Category Archives: Chess Engines

Hctor Laiz Ibez and Ral Snchez Garca are currently conducting a qualitative study on cheating in online chess, whose preliminary findings they describe in a two-part blog entry. This blog post is the second of the two parts.

Missed the first part? Read it here!

Chessable provided support to their research. University students and faculty research sponsors starting or continuing chess-themed research may apply before May 15 at https://www.chessable.com/research_awards for Chessable Research Awards.

To study the topic of cheating in online chess we conducted a qualitative study involving 24 Spanish male chess players, each with an Elo rating between 2100 and 2500. The players were divided into three different experimental groups: (A) human; (B) human playing autonomously with the help of a chess engine during the whole game; (C) human playing with the restricted help of a chess engine. See Part I for a more detailed methodological account of the experiment.

As part of the study, we sought to dissect the implications of engine assistance on the integrity of competitive play, focusing on the behaviours of two distinct groups under experimental conditions. This post will focus on the strategies and impressions arising from participants who had access (unlimited or restricted) to a chess engine: Group B and Group C.

Group Bs engagement with the chess engine was defined by an unrestricted access policy, allowing players to utilize technological assistance throughout their games. Participants were informed that their objective should not necessarily be to disguise the use of engines, but rather to secure the win. Nevertheless, the interaction with the engine varied among players, revealing a diverse range of strategies from heavy reliance to more selective use.

The engines influence was described as addictive by participants, who noted that it significantly boosted their confidence. However, this reliance also posed its own set of challenges, particularly affecting players ability to engage in independent strategic thinking and making it difficult to delve into any precise or sharp line calculations. Regarding the technical setup for engine assistance, Group B players typically played their moves on a phone and checked the engine on a PC/laptop, although a minority swapped programs on the same PC/laptop.

Concerning expectations of opponent play, most players initially assumed that their adversary could, as they themselves, likely cheat or have access to a chess engine. However, gaining an advantage or observing an opponents mistake led them to conclude that (a) the opponent was playing independently; or (b) if they had access to an engine, it was in a more limited fashion compared to theirs. All Group B players won and dominated their games, except for one draw.

For Group C, experimental conditions restricted engine assistance to three specific consultations per game, provided the player had more than 2 minutes on the clock. This limited access to Stockfish 15 capabilities introduced a strategic element to engine use, requiring players to judiciously decide when to seek help based on the games critical moments. This assistance included the best engine move (only one move, not the entire line) and the position evaluation.

Group C participants focused on leveraging these limited opportunities to gain a competitive edge, primarily using consultations in sharp positions where the correct move could significantly alter the games course. Trust in the engines suggestions was absolute. In one case, a player, despite mishearing a move (misinterpreting f for e) and verbally expressing concern about its suitability, played it anyway. Other players followed moves that, in post-game interviews, they admitted were contrary to their playstyle and that they would never choose in a real game.

Most Group C players believed their opponents might also employ the 3-wild cards or other types of computer assistance, given the lack of information about the conditions under which the other player was playing. This occasionally led to players hoarding wildcards, relying as much as possible on their own analysis, and seeking help when they felt their opponent was getting a favourable position.

Engine evaluations were generally considered more useful than the specific moves, which were described as confusing without the follow-up moves to justify them as the best choice. This sometimes caused nervousness among players. The overall impression was that this type of assistance, although helpful, did not create a significant imbalance or provide a sizable advantage under the experiments conditions.

Nevertheless, all participants agreed that, given this edge and the opportunity to use it in a larger number of games (200-300), they would greatly improve their use of wildcards, even adapting their game to take full advantage of this type of assistance, to maximize its impact.

These preliminary findings offer a glimpse into the dynamics of engine use in online chess, providing valuable perspectives on how players navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by technology. By examining the strategies and motivations behind engine assistance, the research contributes to a broader understanding of cheating in chess, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue and action to ensure fair play and maintain the games integrity.

Hctor is an honorary fellow of the Department of Business Management and Economics at the University of Len. His research focuses on the digital economy and emerging technologies. He also works full-time at the Spanish National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE), dealing mainly with matters related to international relations and EU initiatives. He is a FIDE Master and plays for Club de Xadrez Fontecarmoa. Email: hlaii@unileon.es

Ral is a lecturer on motor learning and the theory of play at the Sports Science school of the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He is also closely connected to the Embodied Design Research Laboratory (EDRL) of the University of California, Berkeley. His research blends social and cognitive sciences to study skill acquisition from an embodied perspective. His interest in chess deals with the question of distributed cognition and distributed agency between humans and computers. Email: raul.sanchezg@upm.es

Originally posted here:

Cheating in Online Chess (Part II): The Analysis of Engine Use - Chess.com

Ral Snchez Garca and Hctor Laiz Ibez are currently conducting a qualitative study on cheating in online chess, whose preliminary findings they describe in a two-part blog entry. This blog post is the first of the two parts.

Chessable provided support to their research. University students and faculty research sponsors starting or continuing chess-themed research may apply before May 15 at https://www.chessable.com/research_awards for Chessable Research Awards.

The advent of digital platforms in chess has significantly enhanced the games accessibility and global reach, yet it has concurrently escalated the prevalence of cheating, specifically through unauthorized engine assistance. To study the topic of cheating in online chess, we conducted an experiment with 24 Spanish male chess players (Elo 2100-2500) in seven sessions. The players were divided into three different experimental groups: (A) human; (B) human playing autonomously with the help of a chess engine during the whole game; (C) human playing with the restricted help of a chess engine: they could only ask the researcher for help three times (consisting of best move and position evaluation) if they had more than 2 minutes on the clock.

We randomly paired players to play a two-game (changing colours) match of 10+5 (10 minutes with an increment of 5 seconds). None of them knew the identity of the opponent; neither his exact Elo rating; nor the condition of his experimental group. Players used an online platform, using nicknames with pseudonyms provided by the researchers. We recorded the games and conducted private semi-structured interviews with each player right after the match ended. We asked them about their impressions of the two-game match, how they assessed their play and their opponents play, and we specifically asked them about their impression on the possibility that the opponent could have used a chess engine. Besides, we asked players using chess engines (conditions B and C) about their strategies and impressions on how the use of the engine affected their way of playing and the whole interaction during the game. Group B and C players were also subject to questioning on whether they had any type of suspicions regarding their opponents play and the possibility of them also having access to external help.

After the entire round of interviews, we conducted a colloquium with all the participants of the specific session in which we disclosed the experimental conditions of each player. In the colloquium we oriented the conversation towards the broader topic of cheating in chess, both over the board and online.

A qualitative content analysis of the interviews and colloquiums provided findings in two major topics: (1) emergence of suspicions of cheating during the games by every participant; (2) strategies and impressions on engine assistance by those participants in conditions B and C.

This first post deals with the preliminary findings about (1) the emergence of suspicions of cheating during the games.

First, from the subjective impressions of players, we could not say with certainty when cheating was taking place or not. Nonetheless, we could predict (or at least say that it was more likely to emerge) when suspicions of cheating would emerge in the participants, regardless of their personalities. Suspicions of cheating emerged when performative expectations about chess playing were broken. Performative expectations refer to what is considered as normal play for a human player with certain characteristics (i.e., specific Elo rating). Performative expectations were projected depending on different factors: (i) stratification; (ii) interaction; (iii) experimental conditions.

(i) Stratification: this term referred first and foremost to chess hierarchical status expressed in the Elo rating. A specific Elo rating projects an expected playing strength. When the playing strength in the actual performance of the game does not match what is expected for the Elo rating, suspicions are more likely to occur. During the experiment, hierarchical status did not influence much the participants suspicions because they were unaware of the exact Elo rating of the opponent. The possible range (2100-2500) was so broad that it could not project a defined expectancy to be tested against the actual performance of the adversary. Nonetheless, in the colloquium, a mismatch between Elo rating and actual performance appeared frequently in the narratives of suspicions in cheating cases. Also, during the colloquium, participants talked about other qualifying stratification elements (age, gender, and nationality) that altered the performative expectancies bound to the hierarchical status of Elo rating, thus affecting the emergence of suspicions of cheating.

(ii) Interaction: during the actual chess games, participants expected to find normally occurring chess events in relation to questions such as the human-like logic of moves; consistency of playing strength and style; and time management. Such normal appearance of play was disrupted when awkward or incompressible moves appeared; when inconsistency in the opponents play appeared; or when time management of moves was erratic and/or variable. When these non-normal chess events occurred, the suspicion of engine assistance emerged more often.

Other interaction elements, present in over the board games, such as awkward emotional responses (e.g., too nervous, or too calm) were not available in online game. Thus, they did not appear in the interview narratives of the participants, even though they were raised in the colloquium discussion on cheating afterwards.

Even though participants could not make a post-hoc analysis of the games, elements such as a high percentage of precision in chess moves (related to Elo rating) and correlation between the opponent patterns and engine patterns were also raised in the colloquium as clear indexes of suspicion of cheating by engine assistance.

