tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:32:50 +0000Chess. Houston. Teach Chess. Learn Chess. Games. Analysis. Activities. Glenn Wilson.http://glennwilson.com/chess/noreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)Blogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-5906241749516778265Sun, 31 May 2009 08:07:00 +00002009-05-31T03:48:06.901-05:00My posting has been very light lately. I have also left very few comments on other blogs in the last month or so. My lame excuse is that on April 28 our home was flooded. We have flood insurance and none of us were hurt but dealing with that does tend to eat up a lot of time.Here are some photos from the event courtesy of the Houston Chronicle: FLOODING IN HOUSTON: APRIL 28, 2009.We got about http://glennwilson.com/chess/2009/05/april-28-2009.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-8507193172133578482Sat, 18 Apr 2009 07:40:00 +00002009-04-18T08:52:34.907-05:00chessflashThe Top Ten ChessFlash Blogs:Castling Queen SideThe Endgame TacticianCHESSTIGERHaunted Knight Chess Blog Blue Devil Knight Chess ConfessionsDiamondback ChessChessaholic Katar BlogChessgasmChess on the BorderlineChessFlash was started just about one year ago and it has been an exciting year. Thanks to all of the early adopters that tried ChessFlash in it's infancy. A special thanks to http://glennwilson.com/chess/2009/04/one-year-of-chessflash-top-ten-blogs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-5351944094077600979Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:43:00 +00002009-04-12T16:54:14.156-05:00chessflashIn this case we are embedding the pgn data within the post itself instead of getting it from a pgn file on the server.http://glennwilson.com/chess/2009/04/yat-yet-another-test.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-2199138037995290516Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:31:00 +00002009-04-01T06:33:04.578-05:00tacticsGreat examples and descriptions of common tactical motifs can be found at ChessTempo's Tactical Motifs.http://glennwilson.com/chess/2009/04/tactical-motifs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-4303850109050927424Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:28:00 +00002009-03-29T12:35:40.353-05:00chessflashA test of ChessFlash diagram mode; I just fixed a bug to not display the initial board covering "Click to Play" as there is no PGN to download and no moves to play.http://glennwilson.com/chess/2009/03/testing-diagram-mode.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-2482196486923950770Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:19:00 +00002009-03-22T09:03:41.827-05:00tacticsRichard over at ChessTempo has added endgames. There are two modes: Theory and Practice. I prefer the practice. It looks to be a great way to practice your endgame tactics. The number of problems you can tackle per day is limited by your membership level:Basic members receive an initial 10 problems and are then limited to 2 endgame problems a day. Silver members receive 20 problems a day and http://glennwilson.com/chess/2009/03/chesstempo-adds-endgames.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-3333789625780147749Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:14:00 +00002009-03-15T07:59:37.985-05:00In Planning Exercise (1) BDK shows a position and asks about planning in such a position. There are many useful ideas in the comments.The position is pretty drawish and White has many moves that leave the position drawish. If White is happy with a draw here there are many simple options.But how should one approach playing for a win in such an even and simple position? Simple is a relative termhttp://glennwilson.com/chess/2009/03/fishing-about-in-simple-position.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-7508551447213693766Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:53:00 +00002009-02-22T11:12:34.835-06:00chessflashI am testing a new ChessFlash option intended to allow web masters to host ChessFlash and the games it displays on their site instead of on the ChessFlash site. This instance of the ChessFlash.swf is on this (glennwilson.com) site as is the game being displayed.http://glennwilson.com/chess/2009/02/this-is-test.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-6767782760653338748Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:10:00 +00002009-02-19T06:17:07.960-06:00chessflashAs I just posted at ChessFlash.com I intend to make the source code available for the ChessFlash Viewer available under an open source license. I need to research some different open source licenses and consider a few other issues but I plan to do this fairly soon.Part of my motivation is a relative lack of time for customization and new features. I wrote ChessFlash while not otherwise http://glennwilson.com/chess/2009/02/open-source-chessflash.