Dave Shapland
@inter-mezzo.bsky.social
Chess fanatic ♟️| Communications professional 📢 | Health innovation enthusiast 💡 | History aficionado 📚 | Dedicated rambler 🥾 | Die-hard foodie 🍱 | Amateur mixologist 🍸 | Bedroom DJ 🎧 and most definitely pulling for ‘team cat’! 🐈
Not made this for ages… Smoked Haddock with Cannellini Beans in a cream, mustard and parsley sauce. Just steamed veg to go with. OMG!! 🤤
August 11, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Not made this for ages… Smoked Haddock with Cannellini Beans in a cream, mustard and parsley sauce. Just steamed veg to go with. OMG!! 🤤
On a gorgeous sunny Sunday in Yorkshire what could be better than a wonderful moor top walk in Calderdale to clear the cobwebs and lift the spirits. 🤩
There might have been a slice of cake at the end of it too… 🍰 😋
There might have been a slice of cake at the end of it too… 🍰 😋
August 10, 2025 at 9:11 PM
On a gorgeous sunny Sunday in Yorkshire what could be better than a wonderful moor top walk in Calderdale to clear the cobwebs and lift the spirits. 🤩
There might have been a slice of cake at the end of it too… 🍰 😋
There might have been a slice of cake at the end of it too… 🍰 😋
Visited Dominic’s top castle today as we took a trip to Yoros. Excellent recommendation and an antidote to Topkapi. The views are stunning and there is indeed no health and safety on the ruined walls. Whilst there the call to prayer echoed across the Bosphorus. Wow! 🤩
@theresthistory.bsky.social
@theresthistory.bsky.social
May 22, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Visited Dominic’s top castle today as we took a trip to Yoros. Excellent recommendation and an antidote to Topkapi. The views are stunning and there is indeed no health and safety on the ruined walls. Whilst there the call to prayer echoed across the Bosphorus. Wow! 🤩
@theresthistory.bsky.social
@theresthistory.bsky.social
Whassup #chesspunk!
Been a long time since I last posted but here’s an interesting position from my classical game last night in a friendly match against Burnley chess club.
Black to play. In a tough position I had elected to give up material to try and expose the White king. What would you do here?
Been a long time since I last posted but here’s an interesting position from my classical game last night in a friendly match against Burnley chess club.
Black to play. In a tough position I had elected to give up material to try and expose the White king. What would you do here?
May 9, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Whassup #chesspunk!
Been a long time since I last posted but here’s an interesting position from my classical game last night in a friendly match against Burnley chess club.
Black to play. In a tough position I had elected to give up material to try and expose the White king. What would you do here?
Been a long time since I last posted but here’s an interesting position from my classical game last night in a friendly match against Burnley chess club.
Black to play. In a tough position I had elected to give up material to try and expose the White king. What would you do here?
Yes. That was what I decided on too. It’s psychologically a very practical move. Needless to say, my opponent didn’t want to take the draw and instead continued with Rh1. That put him on the back foot until we reached the position below. See if you can find the break through for Black…
March 5, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Yes. That was what I decided on too. It’s psychologically a very practical move. Needless to say, my opponent didn’t want to take the draw and instead continued with Rh1. That put him on the back foot until we reached the position below. See if you can find the break through for Black…
Morning #chesspunks!
This is from my game in the 4NCL Online last night. I’d been slowly outplayed by my higher rated opponent. I’m positionally busted what to do? What would you play with Black here?
This is from my game in the 4NCL Online last night. I’d been slowly outplayed by my higher rated opponent. I’m positionally busted what to do? What would you play with Black here?
March 5, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Morning #chesspunks!
This is from my game in the 4NCL Online last night. I’d been slowly outplayed by my higher rated opponent. I’m positionally busted what to do? What would you play with Black here?
This is from my game in the 4NCL Online last night. I’d been slowly outplayed by my higher rated opponent. I’m positionally busted what to do? What would you play with Black here?
Here’s the final position from my 5th round game at Blackpool #chesspunks. As Black I was under pressure for much of the game but survived and got to this position. I decided to accept my young opponent’s draw offer. Would you have done the same? If not, how would you have proceeded in the game?
February 9, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Here’s the final position from my 5th round game at Blackpool #chesspunks. As Black I was under pressure for much of the game but survived and got to this position. I decided to accept my young opponent’s draw offer. Would you have done the same? If not, how would you have proceeded in the game?
Ok #chesspunks, here’s one of the key positions from my round 4 game at Blackpool this morning. It was a wild and complicated Two Knights Defence. White is winning but it’s extremely complicated and I went wrong here and ended up losing. What would you play after Black’s 20…d4!?
February 9, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Ok #chesspunks, here’s one of the key positions from my round 4 game at Blackpool this morning. It was a wild and complicated Two Knights Defence. White is winning but it’s extremely complicated and I went wrong here and ended up losing. What would you play after Black’s 20…d4!?