(iii) Experimental conditions: The experiment was presented as a typical psychological experiment that studied common topics (decision making in chess), carried out by university researchers, one of them known to the participants. Performative expectations about what it entailed to participate in scientific experiments implied that all participants took the test under the same conditions, that they were not deceived or harmed. That is why those who were subjects in condition A (human) could not conceive the suspicion of cheating in his adversary; engine assistance would break the expectation that all participants were under the same conditions and that they (humans in condition A) would not be deceived. However, precisely the condition of those who used the engine in conditions B and C projected the expectation that, since all experimental subjects were under the same conditions, everyone could be using chess engines. That explains why subjects using engine in conditions B and C were more suspicious of their human counterparts in condition A than the other way around. In fact, only one subject in condition A suspected about the use of engine of his opponent.

Concluding this first post of preliminary findings from the study, we found that the mere suspicion of cheating (engine assistance) by the opponent was enough to alter the players capacity to engage the game, negatively affecting his performance. Perhaps the most negative impact on the current sensation of extended cheating in online chess (Zaksait, 2020, p. 68), qualified by many participants in the experiment as paranoia, is precisely this: many players are underperforming on their chess play due to the suspicions of cheating.

Zaksait, S. (2020). Cheating in chess: a call for an integrated disciplinary regulation. Kriminologijos studijos, 8, 57-83.

Ral is a lecturer on motor learning and the theory of play at the Sports Science school of the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He is also closely connected to the Embodied Design Research Laboratory (EDRL) of the University of California, Berkeley. His research blends social and cognitive sciences to study skill acquisition from an embodied perspective. His interest in chess deals with the question of distributed cognition and distributed agency between humans and computers. Email: raul.sanchezg@upm.es

Hctor is an honorary fellow of the Department of Business Management and Economics at the University of Len. His research focuses on the digital economy and emerging technologies. He also works full-time at the Spanish National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE), dealing mainly with matters related to international relations and EU initiatives. He is a FIDE Master and plays for Club de Xadrez Fontecarmoa. Email: hlaii@unileon.es

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Cheating in Online Chess (Part 1): Suspicions of Engine Assistance - Chess.com

Introduction:

In the vast landscape of human achievement, few pursuits hold as ancient a lineage or as enduring a fascination as the game of chess. For centuries, it has captivated minds, challenged intellects, and forged strategic mastery in its players. Yet, in recent decades, a new player has entered the arenaone whose moves are not guided by intuition or experience, but by lines of code and computational prowess. This player is artificial intelligence, and its impact on the world's oldest game is nothing short of revolutionary.

Welcome to "The Silicon Gambit: How AI is Reshaping the World's Oldest Game." In this exploration of the intersection between technology and tradition, we embark on a journey through the annals of chess history, guided by the relentless march of progress and the relentless logic of algorithms.

From the earliest chess engines to the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, we'll delve into the ways in which computers have transformed the game of chessfrom the way it's played to the way it's analyzed, studied, and understood. We'll uncover the hidden strategies, the unexpected alliances, and the profound implications of this digital revolution on the timeless pursuit of mastery over the 64 squares.

Join us as we navigate the complexities of "The Silicon Gambit," where human ingenuity meets machine intelligence, and where the age-old battle of wits takes on a new dimension in the digital age. Whether you're a seasoned grandmaster or a curious novice, there's something here for everyonea glimpse into the future of chess and the brave new world that awaits us on the other side of the board.

Prepare to make your move. The game is about to begin.

The Evolution of Chess Engines:

Early Chess Programs: Discuss the origins of computer chess and the development of early chess programs. Highlight notable milestones, such as the creation of programs like Belle and Deep Thought, which paved the way for future advancements in chess AI. Rise of Chess Engines: Explore the emergence of powerful chess engines in the late 20th century, including Fritz, Rybka, and Houdini. Discuss how these engines utilized brute-force calculation and heuristic algorithms to evaluate positions and make decisions. Deep Blue vs. Kasparov: Examine the historic match between IBM's Deep Blue and world champion Garry Kasparov in 1997. Discuss the significance of Deep Blue's victory and its implications for the future of chess and AI. Advancements in AI: Discuss the advent of neural networks and machine learning techniques in chess programming. Highlight how these advancements have led to the development of stronger and more sophisticated chess engines, such as Stockfish and AlphaZero. The Era of AlphaZero: Explore the groundbreaking achievements of AlphaZero, a neural network-based chess engine developed by DeepMind. Discuss AlphaZero's self-learning capabilities and its remarkable performance against traditional chess engines. Impact on Gameplay: Discuss how the rise of powerful chess engines has influenced gameplay at all levels, from casual players to elite grandmasters. Explore how computer analysis has shaped opening theory, middle-game strategies, and endgame techniques. Future Developments: Speculate on the future of chess engines and AI in chess. Discuss potential advancements in hardware and software technology, as well as the broader implications for the game of chess and its players.

Impact on Gameplay:

Opening Theory: Discuss how powerful chess engines have influenced opening theory. Explore how engines have analyzed and refined existing openings, discovered new lines and variations, and challenged established principles in the opening phase of the game. Middle-game Strategies: Examine the impact of chess engines on middle-game strategies. Discuss how engines have provided players with new insights into positional play, tactical motifs, and long-term planning, allowing them to navigate complex positions with greater precision. Endgame Techniques: Explore how chess engines have revolutionized endgame techniques. Discuss how engines have helped players understand and execute intricate endgame maneuvers, optimize pawn structures, and capitalize on subtle advantages to secure victory. Computer-Assisted Preparation: Discuss the rise of computer-assisted preparation in modern chess. Explore how players use chess engines to analyze opponents' games, identify weaknesses, and prepare specific lines and strategies for upcoming matches. Tactical Training: Examine how chess engines are used for tactical training and improvement. Discuss how players solve tactical puzzles, analyze their own games, and learn from engine-generated evaluations to sharpen their tactical skills and pattern recognition. The Human-Computer Dynamic: Reflect on the complex relationship between humans and chess engines. Discuss how players balance the use of engines as tools for analysis and learning with the cultivation of their own intuition, creativity, and understanding of the game. Adapting to Engine Recommendations: Explore how players adapt to engine recommendations during games. Discuss the challenges of integrating engine-generated analysis into practical decision-making, including when to trust or deviate from engine suggestions.

Accessibility and Education:

Online Platforms and Mobile Apps: Discuss how technology has made chess more accessible to a global audience through online platforms and mobile apps. Explore popular chess websites and applications that offer tutorials, puzzles, live games, and community features for players of all skill levels. Digital Resources and Databases: Examine the wealth of digital resources and databases available to chess players, including game databases, opening books, endgame tables, and training materials. Discuss how these resources have facilitated learning, analysis, and preparation for players around the world. Remote Learning and Coaching: Explore how technology has enabled remote learning and coaching in chess. Discuss the rise of online chess lessons, webinars, and coaching services, allowing players to receive personalized instruction and feedback from experienced coaches regardless of their geographical location. Chess Software and Analysis Tools: Discuss the role of chess software and analysis tools in education and improvement. Highlight how players use software like ChessBase, Fritz, and Lichess to analyze games, study openings, and practice against computer opponents to enhance their skills. Chess in Education: Examine the use of chess as an educational tool in schools and communities. Discuss how technology has facilitated the integration of chess into curricula, extracurricular programs, and outreach initiatives, promoting cognitive development, critical thinking, and social skills among students. Global Connectivity and Competition: Highlight the role of technology in connecting chess players from around the world and facilitating global competition. Discuss online tournaments, leagues, and rating systems that allow players to compete against opponents of similar skill levels regardless of geographic barriers. The Democratization of Chess: Reflect on how technology has democratized access to chess knowledge, resources, and opportunities. Discuss how players from diverse backgrounds and regions can now engage with the game and pursue their passion for chess on equal footing.

The Human-Machine Dynamic:

Centaur Chess: Explore the concept of "centaur chess," where human players collaborate with computer engines to enhance their performance. Discuss how players use computers as tools for analysis and evaluation while leveraging their own intuition, creativity, and understanding of the game to make decisions. Human Creativity vs. Computer Calculation: Reflect on the ongoing debate between human creativity and computer calculation in chess. Discuss the strengths and limitations of both human and computer players, as well as the unique qualities that each brings to the game. The Role of Intuition and Experience: Examine the importance of intuition and experience in human decision-making in chess. Discuss how human players draw upon their knowledge, pattern recognition, and emotional intelligence to navigate complex positions and make strategic decisions. The Limits of Artificial Intelligence: Discuss the current limitations of artificial intelligence in chess and areas where human players still excel. Explore the challenges of programming computers to understand abstract concepts, evaluate dynamic positions, and adapt to changing circumstances in real-time. Ethical Considerations: Raise ethical considerations surrounding the use of computer assistance in chess, including concerns about fairness, transparency, and the integrity of the game. Discuss how regulatory bodies and organizations address issues related to engine assistance and computer-generated analysis in official competitions. The Future of Human-Computer Interaction: Speculate on the future of human-computer interaction in chess. Discuss potential developments in AI technology, including advances in machine learning, neural networks, and human-computer interfaces, and their implications for the game of chess.

