r5nk/1p4R1/p2pprRp/5p2/8/P2B1P2/1qPQ1P1P/7K w - - 0 1

The Longest Game

The above meme refers the 6th game of the FIDE World Chess Championhip Match currently being played in Dubai between the reigning champion Magnus Carlsen (NOR) and challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi (RUS). It was one for the record books:

In terms of moves, the game broke the record of the longest game in world championship history. Before today, it was the 124 moves played in the fifth match game of Korchnoi-Karpov, Baguio City 1978, but with 136 moves, we now have a new longest game.

The game lasted more than 8 hours(!) I can't imagine. You can play through it here:

It is very demoralizing to throw all of your effort and energy into a long, grueling chess game only to lose it in the endgame. I hope Nepo can recover.

Intermediate Problem - Black To Play (1459)

It's only a mate in 3, but you need to find all three of them.

4r2k/pq4pp/2b5/5p2/8/2NP2P1/PPP2R1P/R1B2K2 b - - 0 1

Advanced Problem - White To Play (1477)

I've found a couple of 2-move mates and one 4-move mate in this position, and you may find others, but what is the longest forced mate you can find?

1qb1n3/3n1k1p/2r1pPp1/2B5/3QPP2/1PN4P/P1P5/1K1R4 w - - 0 1

Dress Pr0n For the 'Ettes:

Off to Cardiff and the Principality Stadium to watch #Wales 🏉 so a #1960s dress as a tribute to the team in red. Appropriately this 1960s dress by the amazingly named The Vested Gentress is made from a novelty print depicting a duel @GoldsteinMuseum #fashionhistory #CymruAmByth pic.twitter.com/3VgaOS9r5a

— Dr Kate Strasdin (@kateStrasdin) November 20, 2021

Stephen Sondheim, who died 2 days ago at the age of 91, was a titan of musical theater.

But did you know that his father, Herbert Sondheim, was a dress manufacturer? https://t.co/4AJjWX246C (1951 photo by Avedon of C.Z. Guest wearing a beautiful Herbert Sondheim dress.) pic.twitter.com/4buxmv6wLh

— Vtg Fashion Guild (@TheVFG) November 28, 2021

#HappyThanksgivingEve! Today’s #ootd is this 1965 Balenciaga ensemble. It’s a simple but elegantly constructed white silk strapless dress that is elevated by an incredible green sheer beaded top. I adore the red little crystals that look like little cranberries! #fashionhistory pic.twitter.com/AsWPz3UK94

— Lauren Deutsch (@LaurenCDeutsch) November 25, 2021

(Click to enlarge)

(Click to enlarge)

"Happy, well-adjusted families strike fear in the hearts of Democrats."

Bonus Purse Pr0n:

Have you watched House of Gucci yet?

Gucci introduced its first bamboo handle bag in 1947, and variations on the style have been appearing ever since.

Gucci bag, black patent leather, brown bamboo, and brass, c. 1975, Italy, gift of Dorothy Small @gucci pic.twitter.com/4uNyfCx8HH

— Museum at FIT (@museumatFIT) November 29, 2021

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Problem Solutions

Beginner Problem - White To Play

r5nk/1p4R1/p2pprRp/5p2/8/P2B1P2/1qPQ1P1P/7K w - - 0 1

1.Rxg8+!

Removes the only defender of the pawn on h6

1...Rxg8
2.Qxh6#

Or, if 1...Kh7 then 2.R6g7#

Intermediate Problem - Black To Play

4r2k/pq4pp/2b5/5p2/8/2NP2P1/PPP2R1P/R1B2K2 b - - 0 1

Here are the three mate-in-3 lines:

Line 1: 1...Bg2+ 2.Kg1 Re1+ 3.Rf1 Rxf1#

Line 2: 1...Bg2+ 2.Rxg2 Qf3+ 3.Rf2 Qh1#

Line 3: 1...Bg2+ 2.Rxg2 Qf3+ 3.Kg1 Re1#

Advanced Problem - White To Play

1qb1n3/3n1k1p/2r1pPp1/2B5/3QPP2/1PN4P/P1P5/1K1R4 w - - 0 1

1.Qxd7+! Bxd7

Pretty much forced. The other options lose immediately:

1...Kg8 2.Qxe8#
1...Kxf6 2.Qe7#

2. Rxd7+ Kxf6

Again, the capture is forced: 2...Kg8 3.f7+ Kg7 4.f8=Q#

3.Bd4+ e5
4.Nd5+ Ke6
5.Re7+ Kd6
6.fxe5#

Hope to see you 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 05:33 PM

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