Sunday, April 30, 2017

姻缘红线 (Red string of fate)

Diving Queen 吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá), duly escorted by her boyfriend, took part today in the 上海崇明國際馬拉松 (Shànghǎi Chóngmíng International Marathon) and, any appearances to the contrary notwithstanding, she repeatedly waved the red flag to heaven. All photos: 吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá) microblogging studio.

Come on, Jeremy, they are dying of envy

 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/apr/30/labour-donor-pledges-to-stand-against-corbyn-in-general-election

May Day Eve

Mariya Olehivna Muzychuk – Melanie Ohme
FrauenBundesliga 2016/2017; OSG Baden-Baden – Rodewischer SM; Berlin, April 30, 2017
Sicilian Defence B67

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. 0-0-0 Bd7 9. f4 b5 10. Qe1 Nxd4 11. Rxd4 Qb6 12. Qd2 Bc6 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Be2 h5 15. Bf3 0-0-0 16. Kb1 Be7!? Black takes a new step. The old try was 16. ... h4 17. Rd1 Qc5 18. Rd3 Kb8 19. Ne2 Bb7 20. Nd4 Rc8 21. Nb3 Qb6 22. Na5 Ba8 23. Rb3 Be7 24. a4 Rc5 25. axb5 axb5 26. Rc3 Rhc8 27. Rxc5 dxc5 28. Qd7 Rc7 29. Qe8+ Ka7 30. Nb3 h3 31. gxh3 f5 32. Nd2 fxe4 33. Bxe4 Bxe4 34. Nxe4 f6 35. Nc3 Ka6 36. Rd7 Rxd7 37. Qxd7 b4 38. Ne4 Bd8 39. Nd6 Bc7 40. Nc4 Qb5 41. Qc8+ Qb7 42. Qxe6+ Kb5 43. b3 Bxf4 44. Qxf6 Qh1+ 45. Ka2 Qa8+ 46. Kb2 Bc1+ 47. Kb1 Qb7 48. Nd6+ 1 : 0 Holaszek – Sigurjónsson, 14th World Student Team Chess Championship, Harrachov 1967. 17. h4 Bb7 18. Rd1 Kb8 19. Ne2 f5 20. exf5 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Bxh4 22. a4 Bf2 23. Rb4 Bc5? I’d say it is a serious error of judgment. Much better was 23. ... Qe3! 24. Qxe3 Bxe3 25. axb5 Bc5! 26. Rb3 a5! and Black, despite her Pawn minus, could even claim better chances due to her powerful passer on the h-file, while White is a bit afflicted by her tripled Pawns on the f-file. 24. Rb3 b4 25. fxe6 fxe6 26. Nd4 Rde8


27. a5! Qc7? Probably tougher is 27. ... Qb7, although after 28. c3 (28. Rd3 followed by Nd4-b3 could be, however, a slower but possibly stronger way to proceed) 28. ... Qd5 29. Qc2 Qc4 30. Qe4! d5 31. Qc2 h4 (maybe not the best!) 32. Nc6+ Kb7 33. Ne5! Qxf4 34. cxb4 Qxe5 35. bxc5+ Kc7 36. Ka2! White would penetrate anyway with decisive effect (by Rb3-b6 eventually followed by Qc2-a4). 28. c3! h4 29. cxb4 Bxd4 30. Qxd4 d5. Stockfish turns on the red light, but also other moves may not make miracles happen. 31. Rc1 Qh7+ 32. Ka2 h3 33. b5! Going for mate. 33. ... axb5 34. Rxb5+ Ka8 35. Qb6 Rb8 36. Qa6+ Qa7 37. Qc6+ Rb7 38. a6 1 : 0.

Mariya Olehivna Muzychuk. Photo: schachbundesliga.de.

You never know when it will be the last time

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer arriving in Reykjavík, Iceland on July 2, 1972 to play the World Chess Championship match — dubbed the “Match of the Century” — with Boris Vasilievich Spassky. Photo: Dagblaðið Vísir.