Ethical and Philosophical Considerations:

Fairness and Integrity: Discuss the ethical implications of using computer assistance in chess, particularly in competitive settings. Explore concerns about fairness, transparency, and the potential impact on the integrity of the game. Consider how regulations and guidelines are established to maintain a balance between human and computer involvement in chess competitions. The Role of Creativity: Reflect on the role of human creativity in chess and its significance in the face of advancing AI technology. Discuss how human players' creativity, intuition, and emotional intelligence contribute to the richness and depth of the game, even in the presence of powerful chess engines. The Nature of Intelligence: Explore philosophical questions surrounding the nature of intelligence and its manifestation in human and artificial beings. Discuss how AI's ability to calculate and analyze chess positions differs from human intelligence's capacity for intuition, creativity, and understanding. Human-Centered Design: Consider approaches to AI development that prioritize human-centered design principles and ethical considerations. Discuss how AI technologies can be designed to augment human capabilities, foster collaboration, and promote responsible and ethical use in chess and beyond. Socioeconomic Implications: Reflect on the socioeconomic implications of AI integration in chess and other domains. Discuss how access to advanced AI technologies may exacerbate existing inequalities in chess and society at large, and explore strategies for promoting equitable access and participation. The Quest for Understanding: Emphasize the importance of ongoing dialogue and reflection on the ethical and philosophical dimensions of AI integration in chess. Encourage players, developers, and stakeholders to consider the broader implications of their actions and decisions in shaping the future of the game.

Looking Ahead:

Advancements in AI Algorithms: Speculate on potential advancements in AI algorithms and technologies and their implications for the future of chess. Discuss how machine learning, neural networks, and other AI techniques may continue to evolve, leading to even stronger and more sophisticated chess engines. Augmented Reality Interfaces: Consider the possibilities of augmented reality (AR) interfaces for chess. Discuss how AR technologies could enhance the playing experience, allowing players to visualize the board in three dimensions, analyze positions in real-time, and interact with virtual opponents in immersive environments. Human-Computer Collaboration: Reflect on the potential for deeper collaboration between humans and computers in chess. Discuss how future developments may blur the lines between human and computer play, leading to new forms of partnership and interaction in the pursuit of chess mastery. New Formats and Variants: Explore the potential for the emergence of new formats and variants of chess enabled by technology. Discuss how online platforms and digital tools may facilitate the development and popularization of innovative chess variants, catering to diverse preferences and playstyles. Impact on Chess Culture: Reflect on the broader cultural and societal impact of technology on the game of chess. Discuss how AI integration may influence the way chess is played, studied, and appreciated by future generations, as well as its implications for the preservation of traditional values and practices in the chess community. Broader Societal Implications: Consider the broader societal implications of AI integration in chess and other domains. Discuss how advancements in AI technology may intersect with issues such as privacy, security, and ethical governance, and explore strategies for promoting responsible and equitable development and deployment of AI. The Enduring Appeal of Chess: Despite the rapid pace of technological change, reflect on the enduring appeal of chess as a timeless game of skill, strategy, and intellect. Emphasize the importance of preserving the essence of the game while embracing the opportunities and challenges presented by technology.

Conclusion:

As we conclude our exploration of "Chess and Technology: The Impact of AI and Computers," we find ourselves at the intersection of tradition and innovation, where the timeless game of chess meets the cutting-edge advancements of artificial intelligence and computing technology.

Throughout our journey, we've witnessed the profound impact that AI and computers have had on every aspect of the game, from gameplay and analysis to accessibility and education. We've seen how powerful chess engines have revolutionized opening theory, middle-game strategies, and endgame techniques, providing players with new insights and opportunities for improvement.

We've also reflected on the evolving dynamics between humans and computers in chess, exploring questions of fairness, creativity, and the nature of intelligence. While AI continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in the game, we're reminded of the enduring value of human intuition, experience, and ingenuity in the face of technological advancement.

Looking ahead, we see a future where chess and technology continue to evolve hand in hand, opening up new possibilities for collaboration, innovation, and exploration. As AI algorithms become more sophisticated and technology more pervasive, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to uphold the integrity of the game and ensure that it remains accessible, inclusive, and equitable for all.

In the end, whether we're facing off against a computer opponent or sitting across the board from a fellow human player, the essence of chess remains unchangeda timeless test of skill, strategy, and intellect that transcends the bounds of time and technology.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the world of "Chess and Technology." May your future moves be bold, your strategies cunning, and your love for the game unwavering.

Checkmate,

Harsharaj Sarma

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The Silicon Gambit: How AI is Reshaping the World's Oldest Game - Chess.com

The recent FIDE World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, just confirmed what many have long predicted: India, the country with the longest history with our noble game, may also be the country with the brightest future.

In a result that caused a sensation in the ancient homeland of chess, four young Indian grandmasters were among the eight quarterfinalists at the elite 206-player open knockout tournament, with rising 18-year-old superstar GM Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa losing in the hard-fought finals to former world champ Magnus Carlsen. Pragg with the result booked a berth in the upcoming FIDE Candidates tournament to pick the next challenger to reigning world champ Ding Liren of China.

India, after a few centuries adjusting to the modern, European version of the game, already has produced one world champion in the great Viswanathan Anand, who at 53 is still the ninth-ranked player in the world. And GM Humpy Koneru at 36 is the fourth-highest-rated female player on the planet. Thanks in part to the craze inspired by Anands success, India also boasts one of the worlds most active chess scenes and enjoys considerable commercial support for promising players.

The result: the deepest bench and richest chess farm system of perhaps any country in the world.

Even at his tender age, the Chennai-born Praggnanandhaa has been a player to watch for years an international master at 10, a grandmaster at 12 and already the 19th-highest-rated player on the late FIDE global list. He defeated another former world champ, Bulgarias Veselin Topalov, with a sparkling attack against the great attacker at the annual Gibraltar Masters tournament in 2020 just before COVID-19 shut down international play.

In a Classical French after 13. Bf2 Ba6 14. Bxa6 Nxa6, Black manages to rid himself of his problem bishop but gives Pragg the opportunity to immediately commence an attack on the kingside.

After 21. Qxf2 Qd7 22. Qh4 Qd8, Black is clearly trying to trade down to ease the pressure, but White has other ideas: 23. Nf6+! gxf6 (Kh8?? 24. Qxh7 mate is a hard no here) 24. Rad1! (simple and deadly; the rook lift 24. Re3? [also bad would be 24. exf6? Qd4+ 25. Qxd4 Nxd4 and Black wins] is tempting, but Black holds on 23fxe5 25. Rg3+ Kh8 26. Qh6 Qd4+ 27. Kf1 Qxa1+ 28. Kf2 Qd4+), and Topalov must give up his queen as 24Qc7 25. exf6 Kh8 26. Rd3 is now decisive.

Black gets a rook and knight for his queen, but Whites attack is by no means spent. Another piece falls after 28. Rf1 f4 29. g4! Rd3 30. gxh5 Rg3+ 31. Kf2 Nxh4 32. Qxh4 Rxc4 33. Re1, and Black decides to pack it in.

GM Dommaraju Gukesh, 17, another of Bakus Indian quarterfinalists, is, like Pragg, a Chennai native and insanely talented. His win over veteran Armenian GM Gabriel Sargissian from last years 44th Olympiad, held in Chennai, channels Pragg-Topalov in striking ways: a kingside assault and a timely minor piece sacrifice result in White getting a queen for a rook and minor piece and a winning edge.

Out of a QGD Ragozin, the kings castle on opposite wings and Gukesh has a half-open g-file for his major pieces to exploit. Black rightly seeks queenside counterplay but cant shake Whites single-minded focus on checkmate on the other wing: 19. Rg5 Ba6 20. Rdg1 g6 (always a scary move in these positions, but 20Bxe2?? 21. Rxg7+ Kh8 22. Qxh7 mate was not an option) 21. Bxa6 Rxa6 22. f5 Ba7?! (few humans would even consider it, but the engines like 22Rc6!?, with the idea of defending after 23. Kb1 Qe8 24. Qe4 Be7) 23. e6!? (stronger was 23. Kb1 right away, in lines like 23Rd8 24. e6 Rad6 25. fxg6 fxg6 26. Rxg6+ hxg6 27. Rxg6+ Kh8 28. Qe4!, and if 28Rxd2, White wins with 29. Qe5+ Kh7 30. Qh5 mate) Kh8? (missing a last chance to defend with 23fxe6 24. fxg6 h6! 25. g7 hxg5 26. gxf8=Q+ Kxf8 27. h4 Qd7, and Black is still fighting) 24. Kb1 gxf5 (see diagram), and White just needs one tempo to break through.

Gukesh finds it with 25. Bxb4! Qxb4 26. Qg2 (the lineup of the big guns on the g-file proves too powerful) Qe4+ (Qb8 27. Rg7 Rxe6 28. Rxh7+! Kxh7 29. Qg7 mate) 27. Qe4 fxe4 28. e7! Re8 29. Rg8+!, and White cant be stopped from getting a new queen.

Any hopes Blacks bishop and rook can set up a fortress disappear after 33. Qg5+ Rg6 34. Qxa5, and the White a-pawn will run free even if the position locks up. Things conclude more quickly after 40. Qxe4+ Kf8 41. Qb4+, as 41Kg7 (Ke8 42. Qb5+ also picks off the rook) 42. Qg4+ is curtains.

