# Omnibus Chess News Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** board-card-word-game, chess\ **Created:** [January 25, 2023, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801 "2023-01-25T19:43:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2024, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/141 "2024-12-12T20:25:05Z")
> [@3AxisCtrl](#): > > Ding was once again in significant time trouble, making his blunder a forseeable outcome. He had cleared the time control, and had 10 minutes on the clock + an increment on every move…he played sharper moves in the match with much less time on his clock, and more complicated positions. > [@borschevsky](#): > > But it’s really hard to overstate how straightforward the calculation is that this position Ding went for is losing for him. It was weirdly reminiscent of his giving up mate in two to Carlsen a while back. Just a moment of inattention is enough. ---
**Author:** ![Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pasta)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2024, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/142 "2024-12-12T21:20:15Z")
An unexpected time-pressure blunder, to be sure, but the issue had at least some subtlety in it. During the live stream, the commentators casually considered Rf2 without noticing any issue (suggesting the black might simply reply …Rb1 rather than …Rxf2), and in the press conference Gukesh said he didn’t realize the opportunity immediately and was considering …Rb3 in the case of Rf2. It was only after the move appeared on the board that he recognized both (1) at that moment the bishop could not move off the a8-h1 diagonal (otherwise there is no issue) and (2) that the resulting pawn endgame was winning due to the availability of …Ke5 in reply to Ke1. Ding still should have seen all that before moving, but at least to other top players it also appeared to be a harmless move at first and one that, in time trouble, might get blitzed out. Normally that sort of rook trade is to be avoided like the plague by black if they want to press. Ding also noted that the position was far from a trivial hold even without such a calculational oversight. It seems like exactly the kind of pawn-up endgame that the best of the best like to squeeze for all they’re worth, snatching the extra half-point once in a while (as Carlsen is known to do with such “drawn” endgames.) For funzies, you can [load up the endgame](https://lichess.org/editor/B7/8/4b3/4kp2/5Rp1/6P1/1r6/6K1_w_-_-_0_1?color=white) here and click “Continue from here” to try to hold as white versus the engine. An enjoyable match overall with several interesting games and positions! * * * In other news, the hunt for qualification to the 2026 Candidates Tournament is already underway. Most qualification routes happen over the course of 2025, but one spot is awarded to the winner of the 2024 FIDE Circuit. Heading into the last month-ish of the circuit, Arjun Erigaisi was leading in circuit points, but Fabiano Caruana won clear 1st at the US Masters and tied for 1st at the St. Louis Masters, while Erigaisi managed only 2nd at the Qatar Masters. Thus, Caruana now leads by several circuit points heading into the last two relevant events of the year, the FIDE World Rapid and FIDE World Blitz Championships to be held at the end of December. Most of the top names in chess will be playing. As long as Caruana isn’t massively out-scored by Erigaisi in those events, Caruana would be the first player to qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2024, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/143 "2024-12-12T22:11:34Z")
> [@Pasta](#): > > An unexpected time-pressure blunder, to be sure, but the issue had at least some subtlety in it. During the live stream, the commentators casually considered Rf2 without noticing any issue (suggesting the black might simply reply …Rb1 rather than …Rxf2), and in the press conference Gukesh said he didn’t realize the opportunity immediately and was considering …Rb3 in the case of Rf2. It was only after the move appeared on the board that he recognized both (1) at that moment the bishop could not move off the a8-h1 diagonal (otherwise there is no issue) and (2) that the resulting pawn endgame was winning due to the availability of …Ke5 in reply to Ke1. It’s funny, on the Jovanka Houska/David Howell livestream, Howell gasps instantly when the move is made. They have no engine, and he says “he’s blundered!!..hasn’t he?!” But fair enough. In any case, a funny way to wrap it up, and good for Gukesh (as you say) applying pressure like that. > In other news, the hunt for qualification to the 2026 Candidates Tournament is already underway. Most qualification routes happen over the course of 2025, but one spot is awarded to the winner of the 2024 FIDE Circuit. Heading into the last month-ish of the circuit, Arjun Erigaisi was leading in circuit points, but Fabiano Caruana won clear 1st at the US Masters and tied for 1st at the St. Louis Masters, while Erigaisi managed only 2nd at the Qatar Masters. Thus, Caruana now leads by several circuit points heading into the last two relevant events of the year, the FIDE World Rapid and FIDE World Blitz Championships to be held at the end of December. Most of the top names in chess will be playing. As long as Caruana isn’t massively out-scored by Erigaisi in those events, Caruana would be the first player to qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament. Fun to watch Erigaisi steadily working his way up. He’s 4th on the rating list now. ---
**Author:** ![Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pasta)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2024, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/144 "2024-12-13T05:28:11Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > They have no engine, and he says “he’s blundered!!..hasn’t he?!” They have the evaluation bar on their screens. Its sudden change is what triggered their mutual gasps. The “hasn’t he?” sounded to me like the not-too-rare British affectation dropped in mindlessly as Howell was processing what was happening in the position, which was fairly quick since the eval bar told him there was a win present. (I saw a supercut of several live streams’ reactions, and they were all humorously identical. Calm chatter, then eval swing, then “Whah!?!?”, then a brief delay, and only then “He can take the rook!”) > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Fun to watch Erigaisi steadily working his way up. He’s 4th on the rating list now. Yeah, he’s on a tear. I’m rooting for Fabi for this qualification spot, though! ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/145 "2024-12-20T11:25:40Z")
This is not “news”, but just an interesting factoid I came across that I thought I’d throw in here. In the history of chess, the Queen – the most powerful piece on the board – was not always so. Prior to about the 15th century, the piece we now know as the Queen was called the _ferz_ or _fers_ and could only move one square diagonally, later enhanced to being able to move two squares on its first move. So in fact it was little better than a pawn. Wikipedia says the modern Queen came into being in 15th century Spain, significantly changing the game of chess: [Queen (chess) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_(chess)) ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/146 "2024-12-20T11:36:46Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Wikipedia says the modern Queen came into being in 15th century Spain, significantly changing the game of chess: Yes indeed. In fact both the Queen and the bishop were seriously underpowered in ancient times - the rook and to some extent the knight were far more powerful. [Shatranj - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shatranj) ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2024, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/147 "2024-12-28T20:58:18Z")
