.com/post/chess-tra ... e-have-fun
Anyone got any?
by Tim Spanton
Thu Feb 08, 2024 12:34 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: New Mating Pattern
Replies: 14
Views: 1909

Re: New Mating Pattern

Not all that new - it occurs twice in ChessBase's Mega database. Any chance of posting one the games? Here you go: [Event "Doeberl Cup U1200 48th"] [Site "Canberra"] [Date "2010.04.03"] [Round "6"] [White "Lo, Wesley"] [Black "Bishop, Isabella"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C42"] [PlyCount "63"] [EventDate...
by Tim Spanton
Sun Feb 04, 2024 1:38 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Media comments on chess
Replies: 5968
Views: 737559

Re: Media comments on chess

Pic on the wall of a Caffè Nero in Pimlico.
Image