Chess – Fr. Z's Blog: Recent Episodes
Fr. John Zuhlsdorf
Formerly entitled: "What Does The Prayer Really Say?" - Clear, straight commentary on Catholic issues, liturgy and life by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf o{]:¬)
It often happens that when I ask you for help to find something out or explain something – BAM! – within hours, sometimes minutes – an answer arrives. I’m looking for a Tradition-leaning Catholic titled chess player. What do I … Read More →
Welcome new registrant: MAK At the Piazza Navona there is a store that has many chess sets for sale. For example, various crusaders going at each other. Right Click for larger. I don’t enjoy playing with fancy pieces. I like … Read More →
Today the sun rose at 06:02. This evening the sun will set at 20:18. The Ave Maria Bell will not ring at 20:15, though it should. In the Novus calendar it is the Feast of Sts. Philip and James the … Read More →
Photo by The Great Roman™ Welcome registrants: jerryforZ Christine Rose Meanwhile, NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others. Interested in learning? Try THIS. Meanwhile, at Tata Steel, Magnus Carlsen has … Read More →
I simply am compelled to bring this to your attention. Even if you are not so much into chess… tua maxima culpa – you can see how totally nuts this game was between Hungarian Richard Rapport (now playing for Romania) … Read More →
Simple and simply wonderful. The pasta are ferretti, made from flour and water. With salmon, zest from various citrus, and dill. I have to do this one myself. The trick will be the “manticare” stage. I ate out only about … Read More →
In Rome sunrise, still to take place as I write this part of this post, will be at 7:08. It will appear to set at 18:49 and the Ave Maria is in the 19:00 phase. It is the Dies Natalis … Read More →
From a friend in Rome, today. TAN BOOKS has been faithful for years. Their recent titles are excellent. I’m just now looking at their new edition of the Seven Last Words of St. Bonaventure, due out later. Priestly chess players, … Read More →
High chess drama in St Louis yesterday where the Sinquefield Cup is underway with some of the best players in the world… except… Yesterday the arguably-best-player-ever, Magnus Carlsen, stunned everyone by withdrawing from the tourney with a cryptic comment intimating … Read More →
27 August 1972. Bobby Fischer of the United States and defending champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union sat down for Game 19 of the Match of the Century in the Laugardalshöll Arena in Reykjavík, Iceland. On this same day … Read More →
Please remember me when shopping online. Thanks in advance.US HERE – UK HERE Today, no news from Iceland in 1972. Let’s try an experiment. My opponent went for a Bird and I countered with From. I hoped it would go into a King’s … Read More →
Today is National Wine and Cheese Day! 10% off with code FATHERZ10 In Chess News… 50 years ago today in Iceland, Boris had white and Bobby had black. The Najdorf (pronounced “nai-dorf”) Sicilian was on the board. Fischer had the … Read More →
Help the great Norcia Benedictines. GREAT beer. Try it with sausage and a sharp cheese. Your use of my Amazon affiliate link is a major part of my income. It helps to pay for insurance, groceries, everything. Please remember me … Read More →
I had learned to play chess from my grandfather and, by the time 1972 came around, I was well into competitions. I spent a good share of my youth in the summers in the West, Montana and Wyoming. Let’s just … Read More →
This is a really fun bit of correspondence. For you chess lovers, or … perhaps flea market and collecting lovers… From a reader… Dear Father Zed, or Father Zee (as we say up here north of the 49th!!) For several … Read More →
In Rome sunrise was at 5:32 and, though we may not see it for the clouds, sunset is scheduled for 20:47. The Ave Maria bell ought to be a 21:00. This is the splendidly illuminated S. Maria in Monserrato, named … Read More →
Heading home for the brief stretch before I head to Italy. Highlights from my time in … The Rome of the West.
UPDATE 9 Dec 21: One of you wrote: “But Father! But Father! You showed interior of the finished board and some pieces, but you didn’t show a photo of it set up! Inquiring minds…” Okay, that’s fair. Scroll to the … Read More →
Since I am working to recover my long lost chess game, I thought you might like this, from The Way of Perfection 16 by St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church and Patroness of Chess Players. 1.But you may … Read More →
First and foremost, thank you to the reader who sent from my wishlist (‘happy birthday to me’) the wonderful “Lewis” chessmen, found on Lewis Island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, not at Lewes in Sussex where friends of mine … Read More →
After several decades, and not of the Rosary in this context, along with other things I had loved to do and that I was good at and I that I had shelved because of seminary and priesthood, I’m getting back … Read More →