5r1k/ppp3pp/3B2n1/1P2p3/P2q4/2Nr2PP/1Q3P2/2R2RK1 b - - 0 1

Standardization

Chess, like most other organized sports, has its own standardized equipment. Here is the relevant section from the United States Chess Federation Rulebook:

40. CHESS PIECES

40A. Material. Pieces should be made of plastic, wood, or possibly a material similar in appearance.

40B. Size. The king's height should be 3 3/8 to 4 1/2 inches (8.65 to 11.54 cm). The cross (or other king's finial) should occupy no more than 20 percent of the total height of the king. The diameter of the king's base should be 40-50 percent of the height. The other pieces should be proportionate in height and fonn. All pieces should be well balanced for stability and comfortable moving.

40C. Form. The conventional Staunton pattern is the standard. The Staunton design was registered in 1849 and first offered for sale to the general public by John Jaques of London in October of that year. The first 500 sets were hand signed and numbered by Howard Staunton. The design soon became the standard for all serious play. An example of an original Staunton pattern chess set is shown in figure 11. Minor variations in design may be tolerated, especially in sets that are widely used. The king and queen should have clearly different tops, and the bishop's top may have an angled groove.

40D. Color. Pieces should be the colors of naturally light and dark wood (for example, maple or boxwood and walnut or ebony) or approximations of these colors, such as simply white and black.

So you can't just show up at a tournament with your Star Trek-themed chess set and expect to be able to use it. Chess players may be nerdy, but we're not that nerdy. And by 'Star Trek-themed chess set', I'm talking about something like this, and not this, which really isn't chess in any form recognized by the USCF. Or FIDE commies.

Personally, I don't generally like playing on non-Staunton sets although I do think the "gothic style" pieces look pretty cool. They have this wonderfully impassive majesty about them, like those Easter Island statues. I could see setting them up on a display board in my living room as part of the decor.

Advanced Problem - White To Play (1340)

FINISH HIM NOW!!

2r3k1/3R4/7K/4NpP1/5n2/8/8/8 w - - 0 1

Dress Pr0n For The 'Ettes:

It is Friday. It is the end of online teaching for now. There is wine. That is all. Oh, and this 1949 #Dior ‘Marigny’ evening dress worn by Margot Fonteyn, displayed @museumatFIT part of @Fashion_Museum pic.twitter.com/ymCjH3ZsDJ

— Dr Kate Strasdin (@kateStrasdin) March 26, 2021

Friday Treat Time! Two gorgeous gowns from the 1950s. Black spotted net ballgown with chenille design and layers of stiffened white net petticoats by John Cavanagh, 1958; and cream silk taffeta evening dress appliquéd with black imitation Chantilly lace by Amalia Machado, c.1957 pic.twitter.com/frRdPZwcM5

— Fashion Museum Bath (@Fashion_Museum) March 12, 2021

#AnneLowe incorporated black #lace cut into sprays of flowers into this mint green silk ensemble. The matching #coat complements the shaping of the lace on the dress so that it makes a heavenly whole, mid #1960s @metmuseum #fashionhistory pic.twitter.com/zjQLBByupf

— Dr Kate Strasdin (@kateStrasdin) February 28, 2021

Greetings From Norway

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Problem Solutions

Beginner Problem - White To Play

r6Q/1b2rk2/pp1q1p2/2np1B2/P1n2R2/2N5/1PP3PP/4R2K w - - 0 1

1.Bg6+ Kxg6
2.Rg4+ Kf5 (2...Kf7 3.Rg7#)
3.Qh5#

Intermediate Problem - Black To Play

5r1k/ppp3pp/3B2n1/1P2p3/P2q4/2Nr2PP/1Q3P2/2R2RK1 b - - 0 1

1... Rxg3+
2.Kh2 Rxh3+
3.Kxh3 (if 3.Kg2 then Qg4#)
3...Rf3+
4.Kh2 (or 4.Kg2 Qg4+ 5.Kh1 Rh3#)
4...Qh4+
5.Kg2 Qg4+
6.Kh2 Rh3#

Advanced Problem - White To Play

2r3k1/3R4/7K/4NpP1/5n2/8/8/8 w - - 0 1

1.Rg7+ Kf8 (not 1...Kh8?? 2.Nf7#)
2.Nd7+ Ke8
3.Nf6+ Kf8 (not 3...Kd8?? 4.Rd7#)
4.g6 Rc7

There's no way to stop Rf7#.

5.Rxc7 Nxg6
6.Kxg6 f4
7.Rf7#

Hope to see you all next week!

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Note: that cryptic line of letters and numbers you see underneath each board diagram is a representation of the position in what is known as "Forsyth-Edwards Notation", or F.E.N. It's actually readable by humans. Most computer applications nowadays can read FEN, so those of you who may want to study the position, you can copy the line of FEN and paste into your chess app and it should automatically recreate the position on its display board. Or, Windows users can just "triple click" on it and the entire line will be highlighted so you can copy and paste it into your chess app.

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So that about wraps it up for this week. Chess thread tips, suggestions, bribes, rumors, threats, and insults may be sent to my yahoo address: OregonMuse little-a-in-a-circle yahoo dott com.

posted by OregonMuse at 05:25 PM

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