...in chess as in life.
This piece is entitled “The Passion of Chess” rather than “The Passion for Chess”, the reason for which I hope will become clear as you read this. Why do we play chess? Why do we study it? Indeed, what is ... Read more »
Bird's Opening is named after the 19th century English accountant and chess master Henry Edward Bird (1830-1908), although Bird did not invent the opening, which has been known since the time of Lucena in the 15th century. The first know... Read more »
For years I have enjoyed collecting interesting quotations as I encounter them in books, and in the past four years since my chess interest began, that collection began to include epigrams on chess. There are many famous quotations that othe... Read more »
In Modern Chess Openings, vol 14 (MCO-14) there are 47 major named openings, many of which draw those names from either their creators or their proponents. This is the first of a series of blogs that will share with you a bit of the history ... Read more »
Since Bobby Fischer won the world title in 1972, many have referred to him as the best chess player who ever lived. But after Garry Kasparov became the youngest world champion ever at the age of 22, the ‘Best Ever’ designation gr... Read more »
This blog is inspired by Ambrose Bierce’s 1911 book The Devil’s Dictionary, an example from which is the following.Christian: One who follows the teachings of Christ in so far as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin.For more of... Read more »
In 1932 Max and David Fleischer created the first chess cartoon with the Betty Boop classic, “Chess-Nuts”. In the course of 6 minutes and 20 seconds we witness not only a fanciful chess game but also bowling, football, boxing, up... Read more »
It is a startling truth, but there is only one thing that separates you and me from a grandmaster. The GM can select the best of 5 candidate moves more often than can we. To the extent that we can close that gap we will inch closer to ... Read more »
In a story that hit the newswires this week, it seems that Leonardo da Vinci may have created some illustrations (one is shown here) for a Latin manuscript of chess puzzles written around 1500 entitled “Of the Game of Chess”. (Ex... Read more »
If you are like me and have an appreciation of the mental, as well as the martial arts, then you are in luck. If you have ever been frustrated to the point of anger because your opponent forked you, you are also in luck. Become a... Read more »
kurtgoddenUnited States
If you are intellectual or just like an occasional chess chuckle, then I think you will like my blog. You can get chess tips and tricks from anywhere, but where can you read about my topics? (Answer: only here.)
I especially enjoy your comments and encouragement, so please communicate if you see something you like.
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Most Popular (at least 1,800 reads):
Elo to Glicko: Your Rating ExplainedStill a Victim of ChessAnd the Best Player Ever is...The Longest Possible Chess GameThe Devil's Dictionary of ChessChess is Bad for Your MindThe Passion of Chess6 Pawns on a FileChess CheatersBlindfold ChessChess Jokes: Practical and Otherwise
Blogs that I Personally Like:
Chess is Good for Your Mind
Best Chess Quotes You've Never Seen
Even the Gods Can Blunder
A Tour of the Knight's Tour
How Your Chess Program Defeats You, part 1
Chess Comedy!
Chess Jokes: Practical and Otherwise
Be a Six-Sigma Chess Player
Chess Boxing
The Devil's Dictionary of Chess
Who was Giuoco Piano?
Which Openings Should You Learn?
My Continuing Series of Blogs Named after Players:
The Names behind the Openings, Part 1
Bird to Bogo
Caro, Kann and Chigorin – Openings Players
Evans and Göring: Gambiteers
A Greenfield Opening
Who Suggested 1. b3 ??
Nimzowitsch (in 4 syllables)
Petrov and the Mysterious Morphy Self-Mate
What was Philidor Thinking?
The Inauspicious Réti
The Orhid Opening of Robatsch