Archive for October 29th, 2009

In “First in Chess, Now Sudoku; ‘Eugene Varshavsky’ Focus of Cheating Allegations” at the NPR website, Mark Memmott discusses how the same man at the center of “Cheating Accusations at the World Open” in Philadelphia recently won $3,000 at a Sudoku tournament in the same city (update: prizes are frozen pending review). There have been commercial Sudoku solving computers since 2007, and there are now inexpensive models on the market, including the Illuminated Mega Sudoku Puzzle Game (see picture) which retails for just over $30. You can probably even get one for your i-Phone. So such a scandal was inevitable. The shocking thing is that the same man was involved in both cases and probably will suffer no consequences. What’s next for Varshavsky? Checkers?

NM Scott Massey will be giving his lecture on “How To Improve at Chess” tonight at the Kenilworth Chess Club starting at 8:15 or 8:30 (depending upon when people arrive). Admission is $5 and non-members are welcome (at the same price). Hope you can attend.

…can completely change the evaluation of a position in one single moment. Here 34.Nc4xe5 had just been played,, and now Black inserted 34….g3 (diagram) in an attempt to deflect White’s queen and prevent his pawn d4 from being taken. What do you say on this?
A) good idea, 35.Qxg3 fxe5 is forced, reducing any black disadvantage to a minimum;
B) White has a trick with a discovered attack in the e-file;
C) Black jumps out of the frying pan into the fire since d4 is falling anyway.

The solution is here, but first ponder over it with a  larger version of the diagram.

"I am slightly jealous of those considering the purchase of Fritz chess
software for the first time," writes Louis Lima. "They will find Fritz
12 a breeze to learn and navigate. Previous Fritz owners will find themselves
eagerly exploring the readily visible and accessible features. This is without
a doubt the most pleasing aspect I found in Fritz 12." Order
Fritz 12 now or read this review
in Chess Cafe.