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Looks like Beth Harmon has really and truly played her last imaginary game on the ceiling.

Despite social media rumors (and some wishful thinking to the contrary), Netflix officials are saying there will not be a second season of the phenomenally popular The Queens Gambit series, and no reprise of actress Anya Taylor-Joy as chess prodigy Beth Harmon. With Garry Kasparov among the shows technical advisers, the series brought a new level of realism and sophistication to the actual chess played by the actors.

Netflix shot down similar rumors last fall and was at it again last week, telling Chess.com in a statement, There will not be a continuation of the series.

On a happier note, Beth can retire knowing her last game will forever be her upset win over world champion Vasily Borgov.

(Click on the image above for a larger view of the chessboard.)

Praggnanandhaa-Topalov, Gibraltar Masters, La Caleta, Gibraltar, January 2020

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Be7 7. Be3 b6 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O cxd4 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Nb8 13. Bf2 Ba6 14. Bxa6 Nxa6 15. f5 exf5 16. Nxd5 Nb4 17. c4 Rc8 18. a3 Nc6 19. Rfe1 Bc5 20. b4 Bxf2+ 21. Qxf2 Qd7 22. Qh4 Qd8 23. Nf6+ gxf6 24. Rad1 Nxe5 25. Rxd8 Rfxd8 26. Qxf6 Ng6 27. h4 h5 28. Rf1 f4 29. g4 Rd3 30. gxh5 Rg3+ 31. Kf2 Nxh4 32. Qxh4 Rxc4 33. Re1 Black resigns.

Gukesh-Sargissian, 44th Olympiad, Chennai, China, August 2022

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. e3 O-O 7. Bd2 dxc4 8. Bxc4 Bd6 9. Qc2 e5 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Be2 Nxf3+ 12. gxf3 a6 13. O-O-O b5 14. Rhg1 b4 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. fxe4 Qe7 17. f4 a5 18. e5 Bc5 19. Rg5 Ba6 20. Rdg1 g6 21. Bxa6 Rxa6 22. f5 Ba7 23. e6 Kh8 24. Kb1 gxf5 25. Bxb4 Qxb4 26. Qg2 Qe4+ 27. Qxe4 fxe4 28. e7 Re8 29. Rg8+ Rxg8 30. Rxg8+ Kxg8 31. e8=Q+ Kg7 32. Qe5+ Rf6 33. Qg5+ Rg6 34. Qxa5 Rg1+ 35. Kc2 Rg2+ 36. Kb3 Bb6 37. Qe5+ Kf8 38. Qh8+ Ke7 39. Qxh7 Re2 40. Qxe4+ Kf8 41. Qb4+ Black resigns.

David R. Sands can be reached at 202/636-3178 or by email at dsands@washingtontimes.com.

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Stars of the future shine in chess's ancestral homeland - Washington Times

Since its release in 1998, Cowboy Bebop has become one of the most influential and popular anime series of all time. Bringing together the Western and space opera genres, alongside dozens of others, the series has become one of the biggest hits in the medium, helping define and legitimize anime for a wider, international audience. The adventures of Spike Spiegel, Faye Valentine, Jet Black, Edward, and Ein are some of the most memorable in the medium, and with the English dubs 25th anniversary quickly approaching and Shinichiro's new anime on the horizon, now is the perfect time to examine this unmatched epic.

With 26 episodes (or sessions, using the show's terminology), picking the best of the best is a tall task. Cowboy Bebop bridged genres with style, bouncing from space western to neo-noir thriller to horror, cyberpunk, and comedy, sometimes all in the same episode. This subversion and melding of genres allowed for unique and varied storylines, as well as the introduction of dozens of fan-favorite characters. The following fifteen highlight the best the series has to offer, each with excellent world-building, powerful plots, and incredible characters. So prep your engines and get ready to blast off into this gritty, vast galaxy. See you, Space Cowboy.

On the hunt for a new bounty, the dragon-tattooed Decker, and the crew of the Bebop split up to track the target down. At a bar, Spike meets VT, a cargo hauler with a particular disdain toward bounty hunters, but after Faye loses Decker at a children's restaurant, VT agrees to help them catch the man. The problem, of course, is that Decker flees into an asteroid mine, sending the trio on a wild chase through narrow passages. On the way, VT's past and her hatred of bounty hunters become painfully clear.

"Heavy Metal Queen" makes this list not because of its memorable plot. In fact, other than the chase through the asteroid, there isn't anything particularly unique about this plot. It's a by-the-numbers bounty hunting narrative. However, Session 7 showcases what Cowboy Bebop does best. It introduces a new character, and in the course of about 20 minutes, it makes you fall in love with them. We know so very little about VT, but her inclusion makes the episode. Her personality, the mystery surrounding her past, all of it just makes this episode stand out in the best possible way.

Needing to find cash for a grocery run, the crew of the Bebop takes a new bounty for a man named Giraffe. Once they track him down to a hotel, though, they discover a much deeper conspiracy. Giraffe is killed by a sniper bullet, and in his final moments, he gives Spike a cryptic warning: don't be fooled by how he looks. They soon discover that Giraffe didn't work alone, and they begin the hunt for his partner, Zebra. What follows is a bizarre, high-science fiction exploration of the world of Cowboy Bebop, with an ageless child and the consequences of human experimentation.

"Sympathy for the Devil" delves into the world-building of Cowboy Bebop in a way only seen in a handful of episodes. The creators of the show left a lot of details ambiguous. Spike, Jet, and Faye are living parts of this vibrant galaxy, so they aren't stopping every episode to ask the bigger questions about how their world came to be. This episode gets to dive into a part of the series only hinted at before, namely the construction and destruction of one of the astral gates and the subsequent tragedy it caused. It adds a dark, weird science element to the plot, which helps shake the grounded reality of the majority of the series.

Just after her introduction in Session 3, "Honky Tonk Woman," Faye Valentine makes her explosive return, only this time she's on Spike and Jet's side. After capturing the known eco-terrorist and Space Warriors gang leader Twinkle Maria Murdoch, the crew of the Bebop is faced with a dilemma. The Space Warriors have threatened to release a powerful biological weapon against the planet Ganymede if Murdoch isn't released. However, despite complying with their demands, the terrorists fire the missiles anyway, provoking a race against the clock for Spike and Faye.

While Faye made her debut in the prior episode, this is the episode that cemented her as a member of the crew (albeit begrudgingly). Her character added a ton of personality to the ship, as well as plenty of drama and conflict with the other bounty hunters. More than that, though, this episode played some more with the science fiction setting, exploring things like powerful mutagens, space terrorists and the nature of the spacegates. It really helped set the precedent for the weird, wacky, yet still serious adventures on the horizon, as well as the endless possibilities of this universe.

Related: Why Netflix Shouldnt Give Up on Live-Action Anime

After collecting the bounty on three ship hijackers, the crew of the Bebop lands on Venus. Here, Spike meets and briefly mentors a young man named Rocco, who is carrying a mysterious, wrapped package. However, a group of gang members chases Rocco down, and Spike discovers that the package contains a stolen plant, one that is incredibly rare and valuable for its medicinal properties. With it, the rare disease known as Venus Sickness can be cured. Rocco stole it from the gang to sell it and fund a surgery to restore his sister's site. Spike decides to find and save the young man.

Rocco's story in "Waltz for Venus" is short, but it fully highlights the show's incredible plotting and characterization. His story is tragic, even if the character is goofy and exaggerated from his first moment on screen, and the viewer becomes immediately invested in his mission. Some of the best episodes of this series explore the impact of crime on this galaxy, and this is a great example of that. Also, the chance to explore another planet is fascinating, even if our time and experience with the place are extremely limited. Venus is a showcase of Cowboy Bebop's incredible design sensibilities.

After stumbling upon a murder in a back alley, Spike ends up with a target on his back. The killer, a bizarre man in a clown getup, is seemingly unkillable and unstoppable in his pursuit of the bounty hunter. After nearly dying at Mad Pierrot's hands, they discover the man is the result of cruel government experiments to create the ultimate assassin, experiments which drove the already unhinged man completely insane. Despite the danger involved, Spike is lured to an abandoned theme park for his final confrontation with the deranged assassin, even if it means his death.

"Pierrot Le Fou" is one of the best examples of how Cowboy Bebop plays with genre. While it still fits into the grander universe of the Space Western, this episode introduces elements of the horror and thriller, with Mad Pierrot taking the place of other unstoppable killers like Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers. With chaotic action and an incredible villain, this episode has become one of the most recognizable in the entire series. While Mad Pierrot never makes another appearance in the series, his role in the episode adds a unique flair of darkness and insanity to the show.

As the Bebop lands on the planet Ganymede, Jet seems out of sorts. Given that it was his last posting with the Inter Solar System Police, the planet holds a lot of memories for the older man. Jet takes the opportunity to visit his ex-girlfriend, Alissa, at her bar, and he discovers that she will be closing the bar and leaving with her new boyfriend, Rhint. After their meeting, Jet discovers that Rhint has a bounty on his head and tells Spike that he will handle it. After all, he was the type of cop to never stop until the case was closed.

