Search found 98 matches

by ben.graff
Sun Aug 21, 2022 1:24 pm
Forum: Deaths & Obituaries
Topic: Professor David Jenkins (1934-2022)
Replies: 3
Views: 1447

Re: Professor David Jenkins (1934-2022)

I am very sorry to hear this news. I really enjoyed "Spurious Games." There are various positive reviews and observations, both in this place and elsewhere. I have no doubt the book will be remembered. It is certainly a worthy part of David's rich and varied legacy. I can't claim to have known David...
by ben.graff
Mon Mar 07, 2022 12:23 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: ECF Bans Russians
Replies: 137
Views: 11129

Re: ECF Bans Russians

The flag is the country's and not the regime's. In the case of Belarus, that is not so. Please see the attachment as I don't seem to be able to copy and paste directly. Flags of Belarus.pdf I am an instant expert in Belarussian flags, having looked at Wikipedia However, surely whatever has gone bef...
by ben.graff
Mon Mar 07, 2022 11:09 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: ECF Bans Russians
Replies: 137
Views: 11129

Re: ECF Bans Russians

People really should not be expected to renounce their country in order to play in a chess tournament. RUS is not Putin. I'd disagree with your terminology, Justin. People aren't being asked to "renounce their country." Just to avoid legitimising a particular regime, by playing under its flag. Ther...
by ben.graff
Mon Mar 07, 2022 10:48 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: ECF Bans Russians
Replies: 137
Views: 11129

Re: ECF Bans Russians

People really should not be expected to renounce their country in order to play in a chess tournament. RUS is not Putin. I'd disagree with your terminology, Justin. People aren't being asked to "renounce their country." Just to avoid legitimising a particular regime, by playing under its flag. Ther...
by ben.graff
Mon Mar 07, 2022 9:31 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: ECF Bans Russians
Replies: 137
Views: 11129

Re: ECF Bans Russians

I'm wondering whether part of the problem is that the ECF statement is much shorter than the ECU Statement it is derived from... As a result, it is silent on some of the nuances the ECU address. Specifically, the ECU announcement includes the following clause: "Individual players representing Russi...
by ben.graff
Mon Mar 07, 2022 8:57 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: ECF Bans Russians
Replies: 137
Views: 11129

Re: ECF Bans Russians

I'm wondering whether part of the problem is that the ECF statement is much shorter than the ECU Statement it is derived from... As a result, it is silent on some of the nuances the ECU address. Specifically, the ECU announcement includes the following clause: "Individual players representing Russia...
by ben.graff
Sat Feb 05, 2022 9:44 am
Forum: Chess History
Topic: Ages of World Chess Champions
Replies: 0
Views: 601

Ages of World Chess Champions

I am working on a project at the moment, where I need to give the ages of the World Chess Champions. Both when they won the title, and also when they finally lost it. I'm sure there must be a definitive source, but I haven't found it, and I've noticed small variances in the material I have got. The ...
by ben.graff
Sun Dec 12, 2021 8:43 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Radio Interview
Replies: 6
Views: 1699

Re: Radio Interview

Well done Simon, nice interview!
by ben.graff
Sun Sep 26, 2021 8:22 pm
Forum: Book Reviews
Topic: Chess Crusader by Carl Portman
Replies: 9
Views: 3032

Re: Chess Crusader by Carl Portman

I was delighted to review Carl's book for The Chess Circuit.

https://chesscircuit.substack.com/p/bdb ... b4f20effaa
by ben.graff
Mon Sep 13, 2021 4:41 pm
Forum: Book Reviews
Topic: The Greenbecker Gambit by Ben Graff
Replies: 17
Views: 4489

Re: The Greenbecker Gambit by Ben Graff

I was really pleased by GM Jonathan Levitt's review!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4191325607
by ben.graff
Wed Sep 08, 2021 11:32 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Which Clubs are Reopening ?
Replies: 84
Views: 14348

Re: Which Clubs are Reopening ?

"What Covid measures were imposed if any?" "Over how many boards are each match." Hi John. We play over four boards in our higher divisions and three in the lower ones. Our Covid protocols are set out below. These followed extensive consultation with our member clubs. There are no right answers, but...
by ben.graff
Wed Sep 08, 2021 10:27 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Which Clubs are Reopening ?
Replies: 84
Views: 14348

Re: Which Clubs are Reopening ?

The Leamington League 21/22 started last night with Stratford v Kenilworth. It has been a long eighteen months, so we are really delighted to be back! We don't have quite as many teams as we did for the previous campaign, but all of our clubs have survived. We are very much looking forward to the se...
by ben.graff
Wed Jul 07, 2021 10:13 am
Forum: Book Reviews
Topic: A History of Chess in the English Civil Service, by Kevin Thurlow
Replies: 13
Views: 2716

A History of Chess in the English Civil Service, by Kevin Thurlow

Many congratulations to Kevin on his new book. I was delighted to review A History of Chess in the English Civil Service, for The Chess Circuit.


https://chesscircuit.substack.com/p/a-h ... he-english
by ben.graff
Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:04 am
Forum: Book Reviews
Topic: The Queen's Gambit - Accepted! by Jonathan Arnott & Rosie Irwin
Replies: 2
Views: 1011

The Queen's Gambit - Accepted! by Jonathan Arnott & Rosie Irwin

There is a nice interview with Rosie in June's Chess Magazine. I took a look at this book for The Chess Circuit.

https://chesscircuit.substack.com/p/the ... urce=email
by ben.graff
Sat Jun 12, 2021 2:02 pm
Forum: Book Reviews
Topic: Spurious Games
Replies: 2
Views: 1015

Re: Spurious Games

I very much enjoyed Richard's review, and also thought Spurious Games was really good. This is my critique from a few months back, for The Chess Circuit.

https://chesscircuit.substack.com/p/spu ... tm_source=