Finally, my interest in chess and The Beatles collide!
Mark Glickman (inventor of the Glicko chess rating system) is in the news again, but this time for some statistical analysis connected with The Beatles. Glickman and Jason Brown developed a data model for Beatles songs, comprising 149 different features. Then using the model they were able to determine the authorship of each Beatles song, within a certain degree of confidence.
For non Beatles fans, the majority of Beatles songs were credited to Lennon-McCartney even if only one or the other really wrote the song (the rest being cover versions, compositions by George Harrison, or the occasional Ringo Star tune). The rough and ready method in the past was normally who sang lead vocals, but Glickman and Brown have taken this further.
One song they have looked at is 'In My Life' from the Rubber Soul album. In the past McCartney said that he wrote most of the song, while Lennon (before his death) stated that it was based on his childhood memories, and McCartney only contributed a small part of the song. According to Glickman and Brown, the song bears all the hallmarks of a Lennon composition, with very little change of it being a McCartney song.
If you want to read more about this interesting work, you can have a look here or here.
Tuesday, 31 July 2018
Sunday, 29 July 2018
2018 ANU Open - Brandon Clarke wins
Brandon Clarke has won the 2018 ANU Open, scoring 6/7 and finishing a point ahead of the field. Going into the final day as part of the leading group, he defeated FM Yi Liu in round 5 and IM James Morris in Round 6. Needing only half a point for outright first, he agreed to a quick draw to FM Michael Kethro to take the $1000 first prize. There was a 4 way tie for second, with Morris, Kethro Liu and Bahman Kargosha all on 5/7.
The 60m+10s time limit resulted in some exciting but frantic chess. While a number of players blew up as time ran short (including myself more than once), Clarke was able to handle the time scrambles a bit better than his opponents.
The Minor (Under 1600) was one by Yizhen Diao with 6/7, after beating previous leader Athena Hathiramani in the final round. Tied for second with Hathiramani was veteran Canberra player Joe Marks, proving that it isn't just junior players who clean in these events.
Full crosstables, as well as all the games from the top 4 boards can be found at http://tournaments.streetchess.net/anu2018/
For Canberra players the next weekend event is the 2018 Viking Weekender in November, while Sydney players can look forward to the 2018 August Weekender in a fortnight.
The 60m+10s time limit resulted in some exciting but frantic chess. While a number of players blew up as time ran short (including myself more than once), Clarke was able to handle the time scrambles a bit better than his opponents.
The Minor (Under 1600) was one by Yizhen Diao with 6/7, after beating previous leader Athena Hathiramani in the final round. Tied for second with Hathiramani was veteran Canberra player Joe Marks, proving that it isn't just junior players who clean in these events.
Full crosstables, as well as all the games from the top 4 boards can be found at http://tournaments.streetchess.net/anu2018/
For Canberra players the next weekend event is the 2018 Viking Weekender in November, while Sydney players can look forward to the 2018 August Weekender in a fortnight.
Saturday, 28 July 2018
2018 ANU Open Day 1
The 2018 ANU Open has turned out to be a reasonably strong event. 10 of the 29 players in the Open were rated over 2000, with IM James Morris the top seed.
At the end of the first 4 rounds there is a 4 way tie for first, with Morris, FM Yi Liu, Brandon Clarke and CM Clive Ng all on 3.5.
As mentioned in yesterdays post, there have been a number of interesting games on the top boards. I started the tournament on board 1 (as top of the bottom half), and was on the receiving end of an interesting sacrifice from IM James Morris. During the brief post game analysis he thought he was a little lucky to get away with it, but it seems that he always had enough compensation.
Clive NG's win over IM Andrew Brown was another interesting game. Brown was ahead a piece for some of the game, but was overwhelmed by a kingside pawn rush.
In the Minor Mark Scully and Anthena Hathiramani lead with 4/4. As in the Open there have been a number of interesting games, with young Canberra junior Sophia Boyce being the author of a couple of them.
Tomorrows round starts at 9:30 am. You can watch the live games here, as well as replay the top board games from the previous rounds. Full standings from both events can be found at the Street Chess Tournament page.
