Thank you Doubledrooks (84 games). Fredthebear has rearranged the order of games, added labels, and additional games.

Chess first of all teaches you to be objective." Source: "The Soviet School of Chess" Book by Alexander Kotov, p. 42, 2001.

"I am not the King. Jesus Christ is the King. I'm just an entertainer." ― Elvis Presley

"When it comes to health, diet is the Queen, but exercise is the King." ― Jack LaLanne

"Life really does begin at forty. Up until then, you are just doing research." ― Carl Gustav Jung

"In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." ― Mother Teresa

"For both professionals and amateurs, chess is a game that sharpens the mind, tests human faculties and encourages healthy competition. It has captivated the attention of players and spectators world-wide and will continue to do so as long as competition and excellence challenge mankind." — President Gerald R. Ford

"Examine moves that smite! A good eye for smites is far more important than a knowledge of strategical principles." — C.J.S. Purdy

"In chess, as in life, a man is his own most dangerous opponent." — Vasily Smyslov

"It is a profound mistake to imagine that the art of combination depends only on natural talent, and that it cannot be learned." — Richard Reti

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile." ― Albert Einstein

"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." ― John Lennon

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined." ― Henry David Thoreau

"When you see a good move – WAIT! – look for a better one." ― Emanuel Lasker The Portuguese chess player and author Pedro Damiano (1480–1544) first wrote this in his book "Questo libro e da imparare giocare a scachi et de li partiti" published in Rome, Italy, in 1512.

"I've played a number of interesting novelties lately. Mostly that's because I haven't got a clue what I am doing in the opening." ― Nigel Short

"Without technique it is impossible to reach the top in chess, and therefore we all try to borrow from Capablanca his wonderful, subtle technique." — Mikhail Tal

"I was brought up on the games of Capablanca and Nimzowitsch, and they became part of my chess flesh and blood." — Tigran Petrosian

"Capablanca was among the greatest of chess players, but not because of his endgame. His trick was to keep his openings simple, and then play with such brilliance in the middlegame that the game was decided - even though his opponent didn't always know it - before they arrived at the ending." — Robert Fischer

"The tactician knows what to do when there is something to do; whereas the strategian knows what to do when there is nothing to do." — Gerald Abrahams

"Capablanca didn't make separate moves - he was creating a chess picture. Nobody could compare with him in this." ― Mikhail Botvinnik

"Whether this advantage is theoretically sufficient to win or not does not worry Capablanca. He simply wins the ending. That is why he is Capablanca!" ― Max Euwe

"He (Capablanca) makes the game look easy. Art lies in the concealment of art." ― Philip W. Sergeant

"It's entirely possible that Capa could not imagine that there could be a better move than one he thought was good and he was usually right." ― Mike Franett

"Capablanca's games generally take the following course: he begins with a series of extremely fine prophylactic maneuvers, which neutralize his opponent's attempts to complicate the game; he then proceeds, slowly but surely, to set up an attacking position. This attacking position, after a series of simplifications, is transformed into a favorable endgame, which he conducts with matchless technique." ― Aaron Nimzowitsch

"What others could not see in a month's study, he (Capablanca) saw at a glance." ― Reuben Fine

"If the student forces himself to examine all moves that smite, however absurd they may look at first glance, he is on the way to becoming a master of tactics." — C.J.S. Purdy

"Capablanca invariably chose the right option, no matter how intricate the position." ― Garry Kasparov.

"He (Capablanca) had the totally undeserved reputation of being the greatest living endgame player. His trick was to keep his openings simple and then play with such brilliance that it was decided in the middle game before reaching the ending - even though his opponent didn't always know it. His almost complete lack of book knowledge forced him to push harder to squeeze the utmost out of every position." ― Bobby Fischer

Do not yell "dinner" until your knife is in the loaf. ~ Canadian proverb

* Alapins: Game Collection: Alapin

* Aggressive Gambits: https://thechessworld.com/articles/...

* bazinga! http://billwall.phpwebhosting.com/

* 101 Brevities: Game Collection: 7

* Basic tactics course using miniatures:
http://exeterchessclub.org.uk/x/FTP...

* Bowman's Beginner's Guide:
http://chess.jliptrap.us/BowmanBegi... Not perfect but dedicated, passionate.

* Biglo traps: Game Collection: Traps

* Bit Collection: Game Collection: Special Gambit Collection

* Bishop's Opening Miniatures: https://www.chessonly.com/bishop-op...

* Brilliant (and mostly famous)! Game Collection: Brilliant Miniatures

* Brutal Attacking Chess: Game Collection: Brutal Attacking Chess

* Blackburne strikes! games annotated by Blackburne

* Capablanca's Double Attack — having the initiative is important: https://lichess.org/study/tzrisL1R

* Checkmate Art: Game Collection: Art of Checkmate

* Chess Records: https://timkr.home.xs4all.nl/record...

* Colle System: Game Collection: colle system

* 20 Various Italian Games: Game Collection: Italian Game

* C53s: Game Collection: rajat21's italian game

* The Italian Game, Classical: Game Collection: Giuco Piano

* Annotated Evans Gambits: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/che...

* C21-C22 miniatures: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches...

* Danish Gambits: Game Collection: Danish Gambit Games 1-0

* Del's: Game Collection: Del's hidden gems

* Diagrammed Checkmate Patterns: Game Collection: Checkmate: Checkmate Patterns

* Emre: https://chessdoctrine.com/chess-ope...

* Fidu-what? https://articles.smartasset.com/fin...

* Have a bite of Fred's burger:
https://www.thedaddest.com/trending...

* Knight Forks and Knight Mates: Game Collection: Knight Forks & Knight Mates

* King's Gambit start-up: Game Collection: Batsford's MCO 14 King's Gambit

* King Bishop's Gambit: Game Collection: rajat21's kings gambit

* KG Video: Game Collection: Foxy Openings - King's Gambit

* GM Gallagher is an author:
Game Collection: 0

* Giannis says: https://www.suffernchessclub.com/se...