Of the members of the Bebop, Jet Black receives the least amount of time on the screen. As the ship's pilot and the oldest member of the crew, he has a lot of memorable moments throughout the series, but overall, we don't often get to explore his character or his past. This means that any episode centered around this crucial character immediately grab a viewer's attention. While "Ganymede Elegy" doesn't do anything particularly unique or interesting with its plot, the emotional context that it gives to Jet helps cement it as one of the all-time best episodes in Cowboy Bebop.

With the Bebop suffering from some technical issues, Jet agrees to hear out an old friend about a possible target. Apparently, a group of convicts has taken over an ISSP prison ship, killing all the guards and flying it through the Ganymede Gate. After learning that the mutiny was led by Udai Taxim, the Red Ragon Syndicate assassin that took Jet's arm back when he was a cop, Jet turns the job down, but with his past hanging over his head, he agrees to help Fad out. However, Fad knows far more than he is letting on, and the secrets behind Jet's past will come crawling out of the shadows.

Following on the heels of the last entry, "Black Dog Serenade" is another great Jet focused episode, but it wins out over the last for its more compelling plot. The action sequences are incredible, especially the dog fight near its end, and the deeper exploration of Jet's time as a cop is incredible. One of the most interesting elements of crime stories are the good cops in a sea of corruption, and Jet represented that in this episode. This episode was another great opportunity for viewers to better understand this retired cop, as well as the world he used to live in.

A new cult has sprung up in the solar system known as SCRATCH. Their goal is to digitize the soul, copying the consciousness and transforming it into pure electrons. Their leader, Dr. Londes, has drawn the attention of ISSP, and with a massive bounty on his head, Faye has gone undercover in his organization. However, Londes has seen through the bounty hunter's act, trapping her on the planet. The rest of the Bebop crew must track her and Londes down, splitting up to tackle different leads. However, what Jet and Edward discover about the cult leader goes beyond anything they'd ever expected.

"Brain Scratch" is one of the few episodes of the series that fully delves into the cyberpunk genre, exploring the border between humanity and technology. It feels like a truly natural progression for this futuristic society, with the cult representing a unique twist on transhumanist philosophy. While it feels a little out of place in the grand scheme of the Cowboy Bebop universe, the philosophical debate at the core of this episode is fascinating, and the overall investigation into SCRATCH and Londes takes some truly unexpected turns.

The Red Dragon crime syndicate has a new leader. Vicious has taken over the gang after brutally killing its former leadership. After learning about the massacre, Spike becomes embroiled in the search for Vicious. Unbeknownst to his fellow crew members, Spike was a member of the Red Dragons and has a complicated history with their new leader. However, the stakes are raised when Faye is captured by the Red Dragons after attempting to collect the bounty on one of their former leaders. With a debt to pay, Spike and Vicious meet at an old cathedral for one of the most iconic fights in all of anime.

"Ballad of Fallen Angels" introduces the main throughline for the entire Cowboy Bebop series, and for that reason, it is an incredibly important episode. Vicious' appearance in the series is brutal, befitting his name in every way, and the enmity between him and Spike is one of the most interesting dynamics in the entire show. While many of the reasons behind this dynamic remain a mystery when the final credits roll, the impact of this episode can't be matched. The fight scene at the end is incredibly iconic, and the brief glimpses into Spike's past leave the viewer hooked.

After receiving a cryptic message from an old associate, Jet arrives on Mars only to find that his friend, Pao Pu-Zi has seemingly died. While standing at his tombstone, Jet meets Pao's daughter Meifa just before a pair of Blue Snake syndicate assassins try to kill them both. Meifa believes that her father is still alive after the hyperspace anomaly that caused his disappearance. Using the message Jet received as well as Meifa's knowledge of Feng Shui, the pair undertake a dangerous mission to track down the missing man.

Surprise, surprise, it's another Jet Black-focused episode. Really, though, the few glimpses into Jet's past that we get are such stark changes of pace for the series. Outside of the three episodes featured on this list, Jet is largely a mystery in the grand scheme of the series, which is a shame because he is such an intriguing character. This episode combines a lot of the best elements of this series. There is a criminal underworld throughline mixed with the weird science of previous episodes, all brought together by the emotional threads of Jet's past and his relationship with Meifa and Pao.

While Jet is off trying to afford food for the crew by collecting the bounty of a womanizing con man, Faye tells her origin story to Ein. Centuries before, Faye was cryogenically frozen after a traumatic accident in hopes that when she awoke, they would be able to heal her. Awakening in the 27th century, she discovers that she has a $300,000,000 Wulong debt to the hospital, but a lawyer named Whitney Haggis Matsumoto has agreed to help her. However, nothing is as it seems in the world of Cowboy Bebop, and Faye's story may just connect to Jet's present target.

Faye Valentine is a cornerstone of much of Cowboy Bebop's humor and drama. For the entire season, viewers had wondered at the source of her massive debt, and "My Funny Valentine" explains it all in heartbreaking detail. It's a surprisingly grounded and emotional story, relying on the drastic contrasts between past and present Faye to help us understand the depth of her trauma. While we spend a great deal more time with Faye's character than Jet's, these emotional glimpses into their motivations and histories are some of the greatest moments in the series.

Related: 10 Anime Story Flashbacks That Made the TV Show More Interesting

A crew has pulled off a massive heist by hacking into the tollbooths of an Astral Gate, stealing money from the passing vehicles. Despite capturing the bandits, the crew of the Bebop cannot collect the bounty without their leader. With only a series of chess pieces as clues, Edward begins a game of chess with a mysterious man named Chessmaster Hex, whom the crew discovers is actually the mastermind behind the plot. Using Ed's game, they track the 98-year-old genius to a spaceship graveyard in empty space, but what they find there will surprise them all.

Second only to Jet in terms of screentime, Edward is one of the most interesting characters on the Bebop. While "Bohemian Rhapsody" isn't solely her episode, a great deal of it focuses on her and her drive to defeating the Chessmaster Hex. The story is an intricately plotted mystery with plenty of thrilling twists and turns, with one of the most unexpected endings in the entire series. While we still leave the episode with more questions than answers about Ed, the chance to explore her character was a hilarious glimpse into the young, eccentric genius.

Bounty hunters Spike Spiegel and Jet Black are in pursuit of a bounty on the Tijuana asteroid colony. Their target is Asimov Solensan, a crime syndicate member on the run after the murders of several of his allies. Nicknamed the "Red-Eyed Coyote," Asimov is in the possession of a potent combat enhancement drug called Bloody-Eye. Along with his girlfriend, Katerina, Asimov has landed in Tijuana in hopes of pawning the drug and making some quick cash. With the syndicate and the police on Asimov's tail, Spike and Jet have their work cut out for them if they hope to bring the criminal in alive.

The episode that started it all, "Asteroid Blues" had to be on this list. It brilliantly introduced every aspect of the show, from its Space Western genre to the blend of serious and comedic storytelling. While the series only improved from here, this episode needs to be mentioned for inviting viewers into one of the most complex and interesting series in anime. The exciting plot and gangland storytelling are some of the best in the medium. Most anime have a "three-episode rule," but if you aren't hooked on Cowboy Bebop from this first episode, then the series just isn't for you.

Faye disappears from the Bebop, fleeing with the crew's accrued income. However, while Jet is intent on tracking her down, Spike is more concerned with news from his past. Julia, his former girlfriend, has seemingly reappeared on Callisto. Parting ways, Spike learns that Vicious has arrived on the planet in hopes of carrying out a deal for the Bloody-Eye drug, while Jet tracks down leads about Faye's whereabouts. Meanwhile, Faye has her hands full with a mysterious saxophonist that she meets in a bar, one with a vendetta of their own.

These final two entries are a bit of a cheat, given that they both contain two episodes each. However, given the episodic, bounty-of-the-week structure of the series, continued storylines between episodes are a rare occurrence. "Jupiter Jazz" is an incredible example of Cowboy Bebop's raw, emotional storytelling, delving deep into the intensity and seriousness of this world. While it doesn't quite reach the top spot, the episode manages to explore the brutality of this world while also digging more deeply into the enmity between Spike and Vicious.

A power struggle has erupted within the Red Dragon syndicate. After his failed coup, Vicious' former allies are all being killed by Red Dragon assassins. Given his connection to Vicious, Spike is hunted down by the Red Dragons, only to be saved by Shin, a former associate. After receiving a message from Julia, Spike renews his search for his past love. However, fate is cruel, and after Vicious escapes his execution and wrests control of the syndicate away from its leaders, Spike is forced to do battle with his former friend and ally in the climactic episodes of the series.

Of course, the final two episodes of Cowboy Bebop had to be on this list. The cornerstone of these episodes is Vicious and Spike's rivalry, their galaxy-spanning hatred for each other. Full of intense gun fights, deeply emotional storytelling, and an intimate look at Spike's past, "The Real Folk Blues" episodes are two of the best, not only in the series, but in anime as a whole. Everything in the series led up to this moment, and nearly every storyline reached a compelling conclusion. While there are some unexplored aspects of the narrative, Spike's story reaches its fitting end in truly explosive fashion.

