Melodies of love II

It’s been a very long time since I’ve blogged a game I’ve played. On my blogger blog I have games played quite recently. I enjoyed this game, in particular how I was allowed to use my Knight to multi-fork my opponent! I always try to keep my Knights for their unusual moves. You can play through the game interactively. I played black in this game – my favourite colour to play. Please click HERE to play through the game. The link will open in a new window. My opponent eventually resigned – which I don’t blame him, but since he’s a relatively good player, I was surprised that he was prepared to lose his Rook without capturing my Knight. He could have moved his Queen on the first rank to capture my Knight in order to gain a piece. [image2] Another multi-fork was possible, but he cleverly avoided it by moving his Bishop and ‘forced’ me to move my Queen. On the third image you can see the end position and why he resigned.  If you look at my position, you can also see why I knew I was in a safe position and why I didn’t make an effort to be in a more secure position – with my King. 

Here are the moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.h3 Nf6 4.d3 h6 5.Nc3 Be7 6.a3 O-O 7.Be2 a6 8.O-O Nc6 9.Re1 Be6 10.Be3 Qd7 11.d4 exd4 12.Bxd4 d5 13.e5 Nh5 14.Nd2 Nf4 15.Bf3 Nxd4 16.Ne2 Ndxe2+ 17.Bxe2 Ng6 18.c3 Nxe5 19.Bf3 Nc6 20.b3 b5 21.a4 b4 22.cxb4 Bxb4 23.Re2 Bxd2 24.Rxd2 Nb4 25.Rd4 Rfb8 26.Qe1 Nc2 27.Qd2 Nxa1 28.Bxd5 Bxd5 29.Rxd5 Qe6 30.Rd3 Nxb3 31.Qc3 Rb7 32.Rg3 g6 33.Re3 Qd6 34.Qc4 Nc5 35.Rf3 Rb1+

Encircled

Unfolded subtle moves

squared and checked

sliced fearlessly

through minds and space

time and time again:

uninvited –

unasked, locked

encompassing en passanting

files cleared

control demanded:

E2 E4

gradually infiltrated

and distracted

surrendered: piece by piece

‘Thou shall not move’

–Nikita–30/3/2012 23:30

Update: 3/4/2012

Move 28.Qxe7+ Qxe7

My opponent on her way to capture my pawn, so I’m closing in with my Queen to make the final move – and to capture a Rook the same time… that’s what I thought the ‘plan’ was…

Move 33. …. Rb1 Qxb1+ leads to a lost Rook with move 35.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bc4 Bg4 4.d4 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 Qe7 6.Nc3 exd4 7.Nd5 Qd7 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bf4 a6 10.Qd3 Nc6 11.e5 dxe5 12.Bxe5 f6 13.Nxc7+ Kd8 14.Nxa8 fxe5 15.Nb6 Qd6 16.Qf5 Qb4+ 17.c3 Qxb6 18.Qxf8+ Kd7 19.Qf7+ Nge7 20.Be6+ Kd6 21.O-O g5 22.Qf6 Rd8 23.Bf5+ Kc7 24.Qf7 Qxb2 25.Rab1 Qxc3 26.Be4 Qa3 27.Bxc6 bxc6 28.Qxe7+ Qxe7 29.Rb3 Kd6 30.Rb6 a5 31.Rc1 Rc8 32.Rcb1 Qe6 33.R1b5 Qxa2 34.Ra6 Qa1+ 35.Rb1 Qxb1+

Playing black, I completed this game today. My opponent, a female, is a deadly player. She frustrated me quite a lot with her style of playing. So much, that I nearly resigned the game, as I felt there was not really a ‘plan‘ according to her style/moves. She was just attacking left, right and centre and used her Queen everywhere. I soon realised that I might stand a chance of winning the game, for the way she played and sometimes it felt like she was moving pieces randomly. That of course frustrated me too, but guess it might work great in chess – if that’s what you try to get your opponent to be. Loosing her Queen was the ultimate sign of lack of concentration and I knew there was no way she could win the game anymore and I was patiently waiting for the next error, which was the Rook-move. Rook A6 and I responded with QA1. Thou shall not move.…sounded.