* GK: Game Collection: Kasparov - The Sicilian Sheveningen

* How to Play: https://www.ymimports.com/pages/how...

* How to Play Chess! http://www.serverchess.com/play.htm...

* Hans On French: Game Collection: French Defense

* Imagination: Game Collection: Imagination in Chess

* Internet harassment: https://security.berkeley.edu/educa...

* Javed's way: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...

* Morphy Miniatures:
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches...

* Masterful: Game Collection: FRENCH DEFENSE MASTERPIECES

* Miniatures: Game Collection: 200 Miniature Games of Chess - Du Mont (III)

* Nuremberg 1896: Nuremberg (1896)

* Old P-K4 Miniatures: Game Collection: Games for Classes

* One Game Shy: Game Collection: 107 Great Chess Battles: 1939-45 Alekhine

* Oskar plays 1e4: Oskar Oglaza

* Online safety: https://www.entrepreneur.com/scienc...

* Ponziani Games: Game Collection: PONZIANI OPENING

* Qk traps: Game Collection: quick knockouts by traps

* Volo plays the KP faithfully: Volodymyr Onyshchuk

* RL Minis: Game Collection: Ruy Lopez Miniatures

* Russian Ruys: Game Collection: Chess in the USSR 1945 - 72, Part 2 (Leach)

* TIP: Click on the e8 square to see a computer engine analysis of the position.

* tacticmania - Game Collection: tacticmania

* Sports Clichés: http://www.sportscliche.com/

* Sacs on f7/f2: Game Collection: Demolition of Pawn Structure: Sac on f7 (f2)

* 1947: USSR Championship (1947)

* Secrets of Combination: Game Collection: Secrets of the Russian Chess Masters Volume II

* Seven Minutes: French Defense: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRU...

* Short Match: Game Collection: Match Short-Karjakin

* Sicilian Face Plants:
Game Collection: sicilian defense(opening traps)

* Steinitz: Game Collection: Steinitz Gambits

* Top Chessgames by ECO Code: http://schachsinn.de/gamelist.htm

* Chess History: https://www.britannica.com/topic/ch...

* 21st Century: Game Collection: 0

<Sarah wrote:

checkmate
It's like we're playing chess.
Moving strategically, testing boundaries,
all while watching each other's expression.

We all know how this games ends…
The queen destroys you and steals your heart.>

According to Chessmetrics, Lasker was #1 for longer than anyone else in history: 292 different months between June 1890 and December 1926. That's a timespan of 36 1/2 years, in which Lasker was #1 for a total of 24 years and 4 months. Lasker was 55 years old when he won New York 1924.

"The great thing about chess is it's a game for oneself. You don't work on what you can't control, you just work on yourself. And I think if more people did that, we'd all be a lot better off." — Daniel Naroditsky

Blogger: J. Delarosa

Some say the first American chess champion of the world was Paul Morphy of New Orleans. He was clearly the strongest player of his day, though his "reign" was brief.

If you are interted in reading more about Morphy, I suggest Paul Morphy: The Pride and Sorrow of Chess, by David Lawson.

I think the case can be made that the first "American" world champion was Wilhem Steinitz! "American" can describe anyone who lives in the Americas. And the United States is a country of immigrants.

Steinitz, a Bohemian by birth (Prague, 1836), was sent to the 1862 London tournament as the representative of the Austrian Empire. He stayed there, married, and eventual became a British subject.

Steinitz was widely considerd the strongest active player in the world after he defeat the German Aldof Anderssen in 1866. But so long as Morphy was alive, Steinitz never claimed a world chanionship.

In 1882, Steinitz was invited to Philadelphia by the chess patron, David Thompson. Steintiz, feeling somewhat ostracized in England (feeling a "foreigner for 20 years"), relocared to the United States. He took up residence in New York City, which remained his home for the rest of his life.

After Morphy passed away in 1884, a match between the two strongest recognized players at the time, was organized between Steinitz and Zucktort. The match was adverized and widely recognized as for the World Championship.

The 1886 match was played in New York, St. Louis, and New Orleans. New York resident Wilhelm Steinitz secured the title with 10 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses.

Wilhelm Steinitz - first American world champion of chess.

An Animal In The Moon

While one philosopher affirms
That by our senses we're deceived,
Another swears, in plainest terms,
The senses are to be believed.
The twain are right. Philosophy
Correctly calls us dupes whenever
On mere senses we rely.
But when we wisely rectify
The raw report of eye or ear,
By distance, medium, circumstance,
In real knowledge we advance.
These things has nature wisely planned –
Whereof the proof shall be at hand.
I see the sun: its dazzling glow
Seems but a hand-breadth here below;
But should I see it in its home,
That azure, star-besprinkled dome,
Of all the universe the eye,
Its blaze would fill one half the sky.
The powers of trigonometry
Have set my mind from blunder free.
The ignorant believe it flat;
I make it round, instead of that.
I fasten, fix, on nothing ground it,
And send the earth to travel round it.
In short, I contradict my eyes,
And sift the truth from constant lies.
The mind, not hasty at conclusion,
Resists the onset of illusion,
Forbids the sense to get the better,
And never believes it to the letter.
Between my eyes, perhaps too ready,
And ears as much or more too slow,
A judge with balance true and steady,
I come, at last, some things to know.
Thus when the water crooks a stick,
My reason straightens it as quick –
Kind Mistress Reason – foe of error,
And best of shields from needless terror!
The creed is common with our race,
The moon contains a woman's face.
True? No. Whence, then, the notion,
From mountain top to ocean?
The roughness of that satellite,
Its hills and dales, of every grade,
Effect a change of light and shade
Deceptive to our feeble sight;
So that, besides the human face,
All sorts of creatures one might trace.
Indeed, a living beast, I believe,
Has lately been by England seen.
All duly placed the telescope,
And keen observers full of hope,
An animal entirely new,
In that fair planet, came to view.
Abroad and fast the wonder flew; –
Some change had taken place on high,
Presaging earthly changes nigh;
Perhaps, indeed, it might betoken
The wars that had already broken
Out wildly over the Continent.
The king to see the wonder went:
(As patron of the sciences,
No right to go more plain than his.)
To him, in turn, distinct and clear,
This lunar monster did appear. –
A mouse, between the lenses caged,
Had caused these wars, so fiercely waged!
No doubt the happy English folks
Laughed at it as the best of jokes.
How soon will Mars afford the chance
For like amusements here in France!
He makes us reap broad fields of glory.
Our foes may fear the battle-ground;
For us, it is no sooner found,
Than Louis, with fresh laurels crowned,
Bears higher up our country's story.
The daughters, too, of Memory, –
The Pleasures and the Graces, –
Still show their cheering faces:
We wish for peace, but do not sigh.
The English Charles the secret knows
To make the most of his repose.
And more than this, he'll know the way,
By valour, working sword in hand,
To bring his sea-encircled land
To share the fight it only sees today.
Yet, could he but this quarrel quell,
What incense-clouds would grateful swell!
What deed more worthy of his fame!
Augustus, Julius – pray, which Caesar's name
Shines now on story's page with purest flame?
O people happy in your sturdy hearts!
Say, when shall Peace pack up these bloody darts, And send us all, like you, to softer arts?