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The 15 Best Episodes of Cowboy Bebop - MovieWeb

For over three decades, the title of India's No.1 chess player belonged to Viswanathan Anand, the country's first Grandmaster. But come September, that tag will pass to the 17-year-old D Gukesh. Although remarkable, Anand making way for his protege does not signify a change merely at the top of Indian chess. It marks a transformation that runs deep and is taking the chess world by storm. Consider this: There are four Indian juniors in the World Open top 50. Gukesh is at No.8 (live rating of 2758.4), No.23 is R Praggnanandhaa (2720.8), Arjun Erigaisi (2712) is at No.30 and Nihal Sarin at No.42 (2694.2). Along with Raunak Sadhwani, Leon Luke Mendonca and Aaditya Dhingra, there are seven Indians among the world's top 20 juniors. Clearly, these juniors are rearranging the board. It wasn't too long back when Indians would shine at the World Youth Chess Championship (Under-18 and lower age groups) only to turn in a lacklustre performance at the World Junior Chess Championship (U20). Despite most of the top U20 players giving the juniors a miss, Indians would fail to dominate even the second-string field. But cut to the post-pandemic world and India's chess juniors are now dominating the senior sections. The question marks regarding their progress have turned into an exclamation mark. So, what changed? At first glance, two things stand out: the Covid-19 pandemic, and Anand's foray into mentorship. Covid, Anands mentorship & tech all helped chess stars vie with worlds best Add to that chess engines and software that enable youngsters to train at the same level as the games stalwarts and you have a situation where the Gukeshes and Praggnanandhaas are challenging those at the top of the chess pile. Indeed, Gukesh opted not to play the juniors last year he was 16 because he had already reached the next level. A young and fearless India B team led by him stole a march over India A by winning the team Olympiad bronze at home last year. GM Vishnu Prasanna, Gukeshs coach, agrees that online chess during the pandemics peak ensured that the chess worlds elite rubbed shoulders with the secondand third-rung players. The online and shorter time control of the game has also brought speed and reflexes into play, which are to youngsters advantage.

This opportunity was extremely rare. It was almost non-existent earlier, Vishnu said. The high frequency of online events and the exposure of playing against stalwarts of the game made youngsters a lot more confident and ready for the next leap. In fact, none of the top Indian youngsters were in the top 100 before the pandemic. According to Prasanna, the timing of Westbridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA), too, was perfect as the Indian teens got top-notch GM coaching, funding and mentoring that enabled them to capitalise on the transformations that were being wrought.

Anands involvement identifying players for high-level training and not giving them cash has made a big difference. The efforts are paying off already and Gukesh is set to overtake Anand on September 1 in the ratings list. Anand is a multiple-time world champion and set the bar really high for those who followed him in India. Though that might have seemed unfair at times in the past the new generation is blazing its own trail.

If Anand was the first and only Indian so far to qualify for the Candidates cycle back in 1991 that is meant to find challengers to the reigning world champion, there is a freshly-minted contender in Praggnanandhaa in the same league after more than three decades. And, indeed, there may be more. Thats because Gukesh, on rating strength and other qualifying paths before January 2024, can sneak in as well into the Candidates race.

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17-year-old Grandmaster D Gukesh sprints his way into the world's top-10 Chess players

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Charge of the knight brigade: Indian teens storm global chess - IndiaTimes

The key point to realize is that there is no magic bullet to solve this, and if your miss was due to an outside distraction such as a dog was barking (solution: earplugs), this article won't help you one bit. Still, let's assume none of those things, and that the shot you missed was absolutely within your ability to see, find and play.

In tactics there are usually three kinds of misses:

All three of these can and will happen to even the best players in the world, but the third is the one that can leave the most bitter taste in one's mouth. If you simply failed to even guess there was a shot to be had, you will shake your head, mumble and grumble a bit, and shrug it off. 40 years ago it might have felt rarer, but with today's super engines, we know it is a regular occurrence especially in complex positions.

The second is a bit more frustrating as you felt you had it, but somehow some aspect of it eluded your ability to solve it to the end. Some baffling key move, or an unusually complicated continuation. Again, engines are merciless in revealing these to us, but they also enrich our play and imagination with these fascinating sequences. I have heard the words "I saw it, but couldn't make it work" from the elite more than once.

The third is a bit more complicated because it is a bit of a mix of 1) and 2). We are all victim to them, but here is a position in which it almost happened, except a key question saved the day. That key question might save yours too.

As soon as my opponent played this knight move, the intention was clear: force my knight of e5 and prevent further use of that square. However, an equally obvious question revealsitself now: what about 13. Nxf7?

At first view, it seems pretty pointless: sure if 13. Nxf7 Kxf7?? 14. Ng5+ will win the rook, but if Black refuses to be so cooperative and instead plays 13... Rxe1+ 14. Qxe1 Kxf7, what then?

Sure, we have a check with 15. Ng5+ Kg8, but there endeth the party. 16. Qe6+ is prevented by the knight on f8, and 16. Qe8 accomplishes nothing after 16... Nf6attacking the queen and protecting f7.

This sort of situation is something we all face, and quite a lot: a glance at the many ideas, some running into a brick wall and we are forced to drop them and move on. Except.... this is not one of them.

The key is in that mental note, "16. Qe6+ is prevented by the knight on f8". There is a knight protecting the square, sure, but without itthe note would be "Qe6 wins with mate". In tactics, one of the classic motifs is the diversion or decoy in whicha piece prevents our winning blow. Tothat end, and we train ourselves to ask the question"how can I remove thepiece or move that is preventing mywin?"

This is easy enough when faced with puzzles we know have a winning solution, but it is easy to forget this sort of question in the throes of an actual game. However, if we ask this question here, suddenly new possibilities beg to be looked at.

There is no way to attack the knight on f8, so that leaves only one possible move: 16. Bxh7+?! No, no exclamation points until we know if it is any good. It might just lose another piece for no good reason after all, so for now we are just looking. Hmmm.... Ok, so on the plus side, if 16. Bxh7+ Nxh7 then 17. Qe6+ is not only possible, it mates!

So that is one promising revelation, but what about 16. Bxh7+ Kh8? Will this refute it alland leave usshaking our heads in disappointment? These things happen all the time, and when theydo, be ready to move on. But not this time! Our queen on e1 (this is still all in our mind's eye) now has the new possibility of 17. Qh4! And yes, this is really looking strong.

In reality, I was in an online blitz game and stopped my calculations here, happy with the position and after seeing Qh4 and the powerful discovered checks it promised, I made a snap decision to play it as a result. If all went bad, I would most likely still have a repetition in there.

Were this a slower game I would have spent time working out the full line before suffering a chess form of buyer's remorse ("Why didn't I spend a bit more time calculating it properly?").

Truthfully, I almost gave up on the line after 13. Ng5+ as above, but the position nagged at me, and it was when I asked myself the question "is there any way to deal with that Nf8?" that everything clicked into place. Hopefully, you too will find yourself able to ask that question and reach a solution that had seemed to be absentat first.

Middlegame Secrets Vol.1 + Vol.2

Let us learn together how to find the best spot for the queen in the early middlegame, how to navigate this piece around the board, how to time the queen attack, how to decide whether to exchange it or not, and much more!

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Knowing when to insist - ChessBase

A heartbroken Vidit Gujrathi shared the following message on Twitter after being knocked out of the FIDE World Cup by Nijat Abasov:

Was probably one win away from Candidates. Proud of playing some good games and reaching QF of World Cup, again, but disappointed to come so close and get knocked out.

The 28-year-old was well aware of the huge opportunity he had just let slip away. Out of the four Indian players who made it to the quarterfinals, up to three could have qualified to the Candidates Tournament, but in the end it was the second-youngest of the group who reached the all-important double round-robin: Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu.

Pragg was paired up against his good friend Arjun Erigaisi, and remarkably managed to tie the score on demand after losing the first classical game in the quarterfinals. Despite facing each other in such an important stage, Pragg and Arjun continued to take walks together at night. Commentator Irene Sukandar shared a photo of the two on Twitter.

Thursdays rapid and blitz tiebreaks were nothing short of exhilarating. Two draws were agreed in the 25-minute encounters, and then Pragg took the lead by turning the tables (with black) froma clearly inferior position.

White has all the trumps in this position, with an extra pawn, a passer on the a-file three squares away from promotion,andthe more active major pieces. Both 45.Qc6 or 45.Qb7, protecting the a-pawn, would have kept Whites advantage, while Arjuns 45.Qc4, allowing a queen swap, prompted the engines to evaluate the position as balanced.

Unfortunately for Arjun, another mistake eight moves later allowed his opponent to take the drivers seat. Pragg, unlike his friend, made the most of his chances and won the game.

Two fierce competitors | Photo: FIDE / Stev Bonhage

Arjun had no trouble bouncing back in the next 10-minute game. Two more wins with black followed, which meant the Indian prodigies would decide the match in the sudden-death games a single win is needed from that point on to reach the next stage.