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-4951042006005331848Sun, 11 Jan 2009 10:18:00 +00002009-01-11T04:51:28.509-06:00Knights ErrantI joined the Knight's Errant in August 2007 and became the Secretary Knight in February 2008.I had been doing circles-like chess exercises for many years before joining the Knights and have continued since becoming a Knight although my blogging about same has been decreasing. I intend to continue on as a Knight Errant (assuming I blog frequently enough to not be kicked out) but I feel the group http://glennwilson.com/chess/2009/01/passing-scepter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-2185430314676581169Sun, 28 Dec 2008 10:48:00 +00002009-01-01T04:02:57.275-06:00Knights ErrantIt's been a while since we've dropped in on recent blogs from other Knight's Errant.Chessaholic: So I played in a small tournament this weekend, my first tournament in quite a while. I was afraid I was going to be rusty, but I did OK. It was a four round Swiss (G/60), but I had a bye in the first round so I only got to play three games. In those three games I went +2 =1 which I am happy with, http://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/12/working-knights.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-2416035356566015101Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:34:00 +00002008-11-21T02:41:55.442-06:00Houston Chess ClubHCC Happy New Years TourneyFriday Night January 3rd 20091st $200.00, 2nd $100.00 1st under 1900 $100.004 rounds of game 45 starting at 7 p.m. Houston Chess Club 713-773-2437Sign Up Sheet at club. Sign up and pay before December 27. Details at club. Houston Chess Clubhttp://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/11/hcc-happy-new-years-tourney.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-1110790951645290258Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:14:00 +00002008-10-26T09:18:22.961-05:00Knights ErrantWelcome our newest knight: Himalayan Knight. From email:I am working on CTART3.0 My strategy is little different from Michales Mazas circles.I plan to redo each level problems until i achieve 90%. Also I dont plan to do the very tough problems in the end...So my circles would be of about 850 problems (level 4 or 5 i think)Please visit and welcome the Himalayan Knight.http://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/10/himalayan-knight.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-8223782582052522209Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:33:00 +00002008-10-05T06:38:13.567-05:00pinningeco-c5xcombinationsMorphyMorphy against Golmayo in an 1864 Havana simul.After the 14th move, Morphy has a knight pinned to his opponent's King. The manner in which Morphy adds an attacker to the immobilized knight is very instructive. Enjoy.Morphy/Morphy-Golmayo-1864.pgn embedCfBasic("1767036956", "100%", "350", "pgnurl=Glenn%20Wilson/Morphy/Morphy-Golmayo-1864.pgn&orientation=horizontal&tabmode=false", "", ""); http://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/10/combinations-081005.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-6609527103421658017Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:48:00 +00002008-09-30T16:54:51.927-05:00chessflashAt the Flash On The Beach (FOTB) conference in Brighton, Sr. Director of Engineering at Adobe Systems Paul Betlem, confirmed that Adobe is indeed developing a Flash Player for the iPhone. However, Apple calls the shots as to when it'll be available.... He said (not direct quote) "My team is working on Flash on the iPhone, but it's a closed platform." He noted that Apple makes all the decisions, http://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/09/big-news.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-5862594027232209290Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:35:00 +00002008-09-19T08:38:59.075-05:00Houston Chess ClubFrom Mark Dixon:OPEN FRIDAY 9-19-08 at 6:30 p.m., SATURDAY 9-20-08 10:30 a.m., and SUNDAY 09-21-08 at 11:00 a.m. THANK YOU!!!!! hope to see you there!!!andThe HCC insanity is set for OCTOBER 24th 2008 starting at 7 p.m.. The first round is at 7 p.m. the second is at 8 p.m. etc., etc., the last round starting at 6 a.m. OCTOBER 25th 2008. I have 10 players signed up. IF FOR SOME REASON YOU http://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/09/houston-chess-club-open-and-insane.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-3226224646510690907Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:02:00 +00002008-09-19T11:27:21.872-05:00Still no power but it is getting close. Some neighbors have power and nearby stores are starting to open. I'll add more when I get power...Update 9/17 7:20 PM: (on borrowed internet and power) Power company crews were in my neighborhood yesterday assessing and recording locations that needed work (trees removed from power lines, etc). There are here now working on those issues. We expect (http://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/09/were-fine-after-ike.