Question: How did chess players like Morphy/Alekhine get good at tactics without the computers, books, and databases that we have today? Paul Morphy and Alexander Alekhine Answer: Both Morphy and Alekhine were born wealthy in a household that valued chess. Paul Morphy learned chess at an early age by watching games between his uncle andContinueContinue reading “How did Morphy and Alekhine get so good at chess?”
Category Archives: Chess History
Magnus Carlsen’s Greatest Achievement in Chess
(GM) Rashid Nezhmetdinov
Question: Why wasn’t Rashid Nezhmetdinov a Grandmaster? Answer: By most accounts, Rashid Nezhmetdinov should be a Grandmaster (if for no other reason than having won the Russian Championship over a talented field in 1950, 1951, 1953, 1957 and 1958.) It wasn’t until 1950 that the Grandmaster title was first awarded by FIDE and only 27ContinueContinue reading “(GM) Rashid Nezhmetdinov”
5 ways chess can make you a better law student and lawyer
Paul Morphy was a 19th-century New Orleans chess prodigy who was the de facto world chess champion during much of his short life. He rarely lost when he played throughout Europe and the United States. He was also a lawyer who graduated from what is now Tulane Law School. As a student, he was saidContinueContinue reading “5 ways chess can make you a better law student and lawyer”
My Quora Answer to: Which chess player’s games have you found the most instructive?
José Raúl Capablanca‘s chess delivered and still creates an irresistable masterful impact. In his games an inclination towards straightforwardness prevailed, and in his seemingly effortlessness brilliance there was a one of a kind delight of veritable simplicity. Indeed, his style, one of the most perfect, most completely clear in the whole history of chess, stillContinueContinue reading “My Quora Answer to: Which chess player’s games have you found the most instructive?”
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle! 49
White to move and win (Richard Reti, Kolnische Volkszeitung of 1928).
Benko’s Great Sacrifice
Chess has a rich history full of stories that I share with my students to add extra colour to our lesson material. Below is the tale of Pal Benko’s incredible life’s journey and his great sacrifice which allowed Bobby Fischer to make history. Pal Benko was born while his Hungarian parents were vacationing in Amiens,ContinueContinue reading “Benko’s Great Sacrifice”
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle 22
White to move and mate in 5 (11th century chess puzzle, author unknown).
#Chess History Worth Sharing
The “Game of the Century!”
#Chess History Worth Sharing
One time, while playing chess at a social gathering in Paris, Benjamin Franklin captured his opponent’s king after she inadvertently placed it into check. When she stated, “Ah, we don’t take kings so…” Benjamin Franklin responded, “We do in America!”
1,000 Year-Old Chess Set to be Auctioned Off
The 10th-century chess set is believed to have been made in the city of Nishapur, now modern-day Iran, with several pieces equivalent to chess figures such as pawns, knights, kings and queens…. Read the full article via http://ift.tt/1TN5Gem
Kindred’s Special: 1945 Radio Match cont’d
I met the colorful and brilliant tactician Al Horowitz while making several trips to the Manhattan Chess Club located at the time at the Hudson Hotel quarters while in training at Fort Dix, New Jersey…. Read the full article via http://ift.tt/1MJitWq
Kindred’s Special: The Radio Team Match continued
Herman Steiner hailed from California and was a darling of the Hollywood crowd, often giving exhibitions and game play with a host of friends. The following game provides a nice setting for the type of dynamic skill he possessed…. Read the full article via http://ift.tt/1Nn7pPB
Kindred’s Special: The Radio Chess Match of 1945, A Historic Shift in World Chess Power
Hidden behind the communist wall of secrecy for many years, the Soviet development and interest as a propaganda tool found silence as the American chess superiority in various international team events saw the US squad notching one win after another…. Read the full article via http://ift.tt/1kBFCUb
Carlsen vs. Anand: World Chess Championship 2014
Championship rematches are a source of the historic rivalries which provide intrigue for fans and motivate the competitors to perform at their highest level. Historically, chess has had many such occasions because a World Champion who failed to defend his title used to be awarded an automatic rematch. The fact that there is no longer aContinueContinue reading “Carlsen vs. Anand: World Chess Championship 2014”
Tal Memorial 2011
The 2011 Tal Memorial is taking place in Moscow, Russia from November 16 – 25. For the first time in history four chess players with ratings over 2800 will be competing in the same tournament. The format for the 2011 Tal Memorial is a ten-player round robin which assures that chess enthusiasts will get toContinueContinue reading “Tal Memorial 2011”