A minor footnote to the tragedy that has been the Los Angeles wildfires in recent days, but the Altadena Community Church, home to the San Gabriel Valley Chess Club (SGVCC), was destroyed in the Eaton fire #chesspunks

Started playing some semi-serious “training games” against the Lichess Maia bots, from certain lines in my opening repertoire (and with board and pieces). Good for the times when I might be a bit distracted around the house.

Got this nice four piece mate today.

Do folks think that maybe Ding has been holed up studying deep ideas in the French and will stick with it throughout (if Gukesh persists with e4)? #chesspunks

Throwback to my first OTB tournament last year. I blundered a piece on move 10 (of course) but managed to get some great counterplay and a pawn to c7.

I missed the key idea and blundered the game away. How should Black proceed? #chesspunks

Grateful that my opponent missed this nice tactic in my Rapid game today. #chesspunks

Obsessed with this Sausages vs Sushi match-up.

There’s a Vienna Game joke in here somewhere.

Going to try and post a position or tactic from one of my OTB or Rapid games here each day (mostly for the <1200 crowd…)

Black to play and win #chesspunks