Fritz - Gabridoodle, 0-1
31 January 2013
Sometimes it's about position, not material
While Fritz was busily gobbling up material, the Gabridoodle performed a rook lift (f8 to e8 to e6 to g6) that helped save the day.
Fritz - Gabridoodle, 0-1
Fritz - Gabridoodle, 0-1
24 January 2013
22 January 2013
22 Jan 2013: in which the Pirate gets blitzed !
CHESS CLUB had an unusual Tuesday session due to the Chess Pirate's piratical travel plans later in the week.
Having at long last successfully defended The Shiny against a malarial Gabridoodle, the Pirate's winning streak came to an end today. Incredibly, this happened when the Gabridoodle won the tie-breaking blitz game and despite the fact that he'd inhaled cleaning chemical fumes before arriving and was then treated to a hefty dose of the Pirate's sparkly -themed nail polish.
In CLUB business, the idea of affiliation with the USCF was briefly discussed. It was decided that we might join if it is free or if the cost is very small. However, it was also agreed that the USCF and its members probably wouldn't like Salem CHESS CLUB very much. Subsequent research reveals that affiliation costs $40 per year, a figure no doubt far too steep for the CLUB.
In other CLUB business, there was talk of organizing a large chess jamboree in the near future. Stay tuned !
Game 1: Chess Pirate - Gabridoodle, ½-½
Time control: 10 minutes each
Despite on-going malaria issues and the aforementioned huffing, the Gabridoodle was in better form, successfully parrying the Chess Pirate's aggressive early thrusts. At move 10, the Pirate committed a flagrant touch-move rule violation -- but hey, this is a "friendly" game ! Her frustration showed again on the next move, when she castled using a shiv ! At move 17, after the Pirate made a routine recapture, the Gabridoodle said, "That doesn't intimidate me !" The Pirate's response was, "Then I'm not doing it right !" Awhile later, a confounding pawn move made by the Gabridoodle brought forth this gem from the Chess Pirate: "I need to move my queen away from your stupid Bishop. Stupid bishop !" The game continued with neither player achieving a decisive edge. At move 56, well beyond the point where the game became drawish, the Pirate demanded, "Take it ! Don't waste my time !" This marathon finally ended with stalemate after move 64. As shown in the diagram, there wasn't much left on the board.
Game 2: Gabridoodle - Chess Pirate, 1-0
Time control: 10 minutes each
While the Gabridoodle played somewhat less briskly than usual in game one, he came alive for the tie-breaking blitz game. Normally, the ever-impulsive Pirate has the edge when time runs short, but today was a different story. The Pirate blundered away her queen in the early going and the Gabridoodle's queen was then able to rampage and methodically gobble up material. Eventually, he checkmated the Pirate with about 2 minutes to spare on his clock.
Having at long last successfully defended The Shiny against a malarial Gabridoodle, the Pirate's winning streak came to an end today. Incredibly, this happened when the Gabridoodle won the tie-breaking blitz game and despite the fact that he'd inhaled cleaning chemical fumes before arriving and was then treated to a hefty dose of the Pirate's sparkly -themed nail polish.
In CLUB business, the idea of affiliation with the USCF was briefly discussed. It was decided that we might join if it is free or if the cost is very small. However, it was also agreed that the USCF and its members probably wouldn't like Salem CHESS CLUB very much. Subsequent research reveals that affiliation costs $40 per year, a figure no doubt far too steep for the CLUB.
In other CLUB business, there was talk of organizing a large chess jamboree in the near future. Stay tuned !
Game 1: Chess Pirate - Gabridoodle, ½-½
Time control: 10 minutes each
Despite on-going malaria issues and the aforementioned huffing, the Gabridoodle was in better form, successfully parrying the Chess Pirate's aggressive early thrusts. At move 10, the Pirate committed a flagrant touch-move rule violation -- but hey, this is a "friendly" game ! Her frustration showed again on the next move, when she castled using a shiv ! At move 17, after the Pirate made a routine recapture, the Gabridoodle said, "That doesn't intimidate me !" The Pirate's response was, "Then I'm not doing it right !" Awhile later, a confounding pawn move made by the Gabridoodle brought forth this gem from the Chess Pirate: "I need to move my queen away from your stupid Bishop. Stupid bishop !" The game continued with neither player achieving a decisive edge. At move 56, well beyond the point where the game became drawish, the Pirate demanded, "Take it ! Don't waste my time !" This marathon finally ended with stalemate after move 64. As shown in the diagram, there wasn't much left on the board.