"One of the supreme paradoxes of baseball, and all sports, is that the harder you try to throw a pitch or hit a ball or accomplish something, the smaller your chances are for success. You get the best results not when you apply superhuman effort but when you let the game flow organically and allow yourself to be fully present. You'll often hear scouts say of a great prospect, "The game comes slow to him." It means the prospect is skilled and poised enough to let the game unfold in its own time, paying no attention to the angst or urgency or doubt, funneling all awareness to the athletic task at hand." — R.A. Dickey

Acts 20:35 "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

A fathom is 6 feet (1.8 meters).

Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."

There are more TV sets in the US than there are people in the UK.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." ~ Portuguese Proverb

<chess writer and poet Henry Thomas Bland.

Another example of his way with words is the start of ‘Internal Fires', a poem published on page 57 of the March 1930 American Chess Bulletin:

I used to play chess with the dearest old chap,
Whom naught could upset whatever might hap.
He'd oft lose a game he might well have won
But made no excuse for what he had done.
If a piece he o'erlooked and got it snapped up He took it quite calmly and ne'er ‘cut up rough'.>

After the French Revolution of 1789 selling sour wine was considered against national interest and the merchant was promptly executed.

For 3000 years, until 1883, hemp was the world's largest agricultural crop, from which the majority of fabric, soap, paper, medicines, and oils were produced.

Ken, Barbie's boyfriend, debuted in 1961. Unfortunately, they split up on Valentine's Day 2004.

The term "Blue Chip" comes from the color of the poker chip with the highest value, blue.

It is scientifically possible to die from drinking too much water. It's important to stay hydrated to keep our bodies functioning well. However, too much water can also be fatal. When a dehydrated person drinks too much water without the accompanying electrolytes, they can die from water intoxication and hyponatremia. In fact, forced water intake is even a known torture method.

The Two Bulls and the Frog

Two bulls engaged in shocking battle,
Both for a certain heifer's sake,
And lordship over certain cattle,
A frog began to groan and quake.
"But what is this to you?"
Inquired another of the croaking crew.
"Why, sister, don't you see,
The end of this will be,
That one of these big brutes will yield,
And then be exiled from the field?
No more permitted on the grass to feed,
He'll forage through our marsh, on rush and reed; And while he eats or chews the cud,
Will trample on us in the mud.
Alas! to think how frogs must suffer
By means of this proud lady heifer!"
This fear was not without good sense.
One bull was beat, and much to their expense;
For, quick retreating to their reedy bower,
He trod on twenty of them in an hour.

Of little folks it often has been the fate
To suffer for the follies of the great.

At least 23 players have become grandmasters before they turned 15 years old.

Bobby Fischer held the record for youngest grandmaster for 33 years after he became a GM at 15-and-half years old in 1958. Judit Polgar beat Fischer's record in 1991 by earning her GM title at 15 years and almost 5 months. Since Polgar, plenty of chess players have become grandmasters at astonishingly young ages.

Ukraine's Sergey Karjakin once held the record for the youngest grandmaster in chess history in 2003 at 12 years old and 7 months. This record lasted 19 years. Karjakin has been World Rapid Champion (2012), and World Blitz Champion (2016). Karjakin lost his bid for the World Chess Championship to reigning champion Magnus Carlsen in November 2016.

Abhimanyu Mishra of the United States of America broke Karjakin's record in 2021 by more than two months in age. Misha became a GM at the age of 12 years, 4 months, and 25 days.

The youngest woman to ever become a full grandmaster is China's Hou Yifan, who earned the GM title at age 14 years and 6 months. Hou Yifan has won the Women's World Chess Championship title four times. Her victories came in the years 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2016.

Easier said than done. ~ Canadian proverb

A 5th-grader accidentally created a new molecule in 2012. During a class activity, 10-year-old Clara Lazen presented her teacher with a randomly constructed molecule diagram. Instead of dismissing it, Mr. Kenneth Boer took a photo and sent it to a chemist for analysis. Turns out, it was a new, explosive molecule called Tetranitratoxycarbon.

Checkmate by treecards

In front of the king,
white moves his pawn.
The opponent begins,
with a sign and yawn.

White Bishop from C,
moves to F five.
Followed by adrenaline,
Queen is more than alive.

Black moves his pawn,
foolishly to B four.
It looks tragically close,
to the end of his war.

The white Queen glides,
elegantly to the right side.
Shocks her opponent,
and rips out his pride.

It was a beautifully executed,
and efficient checkmate.
Opponent lacked caution,
and now rest with his fate.

This wonderful game,
that we all call chess.
Your odds are reduced,
each time you guess.

Remember to follow,
your strategy and tact.
When you see opportunity,
make sure you act.

At the end of the day,
hope you enjoy.
Many sweet games,
it's much more than a toy.

