Wine Woman and…Chess

Image: New York Times
Image here too: http://wyn.cc/1fi7e

images from the movie: The Thomas Crown Affair

Faye Dunaway and Steve McQueen

We all know that alcohol inhibits the brain function under normal circumstances. For some people, wine adds some kind of majesty or splendor to a function -or even aesthetic value –  for some chess players too – to their game. I wonder what was added to Faye Dunaway’s game vs Steve McQueen? In the wine and chess scene, Faye’s Queen traps Steve McQueen’s King, and he says, ‘Let’s play something else,’ … hmm…think the wine was too much for him – or was it maybe the chess…[hehe] or was it more Faye’s clever ‘tricks’ to get him distracted from the game. Hmmm… some tips I might be thinking of next time – hehe…   of course we know Steve McQueen  had something else on his mind! Click HERE to view the clip of: The Thomas Crown Affair: – the wine and chess scene with Faye Dunaway and Steve McQueen.

On the next  link, a chess-friend , blog-friend and  Sommelier ,- one who knows his onions– ‘Boer’, who is in South Korea, recently blogged about the Chilean vs South African wines – an Afrikaans entry – unfortunately. [Google might help a little bit with the translation.]  He was then informed about a few wines – which had been given as pressies –  I would like him to comment upon. I’m not a huge wine-lover, but do like a glas of sweet red wine from time to time -that is about 1 glass per month – or so. Bad, I know – some of you might say…hehe…but promise to have at least 2 glasses, if I have a special meal with you! [hehe] If you look at some chess-gifts, they even include some wine for the wine-lover! This is definitely not for the professional chess player, I guess. Ok, now the photos for our Sommelier in South Korea.

image: flower-delivery-uk.co.uk

White Chardonnay [2009]- Chile

Red Frontera -[2011] Chile

French and Italian wines – click image for a very large view

Domain Cauvard – Volnay [2000]

La Chasse: Shiraz

South Australian – Jacob’s Creek: Shiraz

Some words about wine: Plato said: ‘There is nothing more excellent or valuable than wine was ever granted by the gods to man.’  Thomas Jefferson: ‘good wine is a necessity of life for me.’

‘Burgundy makes you think of silly things, Bordeaux makes you talk about them, and Champagne makes you do them.’ Anthelme Brillat-Savarin.  Click this link for more words on wine – a PDF document.

This poem originally by Rumi caught my attention:
I Am and I Am Not

I’m drenched
in the flood
which has yet to come

I’m tied up
in the prison
which has yet to exist

Not having played
the game of chess
I’m already the checkmate

Not having tasted
a single cup of your wine
I’m already drunk

Not having entered
the battlefield
I’m already wounded and slain

I no longer
know the difference
between image and reality

Like the shadow
I am
And
I am not

From: Love Poems of Rumi – Deepak Chopra
Translated by: Fereydoun Kia
Edited: Dr Deepak Chopra
Republished with permission of: Chopra centre
Click HERE for the poem source-link.

This image is from chessgames.com. It must be  some sort of good position, but to get my pawns lined up like this, I will have to take a few  ‘reds’ to be this good. I’ve never had 4 of my pawns in a line like this. I can recall two pawns, but 4…pass me the Red please! Click this link to read about double pawns.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uncle_sparkles/6233864275/
Enjoy the clip: Wine, Woman and Song – by Strauss

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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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