Le blog de la Batgirl

*     *     *     Please Note    *     *     *

This blog, like most of what I write, focuses on the historical and cultural aspects of chess - with a few rants thrown in for good measure.

I don't accept friend requests; I don't play chess here; and I don't generally respond to notes, but I will respond to messages if they seem to have a purpose other than meaningless chat.  I'm only mentioning this so everyone knows there's nothing personal in my lack of response to any of the above.


Medium Picture Quiz

Submitted by batgirl on Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:59pm.

Can anyone identify this chess master?     Read more »

Easy Picture Quiz II

Submitted by batgirl on Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:55pm.

Can anyone identify this young man? Read more »

Easy Picture Quiz

Submitted by batgirl on Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:50pm.

Can anyone Identify this chess master Read more »

A Morphy Marvel

Submitted by batgirl on Wed Jun 20, 2007 7:49pm.

After winning the 1st American Chess Congess in December of 1857, Paul Morphy returned to his home town, New Orleans, where he was president of the New Orleans Chess Club. He stayed there until May 31 at which time he took off for Europe. But from... Read more »

Marcel III

Submitted by batgirl on Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:19pm.

Can I ever get enough of Marcel Duchamp?? While never reaching the stratospheres of chess, and it wasn't for lack of effort, Duchamp, nevertheless, became a competent chess player. Some of his efforts included:  French Champions... Read more »

Morphy's Chess Problem

Submitted by batgirl on Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:01am.

        This is Paul Morphy's only known Chess Problem, originally published in the New York Clipper on June 28, 1856       White to move and mate in 2 (drag the pieces to solve) Read more »

Marcel II

Submitted by batgirl on Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:43pm.

Marcel Duchamp was one of the most intriguing and enigmatic personages from the 20th century. When he pushed aside art in favor of chess, he upset even his more ardent of supporters. It was as bad, or worse, a Dylan going electric. It all rea... Read more »

The History of Chess (in a nutshell)

Submitted by batgirl on Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:13pm.

It occurred to me that many people on this site haven't an inkling about the history of chess. While I'm fully aware that each person has his or her own interests and fascinations, it seems to me that inquisitiveness and wonder, truly human traits... Read more »

Je Maintiendrai

Submitted by batgirl on Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:42pm.

Je Maintiendrai is the Dutch national motto. It means I shall maintain. The motto is inscribed on the badge of the Orde van Oranje Nassau - that is, the Dutch Order of Orange-Nassau.  This order was originally established in 1892 and is used toda... Read more »

Edith E. Helen Winter-Wood Baird

Submitted by batgirl on Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:46am.

From - The Chess Bouquet: Or, The Book of the British Composers of Chess Problems, with Portraits  by Frederick Richard Gittins; Published in 1897 by Harvard University   Mrs. W. J. Baird      It is quite... Read more »