Click HERE to play through the game. The link will open in a new window.

Enjoy the two clips with some beautiful music! This song is called ‘My hart het ‘n kleine venster’ in Afrikaans, also available on youtube in German. [‘my heart has a little window’ – translated directly]

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Lost Pawn

Click the photo to see more…

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Life is not a matter of milestones, but of moments

‘Life is not a matter of milestones, but of moments’: Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

I was more interested in the chess scene in this clip, but then inquisitively read about Joan and her story, which I knew about, though it was ‘refreshing‘ to read about it again, truly a very sad story. I guess, as things were at the time, it was ‘normal‘ for what had happened, but surely not in our modern days. I think Joan is an inspiration to us and must have been a brave woman to do what she did and believed in, especially at the very young age of only eighteen.

Joan of Arc
The story and biography of Joan of Arc which contains interesting information, facts and the history about the life of this Medieval person of historical importance.

The Childhood of Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc Lived from 1412-1431.  In the long wars between the French and English not even the Black Prince or King Henry V gained such fame as did a young French peasant girl, Joan of Arc. She was born in the little village of Domrémy . Her father had often told her of the sad condition of France, how the country was largely in the possession of England, and how the French king did not dare to be crowned. And so the thought came to be ever in her mind, “How I pity my country!” She brooded over the matter so much that she began to have visions of angels and heard strange voices, which said to her, “Joan, you can deliver the land from the English. go to the relief of King Charles.” At last these strange visions and voices made the young girl believe that she had a mission from God, and she determined to try to save France. When she told her father and mother of her purpose, they tried to persuade her that the visions of angels and the voices telling her of the divine mission were but dreams. The village priest, her young companions, even the governor of the town, all tried to stop her, but it was in vain.

1429 – Joan of Arc meets King Charles VII, the King of France, at Chinon.
Little by little people began to believe in her mission. At last all stopped trying to discourage her and some who were wealthy helped her to make the journey to the town of Chinon , where the French king, Charles the Seventh, was living. When Joan arrived at Chinon, a force of French soldiers was preparing to go to the south of France to relieve the city of Orleans which the English were besieging. King Charles received Joan kindly and listened to what she had to say with deep attention. The girl spoke modestly, but with a calm belief that she was right. “Gracious King,” she said, “my name is Joan. God has sent me to deliver France from her enemies. You shall shortly be crowned in the cathedral of Rheims. I am to lead the soldiers you are about to send for the relief of Orleans. So God has directed and under my guidance victory will be theirs.” The king and his nobles talked the matter over and finally it was decided to allow Joan to lead an army of about five thousand men against the English at Orleans.

Joan of Arc marches to Orleans
When she left Chinon at the head of her soldiers, in April, 1429, she was in her eighteenth year. Mounted on a fine war-horse and clad in white armor from head to foot, she rode along past the cheering multitude. In one hand she carried an ancient sword that she had found near the tomb of a saint, and in the other a white banner embroidered with lilies. The rough soldiers who were near her left off their oaths and coarse manners, and carefully guarded her. She inspired the whole army with courage and faith as she talked about her visions. When she arrived at the besieged city of Orleans she fearlessly rode round its walls, while the English soldiers looked on in astonishment.

Joan of Arc wins victory over the English and ends the siege at Orleans.
She was able to enter Orleans, despite the efforts of the besiegers to prevent her. She aroused the city by her cheerful, confident words and then led her soldiers forth to give battle to the English. Their success was amazing. One after another the English forts were taken. When only the strongest remained and Joan was leading the attacking force, she received a slight wound and was carried out of the battle to be attended by a surgeon. Her soldiers began to retreat. “Wait,” she commanded, “eat and drink and rest; for as soon as I recover I will touch the walls with my banner and you shall enter the fort.” In a few minutes she mounted her horse again and riding rapidly up to the fort, touched it with her banner. Her soldier almost instantly carried it. The very next day the enemy’s troops were forced to withdraw from before the city and the siege was at end. The French soldiers were jubilant at the victory and called Joan the “Maid of Orleans.” By this name she is known in history.

