Upon completion of the post, The 15TH MICHAEL ANDERSON MEMORIAL SC SENIOR OPEN 2023, on Nov 22, 2023 (https://xpertchesslessons.wordpress.com/2023/11/22/the-15th-michael-anderson-memorial-sc-senior-open-2023/) this writer sat back with relief, knowing it would be the last post made by the Armchair Warrior. That was the plan, Stan. Like many other things in life, plans are subject to change. It was at that time an email was received informing this writer there would soon be some “Really BIG BREAKING NEWS” in the Chess world.” Because of the “heads-up” from a usually very reliable source I decided to continue writing until the “Really BIG BREAKING NEWS” was made public.
A couple of weeks later this headline was seen at the USCF: Executive Director Carol Meyer Announces Departure from US Chess, dated By US Chess | December 6, 2023. (https://new.uschess.org/news/executive-director-carol-meyer-announces-departure-us-chess)
When seeing the above I did not for a moment think the woman departing USCF was the “Really BIG BREAKING NEWS” that had been brought to my attention. In some circles it may have been “Really BIG BREAKING NEWS”, but not in my circle. Since getting into Chess in 1970 these eyes have seen Chess politico types come and go. Fortunately, most of them stay gone… Unfortunately, some of them return (https://xpertchesslessons.wordpress.com/2018/02/02/gca-president-renounces-chess/), and even win election(s) and take positions in Chess, to the detriment of the game.
Therefore I continued writing while awaiting the “RBBN”. Unfortunately, I am still waiting…
On Sun, Nov 5, 6:38 PM, the following email was sent to Daniel Lucas at the USCF HQ:
Daniel,
Hope the time change has not left you whacky…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZKmdfUNBHo
Why is the 2023 U.S. Senior Women’s Championship not being broadcast on lichess.org?
AW
The answer was in my inbox the next morning:
Mon, Nov 6, 7:48 AM
The answer can be found in your own blog.
Well…you know… I have been blamed for many things during my life, except for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and that because I was only thirteen years of age.
The reply from Mr. Lucas caused me to become nauseous. The people at USCF HQ have continued to stay silent, obviously preferring to blame a writer for the organization not doing the right thing. It has been so long since anyone at USCF has addressed the issue most people may have forgotten what was the issue. The only question is, “How long will the USCF stay “nutted-up?” Could it be the F.I.P.s (Fools In Power) at USCF hope that if they stay silent long enough the problem will simply “go away”?
Late last year this was read: “I just see organizers continuing to operate under the premise that people won’t cheat,” said Chess.com’s chief chess officer Danny Rensch, who questioned when top players will begin simply sitting out in-person tournaments that don’t have proper anti-cheating measures. “The ease of access to technology that would facilitate cheating would shock people.”
Emails were sent to several Chess people, only one of whom, former POTGCA Scott Parker, responded. This followed: “You are the first, and only, respondent to my inquiry concerning EXACTLY what Rensch means when writing, “The ease of access to technology that would facilitate cheating would shock people,” and I appreciate it very much.”
I still have no idea what Mr. Rensch meant by the above. Did he mean strickly online play, like that at Chess.com, or does that include OTB Chess as well? What “people” would be “shocked”? Does he mean someone who has been around for decades, or does he refer to newbies to Chess? Could he mean the average person on the street? Inquiring mind wants to know.
The computer Chess programs have drastically altered how Chess is played. The way the openings in Chess are being played these daze is very different from B.C.I. (Before Computer Interference). ‘Back in the day’ the Dragon variation of the Sicilian was all the rage. The popular opening was played regularly by many, if not most, players. Theory changed so rapidly one would hear things like, “The Dragon books are written in disappearing ink!” Now the opening has disappeared. The same goes for the Winawer variation of the French. Once Stockfish attaches a ?! to an opening it is the kiss of death.
I cannot help but wonder how long it would have taken we humans to attach a dubious sign (?!) to these openings if left alone to discover for ourselves what openings are best. Unfortunately that page has turned, and it turned a long time ago…
For some time I have noticed the openings being played at the top level of human Chess have lost variety. If one goes through the tournaments at lichess.org a vast majority of the openings look similar. For that reason I have preferred looking at the games played by lesser players, which are replete with now discredited openings. ‘Back in the day’ this player/writer was fond of playing what were known as “offbeat” openings. Stockfish has now beaten off those “questionable” openings. If you or I were professional Chess players we, too, would be forced to conform to the new reality and play only “approved” openings.
Robert Hubner
was quoted recently in an article at Chessbase.”He said that he has a “very ambivalent relationship with chess”. He also felt that the computers had made the new top players very “uniform” and that they “at the age of 23 are already a relic of the past”. (https://en.chessbase.com/post/happy-birthday-robert-huebner-turns-75)
There has been movement in Chess toward ever faster time controls. Many players do not have the time, or in some cases the desire, to spend many hours, days, and weeks, playing Chess, which is understandable. ‘Back in the day’ we players thought nothing of playing Chess around the clock for days on end. When I began playing Chess a weekend Swiss system tournament consisted of playing three games on Saturday and two on Sunday. The time control was 40/2 followed by 20/1, ad infinitum. The first round began at ten am and the third round began at eight pm. A player would sometimes play Chess for fourteen, or more, hours on a Saturday. One of the toughest games this player ever played was against Dauntless Don Mullis during the 1980 US Open. The game began at seven pm and ended around four am. Don went down like rotgut whiskey, HARD. I had to work the next day, and did so after a short nap. It will come as no surprise that I eventually dropped out of the tournament…and lost the job to boot. This has been mentioned because of another excellent article at Chessbase: Long live classical chess, by Rune Vik-Hansen, who writes, 1/4/2024 – “With new money and new sponsors pouring in, and never before seen numbers of spectators following the games, the tendency is towards faster time controls. Classical games are played with reduced times, rapid and blitz tournaments are gaining popularity. That provides more action and excitement for chess fans. But is it really the way to go? Rune Vik-Hansen, Norwegian philosopher, argues in favour of long games.” (https://en.chessbase.com/post/long-live-classical-chess) After reading the article I thought about the author as one person attempting to hold back the tide.
The IM of GM strength, Boris Kogan,
was fond of saying about my openings, “BEEG Joke.” That they may have been, but it was nice to hear that some of the stronger players had said, “You can’t prepare for Mike because he is liable to play ANYTHING!”
When it comes to Chess, the joke is on us.
While chess is known worldwide as the ‘Game of Kings’, two Russian players showed that in Russia, chess is a game for bandits. (https://news.yahoo.com/two-russian-players-sanctioned-world-131900221.html)
I have come to expect little from the Russians and have rarely been disappointed.
“Well, the telling of jokes is an art of its own, and it always rises from some emotional threat. The best jokes are dangerous, and dangerous because they are in some way truthful.” – Kurt Vonnegut (1922 – 2007), Interview, Mcsweeneys.net (https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the-best-jokes-are-dangerous-an-interview-with-kurt-vonnegut-part-one)
Because of the above this writer has decided to spend much more time playing and studying the game of Go.
I have been watching videos, which are fascinating, and even playing online. This is being done because Go is interesting.
Simply put, the game of Go, or more properly, Weiqi, is to Chess what Chess was to Checkers. Weigi is the next step up on the evolutionary game ladder.
There are those who believe Chess is “the only game.” Chess is only a game, a game with limitations, as the programs have shown we humans. Will you Go with me?
Armchair Warrior 