Then, yesterday afternoon, after an exhausting 4 hour battle, with my opponent down to his last few minutes plus increments, he picked up his king and played Kd3 in this position and saved me from having to try and torture a win out of him. If I even can from here! Phew!! 🍀
February 9, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Then, yesterday afternoon, after an exhausting 4 hour battle, with my opponent down to his last few minutes plus increments, he picked up his king and played Kd3 in this position and saved me from having to try and torture a win out of him. If I even can from here! Phew!! 🍀
Morning #chesspunks!
I am currently playing at Blackpool, one of the biggest weekend chess tournaments in the UK. I’m in the Major (U2050) and it’s very competitive. I’m grinding hard for everything. Yesterday morning I caught a massive break when my opponent touched his king in this position… oops!
I am currently playing at Blackpool, one of the biggest weekend chess tournaments in the UK. I’m in the Major (U2050) and it’s very competitive. I’m grinding hard for everything. Yesterday morning I caught a massive break when my opponent touched his king in this position… oops!
February 9, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Morning #chesspunks!
I am currently playing at Blackpool, one of the biggest weekend chess tournaments in the UK. I’m in the Major (U2050) and it’s very competitive. I’m grinding hard for everything. Yesterday morning I caught a massive break when my opponent touched his king in this position… oops!
I am currently playing at Blackpool, one of the biggest weekend chess tournaments in the UK. I’m in the Major (U2050) and it’s very competitive. I’m grinding hard for everything. Yesterday morning I caught a massive break when my opponent touched his king in this position… oops!
Morning #chesspunks and Happy Friday! Here’s a position for you to consider from an OTB game I played earlier this week. It’s White to play and he’s just pushed the Black knight back to g8. How would you follow up?
February 7, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Morning #chesspunks and Happy Friday! Here’s a position for you to consider from an OTB game I played earlier this week. It’s White to play and he’s just pushed the Black knight back to g8. How would you follow up?
Here an easy but pretty one for you #chesspunks. Black to play. What’s your move and why?
February 4, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Here an easy but pretty one for you #chesspunks. Black to play. What’s your move and why?
Knighty-Knight! Part2
Then tonight I was playing in the 4NCL Online and this happened. Black just played 17…Nxd4 to which I replied?
Then tonight I was playing in the 4NCL Online and this happened. Black just played 17…Nxd4 to which I replied?
January 21, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Knighty-Knight! Part2
Then tonight I was playing in the 4NCL Online and this happened. Black just played 17…Nxd4 to which I replied?
Then tonight I was playing in the 4NCL Online and this happened. Black just played 17…Nxd4 to which I replied?
Knighty-Knight! Part1
Hi #chesspunks,
Hope you’re all doing well. This week I have been the beneficiary of some generosity from my opponents.
Last night in my OTB match in the Calderdale League came this. White has just played 19.g4. How do we meet that?
Hi #chesspunks,
Hope you’re all doing well. This week I have been the beneficiary of some generosity from my opponents.
Last night in my OTB match in the Calderdale League came this. White has just played 19.g4. How do we meet that?
January 21, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Knighty-Knight! Part1
Hi #chesspunks,
Hope you’re all doing well. This week I have been the beneficiary of some generosity from my opponents.
Last night in my OTB match in the Calderdale League came this. White has just played 19.g4. How do we meet that?
Hi #chesspunks,
Hope you’re all doing well. This week I have been the beneficiary of some generosity from my opponents.
Last night in my OTB match in the Calderdale League came this. White has just played 19.g4. How do we meet that?
Here's a nasty swindle from an online game. This one just goes to show that you should never give up hope while material is still relatively balanced. Black just played 35...Qh4 threatening mate in 1. But what had he missed #chesspunks?
January 7, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Here's a nasty swindle from an online game. This one just goes to show that you should never give up hope while material is still relatively balanced. Black just played 35...Qh4 threatening mate in 1. But what had he missed #chesspunks?
Happy New Year #chesspunks!
Here’s a little bit of fun from an online Rapidplay game. Black just played 29…Qf5 and I thought ‘Oh no!’ as my rook and bishop are both attacked and the rook is also pinned. But after a moment of panic. I spotted what?
Here’s a little bit of fun from an online Rapidplay game. Black just played 29…Qf5 and I thought ‘Oh no!’ as my rook and bishop are both attacked and the rook is also pinned. But after a moment of panic. I spotted what?
January 1, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Happy New Year #chesspunks!
Here’s a little bit of fun from an online Rapidplay game. Black just played 29…Qf5 and I thought ‘Oh no!’ as my rook and bishop are both attacked and the rook is also pinned. But after a moment of panic. I spotted what?
Here’s a little bit of fun from an online Rapidplay game. Black just played 29…Qf5 and I thought ‘Oh no!’ as my rook and bishop are both attacked and the rook is also pinned. But after a moment of panic. I spotted what?
New Year’s Eve Hiking at the Sound of Sleat on the Isle of Skye in Scotland 🏴. Weather conditions were pretty hostile at times but the few breaks in the clouds were well worth the wait. The Sound of Sleat Beach was particularly pretty.
