Chess--another time waster

[mahler10th]

It is simple.  I challenge you to a game in which I will use my preferred Bishops to manhandle and destroy your Knights in a swift and conclusive manner.  Yes.  Thats right.  MY BISHOPS know about the two-faced sidestepping knights, and can manouver in marauding fashion to slice open the bellies of even the cleverest of Knights.
And long shall yer teeth gnash after such a sound defeat against my holiest of men.

[Brahmsian]

It is simple.  I challenge you to a game in which I will use my preferred Bishops to manhandle and destroy your Knights in a swift and conclusive manner.  Yes.  Thats right.  MY BISHOPS know about the two-faced sidestepping knights, and can manouver in marauding fashion to slice open the bellies of even the cleverest of Knights.
And long shall yer teeth gnash after such a sound defeat against my holiest of men.

My knights shall long ago trample you nasty bishops before you even get a chance to make any move!  Bishops, stick to preaching the gospel, the battlefield of chess is not for you! 

[mahler10th]

   I will have none of it.  Your Knights are a mere breath in a hurricane to my GODLY ones.  They do the work of GOD by RAZING the opposition, RAZING them into a howling submission of their stupid wooden bodies and throwing them to the pigs in supplication of GOD, whilst advancing steadily on your King, who would then be shackled to bow before one of my common soldiers, bow, and then be sent to shovel the graves of my battered but victorious army with a spoon from a dolls house.   

This of course is complete tosh and I suspect in a game I would recieve a good thrashing.   

[Brahmsian]

Question re:  Pawn promotion

Would there be any reason to not promote a pawn to a Queen (promote instead to Bishop or Rook) other than not to create a stalemate situation?

I know promoting to Knight could create a checkmate situation (I've done it before).

[JoshLilly]

I'm a serious tournament player, but not a very good one.  I have made USCF class A a couple of times, though my rating has dropped back below 1800 once more.  I don't like to play on the Internet, though, but I never mind talking about and studying chess, even via electronic communication.

I was wondering if my favourite player, Smyslov, had ever been mentioned on here, and I found his name on this thread.  And he passed away the 27th of March, 2010.  Music's loss was chess's gain, as he did try out for the Bolshoi. Since this is a music forum, here you can hear him singing when he was over 60 years old:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbDkuI3p3JI

I also have an mp3 of him singing Massenet's Piéces de genre, Op.10#5 (reworked by someone as a song for orchestra and voice; I almost think that gorgeous melodic line is more suited for voice than solo piano).

[Brahmsian]

I'm a serious tournament player, but not a very good one.  I have made USCF class A a couple of times, though my rating has dropped back below 1800 once more.  I don't like to play on the Internet, though, but I never mind talking about and studying chess, even via electronic communication.

Hi Josh,

Wow, that is a very good rating!  I straddle between 1000 and 1100, and just briefly was over 1200.  I've only been playing for about 3 years.

[Brahmsian]

I know you are out there, chess lovers! 

[Bogey]

I know you are out there, chess lovers! 

Yes!  Get over to gameknot with us!

[Brahmsian]

Come play with us.....

[Marc]

I'm a serious tournament player, but not a very good one.  I have made USCF class A a couple of times, though my rating has dropped back below 1800 once more.  I don't like to play on the Internet, though, but I never mind talking about and studying chess, even via electronic communication.

I was wondering if my favourite player, Smyslov, had ever been mentioned on here, and I found his name on this thread.  And he passed away the 27th of March, 2010.  Music's loss was chess's gain, as he did try out for the Bolshoi. Since this is a music forum, here you can hear him singing when he was over 60 years old:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbDkuI3p3JI

I also have an mp3 of him singing Massenet's Piéces de genre, Op.10#5 (reworked by someone as a song for orchestra and voice; I almost think that gorgeous melodic line is more suited for voice than solo piano).

Late reaction, but still: thanks for posting this Youtube link!
Smyslov was a true gentlemen, and still played good chess at a high age.
I also recall that Mark Taimanov was a rather good pianist, who performed at concerts with his first wife. She was a pro pianist, and they performed quatre-mains together.

[Brahmsian]

Yes!  Get over to gameknot with us!

Hi Bill, I'm back on Gameknot.com

My user name there is 'ChamberNut'.   

[Mirror Image]

I love chess! I wish I was better than I am now. I used to play a good bit against my Dad, but that was when I was a teenager. As far as computer chess goes, I'm happy with Chess Titans that comes with Windows 7 and all the Microsoft OPs since XP.

[Brahmsian]

I love chess! I wish I was better than I am now. I used to play a good bit against my Dad, but that was when I was a teenager. As far as computer chess goes, I'm happy with Chess Titans that comes with Windows 7 and all the Microsoft OPs since XP.

Hi John,

I didn't know you played Chess as well.  Haven't played much over the last 2 years, and just started playing about 5 or 6 years ago.   

Getting a bit better, but progress isn't lightning fast.  Anyways, it's a great game!

[Mirror Image]

Hi John,

I didn't know you played Chess as well.  Haven't played much over the last 2 years, and just started playing about 5 or 6 years ago.   

Getting a bit better, but progress isn't lightning fast.  Anyways, it's a great game!

Yeah, I just love seeing a person's face when I say "Checkmate!" Yes, a great game, but a game that takes a lot of practice.

[Brahmsian]

Yeah, I just love seeing a person's face when I say "Checkmate!" Yes, a great game, but a game that takes a lot of practice.

Easy game to learn to 'play'.  Very difficult to master.

[Mirror Image]

Easy game to learn to 'play'.  Very difficult to master.

Just like a musical instrument.

[Brahmsian]

I still dream of one day have a beautiful Chess set, wood or marble carved, with busts of some of my favourite composers! 

Dare to dream.....

[Brahmsian]

Question to Chess lovers (connoisseurs of the game).

What is the etiquette on offering and accepting a draw?

[Brahmsian]

Well, a first for me today.  I've had my first ever 'draw' to a game, by declaration of the 3-fold move repetition.

It is within the official rules of the game.  Perhaps it was a bit of a cheap way to achieve a draw, as I was down in the game, however, the other player should have realized this and changed his tactics, as he clearly did have other options. 

Oh well. 

[Bogey]

Well, a first for me today.  I've had my first ever 'draw' to a game, by declaration of the 3-fold move repetition.

It is within the official rules of the game.  Perhaps it was a bit of a cheap way to achieve a draw, as I was down in the game, however, the other player should have realized this and changed his tactics, as he clearly did have other options. 

Oh well. 

Well played....never give up the ship!