Thank you for your attention to this matter

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Other Things

Diving Queen 吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá) is never late, the photographer is simply early. Or maybe she is laughing because she thinks that her boyfriend thinks she is funny. Photo: @落幕纷飞2014.

Come on, Jeremy, tell us, how many women Tories had fallen hopelessly in love with you?

 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/apr/29/jeremy-corbyn-gets-personal-in-one-off-campaign-speech
Jeremy Corbyn addresses supporters at a rally in London, England. Photo: Sean Smith for The Guardian.

Interview with the muse

De gustibus non est disputandum

According to recent scientific studies, not only does it seem great white sharks do not seek out human prey, but there would be even some evidence that they dislike the taste. Photo: Lauren Smith.

Icarus Still Flies


On July 27, 1976, Greg Louganis mounted a platform beneath the diving tower in Montreal, where an Olympic official hung a silver medal around his neck. Slightly higher stood Klaus Dibiasi of Italy, the gold-medal winner. Klaus Dibiasi, perhaps the greatest platform diver ever, leaned down and said: “In four years, you’ll be up here for the gold medal”.

Arnold Hano, “Greg Louganis: DIVING SENSATION AT 16”, Boy’s Life, August 1977, p. 28

In 1976 Klaus Dibiasi — nicknamed the “Blonde Angel” as well as “The Chairman” of the diving board — was already a legend and, due to injuries and age, he should have probably retired himself. Instead, he choose to ignore the objectivity of time and participate in the Olympic Games regardless of what would have been the result. I will never forget what he accomplished in Montreal: his “swan song” was perfection. Then he lived the life of a former athlete. He coached the Italian diving team, beared the flag of Italy at opening ceremonies of major events, and became member of the LEN as well as of the FINA. Time passes by, and nothing ever remains the same. Or maybe not. In 2014, I read a non-sporting news about him which touched me deeply: the Anzio Hospital announced that Klaus Dibiasi, the diving legend, “had generously donated his femoral head just to help other sufferers”. The Blonde Angel flies again!

Friday, April 28, 2017

Weekend on the Moon

Don’t forget, tomorrow’s the day of the Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna”’s afternoon Fischerandom chess meeting (so doesn’t miss it!), while the year-end youth chess960 tournament will be held at our place on Saturday, May 6, 2017, starting at 16,30. For registering and further details, please contact us.

Artwork © dSana

Melopoeia

Las obras infames de Don Rodrigo

Manila, Philippines: The Commission on Human Rights uncovers a secret cell at a police station where alleged drug suspects claim to have been detained without ventilation or light. Photo: Jes Aznar/Getty Images.

Come on, Jeremy, spray-paint a hammer and sickle in the sky

Jeremy Corbyn talks to party members and activists in Warrington, England on Sunday, April 23. Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images.

Laufmaschine

Karlsruhe, Germany: Two ferris wheels erected in the memory of Karl Drais, who was born in the city on 29 April 1785 and invented the running machine, a predecessor to the bicycle. Photo: Uli Deck/AP.

La reina de los hielos

Law & Order

 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/20/face-scanners-public-toilet-tackle-loo-roll-theft-china-beijing
Facial recognition software installed in 北京 (Běijīng) convenience to crack down on people taking large amounts of toilet paper. [Read more].
Those in need of paper must stand in front of a high-definition camera for three seconds. Photo: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images.

Harpa submersa

Alexander Anatolyevich Donchenko – Anish Giri
32nd Reykjavík Open; Reykjavík, April 25, 2017
Catalan Opening E09