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-2979631752248464853Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:01:00 +00002008-09-08T11:26:14.873-05:00openingcombinationsThis is an update to the Sept 4 Max Lange post. It turns out that "my" Novelty (based on searching ChessBase 2003 Mega database) is on move 9, not move 7. I'm just relieved that my whole idea has not been played before. :) Next time I guess I'll check ChessBase sooner. Of course, it could have been played since 2003 and I still would not know as that is my latest mega database.I have also http://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/09/max-lange-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-6543128915371532137Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:44:00 +00002008-09-04T20:43:04.142-05:00openingcombinationsHere is some original opening research and analysis from yours truly that deals with an early Black deviation in the Max Lange Attack. I left White's best 12th move out of this file. What combination should White play on move 12? The novelty (so far as I know) on Black's seventh move sets up Black's surprising eleventh move. Even with White's best 12th move this line appears to be playable http://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/09/combinations-080904-max-lange.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-5021740278502394471Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:31:00 +00002008-08-17T10:44:11.068-05:00skewereco-c5xcombinationsMorphyremoving the guardMorphy-de Riviere Paris 1863."To this day Morphy is an unsurpassed master of the open games. Just how great was his significance is evident from the fact that after Morphy nothing substantially new has been created in this field. Every player- from beginner to master- should in this praxis return again and again to the games of the American genius." ~ Mikhail BotvinnikIn this game Morphy will http://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/08/combinations-080817.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-8073739811166337353Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:33:00 +00002008-08-05T06:49:21.795-05:00pinningcombinationsMorphyremoving the guardMorphy-Ware, New York simul 1859 at knight odds. A pawn at at f7 is pinned to the king. Then a rook at f7 is pinned to the king. Later there is a threat of pinning the rook at f7 along the other diagonal to the queen. Finally, Morphy removes the guard at h6 to win material and simplify to a won ending.Morphy/Morhpy-Ware-1859.pgn embedCfBasic("1240005671", "100%", "350", "pgnurl=Glenn%20Wilsonhttp://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/08/combinations-080805.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-7262862885065684341Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:40:00 +00002008-08-04T17:08:09.361-05:00double attackcombinationsdecoyingMorphy-Perrin, New York Simul 1859. Tactical devices featured in today's game include Decoying, and Double Attack.A Chess Tragedy in 42 moves.Morphy/Morphy-Perrin-1859.pgn embedCfBasic("1232127862", "100%", "350", "pgnurl=Glenn%20Wilson/Morphy/Morphy-Perrin-1859.pgn&orientation=horizontal&tabmode=true", "", ""); http://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/08/combinations-080804.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-8806235046100435400Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:27:00 +00002008-08-04T17:08:40.354-05:00overloadingpinningeco-c5xcombinationsdeflectionNow for something completely different. NoTB - vlandre, a FICS 5 minute blitz game from yesterday. NoTB is my handle at FICS. Certainly not the same quality as a Morphy game but still "interesting." I was inspired by all of the Morphy games I have been reviewing to play an Evans Gambit. The opening went well, for a while...See if you can spot the mate in one (!) that I missed at the http://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/08/combinations-080803.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-1064105575277241906Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:47:00 +00002008-08-04T17:09:16.101-05:00overloadingdouble attackpinningcombinationsspace clearanceMorphyMorphy-Montgomery, New York simul, 1859.This knight odds game features double attacks, clearance, pinning, and overloading.Morphy/Morphy-Montgomery-1859.pgn embedCfBasic("080802", "100%", "350", "pgnurl=Glenn%20Wilson/Morphy/Morphy-Montgomery-1859.pgn&orientation=horizontal&tabmode=false", "", ""); http://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/08/combinations-080802.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5166778.post-8217309141547255143Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:26:00 +00002008-08-02T06:19:35.760-05:00combinationsI'm going to be continuing the "Daily Tactics" series but under the name "Combinations." I'm changing the name because I think "Combinations" is more specific for what I am usually describing (all chess moves are tactics, not all tactics are combinations) and dropping "Daily" as I have not kept up to that frequency.Today, we have no pictures, just words. :) Here are some commonly used terms http://glennwilson.com/chess/2008/08/combinations-080801.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Glenn Wilson)0