Media comments on chess

[Ian Thompson]

Kasparov seems to be sceptical about the actual chess positions in the series, but more positive about the authenticity of the chess tournament atmosphere.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/16/arts ... tflix.html

The photo at the start of the NY Times article doesn't look realistic. White has moved but the clock hasn't been started.

[Roger de Coverly]

The photo at the start of the NY Times article doesn't look realistic. White has moved but the clock hasn't been started.

It's a MOM clock or similar with the lever at the side. It's difficult to see the relative positions of both levers. Rather clearer is that both clocks show approximately 3:59, but that was common practice in the analogue era. If it's a "publicity" picture, it's authentic. There are old pictures purportedly of play taking place that were obviously posed before play commenced for real. For that matter, ceremonial first moves don't involve starting the clock.

i

[Ian Thompson]

It's a MOM clock or similar with the lever at the side. It's difficult to see the relative positions of both levers.

Both levers look clearly horizontal to me, so the clock isn't running.

[Reg Clucas]

It's a MOM clock or similar with the lever at the side. It's difficult to see the relative positions of both levers.

Both levers look clearly horizontal to me, so the clock isn't running.

White's flag is still up. It was considered good manners to wait until the flag fell before making the first move - though I suppose not compulsory.

[Stewart Reuben]

Yesterday, in the English Snooker Championship, Jimmy White said that snooker can be like a game of chess.

We never discussed the matter, so I have no idea whether he actually played our game.

[Chris Rice]

Simon Williams refers to Mark Hebden as the 'Jimmy White of chess' because Mark has on numerous occasions nearly won the British Championships like Jimmy White almost won the snooker World Championship.

[Reg Clucas]

I found a New York Times article about the Netflix series, which describes betting on chess to make good television as a "risky play." The New York Times highlight that Kasparov was a consultant on "The Queen's Gambit." According to the piece, Kasparov seems to be sceptical about the actual chess positions in the series, but more positive about the authenticity of the chess tournament atmosphere. We will see!

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/16/arts ... tflix.html

“When it came to the actual chess sequences, my background as a dancer really helped,” Taylor-Joy said. “It’s basically just choreography with your fingers.” That could be a candidate for Pseuds' corner!

[JustinHorton]

Yesterday, in the English Snooker Championship

English Open, I believe

[JustinHorton]

1980 episode of Russian cartoon series Nu, Pogodi! with some chess content at 4:46 or so.

[Nick Grey]

Jimmy does not play chess.

[Kevin Thurlow]

“When it came to the actual chess sequences, my background as a dancer really helped,” Taylor-Joy said. “It’s basically just choreography with your fingers.” That could be a candidate for Pseuds' corner!

Send it in - you might get £10...

[NickFaulks]

Wikipedia on The Man Who Fell To Earth:

The film obtained a small release in the United States through Cinema V in exchange for $850,000 and due to foreign sales the film's budget was just recouped.

I had always assumed it was a big film - it seems I never realised it was just a cult favourite.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"I had always assumed it was a big film - it seems I never realised it was just a cult favourite."

Me too!

[JustinHorton]

There was just an item on 24h, the national rolling news channel here, about a chess-based project at an infant and primary school, CEIP La Vega, which is on Tenerife, run by a guy called Ricardo Acosta. There's various news stories and video items about this but not yet, as far as I can see, today's. If I come across it I'll link to it.

[Tim Spanton]

When Jofra Archer of the Rajasthan Royals bowled Jonny Bairstow of the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL today, the scoreboard flashed:

Castled!