Since the reigning world chess champion Magnus Carlsen was born, 31 new sovereign nation states were created. Carlsen was born on November 30, 1990. In July 2011, Carlsen was the top chess player in the world, with a rating of 2821.

According to the list at About.com, 31 current and former nation states were formed since that date, many of them sprouting from lands held by the former Soviet Union. (Obviously dated information, but still interesting.)

The names of all the continents end with the letter they start with.

The Lion Grown Old

A lion, mourning, in his age, the wane
Of might once dreaded through his wild domain,
Was mocked, at last, on his throne,
By subjects of his own,
Strong through his weakness grown.
The horse his head saluted with a kick;
The wolf snapped at his royal hide;
The ox, too, gored him in the side;
The unhappy lion, sad and sick,
Could hardly growl, he was so weak.
In uncomplaining, stoic pride,
He waited for the hour of fate,
Till the ass approached his gate;
Whereat, "This is too much," he says;
"I willingly would yield my breath;
But, ah! your kick is double death!"

"The game of chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired and strengthened by it, so as to become habits ready on all occasions; for life is a kind of chess, in which we have points to gain, and competition or adversaries to contend with, and in which there is a vast variety of good and ill events, that are, in some degree, the effect of prudence, or want of it. By playing at chess then, we may learn: First, Foresight; Second, Circumspection; Third, Caution; And lastly, We learn by chess the habit of not being discouraged by present bad appearances in the state of our affairs; the habit of hoping for a favorable chance, and that of persevering in the secrets of resources." — Benjamin Franklin, 1779

<H.T. Bland. On page 207 of the December 1929 American Chess Bulletin he exalted the challenger in that year's world championship match:

Bravo ‘Bogol', you've shown pluck.
One and all we wish you luck.
Gee, some thought you'd barged between
Other players who'd have been
Less likely straightaway to lose
Just as friend Alekhine might choose;
Undaunted, ‘Bogol', you went in
Believing you'd a chance to win.
Or failing that, to make a fight,
Which you are doing as we write.>

Don't trust the smile of your opponent. ~ Babylonian Proverb

Trust me, but look to thyself. ~ Irish Proverb

Trust in God, but tie your camel. ~ Saudi Arabian Proverb

Don't trust your wife until she has borne you ten sons. ~ Chinese Proverb

If someone puts their trust in you, don't sever it. ~ Lebanese Proverb

Trust your best friend as you would your worst enemy. ~ Mexican Proverb

Song of the Storm-Swept Plain
William D. Hodjkiss

The wind shrills forth
From the white cold North
Where the gates of the Storm-god are;
And ragged clouds,
Like mantling shrouds,
Engulf the last, dim star.

Through naked trees,
In low coulees,
The night-voice moans and sighs;
And sings of deep,
Warm cradled sleep,
With wind-crooned lullabies.

He stands alone
Where the storm's weird tone
In mocking swells;
And the snow-sharp breath
Of cruel Death
The tales of its coming tells.

The frightened plaint
Of his sheep sound faint
Then the choking wall of white—
Then is heard no more,
In the deep-toned roar,
Of the blinding, pathless night.

No light nor guide,
Save a mighty tide
Of mad fear drives him on;
‘Till his cold-numbed form
Grows strangely warm;
And the strength of his limbs is gone.

Through the storm and night
A strange, soft light
O'er the sleeping shepherd gleams;
And he hears the word
Of the Shepherd Lord
Called out from the bourne of dreams.

Come, leave the strife
Of your weary life;
Come unto Me and rest
From the night and cold,
To the sheltered fold,
By the hand of love caressed.

The storm shrieks on,
But its work is done—
A soul to its God has fled;
And the wild refrain
Of the wind-swept plain,
Sings requiem for the dead.

Hungry love doesn't last. ~ Venezuelan Proverbs

A monkey, even dressed in silk is still a monkey. ~ Venezuelan Proverbs

A good friend will fit you like ring to finger. ~ Venezuelan Proverbs

The Bat and the Two Weasels

A blundering bat once stuck her head
Into a wakeful weasel's bed;
Whereat the mistress of the house,
A deadly foe of rats and mice,
Was making ready in a trice
To eat the stranger as a mouse.
"What! do you dare," she said, "to creep in
The very bed I sometimes sleep in,
Now, after all the provocation
I have suffered from your thievish nation?
Are you not really a mouse,
That gnawing pest of every house,
Your special aim to do the cheese ill?
Ay, that you are, or I'm no weasel."
"I beg your pardon," said the bat;
"My kind is very far from that.
What! I a mouse! Who told you such a lie?
Why, ma'am, I am a bird;
And, if you doubt my word,
Just see the wings with which I fly.
Long live the mice that cleave the sky!"
These reasons had so fair a show,
The weasel let the creature go.

By some strange fancy led,
The same wise blunderhead,
But two or three days later,
Had chosen for her rest
Another weasel's nest,
This last, of birds a special hater.
New peril brought this step absurd;
Without a moment's thought or puzzle,
Dame weasel oped her peaked muzzle
To eat the intruder as a bird.
"Hold! do not wrong me," cried the bat;
"I'm truly no such thing as that.
Your eyesight strange conclusions gathers.
What makes a bird, I pray? Its feathers.
I'm cousin of the mice and rats.
Great Jupiter confound the cats!"
The bat, by such adroit replying,
Twice saved herself from dying.

And many a human stranger
Thus turns his coat in danger;
And sings, as suits, wherever he goes,
"God save the king!" – or "save his foes!'

There are 16 FIDE member federations that are not members of the United Nations.

Some of them are countries that are part of larger nation states, like Scotland, Wales, and England in the United Kingdom. All three countries are separately part of FIDE, but are represented together in the United Nations.

Others, like Puerto Rico, are unincorporated territory of a larger nation state, but with a distinct culture, heritage, history, and chess federation.

"Whatever you are doing in the game of life, give it all you've got." — Norman Vincent Peale

"What you do today can improve all your tomorrows." — Ralph Marston

<Journey
by Sara Barkat, at age 12

The sails unfurl
the cries ring in the air,
the ship is on the waves of curls.

