Media comments on chess

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Roger Lancaster
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by Roger Lancaster » Tue Sep 07, 2021 4:04 pm

John Swain wrote:
Tue Sep 07, 2021 12:56 pm
Roger Lancaster wrote:
Tue Sep 07, 2021 12:45 pm
Those of you who feel, probably with some justification, that you hear quite enough of me here should avoid BBC Three Counties Radio at 3.15 this afternoon when I'll be discussing the chess explosion of the past year or so with presenter Roberto Perrone. Probably very little of interest to forumites - these programmes aren't targeted at regular chess players.
This "chess explosion" is also the subject of an article on p.3 of The Times today:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ches ... -5vk3jsh5k
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live: ... ties_radio starting at 15.15, for anyone wanting to listen. Nothing especially interesting, though.

John Swain
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by John Swain » Wed Sep 08, 2021 11:20 pm

Welcome publicity for chess at the end of this evening's ITV news programme, including an interview with Nigel Short pointing out that chess is a fun and cheap activity if you use plastic pieces (rather than those impressive wooden pieces and boards in short supply due to the increased demand attributable to The Queen's Gambit and lockdowns).

https://www.itv.com/news/2021-09-08/net ... oard-sales

Malcolm Pein features prominently in the text.

Kevin Thurlow
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by Kevin Thurlow » Thu Sep 09, 2021 8:09 am

https://www.itv.com/news/2021-09-08/net ... oard-sales

I note too that the move Kh6 appeared in the course of the report, presumably Nigel was asked to play some moves, so showcased his very memorable winning idea?

Geoff Chandler
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by Geoff Chandler » Thu Sep 09, 2021 7:54 pm

Hi John and Kevin.

Thank you, a good spot.

The wooden chess pieces in short supply reminded me of CHESS magazine apologising for running
out of the plastic chess pieces in late1972 early 1973 due to the Fischer/Spassky match.

Simon Rogers
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by Simon Rogers » Thu Sep 09, 2021 11:20 pm

John Swain wrote:
Tue Sep 07, 2021 12:56 pm
Roger Lancaster wrote:
Tue Sep 07, 2021 12:45 pm
Those of you who feel, probably with some justification, that you hear quite enough of me here should avoid BBC Three Counties Radio at 3.15 this afternoon when I'll be discussing the chess explosion of the past year or so with presenter Roberto Perrone. Probably very little of interest to forumites - these programmes aren't targeted at regular chess players.
This "chess explosion" is also the subject of an article on p.3 of The Times today:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ches ... -5vk3jsh5k
Sadly it is behind a paywall. However I bought a copy. I thought the article was excellent and I photocopied it a few times for our chess clubs noticeboards.

JonManley
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by JonManley » Fri Sep 10, 2021 8:35 am

*If I retire, I’ll retire into chess.” Tom Stoppard https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000zhgd (at 48:36)
http://www.kingpinchess.net 'the gutter press of chess' (Eric Schiller)
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Stewart Reuben
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by Stewart Reuben » Fri Sep 10, 2021 12:35 pm

Geoff >The wooden chess pieces in short supply reminded me of CHESS magazine apologising for running
out of the plastic chess pieces in late1972 early 1973 due to the Fischer/Spassky match.<

Bob Wade found a source of the plastic pieces in 1972 from Hong Kong. Peter Morrish formed his company, 'Tournament Chess Supplies' to market and distribute these. By comparison, they ran out of sets in the US. Our greater success at that time was partially responsible for the English Chess Explosion.

Neil Graham
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by Neil Graham » Fri Sep 10, 2021 4:20 pm

Michael Vaughan writes about County Cricket in the Daily Telegraph:-

"We have been crying out for more four-day cricket this summer, but why would you want any young England player going back to his county and playing in a system that is nothing like Test cricket? It is like a chess grandmaster playing draughts."

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Matt Mackenzie
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by Matt Mackenzie » Fri Sep 10, 2021 4:23 pm

JonManley wrote:
Fri Sep 10, 2021 8:35 am
*If I retire, I’ll retire into chess.” Tom Stoppard https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000zhgd (at 48:36)
Left it a bit late, perhaps?
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)

Stewart Reuben
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by Stewart Reuben » Fri Sep 10, 2021 4:29 pm

Neil > "We have been crying out for more four-day cricket this summer, but why would you want any young England player going back to his county and playing in a system that is nothing like Test cricket? It is like a chess grandmaster playing draughts."

That is a defect in English chess. A huge proportion is played in team matches or weekend Swisses. In order to succeed in chess internationally, it is necessary to play one game a day events, where you can prepare for your opponents in advance,

JonManley
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by JonManley » Fri Sep 10, 2021 5:01 pm

Matt Mackenzie wrote:
Fri Sep 10, 2021 4:23 pm
JonManley wrote:
Fri Sep 10, 2021 8:35 am
*If I retire, I’ll retire into chess.” Tom Stoppard https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000zhgd (at 48:36)
Left it a bit late, perhaps?
Not really as he’s been following the game for a while https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/ex ... tzkin.html
http://www.kingpinchess.net 'the gutter press of chess' (Eric Schiller)
@KingpinEd

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JustinHorton
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by JustinHorton » Fri Sep 10, 2021 9:32 pm

Apparently the same chess set appears in three well-known horror films
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com

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JustinHorton
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by JustinHorton » Fri Sep 10, 2021 10:12 pm

Incidentally trying to find images to back that up led me to this photo and trying to find more information on that photo led me to the information that Leo Genn - Petronius in Quo Vadis - appeared on Desert Island Discs in 1953 and requested " a chess set with a book of problems" as his luxury. (Aaron Copland in 1958 also requested a chess set, as did Steve Race in 1959, and other guests in other decades which I may get round to listing at the weekend.)
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com

Ken Norman
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by Ken Norman » Sat Sep 11, 2021 9:21 am

Stewart Reuben wrote:
Fri Sep 10, 2021 4:29 pm
Neil > "We have been crying out for more four-day cricket this summer, but why would you want any young England player going back to his county and playing in a system that is nothing like Test cricket? It is like a chess grandmaster playing draughts."

That is a defect in English chess. A huge proportion is played in team matches or weekend Swisses. In order to succeed in chess internationally, it is necessary to play one game a day events, where you can prepare for your opponents in advance,
A very good point from Stewart. The one game tournament no longer exist in England (apart from the British). If you want to play one game a day you have to travel to Europe .

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JustinHorton
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Re: Media comments on chess

Post by JustinHorton » Sat Sep 11, 2021 9:56 am

I played a one game a day tournament in Paignton two years ago this month (indeed the last OTB chess I've played to date).
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com

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