Posted in On-line journal on October 30, 2020| Leave a Comment »
As if that wasn’t bad enough, a Grandmaster who played and beat the very best in the world at his peak has gone and beaten me for a second time in a week. And just because he not only beat but completely took apart the greatest English chess player in history with the black pieces in a Petroff, that’s not much of a consolation. I feel forced to belt it on the bike to the chess club and start looking at my games more closely now…
Posted in Selected on-line games on October 28, 2020| Leave a Comment »
All too often, I appear to be playing people that lose as soon as I start concentrating and it’s becoming a bit annoying…
I do love the St. George’s defence and know it inside out now, having played it hundreds of times. Here’s two typical October wins: my opponent’s play is uncoordinated, whilst mine is harmonious, and what happens in the middle game is I win instantly as per usual…and this with the most passive of all defences. Given that I play the English Opening, The grand Prix Attack, and The St.George’s Defence I do indeed play Very English Chess.
Posted in On-line journal, Selected on-line games on October 25, 2020| Leave a Comment »
October has always been a favourite month of mine for many reasons, all of which point to my very Englishness, the 24th most probably the favoured day in retrospect, what with Rachel setting foot in England that day and six years previously I was off watching Metallica at Wembley. But since when was playing around 100 games a week? Not ever that’s for sure but Covid-19 has put me out of work and left me with more than enough time on my hands. Selected games are commented upon below, I post them because they represent a change in style, triggered by something I shall not speak of… . Active play it is, actively I post, you may call me an activist if you so wish. But before you do that, here’s a nice Octobery pic of the only two McCready’s in the FIDE database.
Posted in My own endeavours, On-line journal on October 22, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Life beyond the chess board, Selected on-line games on October 21, 2020| Leave a Comment »
I can’t say I ever was an admirer of Steiniz tbh. In fact with Morphy no longer on the scene, it wasn’t until Alekhine imperially rose to the throne, that chess became worth looking at in close detail.
I always thought his wandering king was just dubious conceptually, and likely to be his downfall eventually. So what am I doing playing the opening theory in fashion during his reign, and drawing inspiration from his antics? Having fun, that’s what, as the video shows. An amusing victory both antiquated in its approach but highly effective nonetheless.
Olcmarcus
Posted in On-line journal on October 20, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Posted in On-line journal on October 19, 2020| Leave a Comment »
I’m white and unlikely to lose, so I tell myself. But just how many results are possible and which is most probable with correct play/technique?
Posted in On-line journal on October 19, 2020| Leave a Comment »
I’ve taken a penchant to the St. George’s Defence this year, although in truth it’s been brewing for some years now. Perhaps I shouldn’t post this but in the diagrams below my opponent has approached it correctly (but don’t ask me why he put has bishop on b3!). The 300+ games with it this year have taught me that the pawn chain f3, e4, and d4 is a tough nut to crack, and compounds the rather passive nature of the opening, forcing play upon the flank…oh and btw, I don’t like to say such things but you might want to forego the only publication on The St.George’s Defence for the title is misleading, as it isn’t primarily a book about The St.George’s Defence.
Olcmarcus
Posted in On-line journal on October 18, 2020| Leave a Comment »
…if it’s true that the Covid-19 pandemic is just a hoax aimed at reducing chess down to nothing more than a computer game -online my exploits shall be then…
…still proud of my county though (who I represent online now)…
…in taking inspiration from the song ‘Become a Machine’, by Chicago’s Harm’s Way, I may have a memory card implanted into my neck in order to assist with opening preparation…
…never slip up in the opening again…
Posted in On-line journal on October 17, 2020| Leave a Comment »
McCreadyandChess 