King of Shadows

The Caro-Kan

The Caro-Kan is a deceptive defence. White starts with a classical, traditional move, attempting to dominate from a central position. Black responds with a move that looks like he's already given up - a single-square pawn move that doesn't challenge the centre, encouraging White to expand. It looks passive, innocuous.

But slowly he begins to undermine the imposing centre. With no obvious targets - and the Caro-Kan is more resilient than you expect - White can only attempt to slowly shore up his position while waiting for the counter-punch. The centre comes under pressure and may crack. Black is playing the long game, waiting for the mistake. Patience is key - no sudden aggression but little probes. Suddenly White's position is parlous - and there is no reversal from here; all the energy is on one side.

Do not underestimate the Caro-Kan.

A final story; true although I'm not sure if the names are right.

The grandmaster Lasker came up against a new opponent in a tournament - an unknown. He opened with his usual bold e4 and pressed his clock confidently. His opponent, looking up from his newspaper casually, seemed unconcerned. He folded his newspaper, leant back in his chair and used the newspaper to slide the c-pawn to c6 - then went back to his reading. Lasker was outraged, with the lack of respect shown to him (won't put his newspaper down and play properly!) and to the opening. What is this foolishness? It's not even a proper move. He summoned all his rage and energy and focussed it into destroying this upstart, into obliterating him completely. And he lost, to Tarrasch, who would go on to massively influence chess thinking. No openings are named after Lasker; Tarrasch has a major defence to the Queen's Gambit - and even names like the semi-Tarrasch, developed later from the principles he taught.

New Blogger

Well she's not new to blogging but I've only just discovered her blog and added a link in friends and relations. I won't introduce her cos she's perfectly capable of doing that herself. Suffice to say that we have quite a bit in common. Go to Josette's site to see what she has to say. Bound to be interesting.

Making Posterity History

Today's blog entry will appear on
Britain's biggest blog - sometime soon.

An Appropriate Approach?

1 e4 c6
2 d4 d5
3 Nc3 de

intending ... e6 and ... c5 (with ... Nd7)

A Good Day for Landlubbers

I finally beat RME's Pirates - and convincingly 47-19. Good job. The service went well too, I thought.

Refreshing

Chicken-Little Learns the Truth

The Bear spoke Latin hoping not to be understood, but Chicken-Little thought it all sounded rather familiar although he had forgotten most of it a long time ago. He knew it was not satisfactory though.

Army Boy knew the discipline but did not use a razor. Shaggy. It reminded Chicken-Little of The Great Stone Face.

Little Woman cleaned the house. Multi-tasking was at least useful but she didn't finish the job.

The Lion-Man was interested but Chicken-Little was of a mind with the Leopard who wanted meat not fresh air.

Chicken-Little Steps Out

Chicken-Little went to visit the Watchdog behind the Big Wooden Gate. He had heard that the Watchdog was fierce and chased buffalos and he wondered what he would find. And the Watchdog was indeed big and brave with a powerful bark, but he also had a lovely warm paw and he gave Chicken-Little a big hug. He showed Chicken-Little how not to be eaten by lions and introduced him to lots of other animals, so that Chicken-Little forgot all about the farmyard and even Badger's set. He was very sad when it was time to go home again, but he promised not to forget the Watchdog and to send him nice juicy bones to say thank you.

A Question of Truth

Is eating sawdust a good idea? I wonder if anyone can come up with a better suggestion.

Talking To My Computer

My computer is very friendly and seems to enjoy the conversation, always signing off with a cheery word. However its repertoire seems to be very limited.

It is very concerned about my feelings. It never switches itself off, never gets restless. It even seems to understand me, in a way.

But the interaction is missing. I think it's the programming. I need more.

Who am I?

I look complete but I am empty inside.

I may seem perfect from the outside but I am not even at the beginning of progress.

I contain elements of love, and may even be taken to be love in entirety, but I contain the seeds of resistance and rebellion and am almost completely in error.

I may seem to contain moral judgment but also a complete negative.

I am the subject of a quest but discarded as worthless.

Brookside Rules OK

I know u of old, I have played in your branches U R OAK.

I have sheltered from the storm while u wave importently at the elements.

I have dug at your roots and exposed u, u have no secrets from me. And I have felt your warmth, the heart that lies beating within. That others do not c, will not c. U will go on even if your limbs are cut down.





I do not no u for I can never no u. U dance happily away before I can grasp u, u are never the same. I have splashed in u and laffed in u but I cannot caress u, u are gone. And u can sweep me away. U are cold sometimes and dry sometimes but u come back to life in a torrential heartbeat.


The tree is cut down and I ride in its bark to the c.

Broken Down Angel - Nazareth

There was a rumour that today there would be a fairy on the streets of Bristol. Sadly it turned out to be only that.

I do believe in fairies, I do, I do. Why can't I see any?

Love Me Two Times - The Doors

When you hear the same sermon preached twice in four days by two different preachers, it gives you pause to think, doesn't it? Particularly with an introductory sermon in the previous week. Somebody is telling me something and they want to be sure I hear it.

Handle With Care - The Travelling Wilburys

A very dangerous envelope arrived here today. Inside it (and I have checked, just in case) are the papers which are required to apply to be a presbyter in the Church. These are clearly weapons of life destruction and must not ever be used. I'll just go and put them in a safe place ....

A Hard Day's Night - The Beatles

I've been working like a dog. And don't say it keeps me out of mischief, for it doesn't.

Regrets - The Eurythmics

If I have just won the lottery, why does it feel like I threw my ticket away?

Follow You, Follow Me - Genesis

First day of my extra, self-imposed and unregulated placement. The speaker this morning challenged us this morning to get more involved with local schools and the preacher this evening asked us if we'd won the lottery and said he had. Talk about mixed messages. I wonder what happened at Shortwood. But I think I know which path to resist (or be more creative about ...) and which to go for. Wully, Tim and Mary all seem sure - but do they know all the facts?

Dreams of Children - The Jam

Apparently the Wild children were playing "What animal would you be ... ?" with people they know.

So this is me.

Now explain that if you can ....