Joan of Arc sees the King crowned at Rheims
Her fame spread everywhere, and the English as well as the French thought she had more than human power. She led the French in several other battles, and again and again her troops were victorious. At last the English were driven far to the north of France. Then Charles, urged by Joan, went to Rheims with twelve thousand soldiers, and there, with splendid ceremonies, was crowned king. Joan holding her white banner, stood near Charles during the coronation. When the ceremony was finished, she knelt at his feet and said, “O King, the will of God is done and my mission is over! Let me now go home to my parents.” But the king urged her to stay a while longer, as France was not entirely freed from the English. Joan consented, but she said, “I hear the heavenly voices no more and I am afraid.”

Joan of Arc is captured
However she took part in an attack upon the army of the Duke of Burgundy, but was taken prisoner by him. For a large sum of money the duke delivered her into the hands of the English, who put her in prison in Rouen.

Joan of Arc is charged with Sorcery and brought to trial
She lay in prison for a year, and finally was charged with sorcery and brought to trial. It was said that she was under the influence of the Evil One. She declared to her judges her innocence of the charge and said, “God has always been my guide in all that I have done. The devil has never had power over me.” Her trial was long and tiresome. At its close she was doomed to be burned at the stake.

Joan of Arc is burnt at the Stake
In the market-place at Rouen the English soldiers fastened her to a stake surrounded by a great pile of fagots. A soldier put into her hands a rough cross, which he had made from a stick that he held. She thanked him and pressed it to her bosom. Then a priest, standing near the stake, read to her the prayers for the dying, and another mounted the fagots and held towards her a crucifix, which she clasped with both hands and kissed. When the cruel flames burst out around her, the noble girl uttered the word “Jesus,” and expired.

Source: Click here to read the original article.

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Kasparov’s draw vs South African pupil

Kasparov and Zuma. Photo: GCIS/Maroelamedia

Kasparov is currently in South Africa, setting up his Africa’s branch in South Africa, called KCFA – Kasparov’s Chess Foundation Africa. Whilst in South Africa, he played some chess too. Very proudly, a South African boy draws vs Kasparov. Read about this young lad. This is fantastic for such a young boy – that shows the potential amongst the South African chess players. I see another Chess Grandmaster-in-the-making for South Africa! Well done to Daniel! You made us proud! Kasparov was the one who offered Daniel the draw. Here’s the game.

[Date “2012.03.22”]
[White “Kasparov, Garryq”]
[Black “Barrish, Daniël”]
[Result “1/2-1/2”]
[ECO “B52”]
[WhiteElo “2812”]
[BlackElo “1862”]
[PlyCount “92”]
[EventDate “2012.03.22”]
[SourceDate “2012.03.22”]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nf6 6. Qe2 g6 7. c3 Bg7 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 O-O 10. Nc3 Nc6 11. Rd1 d5 12. e5 Ne8 13. Qb5 Nc7 14. Qb3 b6 15. Be3 Na5 16. Qc2 Nc4 17. Rac1 Nxe3 18. fxe3 Bh6 19. Qe2 Rfc8 20. Rc2 Nb5 21. Rdc1 Nxc3 22. Rxc3 Rxc3 23. Rxc3 Rc8 24. Kf2 Rxc3 25. bxc3 Qc6 26. g4 e6 27. Qc2 Bf8 28. Nd2 Qb7 29. Qb3 b5 30. Kf3 a5 31. e4 Bh6 32. exd5 Qxd5+ 33. Qxd5 exd5 34. Nb3 a4 35. Nc5 Bd2 36. Ke2 Bxc3 37. Kd3 Ba5 38. Nd7 b4 39. Nf6+ Kf8 40. Nxd5 b3 41. axb3 axb3 42. h3 h5 43. gxh5 gxh5 44. Nf4 h4 45. Ng2 b2 46. Kc2
Bc3 1/2-1/2

SACS pupil, holds chess great Kasparov to a draw
ONE of the greatest chess players of all time, former world champion Garry Kasparov, met his match yesterday in Khayelitsha where he was held to a draw by an 11-year-old Cape Town pupil, Daniel Barrish.