Amazingly, once the clocks were started (in a 3-minute game), Pragg was not sitting at the board. His mom looked worried as he speed-walked to what would turn out to be the final encounter of a tension-filled match. Pragg won with white to obtain the biggest achievement of his life, one that could potentially lead to him playing a match for the World Championship.

Official photographer Maria Emelianova captured a couple of heart-warming moments and shared them on Twitter:

Calculation Training for 1400-1600 players

Mastering these tactical motifs is essential to deepen your understanding of the game and become a better player. After all, you neither want to overlook the given chances by your opponent, nor blunder yourself!

So Pragg is set to face Fabiano Caruana in the semifinals, which start on Saturday after a very deserved rest day!

Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and his mom | Photo: FIDE / Stev Bonhage

Replay games from all round at Live.ChessBase.com

One match went to tiebreaks in the semifinals of the womens tournament. Nurgyul Salimova, who came from upsetting Polina Shuvalova, faced ninth seed Anna Muzychuk. After beating the Ukrainian grandmaster, this is what Salimova had to say about her opponent:

I grew up watching Annas matches. She was like my idol when I was a kid, and still I respect her a lot, and of course she was the clear favourite. But I didnt think about this, because it doesnt help thinking about this. I just prepared for my matches.

Wins with black were traded in the first two 25-minute games, as Salimova found a nice tactical trick to score a full point in the first encounter of the day.

29...Bf5 invited 30.Qxb8, which Muzychuk played, failing to notice that now she either had to give up a lot of material or let her opponent go for a mating attack.

There followed 30...Kh7 31.Qf4 Bh6 32.Qf2 and it is mate-in-three for Black.

Muzychuk resigned after 32...Bc2+. In case of 33.Kc1 there is 33...Bd3 34.Kd1 Qc2#

Improve your chess with Tania Sachdev

On this DVD, well-known Indian WGM Tania Sachdev shows you how to evaluate certain positions and then find the right concepts and plans on the basis of her own games.

In the 10-minute section, Salimova got ahead on the scoreboard by winning a remarkable game in just 23 moves. A draw in the final game gave the 20-year-old from Krepcha a ticket to the gruelling events final and, perhaps more importantly, a spot in the 2024 Womens Candidates Tournament.

Nurgyul Salimova | Photo: FIDE / Stev Bonhage

Replay games from all round at Live.ChessBase.com

Full schedule | Pairings and results

All games with computer analysis: Open | Womens

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World Cup: Pragg and Salimova win tiebreakers - ChessBase

Munich: During sharp turns, you are flattened into the seat by a force many times stronger than gravity. You only maintain consciousness if you are in peak physical condition and wear special pants that squeeze the blood out of your legs. You rarely fly below 900 kilometers per hour (roughly 560 miles per hour).

"The acceleration is breathtaking." That's how former German Air Force pilot Joachim Vergin described the feeling of flying a fighter jet.

One might compare it to riding a roller coaster, but not really: The power in a jet is twice as strong. And during combat, you have to operate a large number of weapon systems simultaneously: Fighting, evading, defending. In an extreme situation, such as an air raid, everything is a matter of life and death, often at the speed of sound.

Engines under pressure The first time fighter jets, such as F-16s and MiG-29s, were used was at the end of the last major war in Europe: World War II. With their turbojet engine, jets fly much faster than propeller-driven aircraft, which had been used up to that point.

Jet engines suck air into the front of the motor, where it is compressed. Fuel is sprayed into the highly compressed air and ignited. This forces the air out of the engine "very powerfully," said Robert Kluge, an aviation expert at the Deutsches Museum in Munich.

As the air is accelerated in the process, a thrust is created that pushes the aircraft forward.

A jet's targets: Airborne or on the ground Fighter jets can attack targets in the air as well as on the ground. For aerial combat, a jet can be equipped with air-to-air missiles that can be fired in flight to destroy a target that is also flying.

To strike targets on the ground, a jet can use air-to-ground missiles or drop simple free-fall bombs that fall to the ground according to the laws of physics, said Leonhard Houben, a historian at the Berlin-Gatow Military History Museum.

Technology of trade-offs When building fighter jets, compromises must be made. Questions to consider include whether a jet is likely to fight other aircraft in the air and whether those aircraft are other fighter jets that can fight back. Or should the jet only be able to effectively engage ground targets?

Such strategic considerations are then reflected in a fighter jet's technology: Should the aircraft be built to be rather light and maneuverable for air combat, or equipped with large fuel tanks for long-range missions?

The MiG-29 was designed to take to the air for a very specific purpose: To protect the borders of Warsaw Pact countries against NATO aircraft.

Thus, this so-called interceptor, which entered service in 1983, can take off very quickly and reach its destination. Due to its design, the MiG-29 is extremely maneuverable in air combat. It can even stand vertically in the air on its own for short periods of time. However, the jet was initially equipped with only short-range fuel to save weight.

F-16: A versatile performer from the assembly line The majority of modern fighter jets combine a variety of capabilities. Houben said it is more economical to build so-called multi-purpose warplanes because they can be mass-produced in just one batch that can then be used for a variety of missions.

The F-16 is one such mass-produced multi-purpose aircraft. It was explicitly developed in the US in the 1970s for export to partner nations as a low-cost, general-purpose jet. The F-16 is the fighter jet with the largest worldwide production run that is still in service. To this day, the jet is still produced in the US and is being continually improved.

Similar to battle tanks, the rule is usually whoever fires first and hits, wins. Modern air-to-air missiles, once fired, virtually sneak up on their target and activate their conspicuous radar only shortly before impact. By then it's often too late to dodge. The reality usually has little to do with wild maneuvers, machine gun fire, or what we see in the movies. Becoming a pilot takes years

A fighter pilot has to be able to engage in close combat in the event that all the missiles have been fired. They must be able to multitask under exceptional conditions. For this reason, pilots are not trained overnight.

For the German Eurofighter aircraft, the training period takes five to six years and costs 5 million ($5.4 million) per pilot.

On his very first flight in a jet, an engine failed, said former pilot Vergin. Although he said he was scared, he knew exactly what to do because of "drills and training." He said he remained calm and safely landed the plane.

However, each pilot often learns to fly just one type of fighter jet, as retraining for another type of jet is costly. When Vergin switched from the Phantom fighter jet to the Tornado, the training took seven months.

The jet as a myth In war, however, fighter jets are more than the sum of their technical capabilities.

Kluge described the aircraft as a "myth" because, unlike humans, it can also move in the third dimension.

A fighter jet can even be seen as a symbol that can boost the morale of one's troops. And as an important chess piece in the strategy of a war simply having it can be enough to make enemies have second thoughts.

Excerpt from:

What do F-16 and MiG-29 fighter jets do? - Times of Oman

20 new Xbox games arrive next week, including major launches like Immortals of Aveum we've got the exclusive reveal of the Immortals of Aveum Xbox achievements along with the arrival of the slightly delayed WrestleQuest and more, although the next arrival on our list of games coming to Game Pass isn't on here, having just missed the window of this article with a release date of August 29. Here's a breakdown of everything coming to the world of Xbox next week. Let us know which of these you're planning on picking up in the comments!

August 22nd

Summon your power, stop the Everwar, save the realms. Pre-order* Immortals of Aveum and get the Purified Arclight, a unique blue sigil that will unleash more power for Jak's blue Strike spells and Shatter Fury spell!

No Place Like Home is a cute and relaxing sim.

You play as Ellen Newland, a girl who decides to visit her grandfather, on Earth, for the very last time before she moves to Mars. However, she soon discovers that her grandpa is missing and that his farm was recently destroyed.

Key Features:

CLEANING Clean the world, destroy mountains of trash, vacuum all the rubbish, and recycle resources to build your very own dream farm! Everything you need can be found and recycled from trash, and if you befriend local neighbours, they may prove very helpful during your farming and adventuring endeavours.

FARMING Find seeds, become a farmer, and use your produce to cook delicious dishes that can be traded for useful items! There are tons of plants, fruits, vegetables, flowers and trees to find and grow. You can also make honey, jams, mayo, and lots of other preserves to spice up the farming fantasy.

EXPLORATION Explore and go on adventures through many diversified zones. Trek through the wonderous Lonely Hills region and restore the damage done by its poisonous gasses. Save animals from icy weather in Frozen Peaks and fix the leak from an old factory that has turned the local flora into giant mushrooms. Break the giant dam and release the river to bring nature back to the desert.

PARTIES Find, rescue and befriend farm animals that have gotten lost throughout the valley. If you gain their trust and take good care of them, you can be sure that they will return the favour. Once you are ready, you can show off your fun side by giving them funky hats and throwing them awesome parties!

RENOVATIONS Rebuild, refurbish and decorate your house into a cosy place of perfection. Find awesome decorations and items across the world and use them to personalize your abode. After all, there is No Place Like Home!

The whole family can choose one Smurf, its kart and special power, then youre ready to go on wild races! Make the best start, find shortcuts, and use the right items at the right time to pass your opponents!