Magnus quits rather than switch out of jeans: > **[Magnus Carlsen quits World Rapid and Blitz Championships after refusing to...](https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/28/sport/magnus-carlsen-quits-jeans-spt-intl/index.html)** > > World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen quit the World Rapid Chess Championship on Friday after he refused to change out of the jeans he was wearing, according to the International Chess Federation (FIDE). Brian ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/148 "2024-12-30T22:19:37Z")
They changed the rule, and he’s back in. > **[Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen rejoins tournament he quit over wearing jeans...](https://news.sky.com/story/chess-grandmaster-rejoins-tournament-he-quit-over-wearing-jeans-after-dress-code-change-13281654)** > > Magnus Carlsen left the New York competition after he was told he had to change out of his jeans. Now, the International Chess Federation has relaxed its dress code rules to allow for "elegant deviations". ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/149 "2024-12-30T22:30:01Z")
I’m watching today, and he’s one point behind Caruana in the blitz championship, with both about to play each other. Very exciting! ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/150 "2024-12-30T22:49:20Z")
A tense draw resulted… ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/151 "2025-02-27T22:14:51Z")
RIP Boris Spassky. One of my favorite players - classy and smart, and also played interesting chess well into ‘retirement’. > **[Boris Spassky, Chess Champion Who Lost ‘Match of the Century,’ Dies at 88](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/world/europe/boris-spassky-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.0E4.vtZ1.u0ycz91KE3xR&smid=url-share)** > > When Mr. Spassky, a Russian, played Bobby Fischer, an American, in Iceland at the height of the Cold War, the media attention reduced them to pawns in a wider drama. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/152 "2025-06-16T19:25:23Z")
Chess inspires art at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio: > **[Ideal Combinations](https://case.edu/think/spring2025/ideal-combinations.html)** > > Donald E. Knuth, PhD discusses his career and the chess-inspired patterns he created for art in Olin Hall. Learn more in Think magazine. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/153 "2025-06-16T23:40:15Z")
And in case anyone doesn’t know, Knuth (the artist) is a legend of computer science. I hadn’t even realized he was still alive. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2025, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/154 "2025-10-21T13:23:01Z")
Bump for bad reasons, US GM [Daniel Naroditsky is dead](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/20/daniel-naroditsky-dies-chess-grandmaster). He was one of the most popular chess influencers on youtube / twitch. Lots of speculation about depression and suicide and feuding with Vladimir Kramnik. Very sad. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2025, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/155 "2025-10-21T13:42:28Z")
Jesus. I followed his channel for years but have been on a break recently from chess. This is incredibly upsetting. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/156 "2026-01-27T00:03:18Z")
The cause of death was released a few days ago: Cardiac arrhythmia, probably caused by methamphetamine and kratom, although neither appeared to be at lethal levels. > **[American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky's cause of death revealed](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/daniel-naroditsky-cause-of-death-us-chess-grandmaster/)** > > Daniel Naroditsky, a chess star and streamer credited with helping expand the game's audience, was found dead at his home in North Carolina in October. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/157 "2026-01-27T00:19:00Z")
This is interesting, in the sense that the overwhelming opinion at the time of his death seemed to be suicidal action (perhaps prompted by Kramnik’s asshole behavior). But this seems much more accidental than suicidal, unless I’m reading it wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/158 "2026-01-27T03:08:45Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Cardiac arrhythmia, probably caused by methamphetamine and kratom, although neither appeared to be at lethal levels. Per [the Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jan/22/daniel-naroditsky-cause-of-death-accidental-report), it seems more was some undiagnosed inflammatory disease with the drugs being a likely contributor: _According to the report, postmortem radiographic imaging revealed extensive granulomatous lung disease, findings that are “highly suggestive” of sarcoidosis. Cardiac sarcoidosis can disrupt the heart’s electrical system and is a known cause of sudden death, sometimes without prior diagnosis or warning symptoms._ _The medical examiner noted that sudden unexpected death is the presenting manifestation in a significant proportion of cardiac sarcoidosis cases._ So he definitely didn’t overdose per se. It is possible chronic drug use caused his undiagnosed issue. He had been taking “Adderall” (‘probably Adderall’ by some reports) that has friends had confiscated two days before his death, which he didn’t have a prescription for. Apparently “counterfeit Adderall” made with methamphetamine is an increasing problem. So non-toxic traces of meth might come from those (since no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found at his home). Since he by all accounts definitely wasn’t sleeping properly, it seems like a combo of stress, exhaustion and whatever drugs tripped the Do-Not-Pull cord of an underlying medical issue he wasn’t even aware of. Just tragic. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/159 "2026-01-28T00:13:13Z")
It sounds like a situation where one issue potentiated another. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2026, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801/160 "2026-03-13T03:04:26Z")
A cool Man Ray modernist chess set. > **[Man Ray Beech Wood Chess Pieces](https://menusandmusic.com/products/man-ray-beech-wood-chess-pieces?_pos=1&_psq=14h-0905&_ss=e&_v=1.0)** > > Based on a 1920 design by the American artist Man Ray, who created the work in Paris for his friend Marcel Duchamp, a fellow artist and avid chess player. These geometric and figurative forms are made in Germany of solid beech wood. Figures measure... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801.md?page=9)