Kasparov was in Cape Town to promote a joint venture between his foundation and a local NGO providing local chess-based mathematics and science programmes aimed at under-privileged children.

Yesterday the Russian played simultaneous chess matches against 25 young people in Khayelitsha.

After going toe-to-toe with Barrish for three hours, the international chess grandmaster surrendered to the Grade 6 SACS pupil. Speaking to the Cape Times from his Constantia home, Barrish said it had been an honour for him to play Kasparov. “I was very happy that I was going to play him, even more that I drew with him. I was nervous and thought I was going to lose. He made a couple of mistakes, he was moving too fast and I capitalised. He had to fight for a draw,” the 11-year-old said.

Barrish, a three-time under- 10 national chess champion, has never conceded a defeat in his age group. He also won the African chess under-10 championship and is the youngest in the Springbok chess team.

His father Jean-Claude Barrish said he was proud of him: “He is good, he has lots of talent. He has put a lot of work into it. He is doing very well academically and what I like is that he balances everything out because he also plays cricket, rugby and tennis.”

While in SA, Kasparov’s foundation, Kasparov Chess Foundation Africa (KCFA), will work with Moves for Life (MfL), a local chess-based mathematics and science programme aimed at under-privileged children.

Last night Kasparov played head to head with 16-year-old South African chess champion Marcel Roberts at Table Mountain’s lower cablecar boardroom, when strong winds stopped them from playing on top of the mountain. Kasparov and Roberts played two short five-minute games.

President Jacob Zuma, patron of MfL, will today meet Kasparov to celebrate the opening of Kasparov’s Africa branch of his foundation.

Marcel Roberts photo: Reint Dykema
Please click HERE for an Afrikaans news article and HERE for iol’s article – both about Kasparov’s visit.

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Chess in Schools 415 signatures, Applause in the European Parliament!

It was in the late 90’s when I said to my ex-headteacher that I would love to see chess as a subject in schools, for all the known reasons why children would benefit from it. – There are many entries on my blog about research and the benefits of chess – in the ‘search’ box you can type key words and you should find about 10 entries-or even more about the benefits of chess. You can read similar/same entries on many other sites too. Research conducted by various people from various countries in different/same areas has shown the same results. There is no doubt that chess, not only help children with all subjects in school [including reading!], but also support children in building/developing their skills for life. The fact that the European Parliament has made this decision,  is great news for chess and chess-lovers all over the world!

“This is a historical success for the European chess. The date of March 13th, 2012 will go down in chess history as the date when the game of chess advanced to a higher level of recognition by the society – not just like sport, but also like a part of education in the modern world.” – said Mr. Silvio Danailov, the President of the European Chess Union.

The President of the European Chess Union Mr. Silvio Danailov was applauded by all the MEPs for the success of the ‘Chess in School’ Declaration. This happened during the official parliamentary session at the EU Parliament where Mr. Danailov was invited as a special guest and presented by the Bulgarian MEP Mr. Slavi Binev. The President of the EU Parliament, Mr. Martin Schulz officially announced from the rostrum that the Written Declaration 50/2011 about Chess in School was endorsed by the EU Parliament.
After the session, some of the MEPs said to Mr. Danailov that the acceptance of the Declaration is really a great success, because the EU MEPs usually adopt only small number of Declarations, 10-15% of them. The final number of the MEPs who have signed the Written Declaration 50/2011 is 415.
Silvio Danailov, Bulgarian MEP Slavi Binev and the chess legend Garry Kasparov, also gave an official press conference, which reached audience on 250 national TV stations from Europe and the world. All activities and events connected to the project “Chess in school” were held under the high patronage of the previous President of the European Parliament, prof. Jerzy Buzek and Mr. Slavi Binev, who is the main supporter of the project and who introduced the Written Declaration 50/2011. During the press conference, Mr. Danailov gave a special award to Mr. Binev for his big contribution to the acceptance of the Written Declaration. MEPs John Attard-Montalto and Hannu Takkula, who were among the strongest supporters of the project, also took part in the press conference.
The Written Declaration will officially be communicated from the Parliament to the Commission and to the Parliament of each EU Member State together with the list of signatories.
The Declaration calls on the Commission and Council:

– To encourage the introduction of the program ‘Chess in School’ in the educational system of the Member States;

– To pay, in its forthcoming communication on sport, the necessary attention to the program ‘Chess in School’ and to ensure sufficient funding for it from 2012 onwards;

– To take into consideration the results of any studies on the effects of this program on children’s development.

The development and implementation of the program will be carried out as a joint project between the European Chess Union and Kasparov Chess Foundation Europe.

Source: Please click HERE for the site of EUROPECHESS

Toasting success! Garry Kasparov, Silvio Danailov and the team celebrate. Image: chess.com

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Ek stuur jou goud

If you read my blog regularly, you will know that I do write my own poems from time to time. Here’s another – but in Afrikaans.

Ek stuur jou die goud
oor die dansende blou waters
nie die koue hartelose soort,
maar die goud van ‘n herfsblaar
malend oor ‘n golwende terras
wat ‘n helder skynsel nalaat:
kontrasterend teen die skemer

Ek stuur jou die goud
van ‘n vertroueling met die warmte:
warmte van ‘n spinnende vlam van vuur
wat jou alkant omsingel en dié
van ‘n liefdevolle glimlag
wat jou las sal verlig
en jou plesier sal verskaf

Ek stuur vir jou die goud
van ‘n laatmiddag sonsondergang
langdurig en langsamerhand
die warmligte aanraking
van die strale wat jou deurboor:
laag vir laag tot in jou siel

Ek stuur jou die goud
van goue vonkelende wense en geluk
alhoewel ek nie fisies daar is,
maar my gedagtes wel, wat nooit verwelk:
my gedagtes, altyd aan jou sy!
Ek stuur vir jou die goud!
–Nikita 19:00 17/03/2012

Carol Burnett: Words, once they are printed, have a life of their own.



A blogreader thought this poem was written by Annesu de Vos and she had replied to Kim’s tweets. Wow, great to see what Annesu thought about a poem I’ve written. I don’t see myself as a poet or professional, but I’m still impressed with her comments.

Ek is bly om te sien dat sommige mense, soos die link hier onder,  my gedigte geniet en erkenning gee daaraan. Nie soos sommige ander mense op die internet wat dink dis okay om ander se gedigte te kopieer en geen erkenning te gee nie.

https://radio-eendrag.page.tl/Gedigte.htm

Update 2020

Funny how videos from youtube channels disappear after a few years. Why do people upload it in the first place, just to delete it later. I had to find another link of this video.

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Checkmate! ‘No cleavage’

With new dress code for chess players in place, I think I would get disqualified every tournament, as that was my only tactic to win a game! [NOT- hehehe] In general: this is outrageously mad/ridiculous! Do they want to treat adults like school children? Is there some jealousy – from less attractive management? or players? This is so old-fashion. Who thought up this idea? I’ve googled two chess players – Sophie and Tania. If you google them, you will see that they are ‘covered‘ properly 99.99% of the time. So, let’s get rid of these old-fashion-thinkers in the world of chess!

Checkmate! ‘No cleavage’ dress code makes chess tournaments less sexy than ever.

Wearing a tight-fitting dress with a plunging neckline is certainly one way to distract your opponent in the ultimate battle of wits.

