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Terry, this post is gold dust - thank you so much for a great writing toolkit!

"I’m not that interested in sports, but I read the sports pages at least once a week because some of the writers are superb." This really got my attention! Okay, I don't read the sports pages - in fact I edit my copy of the Saturday Telegraph (my weekly indulgence in printed news) and the sports section hits the recycling bin without being opened (unless it's Wimbledon fortnight) - but I DO always read the chess column! I have no interest in chess, and get even more lost on a 64-square chessboard than I do in my everyday failed navigations - but I love reading that column!

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Thanks, Rebecca. Actually, I like chess. Perhaps I should read them as well. What do you like about the chess column?

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It's because the language and secret codes are just bonkers - I always think that they must be a messaging conduit for spies.

I quote from Saturday's column:

1.e4 c5. 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3 Nf6. 4. Be2 a6 5.0-0 b5 (Magnus has developed fast, but kept options open. Hence this is a bit risky, 5...e6 was safer) 6. d4! (A good moment to open the game)

That's just the first few lines out of over a hundred.

The rest of the column is punctuated by lovely little phrases:

...leaves Black horribly pinned

...is crushing

...is more energetic

...leaving the bishop anchored on d3 was good

A very unexpected clever tactic - the pawn looked very securely defended.

Black is ok, but White's plan is clearer

A really brilliant more, leaving the queenside to its fate, White has too much kingside firepower

I mean, goodness me! If it's not spy-speak, then I'll just imagine it all read out loud at high speed as if by a horse-racing commentator. It's bafflingly fascinating!

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There are some really funny sections about chess in the one-upmanship books. The nomenclature has changed over the years, but you can get the drift. This is a ploy known as Potter's Opening (the book was written by Stephen Potter):

Potter's opening

This is supposed, now, to be the name of an effective opening, simple to play and easy to remember, which I have invented for use against a more experienced player who is absolutely certain to win. It consists of making three moves at random and then resigning. The dialogue runs as follows:

Moves:

(1) KP-K4: KP-K4

(2) B-Q B4: B-Q B4

(3) Kt-B3: Kt-B3

(4) White resigns

SELF: Good. Excellent. (Opponent has just made his third move. See above.) I must resign, of course.

OPPONENT: Resign?

SELF: Well... you're bound to take my Bishop after sixteen moves, unless... unless... And even then I lose my castle three moves later.

OPPONENT. Oh, yes.

SELF: Unless you sacrifice there, which, of course, you wouldn't.

OPPONENT: No.

SELF: Nice game.

SELF: Pretty situation... very pretty situation. Do you mind if I take note of it? The Chess News usually publishes any stuff I send them.

OPPONENT: Yes.

It is no exaggeration to say that this gambit, boldly carried out against the expert, heightens the reputation of the gamesman more effectively than the most courageous attempt to fight a losing battle.

😂

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Oh, that's brilliant!!!! 🤣

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Every time I read it I can't help laughing 😂

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Thanks Terry. I’ll continue to work on being a good reader and commenter. I find that there are many excellent writers in my life already (lucky me) so I’ll just appreciate their gifts for the moment. Enjoy your weekend. All the best.

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Thanks, Beth. Writers thrive on good readers and commenters, otherwise we're all shouting above each other! 😂

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Jan 12Liked by Terry Freedman

Great stuff, Terry. I half expected it to be a tongue-in-cheek article, but then it turned out to be serious ;)

Added the handwriting book to my wishlist. Looks to be my kind of thing. (I bet Jillian Hess would also enjoy that one!)

Now, off I go to read, read, read ...

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I had a look, too, and thought of Jillian immediately! 😊

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🙂

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Thanks, Nathan 😊

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