Game 2: Gabridoodle - Chess Pirate, 1-0
Time control: 10 minutes each
While the Gabridoodle played somewhat less briskly than usual in game one, he came alive for the tie-breaking blitz game. Normally, the ever-impulsive Pirate has the edge when time runs short, but today was a different story. The Pirate blundered away her queen in the early going and the Gabridoodle's queen was then able to rampage and methodically gobble up material. Eventually, he checkmated the Pirate with about 2 minutes to spare on his clock.
18 January 2013
18 Jan 2013: miniature shocker !
Once again, The Shiny changed hands, the Gabridoodle suffering a humiliating, almost castrational defeat.
In CLUB business, there was a discussion about whether the intense, almost crazed, level of competitiveness that has become so characteristic of CHESS CLUB can be reduced. It was agreed that this is impossible.
Gabridoodle - Chess Pirate, 0-1
This game came to a shocking conclusion after only 14 moves, the Gabridoodle having failed to make an elementary defensive move (g3 to block the bishop-queen assault). For record shortness, this game tied a very similar one from last April. The Pirate, having just won back The Shiny, declared, "I crushed you like a tomato due to my Italian heritage ! I used my feet to make Gabridoodle sauce !" For once, her comments can't be disputed. After this miniature shocker, a second just-for-fun-not-for-Shiny game was played, which the Gabridoodle won, however, on further analysis it turned out that the Pirate made an illegal move. She must have been giddy.
In CLUB business, there was a discussion about whether the intense, almost crazed, level of competitiveness that has become so characteristic of CHESS CLUB can be reduced. It was agreed that this is impossible.
This game came to a shocking conclusion after only 14 moves, the Gabridoodle having failed to make an elementary defensive move (g3 to block the bishop-queen assault). For record shortness, this game tied a very similar one from last April. The Pirate, having just won back The Shiny, declared, "I crushed you like a tomato due to my Italian heritage ! I used my feet to make Gabridoodle sauce !" For once, her comments can't be disputed. After this miniature shocker, a second just-for-fun-not-for-Shiny game was played, which the Gabridoodle won, however, on further analysis it turned out that the Pirate made an illegal move. She must have been giddy.
15 January 2013
14 Jan 2013: Bulgarian-American exhibition at Gulu Gulu
Our friends at the Salem Boardgames Meetup were treated to the spectacle of not one, not two, but three exhibition games at Salem's inimitable Gulu Gulu. As if that wasn't wild enough, the first two were miniatures ! CHESS CLUB got quite an introduction to the Explorer !
In addition to all the chess action, the Explorer and the Gabridoodle played two games of backgammon, each winning one.
In CLUB business, the Explorer has been promoted from prospective candidate member to candidate member.
Game 1
Gabridoodle - Explorer, 0-1
This game was an 18 move miniature. The Gabridoodle pontificated about pawns and how the older one gets, the more one appreciates them. The Explorer put this knowledge to use, making clever use of his h-pawn, delivering checkmate as shown in the diagram.
Game 2
Gabridoodle - Explorer, 1-0
The Explorer was offered the white pieces but demonstrated a marked affinity for sticking with black. The shock received in the first game woke the Gabridoodle up and like a raging bull (or pony, in this case), he found a weakness in the Explorer's defenses and ruthlessly exploited it, delivering checkmate in only 14 moves.
Game 3
Gabridoodle - Explorer, 1-0
The evening's final game was a relative marathon, lasting 33 moves. After some initial jousting, the Gabridoodle began a lengthy and ultimately successful stalking of the Explorer's king. The Explorer, however, did make the Gabridoodle work for it, uncorking new kingside threats whenever the opportunity presented itself.
In addition to all the chess action, the Explorer and the Gabridoodle played two games of backgammon, each winning one.
In CLUB business, the Explorer has been promoted from prospective candidate member to candidate member.
Game 1
Gabridoodle - Explorer, 0-1
This game was an 18 move miniature. The Gabridoodle pontificated about pawns and how the older one gets, the more one appreciates them. The Explorer put this knowledge to use, making clever use of his h-pawn, delivering checkmate as shown in the diagram.
