Everything/Anything and…Chess…"Despite the documented evidence by chess historian HJR Murray, I've always thought that chess was invented by a goddess"–George Koltanowski: from the foreword to:"Women in chess, players of the Modern Age"
Beth’s top 5 moves – from the movie: The Queen’s Gambit This is the opening we played in my game below – see link – and it’s called: The Philidor’s Defence
When I was at school, I got the looks from boys as chess was always just seen as a boys’ game. Luckily, time has changed, however, there are still some of the opposite sex that still think this is true and sadly even some of the Chess Grand Masters. I will not elaborate on this as I already done so a few years ago on my blog. After all the media attention, this Grandmaster denied what he said, but we know what he said is what he meant. Sometimes, when I write my own poems, I do like to weave some chess into my poems – you might find some on my blog to read and spot the random reference to chess in a random poem.
This was one of my online games from a few years ago, which I really enjoyed. If you click the link below the image, you van view the game and play through the game by using the arrows. I played black in this game. This image shows the end position.
I have watched this movie: The Queen’s Gambit and enjoyed it thoroughly. If you haven’t done so, you are missing out, even if you don’t know anything of chess, you will still enjoy it.
Beth Harmon – ~The Queen’s Gambit
The Queen’s Gambit – a Netflix Music from the movie: The Queen’s Gambit
This chess opening is called: The Queen’s Gambit
This chess opening is called, The King’s Gambit.
The Final Position on the board in the Netflix Movie.
Read here more about the ‘online rumor’ of the Pirates in the dungeons. On the link you will find a series of images taken over seven years about this chess ‘game’.
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 ourSommelier 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.
‘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.
I think chess is a game most people can play. If you can’t play it, it’s very easy to learn the basics. Well, the basics are the pieces, names and how they move. Also, make sure you know whenever you play chess, that there’s always a white square on your right hand side! Otherwise, your board is set up wrongly! And, the white pieces go on the rows marked 1 and 2, black on 7 and 8. In some movies, you will find the board set up wrongly and even the Queen not on the colour she should be! White Queen goes to the white square …. so the Queen goes to “her” colour. I’ve found an interesting article why they – directors – like chess in the movies! So, have you got any plans to be an actor? Then…learn to play chess…or at least know the basics…. lol!
Click HERE to play through the game from the movie: From Russia with love!
By Finlo Rohrer
BBC News Magazine
The late Ingmar Bergman’s film the Seventh Seal helped cement his reputation as a cerebral director, and might explain why chess is such an enduring theme for film makers.
In the Seventh Seal a Swedish knight returns from the crusades to find his home country ravaged by tragedy and is soon locked in a game of chess with death.
Without giving much away, it’s a fairly intense game.
Bergman’s arthouse favourite is perhaps the most notorious example of chess on celluloid, but there are hundreds and hundreds of others. From the brainiest to the schlockiest, one of the movie world’s favourite devices is chess.
And among the chess-playing fraternity there’s a whole subculture of “chess in the movies” discussion, with a number of dedicated websites, and Bob Basalla’s book Chess in the Movies, providing exhaustive lists stretching up to 2,000 titles.
Perhaps the second best known chess scene is in the Thomas Crown Affair, where Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway enjoy a romantically-charged game.
Satyajit Ray’s the Chess Players is another arthouse classic, while 2000’s Luzhin Defence had a grandmaster as its central character.
But for many chess aficionados, the best example of the game has to be in the second James Bond film, From Russia With Love, where the Spectre agent Kronsteen ruthlessly beats the Canadian master McAdams
Sometimes chess is in a movie because a star or director is a player. Humphrey Bogart was reputed to be at the top end of amateur players, and suggested a chess scene for Casablanca. And Stanley Kubrick was so taken with chess that it features in The Killing, Lolita and 2001 and alluded to the game in Paths of Glory.
“The best scenes are where there is some tension between the protagonists. Humphrey Bogart has a special place in my affections because he did love chess. The board was definitely the right way round in Casablanca,” Pein adds.
The chess authorities have tried to capitalise on the movies to recruit new players, such as when the game was heavily featured in a Harry Potter movie.
And the fans like most the movies – such as From Russia With Love – that at least attempt to use a real game. Blade Runner features a game based on Anderssen against Kieseritzky in London in 1851, known to some as the Immortal Game, and 1925’s Chess Fever which featured Cuban world champion Jose Raul Capablanca playing a champion.
Spoken by great men:"Give me 20 divisions of American soldiers and I will breach Europe. Give me 15 consisting of Englishmen and I will advance to the borders of Berlin. Give me two divisions of those marvellous fighting Boers and I will remove Germany from the face of the earth." - Field Marshal Bernard L. Montgomery, Commander of the Allied Forces during WW2.
"The Americans fight for a free world, the English mostly for honour, glory and medals, the French and Canadians decide too late that they have to participate. The Italians are too scared to fight, the Russians have no choice. The Germans for their Fatherland. The Boers? Those sons of Bitches fight for the hell of it." American General, George 'Guts and Glory' Patton.
Chessalee 