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 e6 3. c4 c6 4. Qc2 Nf6 5. Nbd2 Nbd7 6. g3 Be7 7. Bg2 0-0 8. 0-0 b6 9. e4 Bb7 10. e5 Ne8 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Re1 Rc8 13. Qa4 Nc7 14. Bf1 Qe8!? A novelty. For 14. ... a5 15. Bd3 Ba6 16. Bb1 see Grachev – Simonian, 21st Russian Team Chess Championship, Loo 2014. 15. Kg2 Nb8!?? “Here we see the difference between open tournaments and the Élite one’s. Giri is ready to take risks here against his opponent that we wouldn’t see in an Élite tournament. Giri now gives up two Pawns!”, writes Ingvar in his tournament report. 16. Qxa7 Ba8 17. Qxb6 Nc6 18. Qb3 f6 19. Qe3 Qf7 20. exf6 Bxf6 21. Kg1. Maybe it’s not wrong, but 21. Bd3 appears more to the point. 21. ... Rce8 22. Qf4? In order to prevent ... e6-e5, but... 22. ... g5! 23. Nxg5 Qg7 24. Nh3 Nxd4. “Black’s pieces have become magically alive. Meanwhile White is still lagging in co-ordination!”, Ingvar wrote. 25. Bd3 e5 26. Qe3 e4 27. Bb1 Nce6 28. Kh1 Kh8 29. a4 Qg4 30. Nf4 Nxf4 31. Qxf4 Qg7 32. Qe3 Bg5 33. f4 Bf6 34. Ra3 Nf5 35. Qb6 Bd4 36. Qb5 Bf2 37. Rf1 Ba7 38. Ba2 d4. White is in a valley of tears. 39. Bd5 Rb8 40. Qc4 Rfc8 41. Qa2 Ne3 42. Rxe3 dxe3 43. Nxe4


And now Giri concludes in grand style: 43. ... Qf7!! 0 : 1. For if 44. Bxf7 then 44. ... Bxe4+ 45. Kg1 e2+ and mate in two moves.

Anish Giri
Photo: Lennart Ootes

Thursday, April 27, 2017

All persons fictitious disclaimer


Please, Missus Edna Mode, don’t get too hungry! No one wants to take away your brand! I cannot but repeat over and over again that any similarity with fictitious events or characters is purely coincidental.

Wind on the Waves

The day after the end of the 15th Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival (on February 3, 2017), the photographer Jose Huwaidi took a photo shoot of four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) savouring the gentle salty breeze of Catalan Bay on the Gibraltar Rock. Both the photographer and the model are engaged and sponsored by a double on-line cartel: the Danish trading platform tradimo.com and the Western chess platform chess24.com. For other pictures, please see https://joshfilm.myportfolio.com/models. All photos © Jose Huwaidi.

The Right of Not Becoming Arcovazzi’s Wife

A protest held outside the Department of Health in Dublin, Ireland last week against plans to grant ownership of the National Maternity Hospital to the Sisters of Charity religious order. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

Come on, Jeremy, that flabby guy is getting nervous because he knows you’ll win

https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-04-27/u-k-s-johnson-turns-election-fire-on-security-threat-corbyn
Jeremy Corbin
Photo: Joe Newman/SWNS.com

In-Between Before and After


“This is a horrible suit, darling. You can’t be seen in this. I won’t allow it. Fifteen years ago, maybe, but now? Feh!”.

Edna Mode, The Incredibles

Do Not Disturb Until Christmas

Artwork © Arielfan90

Loud Silence

London, England: Amnesty International activists dressed as the Statue of Liberty demonstrate outside the U.S. embassy. Amnesty marked Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office with a protest highlighting human rights violations reportedly made during his administration. Photo: Andy Rain/EPA.

A Time of Silence

São Paulo, Brazil: Statues are adorned with ear protectors to mark the 22nd anniversary of the International Noise Awareness Day, an annual event (last fell on April 26, 2017) encouraging people to combat noise pollution. Photo: 新华通讯社 (Xīnhuá News Agency)/Barcroft Images.

Come on, Jeremy, luck doesn’t knock twice

 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/apr/27/tony-blair-refuses-to-back-jeremy-corbyn-for-prime-minister
Jeremy Corbin protesting against apartheid and in favour of Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC) outside the South African embassy in London, United Kingdom in 1984. Photo credit: Telesur.

And the earth trembled...

Needless to say (but let’s say it anyway), you might have been certain that Olympic Goddess 吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá) would have picked up Edna’s defiant challenge just for the sake of taming Mrs. Mode’s restless heart and bring her a lasting happiness. All photos: 馮昱 (Féng Yù)/吴敏霞 (Wú Mǐnxiá) microblogging studio.