Gabridoodle - Explorer, 1-0
The Explorer was offered the white pieces but demonstrated a marked affinity for sticking with black. The shock received in the first game woke the Gabridoodle up and like a raging bull (or pony, in this case), he found a weakness in the Explorer's defenses and ruthlessly exploited it, delivering checkmate in only 14 moves.
Gabridoodle - Explorer, 1-0
The evening's final game was a relative marathon, lasting 33 moves. After some initial jousting, the Gabridoodle began a lengthy and ultimately successful stalking of the Explorer's king. The Explorer, however, did make the Gabridoodle work for it, uncorking new kingside threats whenever the opportunity presented itself.
09 January 2013
The Gabridoodle's Gun, or, Sometimes There's Hope
15 moves in, it's looking grim for the Gabridoodle. Fritz is ahead by two bishops and two pawns...
03 January 2013
3 Jan 2013: the Gabridoodle strikes back (with pawns)
Before the action began on the board, CHESS CLUB went on a fun-filled field trip. First, in a bit of CLUB business, an attempt was made at recruiting new members; we'll, um, see how that goes. Next, we went to Marshall's, where the Chess Pirate purchased a remarkable piece of kitsch. The first sign the Gabridoodle had largely recovered from his malaria came at the Marshall's check-out. He managed to mortify the Pirate to the point that she blushed !
The next sign that the Gabridoodle's malaria is improved came in today's game which he won largely by demonstrating that Philidor was right when he said, "The pawn is the soul of chess."
Gabridoodle - Chess Pirate, 1-0
A surprise riposte or two by the Gabridoodle stopped the Pirate's initial slashing attacks dead in their tracks. Her game turned into a slow-motion train wreck as early as move 10, when the Gabridoodle robbed her of her castling privileges. At move 22 (see illustration), the Gabridoodle assembled a phalanx of 4 pawns, a veritable steamroller smack dab in the middle of the board. This positional advantage proved unstoppable and ten moves later, the Pirate's morale (and game) went into rapid collapse. By move 35, she was saying "That's why I'm sitting here, waiting for you to make a hideous blunder !" At move 40, after the Gabridoodle established a passed pawn protected by a rook, the Pirate started raving: "C'mon, a passed pawn is a crime against nature !" and then somewhat cryptically, "En passant ! En passant !" At move 42, it was all over, checkmate delivering The Shiny to the Gabridoodle.
The next sign that the Gabridoodle's malaria is improved came in today's game which he won largely by demonstrating that Philidor was right when he said, "The pawn is the soul of chess."
A surprise riposte or two by the Gabridoodle stopped the Pirate's initial slashing attacks dead in their tracks. Her game turned into a slow-motion train wreck as early as move 10, when the Gabridoodle robbed her of her castling privileges. At move 22 (see illustration), the Gabridoodle assembled a phalanx of 4 pawns, a veritable steamroller smack dab in the middle of the board. This positional advantage proved unstoppable and ten moves later, the Pirate's morale (and game) went into rapid collapse. By move 35, she was saying "That's why I'm sitting here, waiting for you to make a hideous blunder !" At move 40, after the Gabridoodle established a passed pawn protected by a rook, the Pirate started raving: "C'mon, a passed pawn is a crime against nature !" and then somewhat cryptically, "En passant ! En passant !" At move 42, it was all over, checkmate delivering The Shiny to the Gabridoodle.
01 January 2013
A miniature start to the new year
The Gabridoodle makes no claim that this game was typical, an omen, nor a brilliancy -- but his victory over Fritz was definitely a miniature start to the new year !
Gabridoodle - Fritz, 1-0
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d3 d5 4.Nc3 Bg4 5.Be2 Nc6 6.O-O Bb4 7.Bd2 Bc5 8.a3 a6 9.Bg5 Be6 10.exd5 Bxd5 11.Nxd5 Qxd5 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.b4 Bf8 14.c3 Bd6 15.Nh4 Rd8 16.Nf5 O-O 17.Bh5 Rfe8 18.Qg4+ Kh8 19.Qg7# 1-0
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d3 d5 4.Nc3 Bg4 5.Be2 Nc6 6.O-O Bb4 7.Bd2 Bc5 8.a3 a6 9.Bg5 Be6 10.exd5 Bxd5 11.Nxd5 Qxd5 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.b4 Bf8 14.c3 Bd6 15.Nh4 Rd8 16.Nf5 O-O 17.Bh5 Rfe8 18.Qg4+ Kh8 19.Qg7# 1-0
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