- Play solo or with friends and family, should you be a beginner or the most trained driver you can get 1st place and show others who the fastest Smurf of all time is! - 12 tracks taken from the Smurfs universe: the village, the forest, the dam, the swamps even Gargamels house! - 12 playable Smurfs: chose the Smurf you want to drive with. - Each Smurf has its own kart and a very handy special item to help you breeze past your opponents. - Reach 1st place by using the environment around you: bonus items, boosts, ramps, destructible boxes, shortcuts and more! - Play solo or with family and friends, up to 4 players in split-screen local multiplayer game mode. - Try to beat every Smurf at their own racetrack in the Time Challenge mode and reach the top of the online rankings with your best time! - Unlock original bonuses race after race, win after win, and try to Smurf them all in your personal album! - Take a smurfy start to take the lead as soon as the race begins! - Use your unique special power to get rid of a too smurfy opponent on-track!

TAG TEAM WITH DESTINY! Pro wrestling and RPG fantasy collide in the ultimate pixel powered adventure. Macho Man Randy Savage and tons of other icons offer guidance as you powerbomb your way to glory beyond the ring. This heros journey aint just an epic quest, its WRESTLEQUEST!

August 23rd

Main Features: - A powerful chess AI to challenge; - Local multiplayer - so you can also challenge others; - A massive set of chess puzzles to solve and learn chess logic from; - Daily puzzles, for those who can't get enough of them!

Mirrored Souls is a puzzle platformer that tells the story of Ravi and Daru, two completely different celestial beings connected to each other but separated in a mirrored universe. Following a thoughtful narrative, you will control both characters simultaneously and solve puzzles that explore the possibilities of the mirrored mechanics in fun and challenging ways. Discover beautifully illustrated scenarios that compliments the duality of both characters and develop your cognitive skills and spatial vision as you cross portals to bring them together.

The game features traditional turn-based combat with real-time execution of moves: blocking, countering and timing your attacks carefully as well as predicting your foes' moves is essential to succeed in Virgos twisted and unforgiving cosmic quest to bring back the Golden Age, a period of peace, symmetry and balance, or so she thinks.

In this galaxy where every action means a reaction, youll play as Virgo, the Holy Queen, often called Dreadful Queen by heretics, bringing mayhem to the Zodiac Realms and leaving a trail of stardust on the way, all to fit her excessively righteous worldview.

August 24th

The Penitent One awakens as Blasphemous 2 joins him once again in an endless struggle against The Miracle. Dive into a perilous new world filled with mysteries and secrets to discover, and tear your way through monstrous foes that stand between you and your quest to end the cycle one and for all.

A 2D party platformer where you fight with a hat! Throw your hat to attack, defend and bait opponents. But watch out! If someone jumps on your hat... you die!

Rev up your engine and get ready to hit the track with RIDE 5. An adrenaline-filled gaming experience that is so authentic it will make you feel like you're truly racing at break-neck speed.

Find your favorite bikes and check out new ones in the ultimate motorcycle game! Race on over 35 tracks and collect more than 200 motorcycles from world-renowned manufacturers, each element is designed to feel like you're riding a real bike.

IT'S A LONG ROAD It's not just speed that wins races - Endurance mode rewards perseverance and strategy. Time is no longer the issue, ride to your heart's content with the option of saving, exiting and jumping back in later. Just make sure you keep an eye on fuel and pit-stops - these helplines can quickly become your worst nightmare!

FROM ZERO TO HERO Start out in your garage, climb the ranks and become the best world racer in the new Career mode. Race against increasingly skilled Rivals, true obstacles who will stand between you and the finish line. Learn to master different bikes and handle every situation. It won't be easy though... The road to victory is laden with challenges and it's up to you to decide which one you want to take - the harder the challenge, the greater the reward!

WIN UNDER ANY CONDITION It doesn't matter how good you are, there is always one factor you can't control: the weather. Clear blue skies can turn into heavy downpours and then back to sunshine, rolling clouds will follow you as you dash through the bends, giving you ever-changing views and landscapes. You will have to deal with unexpected situations and use your skill to tackle both wet and dry conditions - the improved physics makes for an even more life-like experience!

TEST. LEARN. RIDE. Not sure which line to follow or when to slam on the brakes? Use the new riding aids and get customized support when needed the most. Learn to better handle the bike and the tricks of the trade to become the best rider you can be.

TAKE CONTROL You can tell a true motorcycle aficionado not just from the bike but also from their garage - collect your favorite models and customize them to your liking. Share your designs with other players and showcase your style! Don't get caught up on cosmetics only. With Race Creator you can build an endless number of scenarios, from single races to complete championships, choose your bikes and tracks, and act as a Race Director to set your own rules.

FEEL THE COMPETITION Split screen is back! Now you can challenge a friend and win live! And if you want to show the world what you're worth, Endurance races will really put you to the test, now even more thrilling thanks to the Crossplay function.

It's time to teach those white pieces to fear the Shotgun King.

Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate is a unique turn-based strategy roguelike.

Key Features: - Choose wisely: Every turn, you may either move your king or shoot at enemy pieces, after what you'll need to move again to reload your shotgun. - Avoid Checkmate: Kill the White King to complete the floor and move on to the next level! - Strengthen both Kings: After completing each floor, you will upgrade your king... but also your opponent! - A whole kingdom: 15 difficulty ranks, an endless mode, a chase mode, and over 100 upgrades are waiting for you!

5 cars are available to get you to the final fort, each capable of holding progressively more loot. Ranging from the simple Redneck pick-up and the classy Hunter and to the tough Sledge and frankly-silly Harvester, youll enjoy throwing these bodged-up jalopies at the lines of the undead. Each is highly customisable, with 15 upgrades including spiked bumpers, improved tyres, buffed engines, and more ammo, fuel and nitros. With 8 locations to traverse, handsome 3D graphics and gory shambling bodies, Zombie Derby is a killer game.

August 25th

Combining FromSoftwares longstanding expertise in mech games with their signature action gameplay, ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON brings a brand-new action experience to the series.

Dynamic, Omni-directional Battles Players will pilot their mech in fast-paced, omni-directional battles, taking advantage of massive stages and their mechs mobility on land and in the air to ensure victory.

Customized Parts for Individual Battle Styles Customize Armored Core parts to suit a large variety of playstyles. Selecting different parts not only changes the mechs attacks, but also directly affects its movement and battle style, so each mission can be approached with a unique mech strategy.

Thrilling Boss Battles Deploy a wide variety of offensive and defensive tactics at close and long range to take down powerful enemy bosses.

An idle card game where you kill monsters. From monsters, you get money to open chests. Each chest has its own deck of cards. Collect cards, upgrade cards, defeat monsters, join guilds and hire heroes. Raise your DPS!

Overdriven Evolution takes you on a challenging journey through the Kruuthian empire with an ever-changing, expertly crafted universe full of action.

The game proposes 7 Game Modes:

- STORY: 4 Difficulties: EASY NORMAL HARD NIGHTMARE - ARCADE: Can you beat the game with only a few continues? - MANIC: Test your true arcade skills with no health bar. - THE LINE: Use all your knowledge and mastery to keep enemies away from the red line. - 10 CHALLENGES: Replay each stage with a specific goal. - COLOR-REFLEX: Involving 56 new and improved Puzzle-Maps mixing match3 and shmup! - BOSS-RUSH: Use everything you have as an expert pilot to beat all the bosses at once.

When cultists target Los Angeles for destruction, only the High-Risk United Nations Task-Force (codenamed H.U.N.T.) can end their reign of terror. Gear up and load out as one of five elite operatives, each with their own attributes, and infiltrate the cult monastery to stop their nefarious plans.

Dive deep into ROTT lore with 4 full campaign modes and expansion packs, and explore never-before-seen content from previously-lost beta builds. Run and gun through labyrinthine levels and splatter LUDICROUS GIBS across the island with over-the-top weapons. Double the fun with the gaming worlds first-ever dual-wield pistol setup, or blast the iconic Drunk Missile and watch rockets trail off with a mind of their own. Mix things up with magical weapons like the legendary Excalibat, and delete foes in the blink of an eye with the Hand of God.

Experience a perfect mix of past and present with 60+ frames-per-second gameplay, classic pixelated artwork upscaled to HD resolutions, increased field-of-view, cloud saves, achievements, and more. Recreate any Rise of the Triad experience with multiple iterations of the classic original soundscape, or rock out to the heavy metal 2013 reboot soundtrack. Get the upper hand on enemies with the inclusion of ROTTs original cheat codes - if you can remember them!

Its fast. Its fun. Its addicting. Deafest the enemy tanks while dodging their deadly bullets. Improve your aim and maneuver skill while war itself is trying to end your adventure. Level by level the enemy's tanks get faster, smarter, and deadlier. Can you make it to the end and defeat their leader?

Play alone. Play with your friends. Play against your friends. - Play the single-player campaign to practice your skills and beat the game by yourself. - Finish the campaign with 2 players in the co-op mode.

A full motion video game from the makers of Vegas Tales. Judge a new reality show in which over-the-top contestants are hooked up to lie detectors and must answer any question you ask honestly. Vote one off every round, based on their answers, until only the winner remains.

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Xbox game releases August 21 to 27 - TrueAchievements