Riding the Magic Carpet

Just a memo to remind you that the Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna” will participate in the 19th International Dance Festival “Vetrina Scuole di Danza AICS”, which will be staged at the Teatro Verdi, Via Ghibellina, 99, 50122 Florence, on Sunday, May 7, 2017, starting at 20,00.

 http://www.teatroverdionline.it/
http://www.teatroverdionline.it/

We’ll take over their planet!


“Supermodels. Heh! Nothing super about them... spoiled, stupid little stick figures with poofy lips who think only about themselves”.

Edna Mode, The Incredibles

Keeping the Wild

Vladimir Borisovich Kramnik – Pentala Harikrishna
4th Gashimov Memorial; Şəmkir, April 24, 2017
Spanish Game C84

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. 0-0 Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3 0-0 9. Nc3 Nb8 10. Ne2 Nbd7 11. c3 Bb7. For 11. ... Nb6 12. Ng3 c5 13. d4 Qc7 see Kobalia – Kovalev, 17th European Individual Chess Championship, Gjakova 2016. 12. Ng3 c5 13. Re1 Rc8 14. Nf5!?? White impatiently opens hostilities. 14. ... c4! 15. dxc4 Bxe4 16. Nxe7+ Qxe7 17. cxb5 axb5 18. Bg5 Nc5 19. Ba2!?? ’Tis not the safer place, but apparently White’s Bishop didn’t want to surrender the death diagonal. 19. ... h6 20. Bh4??!! This is an incredible decision by Kramnik, who voluntarily entombs his own Bishop. 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 was certainly more pleasant for Black, but yet defendable from White’s viewpoint, so the 14th World Chess Champion must have ineffably felt something wild. 20. ... g5 21. Bg3 Bh7 22. Qe2 Kg7 23. Rad1 Nfe4 24. Rd5!? Another wild intuition leads Kramnik on more and more romantic tracks. 24. ... f5. Manifestly threatening ... f5-f4.


25. Rxe5!! A fantastic sacrifice! White gives up the Rook for three Pawns, dramatically upsetting his opponent’s inner balance. 25. ... dxe5 26. Bxe5+ Nf6? As pointed out by all chess engines, after 26. ... Kg6! 27. Bd4 Bg8! Black would have successfully defended. But humans are not machines. If not, we would not look at their games. 27. Qxb5! Yet another remarkable intuition by Kramnik. 27. ... Ne4 28. Bd4 Rfd8 29. h3! A devilish waiting move. “Isn’t it amazing that with a Rook down Kramnik played h2-h3 against Harikrishna and wins this game with White?”, Grandmaster Judit Polgár wonders. 29. ... Rb8 30. Qe2 Bg8 31. Bb1 Qb7 32. b4 Re8 33. c4 Qc6? Harikrishna ends up losing the thread under the heavy burden of defence duty. Stockfish gives 33. ... Qa6 34. b5 Qd6 35. Qb2 Bxc4 36. a4 Ra8 which is quite unclear and not so easy to draw for White. 34. Qb2 Rbd8 35. c5 Qe6 36. b5 Kf8? Here apparently Black misses his last chance for survival. Grandmaster Tiger Christopher Robin Hillarp-Persson, who commented the game for ChessBase.com’s web site, recommends 36. ... Qb3! 37. Qa1 Kg6! with mid-long lines leading to roughly balanced outcomes. 37. c6 g4? White’s Pawns are unstoppable, so Black tries to distract them from their march. What a pity, however, that the text loses a clear piece... 38. hxg4 fxg4 39. Bxe4 gxf3. Not 39. ... Nxe4? 40. Rxe4 Qxe4?? 41. Bg7+ Ke7 42. Qf6 mate. 40. Bxf6 Rd6. Or 40. ... Qg4 41. Be7+! Rxe7 42. Qf6+ Bf7 43. Qxe7+ Kxe7 44. Bf5+ and wins. 41. Bg7+ Kf7 42. Be5 1 : 0.