Ship rides o'er seas of pearl
while dragon rests in lair,
the sails unfurl.

Setting off to lands of kings and earls
the sailors eat some pears,
the ship is on the waves of curls.

One seaman's known to love a girl
one boy climbs up a mount, on dare,
the sails unfurl.

Some on the ship have seen Arur,
a family has a small pet bear,
the sails unfurl
the ship is on the waves of curls.>

"Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of the greatest paleontologists did not go to school. Mary Anning contributed greatly to paleontology, finding many major marine fossils throughout her life. However, Anning did not have the best upbringing. She was born in a family of 10 siblings, but only 2 reached adulthood, including her. She did not attend formal schooling, and yet she became one of the great names in science.

"We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us." ― Winston S. Churchill

You can't catch skunks with mice. ~ Canadian proverb

* Riddle-e-dee: https://chessimprover.com/chess-rid...

Racing Riddle:
If you were running a race, and you passed the person in 2nd place, what place would you be in now?

Fredthebear created this collection.

Riddle Answer: You would be in the 2nd place. You thought first place, right? Well, you passed the guy in second place, not first.

‘May your Departures equal your Landfalls!'

Event "Rated Bullet game"
Site "https://lichess.org/nlrrOnSO"
Date "2021.12.14"
White "taskampomou"
Black "Isaykin_Artem"
Result "1-0"
WhiteElo "2206"
BlackElo "2361"
UTCDate "2022.10.29"
UTCTime "17:07:34"
Variant "Standard"
ECO "C01"
Opening "French Defense: Exchange Variation, Monte Carlo Variation" Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Remote_Chess_..." Source "https://lichess.org/study/XbHbOKiN/..." Orientation "white"

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Nf3 O-O 7. Bd3 dxc4 8. Bxc4 Re8+ 9. Be3 Ng4 10. O-O Nxe3 11. fxe3 Rxe3 12. Bxf7+ Kxf7 13. Ne5+ Kg8 14. Qb3+ Kh8 15. Nf7+ Kg8 16. Nxd8+ Kh8 17. Nf7+ Kg8 18. Nh6+ Kh8 19. Qg8# 1-0 White wins. 1-0

"The player who plays best in a tournament never wins first. He finishes second behind the guy with the most luck." ― Savielly Tartakower

"Battles are won by slaughter and maneuver. The greater the general, the more he contributes in maneuver, the less he demands in slaughter." ― Winston S. Churchill

On March 7, 1942 Jose Capablanca suffered a stroke at the Manhattan Chess Club while watching a skittles game. He died on March 8, 1942 at Mount Sinai hospital, the same hospital that Emanuel Lasker died in a year earlier. He was the shortest lived world champion, dieing at age 53 years, 109 days. He was buried with full honors in Havana. General Batista, President of Cuba, took personal charge of the funeral arrangements.

Waste not want not. ~ Canadian proverb

Drive sober or get pulled over.

"For surely of all the drugs in the world, chess must be the most permanently pleasurable." — Assiac

Jun-01-23 thegoodanarchist: Here are 16 traits of God, from the link: https://churchsource.com/blogs/mini...

<1. Independence: God is self-existent; ... and he cannot be dependent on anything or anyone else.

2. Immutability: God is unchanging, the same yesterday, today, and forever...

3. Eternal: God always exists, not being bound by time. He has no beginning; God has always existed. He has no end; God will always exist...

4. Spirituality/Invisibility: God is an invisible, spiritual being, not composed of any material element...

5. Omnipresence: God is present everywhere, not being bound by space. Furthermore, it is not as though part of God is present in one place and another part in another place. Rather, God is present everywhere with his whole being at the same time. (wrap your head around that one, folks!)

6. Omnipotence: God is all-powerful. He is able to do everything that is fitting for him as God to do...

7. Omniscience: God is all-knowing. He fully knows himself, the past, the present, the future, the decisions and actions of his creatures, all actual things, and all possible things. God does not grow in knowledge by learning new things.

8. Wisdom: God always wills the highest purposes and the proper means to achieve those purposes for his own glory and his people's blessing...

9. Truthfulness and Faithfulness: God always tells the truth and always fulfills his promises. Indeed, he cannot lie and cannot be unfaithful to his word.

10. Love: God always gives of himself. Love eternally characterizes the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. From this trinitarian love flows the creation of the world, <which God continues to love even when it is hostile toward him.>...

11. Goodness/Grace/Mercy/Patience: God is kind and benevolent. He is good in and of himself, and all his ways in creation, providence, and salvation are good. In grace, God expresses his goodness to people who deserve condemnation. In mercy, God expresses his goodness to people who are distressed. In patience, God expresses his goodness by withholding punishment.

12. Holiness: God is both exalted above creation and absolutely morally pure... Because of his moral holiness, God is completely pure and uncorrupted by sin.

13. Righteousness/Justice: God is upright in himself and in his ways. God himself is absolutely righteous and acts in ways that are perfect. He is just in establishing moral standards, requiring conformity to them, and judging people's obedience and disobedience.

14. Jealousy: God is protective of his honor. Because he alone is God, only he is worthy of ultimate allegiance...

15. Wrath: God intensely hates sin and is ready to punish it fully. Because he is holy, God cannot approve anything that is not perfectly holy. Because he is righteous, God metes out punishment against anything that violates his right standards.

16. Glory: God is infinitely beautiful because of who he is....>

For more details, click the link.

Another pearl of wisdom Dumbledore delivers to Harry Potter comes after defeating Tom Riddle and the basilisk in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Harry has felt disconnected from his fellow students, due to many believing him to be the Heir of Slytherin. Concerned that he should be in Slytherin instead of Gryffindor, Harry tells Dumbledore the only reason he is in Gryffindor is that he didn't want to be in Slytherin, to which Dumbledore responds:

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

Dumbledore teaches Harry why his choice is important, and why it makes him just as true a Gryffindor as any other. Both houses can foster his abilities, but only one of the two houses could properly represent his choices.

