Search found 1519 matches

by Paul Cooksey
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:57 am
Forum: 4NCL
Topic: 4NCL Time control
Replies: 10
Views: 371

Re: 4NCL Time control

I have to admit I don't know what is usual in International Opens. What is normal?
by Paul Cooksey
Thu Mar 07, 2024 12:56 am
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF Membership Reform
Replies: 150
Views: 13718

Re: ECF Membership Reform

Of course volunteers should be valued. No one disagrees.

I do not think ECF membership needs to be mandatory or should be. It is frustrating that point is constantly misrepresented as an attack on volunteers.
by Paul Cooksey
Mon Mar 04, 2024 7:33 pm
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF Membership Reform
Replies: 150
Views: 13718

Re: ECF Membership Reform

I don't think we can say the ECF is doing a good job because chess is cheap, any more than we can say the Equestrian Federation is doing a bad job because a horse costs 10k a year. (possibly, two minutes on google...) I don't think grading can be done much cheaper than around a pound a member. But I...
by Paul Cooksey
Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:05 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Best Game by an English Player (the vote)
Replies: 80
Views: 3866

Re: Best Game by an English Player (the vote)

Memorable is the Short-Timman king march, but I'm going to need a couple of days before I can offer an opinion on best!
by Paul Cooksey
Sun Feb 25, 2024 8:21 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: New In Chess podcast - Nigel Short interview
Replies: 0
Views: 207

New In Chess podcast - Nigel Short interview

NIC has a relatively new podcast. I recommend this episode, even if interesting more for what wasn't said than what was in some parts.

https://www.newinchess.com/blog/post/ni ... igel-short
by Paul Cooksey
Thu Feb 08, 2024 9:10 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Cheating in chess
Replies: 3034
Views: 344238

Re: Cheating in chess

I'm not sure where I stand on this issue.

Requiring phones to be turned off rather than on silent probably doesn't do much to make cheating harder. But is inconvenient leaving my phone at home for matches where the likelihood of cheating is very low.
by Paul Cooksey
Sun Feb 04, 2024 7:21 pm
Forum: Birthdays & Anniversaries
Topic: Happy Birthday GM Raymond Keene OBE (29-i-1948)
Replies: 34
Views: 7570

Re: Happy Birthday GM Raymond Keene OBE (29-i-1948)

Don't really see why posters are so keen to comment in this way on the contribution of others. Not as if any of the critics are notable for their own efforts, and some have obsessions of their own. Surely better just to ignore posts of no personal interest. I believe this is Ray's point of view too.
by Paul Cooksey
Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:36 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Who owns chess.com?
Replies: 19
Views: 4480

Re: Who owns chess.com?

I have to admit I missed the chess24 commentary on Wijk. Chess.com did use the chess24 channel, but the style and commentators were chess.com rather than chess24. It doesn't surprise me that chess.com don't want to split their audience. But I hope there is enough demand for the kind of commentary Le...
by Paul Cooksey
Wed Jan 17, 2024 8:18 am
Forum: International News
Topic: Tata Steel 12 - 28 Jan 2024
Replies: 65
Views: 6357

Re: Tata Steel 12 - 28 Jan 2024

I'm not sure if we can call it a scalp the second time! But Pragg passing Anand's Elo might be significant.
by Paul Cooksey
Tue Jan 16, 2024 2:39 pm
Forum: Women's Chess
Topic: Women's Candidates 2024 qualification
Replies: 11
Views: 1228

Re: Women's Candidates 2024 qualification

It does feel that by posting a graphic of the different open and women's time controls FIDE were deliberately trying to stir up some drama in much the same way they did by including Magnus in the open announcement.

Emil does seem to be an all publicity is good publicity adherent.
by Paul Cooksey
Thu Jan 04, 2024 11:34 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: We should teach children darts not chess? Discuss.
Replies: 21
Views: 2170

Re: We should teach children darts not chess? Discuss.

In fairness, he did finish second in a world championship.

Chess is obviously a poor choice if you are hoping the children will keep you in a style to which you would like to become accustomed. But darts too, probably. Better tennis and golf, if you have the resources, or football if you don't.
by Paul Cooksey
Sun Dec 31, 2023 7:31 pm
Forum: Congress Diary
Topic: Caplin Hastings 2023-24
Replies: 107
Views: 12015

Re: Caplin Hastings 2023-24

Matt Mackenzie wrote:
Sun Dec 31, 2023 7:15 pm
John Moore wrote:
Sun Dec 31, 2023 4:49 pm
Paul - what does Black play on move 8, then.
According to the computer, White is already outright winning then.

I wonder if PC was thinking of possible tricks after 8....Qc7, but they don't actually work.
I'm surprised. What line is winning Matt?
by Paul Cooksey
Sun Dec 31, 2023 4:09 pm
Forum: Congress Diary
Topic: Caplin Hastings 2023-24
Replies: 107
Views: 12015

Re: Caplin Hastings 2023-24

[Event "Caplin Hastings Masters 2023"] [Site "Horntye Sports Complex, Hasti"] [Date "2023.12.31"] [Round "4.7"] [White "Gasanov, Eldar"] [Black "Gormally, Daniel W"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E60"] [WhiteElo "2487"] [BlackElo "2442"] [PlyCount "31"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [Source "Everyman Press"] 1. ...
by Paul Cooksey
Sun Dec 31, 2023 1:40 pm
Forum: International News
Topic: 2024 Candidates qualification revised process
Replies: 145
Views: 13000

Re: 2024 Candidates qualification revised process

I thought that Firouja's result at Rouen meant he got the rating spot even if the matches not rated?
by Paul Cooksey
Sun Dec 31, 2023 12:25 pm
Forum: Congress Diary
Topic: Caplin Hastings 2023-24
Replies: 107
Views: 12015

Re: Caplin Hastings 2023-24

I haven't looked at Royal-Jacobson with a strong engine but the lichess stockfish doesn't show a big change in evaluation. I'm certainly willing to concede c4 not the strongest move in the position, but I'm reluctant to consider it a mistake. particularly if black playing for a win. I'd have probabl...