Several updates for the Book

EDIT: Finally figured out what was wrong with the PGN viewer, so now the games are visible.

In this first one, I drop a pawn (recurring theme) early by not counting out.


However, I counter-attack a little later when things are bleak and my opponent seemed to overestimate my chances and I cracked his position open. A dropped Bishop quickly becomes game.


The turning point is 15. ... Nxh5 when my pieces are allowed to sieze initiative and everything aiming at my cornered king becomes a target.

This next one I drop a pawn in the opening, but at least I saw the traps and pins I would have been subject to if I had tried to get it back. I should have played 7. O-O-O, but instead 7. Bd3 d5 and my Queen could get pinned by the Rook, or 8. ... d4 wins a piece.


I scrapped, but my opponent made no mistakes and gave no ground.

I'm not sure this next one counts as "dropping" a pawn...I end up with a complete lead in development (my Queen and no other pieces moved by either side except O-O :P).


22. ... a4 dooms a Knight to no escape, and then it is essentially clean up time as I scrape pawns off the board.


However...I missed a forced mate at 34. Kf5 and should have won a lot faster.

(34. ... Bc8+ 35. Re6 Kf7 36. g4 Bxe6#)

u1600 Team: ArchBishops_Artists

I was successfully recruited by the ArchBishops_Artists u1600 team.


Negotiations were tense with me waiting for a spot to open up and saying "Sure!" when asked if I would be interested.

I'm on a reserve board, which suits me fine, as this will be my first run with the league.

If there's interest, I'd still like to get a u1400 team together, so we'll see what we get there.

Lost in the woods

Chess, Renaissance Festival by ~HeartbreakerStudios on deviantART

There's a little whimsy in there- playing against a plant today? Mostly a lot of sadness, though...fenced off, abandoned, tilting over.

Also resembles what it feels like whenever you look back over your shoulder after giving up the game for a while. Seems a lost cause, but...

Sweep away the leaves, clear off the chair and it's almost good as new.



Also, I wasn't digging the two mini columns- felt really cluttered.

Trying to make a 1400 team for FICS Team League

In joining the FICS Team League, there are a couple teams that might be able to use me as a reserve in the 1600 section, and not many spots open at 1400.

I've messaged some other folks on the interested list to try and get a 1400 team together. We'll see how it goes!

I should probably read up to see if messages on FICS can be sent to multiple people, rather than copy-pasting as I did to each person...if so that would have made sharing info easier.

Yes- that's what they are.

chess by ~b3njamin on deviantART

Clever chess set. I feel like I've seen this picture elsewhere, recently.

Seriously? I missed that?