At the end of the first 4 rounds there is a 4 way tie for first, with Morris, FM Yi Liu, Brandon Clarke and CM Clive Ng all on 3.5.
As mentioned in yesterdays post, there have been a number of interesting games on the top boards. I started the tournament on board 1 (as top of the bottom half), and was on the receiving end of an interesting sacrifice from IM James Morris. During the brief post game analysis he thought he was a little lucky to get away with it, but it seems that he always had enough compensation.
Clive NG's win over IM Andrew Brown was another interesting game. Brown was ahead a piece for some of the game, but was overwhelmed by a kingside pawn rush.
In the Minor Mark Scully and Anthena Hathiramani lead with 4/4. As in the Open there have been a number of interesting games, with young Canberra junior Sophia Boyce being the author of a couple of them.
Tomorrows round starts at 9:30 am. You can watch the live games here, as well as replay the top board games from the previous rounds. Full standings from both events can be found at the Street Chess Tournament page.
2018 ANU Open - Tournament Links
The 2018 ANU Open starts on Saturday, and while looking like a strong event, the numbers are still a little short of what the organisers are hoping for. However, this means that most of the likely contenders are going to meet early in the event, and the top boards should contain plenty of action.
You can follow the Open (and the Minor) at http://tournaments.streetchess.net/anu2018/ The tournament results and pairings can be found here, as well as live coverage of the top 4 boards from the Open.The first round begins at 10 am , with 4 rounds on Saturday, and 3 rounds on Sunday. I will try and provide some updated coverage on this blog, although for once I am actually playing in the event, so I may have my mind on other things.
You can follow the Open (and the Minor) at http://tournaments.streetchess.net/anu2018/ The tournament results and pairings can be found here, as well as live coverage of the top 4 boards from the Open.The first round begins at 10 am , with 4 rounds on Saturday, and 3 rounds on Sunday. I will try and provide some updated coverage on this blog, although for once I am actually playing in the event, so I may have my mind on other things.
Wednesday, 25 July 2018
2018 ANU Open - Early registration closes on Friday
The 2018 ANU Open and Minor is on this weekend (28th and 29th July). If you register before Friday you get a $10 discount, even if you pay on the day. Go to http://vesus.org/festivals/2018-anu-open/ to register. You can also download all the tournament details there as well.
And don't forget the 2018 Buddy Blitz, starting a at 6pm on Friday 27th, at King O'Malleys, City Walk, Canberra City. This is a 5 round blitz event for teams of 2 players. Entry is free, and you can register at the venue.
And don't forget the 2018 Buddy Blitz, starting a at 6pm on Friday 27th, at King O'Malleys, City Walk, Canberra City. This is a 5 round blitz event for teams of 2 players. Entry is free, and you can register at the venue.
Tuesday, 24 July 2018
Jim's Chess Cafe
For Sydneysiders looking for a new coffee shop to hang out in, try Queenside on New Canterbury Rd, Dulwhich Hill. It is run by local chessplayer Jim Papadakis and is a chess themed coffee shop. Apart from the name, it has a number of items on the menu name after chess players, including "Smurfi's Scandi granola" named after GM David Smerdon. The cafe also has plenty of chess themed decorations, and also holds after hours chess sessions.
If you want to check it out online (before visiting), then have a look here.
If you want to check it out online (before visiting), then have a look here.
Monday, 23 July 2018
Pieces against the Queen
The first round of the Biel Chess Festival was played last night, and featured a very instructive game from Magnus Carlsen. Playing David Navara , Carlsen chose to give up his queen for a rook and a piece. He then picked up a central pawn to at least make the number balance (Q=R+B+P) but for a long time the game was still in the balance. After some tricky middlegame tactics, and a QvR+N ending was reached, and this is where Carlsen came out on top. Making sure his pieces had solid anchor points (eg pawns protect pawns which protect pieces) Carlsen was able to create enough threats to force Navara to return the queen for the pieces, leaving Carlsen with a won pawn ending.
Carlsen,Magnus (2842) - Navara,David (2741) [D30]
51st Biel GM 2018 Biel SUI (1.1), 22.07.2018
Carlsen,Magnus (2842) - Navara,David (2741) [D30]
51st Biel GM 2018 Biel SUI (1.1), 22.07.2018
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