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My thoughts on chess and life...

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Chess Icons and Wallpaper

Submitted by SonofPearl on Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:04am.

. I'm always on the lookout for chess related computer wallpapers, icons etc., so I was pleased to discover the website 'Virtual Pieces' which has lots of high quality chess icons and some neat chess wallpapers - all free! Personally, I'm rat... Read more »

What is the best form of tie-break?

Submitted by SonofPearl on Sun Aug 3, 2008 6:51am.

Sometimes things are just too close to call...   The US Women's Chess Championship in May this year ended in controversy as the title was decided in an 'Armageddon' tie-break match. The Chief Organiser of the event, Tom Braunlich, re... Read more »

Making friends at Chess.com

Submitted by SonofPearl on Sun Jul 13, 2008 9:50am.

I have had the pleasure of corresponding with many fellow chess players at Chess.com and have become friendly with quite a few, but today was the first time I actually got to meet one of them in the flesh. Waldemar is from Amsterdam in the Netherl... Read more »

Shiny new chess icons

Submitted by SonofPearl on Sun Jun 29, 2008 12:43am.

I just love messing about with the set up on my computer.  I often tweak my Firefox settings, desktop background etc, so I was very pleased to be contacted just recently by a talented gentleman called Peter Wong who has designed a very nice s... Read more »

The good old (descriptive) days

Submitted by SonofPearl on Sun May 25, 2008 1:14pm.

Once upon a time (especially in the US and UK) chess games were recorded using the beautiful descriptive notation.  I'm sure most players at Chess.com are well aware of this, but there may be some kids to whom this comes as a shock. ... Read more »

The road to chess improvement - falsification!

Submitted by SonofPearl on Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:29am.

You're playing a chess game and it's your turn to move.  You decide to analyse a move that looks like it could be good.  How do you decide if your instinct is right or not? You can either look for evidence to back up your idea - ... Read more »

Fischer article in The (UK) Times

Submitted by SonofPearl on Mon Apr 21, 2008 10:51am.

I don't normally reproduce articles from other sources, but this one is fascinating for anyone, like me, who has an interest in Bobby Fischer's final years and the competing claims on his Estate. I'm also reproducing it here to ensure ... Read more »

The next top bloggers?

Submitted by SonofPearl on Wed Apr 9, 2008 12:50pm.

There are some great bloggers here at Chess.com;  just check out the list of top bloggers here. However, there are so many blogs that it's hard to sort the wheat from the chaff.  As the top bloggers are rated by the number of reads i... Read more »

Rough and Tumble

Submitted by SonofPearl on Fri Apr 4, 2008 2:51pm.

There's nothing quite like the excitement of a full-blooded tactical game of chess to get the pulse racing.  As the saying goes, chess is 99% tactics, so mastery of this aspect of the game pays dividends.  Or so I've heard. ... Read more »

Physician, heal thyself!

Submitted by SonofPearl on Sun Mar 23, 2008 1:54am.

What makes a good teacher?  In particular, what makes a good chess teacher?  Not all strong players will be able to teach well, but surely a deep understanding of the game is important if you are trying to help form the thinking process ... Read more »