Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

A section to discuss matters not related to Chess in particular.
John McKenna

Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

Post by John McKenna » Sat Jul 27, 2019 2:39 am

See -

https://en.chessbase.com/post/chess-bor ... son-brexit

Then ask yourself - can he really make the required moves to avoid, zugzwang, stalemate and checkmate?

Unless he can he's bound to lose, one way or another.

Tim Spanton
Posts: 1205
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 11:35 am
Contact:

Re: Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

Post by Tim Spanton » Sat Jul 27, 2019 10:32 am

I would have thought stalemate was just about the best we could hope for with Brexit - a win seems highly unlikely
https://beauchess.blogspot.com/

NickFaulks
Posts: 8453
Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2010 1:28 pm

Re: Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

Post by NickFaulks » Sat Jul 27, 2019 11:27 am

Tim Spanton wrote:
Sat Jul 27, 2019 10:32 am
I would have thought stalemate was just about the best we could hope for with Brexit - a win seems highly unlikely
It seems to me that this is a definitive example of an Armageddon game. Either we leave on 31/10 or we don't - anything "in between" is an EU win.
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a QR code stamped on a human face — forever.


John McKenna

Re: Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

Post by John McKenna » Sat Jul 27, 2019 12:00 pm

Tim, I agree that Boris is in a very difficult position - handed down thirdhand from his far from great predecessors.

In Brexit stalemate is worse than just losing - it's like being tortured interminably while awaiting execution.

Mercifully, Boris may be the proverbial end with horror rather than the horror without end...

When all is done only this may remain to be said of us by the Commandant of the Foreign Legion -
The attempt at mutiny is over, my children. You bungled it so much it wasn't really a mutiny. But you'll be punished as though it were.

Tim Spanton
Posts: 1205
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 11:35 am
Contact:

Re: Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

Post by Tim Spanton » Sat Jul 27, 2019 12:11 pm

But stalemate is not worse than losing - stalemate is a draw (assuming we are sticking to correct chess metaphors).
https://beauchess.blogspot.com/

User avatar
JustinHorton
Posts: 10364
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:06 am
Location: Somewhere you're not

Re: Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

Post by JustinHorton » Sat Jul 27, 2019 12:11 pm

What this thread has in common with Brexit is that when it's all over we will never want to do it again
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com

Nick Burrows
Posts: 1705
Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2010 12:15 pm

Re: Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

Post by Nick Burrows » Sat Jul 27, 2019 12:29 pm

NickFaulks wrote:
Sat Jul 27, 2019 11:27 am
Either we leave on 31/10 or we don't - anything "in between" is an EU win.
If we leave on 31/10 it is a disaster for us and a hit to the EU, therefore anything "in between" is a bigger win for us than it is for the EU.

Tim Spanton
Posts: 1205
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 11:35 am
Contact:

Re: Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

Post by Tim Spanton » Sat Jul 27, 2019 12:54 pm

A win is 1pt whichever way you look at it … unless you ae suggesting the rules of the Brexit tournament specify 3pts for a win, 1pt for a draw
https://beauchess.blogspot.com/

Paul McKeown
Posts: 3732
Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:01 pm
Location: Hayes (Middx)

Re: Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

Post by Paul McKeown » Sat Jul 27, 2019 4:52 pm

NickFaulks wrote:
Sat Jul 27, 2019 11:27 am
Either we leave on 31/10 or we don't - anything "in between" is an EU win.
Surely a greater loss for the UK and a smaller loss for the EU, but losses nevertheless. In this farce played out by the Conservative party, there is no possible win for any party, whatever the outcome. The best outcome is minimisation of the losses.

Phil Neatherway
Posts: 662
Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2007 4:10 pm
Location: Abingdon

Re: Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

Post by Phil Neatherway » Sat Jul 27, 2019 10:00 pm

I think there is a win for the SNP in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Nick Burrows
Posts: 1705
Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2010 12:15 pm

Re: Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

Post by Nick Burrows » Sat Jul 27, 2019 10:15 pm

Phil Neatherway wrote:
Sat Jul 27, 2019 10:00 pm
I think there is a win for the SNP in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
But perhaps not for Scotland

Nick Grey
Posts: 1838
Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2011 12:16 am

Re: Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

Post by Nick Grey » Sat Jul 27, 2019 10:52 pm

You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave!

John McKenna

Re: Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

Post by John McKenna » Sun Jul 28, 2019 10:48 am

"Boris is a chessplayer - he's ten moves ahead of everyone." (A caller to an LBC Radio phone-in this morn)
Nick Burrows wrote:
Sat Jul 27, 2019 10:15 pm
Phil Neatherway wrote:
Sat Jul 27, 2019 10:00 pm
I think there is a win for the SNP in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
But perhaps not for Scotland
Boris is poised to sally forth on a campaign in Scotland to try to hammer the Scots into shape.

User avatar
IM Jack Rudd
Posts: 4818
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:13 am
Location: Bideford
Contact:

Re: Boris Johnson, chess and Brexit metaphors

Post by IM Jack Rudd » Sun Jul 28, 2019 12:54 pm

Thread about politics moved to Not Chess!

Post Reply