Q: What do you call someone who draws funny pictures of cars? A: A car-toonist.

Q: What do you call a magician on a plane?
A: A flying sorcerer.

Q: What do you call fruit playing the guitar?
A: A jam session.

Q: What do you call the shoes that all spies wear? A: Sneakers.

Q: What do you call something you can serve, but never eat? A: A volleyball.

Q: What did the alien say to the garden?
A: Take me to your weeder.

Q: What do you call a skeleton who went out in freezing temperatures? A: A numb skull.

Q: What do you call a farm that grows bad jokes? A: Corny.

All Hallows moon, witches soon. ~ Canadian proverb

<The Wind
Cat Stevens
* https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...

I listen to the wind, to the wind of my soul
Where I'll end up, well, I think only God really knows

I've sat upon the setting sun
But never, never, never, never
I never wanted water once
No never, never, never

I listen to my words but they fall far below
I let my music take me where my heart wants to go

I've swam upon the devil's lake
But never, never, never, never
I'll never make the same mistake
No, never, never, never>

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 (The Bishop's Opening, Berlin Defense)

Then 3.d4 (Ponziani's Gambit) and some variation thereafter. Wikipedia shows that the following are closely related:

* 3...exd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 (Center Game, by transposition)

* 3...exd4 4.Nf3 (Urusov Gambit)

o 4...Bc5 5.0-0 Nc6 (Max Lange Attack, by transposition)

o 4...Nc6 (Two Knights Defense, by transposition)

o 4...Nxe4 5.Qxd4 (Urusov Gambit Accepted)

"You can't hold with the hare and run with the hounds."

"A roaring lion kills no game." ~ African Proverb

"Many have become chess masters, no one has become the master of chess." ― Siegbert Tarrasch

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ― Howard Thurman

'A stitch in time saves nine'

Z is for Zipper (to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb")

Zipper starts with letter Z,
Letter Z, letter Z,
Zipper starts with Letter Z,
/z/, /z/, /z/, /z/!

The Boat 274

Reggie called.

In 1090, a Chessboard with alternating light and dark squares was introduced in Europe.

* Riddle-e-dee: https://chessimprover.com/chess-rid...

During World War II, several of the world's best chess players were code breakers.

In India, chess was initially known as the ‘Game of Kings.'

"In life, as in chess, one's own pawns block one's way. A man's very wealth, ease, leisure, children, books, which should help him to win, more often checkmate him." — Charles Buxton

"Play the opening like a book, the middlegame like a magician, and the endgame like a machine." — Rudolph Spielmann

"A thorough understanding of the typical mating continuations makes the most complicated sacrificial combinations leading up to them not only difficult, but almost a matter of course." — Savielly Tartakower.

"Knowing which pieces you want to be exchanged is a great help in finding the right moves." — Graham Burgess

"I don't think you can really compare anyone to Fischer and I have high respect for him – he's one of the greatest chess players who ever lived!" — Wesley so

"Fischer…is abnormally sensitive to the slightest noise in the hall…Then there are other players, among them Spassky, Viktor Korchnoi, and myself. For us, it is simply boring to play in an empty hall. When we appear on the stage, we are artistes." — Mikhail Tal

"He went out of his way to provoke the opponent to attack, and, reeking of contempt and crusader's zeal, devoted himself to consolidating some of the most hideously unconsolidated positions ever seen on a chessboard." — Robert Byrne on Wilhelm Steinitz

"The defensive power of a pinned piece is only imaginary." ― Aaron Nimzowitsch

Bobby Fischer on Paul Morphy:
"Perhaps the most accurate player who ever lived, he would beat anybody today in a set-match. He had complete sight of the board and seldom blundered even though he moved quite rapidly. I've played over hundreds of his games and am continually surprised and entertained by his ingenuity."

"Capablanca's games generally take the following course: he begins with a series of extremely fine prophylactic maneuvers, which neutralize his opponent's attempts to complicate the game; he then proceeds, slowly but surely, to set up an attacking position. This attacking position, after a series of simplifications, is transformed into a favorable endgame, which he conducts with matchless technique." ― Aaron Nimzowitsch

"I don't think about it (representing African-Americans) during the games, but I certainly do think about how few African-Americans there are at the top level. So, I try to do my best to motivate more people like us to give it a try and hopefully succeed." ― 13-year-old FM Brewington Hardaway from New York

Take care of your pennies and your dollars will take care of themselves. ~ Scottish Proverb

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

* Assorted good games: Game Collection: assorted Good games

* List of gambits: https://detailedpedia.com/wiki-List...

* Fried Fox is awful: https://allchessopenings.blogspot.c...

* The Gaw-Paw? Game Collection: GA PA Wins Draws by Black

* Chicago, 2007: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEp...

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEp...

* Defensive Replies to the Queen's Pawn: Game Collection: e6 after 1.d4

* QP Bg2: Queen's Pawn Game (E00)

* Game with ...e6: Game Collection: Partidas modelo con temas variados

* Sicilians: Game Collection: Sicilian/French/Westerimen and other ...c5,...e6

* Sicilian O'Kelly leaves White all kinds of choices: Opening Explorer

* Wikipedia on Computer Chess: Wikipedia article: Computer chess

<The Fooles Mate
Black Kings Biſhops pawne one houſe.
White Kings pawne one houſe.
Black kings knights pawne two houſes
White Queen gives Mate at the contrary kings Rookes fourth houſe — Beale, The Royall Game of Chesse-Play

Beale's example can be paraphrased in modern terms where White always moves first, algebraic notation is used, and Black delivers the fastest possible mate after each player makes two moves: 1.f3 e6 2.g4 Qh4#

There are eight distinct ways in which Fool's Mate can be reached in two moves. White may alternate the order of f- and g-pawn moves, Black may play either e6 or e5, and White may move their f-pawn to f3 or f4.>

"Chess is life in miniature. Chess is a struggle, chess battles." — Garry Kasparov

"Sometimes in life, and in chess, you must take one step back to take two steps forward." — IM Levy Rozman, GothamChess

So much, much, much better to be an incurable optimist than deceitful and untrustworthy.

