Chess has never been more interesting

 

 

Well, another week and another slinging about of accusations by the leading lights in the game of chess. You could be forgiven for being cynical and thinking that they were both lobbying on behalf of the chess federation to get the game in the news, just saying. Anyways, the latest in the Magnus VS Hans show is that the former, Mr Carlsen has now openly accused the latter, Mr Neimann of cheating. In a statement, he said he believed Mr Niemann had “cheated more — and more recently — than he has publicly admitted”, though offered no evidence.  Carlsen had previously made veiled accusations against Niemann, who beat him this month in a major upset. Niemann, 19, has denied cheating in competitive chess and has accused Carlsen of trying to ruin his career and the , who has admitted cheating online twice, when he was 12 and 16, but strenuously denies ever cheating over the board, said he was willing to play nude to prove his good faith. Not sure that proves anything . And so, we can offer alternative ways to play the game and keep all your clothes on (it really is up to you.

Some factoids to store in your grey matter and bore people with at some point :

Checkmate comes from the Persian phrase Shah Mat – “The king is dead”.

Rookies or, players in their first year, are named after the Rook in Chess. Rooks generally are the last pieces to be moved into action, and the same goes for Rookies.

There are over 318 billion different possible positions after four moves each. The number of distinct 40-move games in chess is far greater than the number of electrons in the observable universe.

And, RIP to our dear Queen who might well have had a giggle at this:

Too Soon? Social Media Copes With Queen Elizabeth II's Death With Humor,  Sends Videos, Memes Viral - Benzinga

Ceremonies of a regal nature are likely to take longer now as the King can only move one square at a time.

 

About Peter Jenkinson

Toyologist Pete Jenkinson regularly writes about toys in national newspapers like The Sun and The Mail. This super-dad has an unmatched passion and dedication for trying and testing the latest, coolest and most interesting offerings from the world of toys.

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