But it is not a tactic which has found favour with European chess officials.

They have introduced a dress code to make sure the game maintains its modesty.

Female players must wear skirts that are no shorter than 4in above the knee.

And only the first and second buttons on a blouse may be opened, to hide cleavage.

The rules, which also include stipulations for men and spectators, came into effect in time for the European Women’s Championships taking place in Gaziantep, Turkey.

The European Chess Union acted after some women turned up dressed ‘like someone going to the beach’, provoking comments among the men.

England’s Javonka Houska, 31, is one player who has helped make the game’s image sexier.

Make your move: A new dress code for chess tournaments means revealing clothes are banned

The International Master – who is ranked 58th in the world – has been happily pictured showing off her enviable figure.

And Russian Grandmaster Maria Manakova, 38, has posed naked for glossy magazines to try to boost the popularity of chess.

The union’s general secretary, Woman Grandmaster Sava Stoisavljevic, brushed off suggestions that the new dress code might stop women distracting male opponents.

Rules: A women’s chess tournament currently being held in Turkey is the first since the European code came in

Instead, she said, the wide-ranging rules were brought in to restore a sense of decorum to the game after tournament bosses noticed many of the players were not wearing ‘proper clothes’.

‘I was here during three rounds and I’ve got an impression that we have to work much more on those regulations,’ Mrs Stoisavljevic told German website ChessBase.

She added: ‘Once, when I was working as an arbiter, I warned one player, even though there were no any rules at that time, because she kept coming to the playing hall dressed like someone who was going to the beach.’

And on players who like to show a little leg, she said: ‘It’s nice to see chess players with short skirts – they are very pretty girls. But I believe there should still be some limit.’

The European code makes no such demands, but others dictate that skirts should be no shorter than 5-10cm above the knee.

FASHION TIPS FROM CHESS’S NEW DRESS CODE

• ‘In respect to shirts, the second from the top button may also be opened in addition to the very top button’
• Clothes ‘should be crisp and show no excessive wear, no holes and shall be free of body odor’
• High heels are in, flip-flops are out
• The rules demand ‘a pulled-together, harmonious, complete look with colors, fabrics, shoes and accessories, for both men and women’
• After two warnings, verbal and then written, ‘If a player is then still in breach of the Dress Code he/she can be send back to dress appropriately’
• ‘Spectators not properly attired will have to leave the playing area

Source: Click HERE to read the original article.

Tania Sachdev – Indian Woman Grandmaster

Sophie Milliet – a French chess player

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Journeys

Our journeys are about making choices. Whether it is a choice about where to go, how to go or when to go, the choice determines our outcome. Soul satisfying journeys are mindful trips that include self-awareness and a look within ourselves. This pertains to any journey, be it from place to place, action to action or decision to decision. The sum of our choices constitutes our life. The journey we take from start to finish. We may not always make the proper choices, but we are always allowed the ability to make another. No matter how far down the “wrong” road we may be, this road we chose, we chose for a reason. Here in lies life’s lessons. Learn the lesson, then make your next choice. This is how we discover the daily journeys in a span of time that is ours and ours alone.[peacefulmind.com]

Friday evening – time to relax! End of week – or start of new week? And I wonder what it is to take a soul trip – just to somewhere inbetween nowhere. I wonder how it is to go to a place you haven’t been to, a foreign country and just explore – do what you want to do and when you want to do it – and keep a journal of who you meet etc!
Mark Twain said:’Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.’

What I’ve read this week -which I believe: God will never take away something without giving something better in its place.
I’m a girl. I overreact. I underestimate. I overestimate. I over think everything. I dream big. And when I say I love you, I’m not lying. Sometimes silence is the best way to let someone know they did you wrong. Its simple… Never lie to someone who trusts you, and never trust someone who lies to you. We all blame society but the truth is, we are society. When you’re down to nothing, God is up to something. The faithful see the Invisible, Believe the Incredible and then receive the Impossible.

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