"Don't blow your own trumpet." — Australian Proverb

Old Russian Proverb: "Scythe over a stone." (Нашла коса на камень.) The force came over a stronger force.

"Continuing to play the victim is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Blaming others for your station in life will indeed make you a victim but the perpetrator will be your own self, not life or those around you." — Bobby Darnell

The Man And His Image
To M. The Duke De La Rochefoucauld.

A man, who had no rivals in the love
Which to himself he bore,
Esteemed his own dear beauty far above
What earth had seen before.
More than contented in his error,
He lived the foe of every mirror.
Officious fate, resolved our loverFrom such an illness should recover, Presented always to his eyes
The mute advisers which the ladies prize; –
Mirrors in parlours, inns, and shops, –
Mirrors the pocket furniture of fops, –
Mirrors on every lady's zone,13
From which his face reflected shone.
What could our dear Narcissus do?
From haunts of men he now withdrew,
On purpose that his precious shape
From every mirror might escape.
But in his forest glen alone,
Apart from human trace,
A watercourse,
Of purest source,
While with unconscious gaze
He pierced its waveless face,
Reflected back his own.
Incensed with mingled rage and fright,
He seeks to shun the odious sight;
But yet that mirror sheet, so clear and still,
He cannot leave, do what he will.

Before this, my story's drift you plainly see.
From such mistake there is no mortal free.
That obstinate self-lover
The human soul does cover;
The mirrors follies are of others,
In which, as all are genuine brothers,
Each soul may see to life depicted
Itself with just such faults afflicted;
And by that charming placid brook,
Needless to say, I mean your Maxim Book.

This is one of La Fontaine's most admired fables, and is one of the few for which he did not go for the groundwork to some older fabulist. The Duke de la Rochefoucauld, to whom it was dedicated, was the author of the famous "Reflexions et Maximes Morales," which La Fontaine praises in the last lines of his fable. La Rochefoucauld was La Fontaine's friend and patron. The "Maximes" had achieved a second edition just prior to La Fontaine's publication of this first series of his Fables, in 1668. "The Rabbits" (Book 10, Fable 15.), published in the second collection, in 1678-9, is also dedicated to the Duke, who died the following year, 1680.

"There just isn't enough televised chess." — David Letterman

"Do the things that interest you and do them with all your heart. Don't be concerned about whether people are watching you or criticizing you. The chances are that they aren't paying any attention to you. It's your attention to yourself that is so stultifying. But you have to disregard yourself as completely as possible. If you fail the first time then you'll just have to try harder the second time. After all, there's no real reason why you should fail. Just stop thinking about yourself." — Eleanor Roosevelt

"Many have become chess masters, no one has become the master of chess." — Siegbert Tarrasch

"True power is expressed in quiet confidence; it was the sea's very calmness that epitomized its mighty force." ― Emile Habiby

"Remember that there are two kinds of beauty: one of the soul and the other of the body. That of the soul displays its radiance in intelligence, in chastity, in good conduct, in generosity, and in good breeding, and all these qualities may exist in an ugly man. And when we focus our attention upon that beauty, not upon the physical, love generally arises with great violence and intensity. I am well aware that I am not handsome, but I also know that I am not deformed, and it is enough for a man of worth not to be a monster for him to be dearly loved, provided he has those spiritual endowments I have spoken of." ― Miguel Cervantes

4$drivz u nokt mee crazy wheelr. 4$fare iz fair evn 4all hairy bearz no shirts no shoez still get servd biden court 2appear b4 congress 2testify on internet caught see lionz zandi drownd outta noiz. So sad.

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." — Calvin Coolidge

Psalm 96: 1-3
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

A TISKET A TASKET
A tisket, a tasket
A green and yellow basket.
I wrote a letter to my love
And on the way I dropped it.
I dropped it, I dropped it
And on the way I dropped it.
A little boy he picked it up
And put it in his pocket.

16 yellow #2 pencilz

"To a good listener, half a word is enough"
– Portuguese Proverb

from the simpleton poet:

Roses are red.
Violets are blue.

Chess is creative.
And a journey too.

Good in the morning.
Or just before bed.

Play cheater_1, with engine.
Or OTB, all in your head.

"Only those who want everything done for them are bored." — Billy Graham

"My home is in Heaven. I'm just traveling through this world." — Billy Graham

"Whatever you are doing in the game of life, give it all you've got." — Norman Vincent Peale

"What you do today can improve all your tomorrows." — Ralph Marston

* Riddle-zip-fly: https://www.briddles.com/riddles/ch...

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." ― Martin Luther King Jr.

"Never reply to an anonymous letter."
― Yogi Berra, MLB Hall of Fame catcher

"Even Napoleon had his Watergate."
― Yogi Berra, 10-time World Series champion

How many chess openings are there?

Well, White has 20 possible 1st moves. Black can respond with 20 of its own. That's 400, and we're ready for move 2. I don't know them, but I would not be at all surprised if there was a name for each of them. People are like that. You really, really don't need to know them all.

If you follow the rules of thumb for good opening play, I promise you that you'll be playing a named opening. Just put the 1st 3 moves in google, and you'll get the opening's name. With that information you can find other games that started the way your game started, likely by some very good players. Also, with the name you can read about it on Wikipedia, and find out what people think of it, who plays it, and its particular traps and idiosyncrasies.

Once again, The Rules of Thumb for Good Opening Play:

- Develop your pieces quickly with an eye towards controlling the center. Not necessarily occupying the center but controlling it certainly. - Castle your king just as soon as it's practical to do so. - Really try not to move a piece more than once during the opening, it's a waste of valuable time. - Connect your rooks. This marks the end of the opening. Connected rooks means that only your rooks and your castled king are on the back rank. - Respond to threats appropriately, even if you have to break the rules. They're rules of thumb, not scripture, or physical laws.

If you and your opponent follow these rules of thumb, you'll reach the middle game ready to fight. If only you follow these rules of thumb, you're already winning! Good Hunting. -- Eric H.