January 1, 2025 at 8:46 PM
New Year’s Eve Hiking at the Sound of Sleat on the Isle of Skye in Scotland 🏴. Weather conditions were pretty hostile at times but the few breaks in the clouds were well worth the wait. The Sound of Sleat Beach was particularly pretty.
Spending New Year hiking on the Isle of Skye in the north west of Scotland was always likely to involve enduring some severe weather, but there have been some very pleasant interludes so far. Looking forward to hunkering down in the pub with a fire, good beer, good company and good music tonight.
December 31, 2024 at 5:07 PM
Spending New Year hiking on the Isle of Skye in the north west of Scotland was always likely to involve enduring some severe weather, but there have been some very pleasant interludes so far. Looking forward to hunkering down in the pub with a fire, good beer, good company and good music tonight.
A few final snaps from a stormy weekend in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. Managed to hike up Glaramara on Sunday in fairly hostile conditions. Cloud came down on the descent via Langstrath under the brooding presence of Great End which, like many of the high peaks, was dusted with snow.
December 10, 2024 at 9:01 AM
A few final snaps from a stormy weekend in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. Managed to hike up Glaramara on Sunday in fairly hostile conditions. Cloud came down on the descent via Langstrath under the brooding presence of Great End which, like many of the high peaks, was dusted with snow.
After a wet and windy day hiking in the Lake District yesterday, what could be better than a delicious dinner at the Fell Pack in Keswick. Butterbean and winter veg hummus, pigs in blankets and lamb rendang pictured😋 No wonder it’s a firm favourite with locals. Highly recommended! fellpack.co.uk
December 8, 2024 at 9:08 AM
After a wet and windy day hiking in the Lake District yesterday, what could be better than a delicious dinner at the Fell Pack in Keswick. Butterbean and winter veg hummus, pigs in blankets and lamb rendang pictured😋 No wonder it’s a firm favourite with locals. Highly recommended! fellpack.co.uk
What’s up #chesspunks? ‘Bout time for another snippet from one of my OTB chess games. This one’s from last Monday night. It’s White to play. What’s the best continuation here? Also, bonus point if you can guess the opening variation from this position. 😜
December 7, 2024 at 11:54 PM
What’s up #chesspunks? ‘Bout time for another snippet from one of my OTB chess games. This one’s from last Monday night. It’s White to play. What’s the best continuation here? Also, bonus point if you can guess the opening variation from this position. 😜
Escaped for the weekend to the beautiful Lake District in Cumbria 🏔️. The weather’s been challenging 🌧️ but still managed to squeeze some hiking 🥾 in. Yesterday it was Cat Bells and Derwent Water. Predominant colours were rusty browns and reds from the land and steely greys from the water and the sky.
December 7, 2024 at 8:43 AM
Escaped for the weekend to the beautiful Lake District in Cumbria 🏔️. The weather’s been challenging 🌧️ but still managed to squeeze some hiking 🥾 in. Yesterday it was Cat Bells and Derwent Water. Predominant colours were rusty browns and reds from the land and steely greys from the water and the sky.
Took a quick hike up Manshead End from the house this afternoon. The clouds were grey and brooding and then suddenly the sun lit everything up blue and pink and orange. Minutes later it was grey again. Beautiful West Yorkshire! 😍
December 1, 2024 at 5:21 PM
Took a quick hike up Manshead End from the house this afternoon. The clouds were grey and brooding and then suddenly the sun lit everything up blue and pink and orange. Minutes later it was grey again. Beautiful West Yorkshire! 😍
Yes. 25.Nd1 is the engine's top choice. This was played by my opponent in the game (I was Black) and we continued 25...Qd7 26.Qf4 Nxf3+ 27.Qxf3 Nh5 28.c3 Rb3 (pinning the c-pawn) 29.g4 Ng7 reaching the position below. Now how should White proceed?
November 26, 2024 at 11:22 AM
Yes. 25.Nd1 is the engine's top choice. This was played by my opponent in the game (I was Black) and we continued 25...Qd7 26.Qf4 Nxf3+ 27.Qxf3 Nh5 28.c3 Rb3 (pinning the c-pawn) 29.g4 Ng7 reaching the position below. Now how should White proceed?
Morning #chesspunks!
Here's the key position from my OTB game in the Calderdale League last night. Black has just played 24...Ne5. What is White's best move here? You'll need to provide some supporting analysis to show how you'd meet Black's responses. It's a complicated position so take some time.
Here's the key position from my OTB game in the Calderdale League last night. Black has just played 24...Ne5. What is White's best move here? You'll need to provide some supporting analysis to show how you'd meet Black's responses. It's a complicated position so take some time.
November 26, 2024 at 8:54 AM
Morning #chesspunks!
Here's the key position from my OTB game in the Calderdale League last night. Black has just played 24...Ne5. What is White's best move here? You'll need to provide some supporting analysis to show how you'd meet Black's responses. It's a complicated position so take some time.
Here's the key position from my OTB game in the Calderdale League last night. Black has just played 24...Ne5. What is White's best move here? You'll need to provide some supporting analysis to show how you'd meet Black's responses. It's a complicated position so take some time.