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@brendan

[Off-topic (chess), this is a convenient place to post]

You mentioned the Niemann scandal on the Guardian Prize thread...
This video is the best thing I've seen on the subject: Nakamura commenting on a podcast by GMs Caruana and Christian Chirila (one of Caruana's seconds iirc)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SUhtEe26vA

It may be too long (1 hr. 11 min), but worth it if you're really interested.

Interesting, geeker and brendan.

Computers are a double-edged sword for chess. Great for post-game analysis of one's own games but a long-running nightmare for both online and OTB events. Online I play mostly on ICC but in my few games on Lichess I have sometimes had the message 'You have recently lost to a cheat' and have had rating points restored.

If Carlsen does make a statement today it could make even more national media spots. One of the few ways chess ever gets noticed. Anal beads no doubt contributing to the fascination.

Here's a link to the thread on the English Chess Forum.
https://www.ecforum.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=13004

.

@PaulH

Another one in the Guardian today for your collection of chess-related clues. I have to say I’d not come across this term before…

Defeat of king‘s son nurtured by partner (9,4)

Great minds, jono!

Haha, that’s funny, we must have posted within seconds of each other. Chambers and Collins state that this move must be performed by a knight, but I wonder why?

Only a knight can check the king without there being a direct line to it (as a rook, for example, would need).

Thanks, saw it last night. Considered posting, but had forgotten about this thread. :-)

Thanks for that one, Jono @13.
Will be posting it on the chess forum.

Yes, a smothered mate is when the king is hemmed in by, usually, his own men on adjacent squares. An enemy knight can then use its 'leaping' power to administer a fatal check.

Quite a specialist expression for a general cryptic, but then I suppose anything in the adopted dictionary is fair game.

Further post by Chrise in another thread, which I have deleted


Guardian - 6 October

Defeat of king's son nurtured by partner (9,4)

Some of the comments re crosswords on the English Chess Forum thread are rather amusing…

“Cryptic crosswords - for those who think chess isn't enough of a waste of time.

After reading this thread, I am glad I have never taken up cryptic crosswords.

I can see the solution but the clue is utter gibberish, couldn't even imagine what warped imagination decided that led to the word”
😂