* Opening Tree: https://www.shredderchess.com/onlin...

<Chess has six different kinds of pieces, and they all interact in myriad ways. Your opponent's own pieces can often be used against him.

While the Queen is the strongest piece, it is the weakest defender; and while the pawn is the weakest piece, it is the strongest defender.

José Raúl Capablanca used the principle "Cutting off pieces from the scene of action.">

Site "Kiev RUE"

Event "Simul, 30b"
Date "1914.03.02"
EventDate "?"
Round "?"
Result "1-0"
White "Jose Raul Capablanca"
Black "Masyutin"
ECO "A83"
WhiteElo "?"
BlackElo "?"
PlyCount "37"

1.d4 f5 2.e4 fxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 c6 5.f3 exf3 6.Nxf3 e6 7.Bd3 d5 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Ne5 Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Qh5+ Ke7 12.Bxh7 Nf8 13.Qf7+ Kd6 14.Nc4+ dxc4 15.Ne4+ Kd5 16.Rf5+ Kxe4 17.Re1+ Kxd4 18.c3+ Kd3 19.Rd5# 1-0 Discovered Double Checkmate!!

"As an adult, Capablanca lost only 34 serious games.88 He was undefeated from 10 February 1916, when he lost to Oscar Chajes in the New York 1916 tournament, to 21 March 1924, when he lost to Richard Réti in the New York International tournament. During this streak, which included his 1921 World Championship match against Lasker, Capablanca played 63 games, winning 40 and drawing 23.4994 In fact, only Marshall, Lasker, Alekhine and Rudolf Spielmann won two or more serious games from the mature Capablanca, though in each case, their overall lifetime scores were minus (Capablanca beat Marshall +20−2=28, Lasker +6−2=16, Alekhine +9−7=33), except for Spielmann who was level (+2−2=8).95 Of top players, only Keres had a narrow plus score against him (+1−0=5).96 Keres's win was at the AVRO 1938 chess tournament, during which tournament Capablanca turned 50, while Keres was 22.97" ― Wikipedia

The Chess Machine: https://chessville.com/jose-raul-ca...

Learn from the World Champions: https://www.chessable.com/blog/famo...

According to Chessmetrics, Lasker was #1 for longer than anyone else in history: 292 different months between June 1890 and December 1926. That's a timespan of 36 1/2 years, in which Lasker was #1 for a total of 24 years and 4 months. Lasker was 55 years old when he won New York 1924.

Q: What's the best thing about Switzerland?
A: I don't know, but the flag is a big plus.

French Proverb: "Il ne faut rien laisser au hasard." ― (Nothing should be left to chance.)

"There are more adventures on a chessboard than on all the seas of the world." ― Pierre Mac Orlan

"You can only get good at chess if you love the game." ― Bobby Fischer

"As long as you can still grab a breath, you fight." — The Revenant

Weord Maze:
3z Darby's samichz haz da bst pigz eyez, no birdz eyez annie pig snoutz. Shout, shout, let it all out. Theez rtha things Ivan do without. C'mon Mikhail Talkin youtube.

A pencil maker told the pencil 5 important lessons just before putting it in the box:

1. Everything you do you will always leave a mark.

2. You can always correct the mistakes you make.

3. What is important is what is inside of you.

4. In life, you will undergo painful sharpening which will only make you better.

5. To be the best pencil, you must allow yourself to be held and guided by the hand that holds you.

Lead Pb 82 207.2 1.8

Engineer Ralph Baer is often held to be the "father of video games." His "Brown Box" video game system, designed in 1967, paved the way for all future consoles.

"mãos frias, coração quente". In English, it means "a cold hand, a warm heart"

Drive sober or get pulled over.

"For surely of all the drugs in the world, chess must be the most permanently pleasurable." — Assiac

"mais vale um passarinho na mão do que dois a voar"

Contrary to popular belief, the first video game was not Pong. It was preceded by Tennis for Two in 1958 and Spacewar! in 1962.

The 20-40-40 rule in chess is a rule for players rated below 2000 that states 20% of your study should be dedicated to openings, 40% to the middlegame, and 40% to the endgame.

"Prepare for the worst but hope for the best." -- The Wondrous Tale of Alroy by Benjamin Disraeli, published in 1833

Galatians 6:7 in the Bible "Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

"those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" is often cited as originating in Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde written in 1385.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

"If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow." – Ancient Chinese Proverb

"An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind." — Mahatma Gandhi

The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - 1807-1882

The tide rises, the tide falls,
The twilight darkens, the curlew calls;
Along the sea-sands damp and brown
The traveller hastens toward the town,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.

Darkness settles on roofs and walls,
But the sea, the sea in darkness calls;
The little waves, with their soft, white hands,
Efface the footprints in the sands,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.

The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls
Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls;
The day returns, but nevermore
Returns the traveller to the shore,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.

"There are good ships, and there are wood ships, ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships, and may they always be." – Anonymous

"It's not how you start that matters, it's how you finish."

"Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read." — Francis Bacon

The cat's play is the mouse's death. ~ German Proverb

"Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground." ― Theodore Roosevelt

Like new-laid eggs Chess Problems are,
Though very good, they may be beaten;
And yet, though like, they're different far,
They may be cooked, but never eaten.

Source: page 58 of Poems and Chess Problems by J.A. Miles (Fakenham, 1882).

a sfood z4ll mod z freed zanzibar z stone perd a. zoomah! 'Nomen nominandum' a.k.a 'the name to be named'
.

Question: How many months have 28 days?
Answer: All 12 of them.

Question: What is full of holes but still holds water? Answer: A sponge.

Chessgames.com will be unavailable March 12, 2023 from 2:00AM through 4:00AM(UTC/GMT) for maintenance. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Hacked by the underhanded CGs operator!

FTB cut in on a side game of chess here back when: https://boston.eater.com/venue/4779... When traveling, most locals seem to enjoy competing against a fresh face, unless they want to save face in front of a particular companion. Everybody thinks they can beat a bear in a game of chess.