I can’t say I agree with the methodology, it’s very poorly researched, and the conclusions are, consequentially, rather ridiculous… .
Mark. J. McCready
Posted in Chess on February 27, 2025| Leave a Comment »
I can’t say I agree with the methodology, it’s very poorly researched, and the conclusions are, consequentially, rather ridiculous… .
Mark. J. McCready
Posted in Chess on February 16, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Chess on June 5, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Chess on June 2, 2024| Leave a Comment »
In the current Norway Chess tournament, two friends are trying to break the world record of 60 hours of non-stop chess. Rather them than me.





Posted in Chess on May 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Chess on May 9, 2024| Leave a Comment »
I am by no means an expert and may well be wrong here but do forgive me for thinking that what you see below is not how Karpov used to play when he was young.
Posted in Chess on May 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Are you into the sort of game where one of the very best in the world gets absolutely massacred by a devastating sacrifice? Do you like watching kings run for cover in the middle game with resignation being the only form of escape?
Game 1 Beliavsky V Nunn, Wijk Aan Zee 1985
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1103322
Game 2 Plaskett V Miles, Lugano 1985
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1097818
Mark. J. McCready
Posted in Chess on May 2, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Chess lovers: what is the missing link between The Damned —– and —– Nirvana and how could there be a chess connection? Any ideas? Tough questions huh? Okay let’s make it easier then.
Nirvana. Truly fantastic trio from Seattle (and surrounding areas). Have a listen to this:
———–missing link ———-missing link————missing link ————— missing link ———-missing link————missing link —————missing link ———-missing link————missing link missing link ———-missing link————missing link ————- missing link ———-missing link————missing link —————- missing link ———-missing link————missing link ————– missing link ———-missing link————missing link———missing link ———-missing link————
The Damned. Top notch UK punk outfit. Attention please.
The Damned ‘life goes on‘ —– Killing Joke ‘eighties’ —— Nirvana ‘come as you are’. ‘Come as you are’ was borrowed (for want of a better term, perhaps ripped off lifted is better) from the song ‘eighties’, everyone knows this. But what most people don’t know is that the song ‘eighties’ was borrowed (ripped off lifted) from ‘life goes on’ by The Damned.
So where lies the chess connection? The missing link Killing Joke wrote a song which alludes to chess in the chorus and uses chess metaphors. It’s called ‘Chessboards’ and can be found on their album ‘Brighter than a Thousand Suns’. In my opinion, it is a strong contender for being the best song written about chess ever -truly great chorus! Here it is. Please do have a listen.
Best Nirvana song: Lounge Act
Best Killing Joke song: Euphoria
Best The Damned song: New Rose
Are you converted? In case you don’t know, music is much better than chess.
Mark. J. McCready
Posted in Chess on April 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Chess on April 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »