World Chess Championship in London...

[Half Fast]

Yeah, 1.e4 is what all us chess hacks open with!

Well, I’m an old fart who learned it as P-K4.

 

[Ravioli]

Probably not as exciting as if it were in Bangkok.
What... nobody? Sheesh.

From the musical, Chess.

 

[Groundpounder]

F1 can be boring for any given race, but exciting over a season if you follow all the drama: team strategies, technology, testing and development, etc. I enjoyed F1 when I followed it, but I really followed it. It takes time, though, not something you can enjoy casually.

Still, the best racing is viewed through a windshield, not a TV screen.

Same could be said for NASCAR. I 100% understand why a non fan would be bored as hell watching a single race, but once you start to learn the strategy and get familiar with the characters, it's much more interesting. But if I actually sit down and watch an entire race, there is at least a 30 min nap in there somewhere. They need to cut the laps in half.

 

[DaleB]

From the musical, Chess.

Finally. Thank you.

 

[Half Fast]

Teaching my son to play (he's 23 now):

 

[FastEddieB]

Another draw today, this one not all that interesting.

 

[MooneyDriver78]

Teaching my son to play (he's 23 now)

Hopefully he doesn’t let you take his queen so quickly nowadays.

They need to play speed chess, I wonder how IBMs Watson would have done if it didn’t have time to go through billions of operations.

 

[Half Fast]

Hopefully he doesn’t let you take his queen so quickly nowadays.

No, he doesn't! He's become a decent player over the years.

 

[FastEddieB]

Update...

10 games in. 10 draws.

Some were interesting, and one side - often black - ended up pressing with a superior position. But these are the two best players in the world, with nearly identical ratings, and each is known for his defensive prowess.

Anyway, 2 classical games left. Either could be decisive. Game 11 underway now. Game 12 tomorrow.

If they’re still even after 12 games, they begin to play games with shorter time controls until there is a winner. Carlsen is known for his skill in such games.

Not as interesting a match as I had hoped, but still worthwhile if you’re into this sort of thing.

 

[SkyDog58]

Dang Eddie. I thought by now that all of Karen’s paint would have dried.

 

[FastEddieB]

Dang Eddie. I thought by now that all of Karen’s paint would have dried.

Oh, that paint is long since dried.

But it’s amazing how slowly grass grows this time of year!

And game 11 is headed to another draw.

 

[Half Fast]

Good to know there’s an alternative if the Ga-Ga Tech games starts to go to the dogs..

 

[flyingron]

Since it is taking place in London...

 

[Half Fast]

45 to 14 and not getting better. What channel is chess on?

 

[LoneAspen]

Probably no instrument approaches in Alabama huh? Haven't got the technology yet in that state.

Sure they do! They just lay out a row of banjos in front of the runway.

 

[FlyingTiger]

I played tournament chess for years and find this championship extremely boring. Computers chess programs have gotten these guys preparation to a level that makes winning very difficult. The faster tie break time controls should make things more interesting on Wednesday - assuming today is a draw.

 

[FastEddieB]

Extremely disappointing draw from a position that seemed to have potential. Now on to rapid games.

 

[FlyingTiger]

Agree, Magnus not playing that position was frustrating. He must be very confident he will win the rapid tie break.

 

[FastEddieB]

Magnus is up 2-0 in the 4 rapid games - Nearly insurmountable. Caruana would have to win the next 2 to just stay in it. Doesn’t look good for team USA.

 

[FastEddieB]

It’s over!

Congratulations Magnus!