Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Daylight Saving Time
March is here and Daylight Saving Time has arrived. It’s frequently albeit incorrectly called Daylight Savings Time, possibly because that may be somewhat easier to say. Besides, no daylight is actually saved by the adjustment of our clocks. The First Day of Spring is still a way off, but most of us have already set our clocks forward an hour. There are still some communities in the U.S. that don’t participate in this ritual each March.
Whenever someone mentions time to a chess fanatic, all thoughts turn to “clocks” and then to “Chess Clocks!” Chess Right Chess Store has an assortment of chess clocks (starting at $29.95) to help you find the chess clock just right for your game. Then, please take some time to look around our newly designed shop and check out our new merchandise.
Keep playing chess!
Whenever someone mentions time to a chess fanatic, all thoughts turn to “clocks” and then to “Chess Clocks!” Chess Right Chess Store has an assortment of chess clocks (starting at $29.95) to help you find the chess clock just right for your game. Then, please take some time to look around our newly designed shop and check out our new merchandise.
Keep playing chess!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Benjamin Franklin and "the Turk"
In 1783, Benjamin Franklin received an invitation to play chess against a chess-playing machine called "the Turk." This supposed chess-playing machine was a life-size figure of a man seated in front of a chessboard, invented by Baron Wolfgang von Kempelen who called it his "automaton." Although Benjamin Franklin knew that the technology was not available in those days for a truly automated chess-playing machine, nevertheless the illusion was so excellent that no one of the time could guess how the moves were communicated to the player inside (yes, there was a player inside), nor the mechanisms that made the arms move. In fact, it appears some extensive optical illusions were used to prevent the audience from seeing the player inside when "the Turk" was apparently opened for viewing.
We know that Benjamin Franklin accepted the invitation. Neither the specific moves nor the ultimate results of the game are reported in Franklin's letters (which suggests that he probably lost). "The Turk" defeated all but a few of the finest chess players of the time. However, we also know that Franklin enjoyed the game against his mechanized opponent immensely and took some interest into the workings of the automaton.
Today, there is no automated "Turk" to challenge us to a game of chess. There may be a niche for something like it at state fairs -- I remember my daughter playing checkers with Rudolph the Reindeer years ago at a fund-raiser for the local zoo. But we do have real automated chess-playing machines available to help us build our skills in chess, or to pass those times when we cannot find a worthy opponent.
Visit www.ChessRight.com to see our selection of the electronic chess games, starting at $57.00 plus shipping.
Keep playing chess!
We know that Benjamin Franklin accepted the invitation. Neither the specific moves nor the ultimate results of the game are reported in Franklin's letters (which suggests that he probably lost). "The Turk" defeated all but a few of the finest chess players of the time. However, we also know that Franklin enjoyed the game against his mechanized opponent immensely and took some interest into the workings of the automaton.
Today, there is no automated "Turk" to challenge us to a game of chess. There may be a niche for something like it at state fairs -- I remember my daughter playing checkers with Rudolph the Reindeer years ago at a fund-raiser for the local zoo. But we do have real automated chess-playing machines available to help us build our skills in chess, or to pass those times when we cannot find a worthy opponent.
Visit www.ChessRight.com to see our selection of the electronic chess games, starting at $57.00 plus shipping.
Keep playing chess!
Monday, January 12, 2009
More Brain-Age thoughts
I was looking at some herbal / drug supplements that promote themselves as being able to help brain focus, improve memory, increase concentration. The over the counter compounds appear to cost $15 to $20 per month. The prescription drugs don't advertise their prices, but are probably more. Classes for improved study skills or helping attention deficit school kids appear to cost hundreds of dollars.
To make matters worse, the FCC filed suit against the company that sold "Focus Factor" and obtained a million dollar settlement for what they claimed were exaggerated claims and overstated benefits. So there is some lingering concern whether or not these various "solutions" will even work as advertised.
The cost of the OTC supplements seems to be the least expensive option. But actually a chess set from www.ChessRight.com is a whole lot less, and does all the same functions without the spectre of drug interaction, exaggerated benefits or FCC lawsuit.
There are many beautiful chess sets at www.ChessRight.com less than $100 and many more are less than $150. Purchase a chess set, play chess regularly and save the $15 to $20 per month that you don't need to spend on brain improvement supplements. Your chess set will pay for itself in about six months. The lifetime of enjoyment and continued benefits will be free.
In the interest of a full legal disclaimer: Reported side effects of playing chess regularly include increased self-confidence, expanded social contacts and improved sportsmanship.
To make matters worse, the FCC filed suit against the company that sold "Focus Factor" and obtained a million dollar settlement for what they claimed were exaggerated claims and overstated benefits. So there is some lingering concern whether or not these various "solutions" will even work as advertised.
The cost of the OTC supplements seems to be the least expensive option. But actually a chess set from www.ChessRight.com is a whole lot less, and does all the same functions without the spectre of drug interaction, exaggerated benefits or FCC lawsuit.
There are many beautiful chess sets at www.ChessRight.com less than $100 and many more are less than $150. Purchase a chess set, play chess regularly and save the $15 to $20 per month that you don't need to spend on brain improvement supplements. Your chess set will pay for itself in about six months. The lifetime of enjoyment and continued benefits will be free.
In the interest of a full legal disclaimer: Reported side effects of playing chess regularly include increased self-confidence, expanded social contacts and improved sportsmanship.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
New Year's Resolution
It's that time of year again. Every year I go through this reflective process about (1) what went right during the past year, (2) what went wrong / could have been done better, and (3) what I am going to do differently in the coming year to make this next year better than the year before.
This year, I have gotten very interested in this new science of the aging of the human brain. In recent years, there have been a number of products that have come to market that are supposed to help with focus, memory and concentration. Some of these products are herbal / drug supplements, some of them are software packages that offer to stimulate one's brain with puzzles and patterns, and there are some books appearing that claim to be able to lower your brain age and keep your wits sharp.
This is all very interesting -- but not altogether necessary. Chess players already know the secret to keeping their brains active. Play chess regularly! Get a cool chess set from www.ChessRight.com with all the money you will save from NOT buying those brain-oriented supplements.
From that point, it's a simple New Year's Resolution: Hang a notice in the local library and offer to whomp some butt. If the game doesn't get too rowdy that it distracts the other patrons, the library staff will probably be happy to have the match right there in the library (maybe even taking bets amongst themselves in their little back room behind the checkout counter!) This will help your chess game, you will meet new people, and you will keep your brain active. An active brain is a happy brain. There is no knowing where your active brain will lead you in 2009! Enjoy!
This year, I have gotten very interested in this new science of the aging of the human brain. In recent years, there have been a number of products that have come to market that are supposed to help with focus, memory and concentration. Some of these products are herbal / drug supplements, some of them are software packages that offer to stimulate one's brain with puzzles and patterns, and there are some books appearing that claim to be able to lower your brain age and keep your wits sharp.
This is all very interesting -- but not altogether necessary. Chess players already know the secret to keeping their brains active. Play chess regularly! Get a cool chess set from www.ChessRight.com with all the money you will save from NOT buying those brain-oriented supplements.
From that point, it's a simple New Year's Resolution: Hang a notice in the local library and offer to whomp some butt. If the game doesn't get too rowdy that it distracts the other patrons, the library staff will probably be happy to have the match right there in the library (maybe even taking bets amongst themselves in their little back room behind the checkout counter!) This will help your chess game, you will meet new people, and you will keep your brain active. An active brain is a happy brain. There is no knowing where your active brain will lead you in 2009! Enjoy!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Merry Christmas!
The holiday was certainly pleasant for all of us. The weather here was mild and sunny, not like the many travelers stranded in airports around the country.
At last, Paul got the chess set in the dramatic dragon box from www.ChessRight.com's home page and Santa. He is thrilled and has put it on a prominent display in our den.
"Merry Christmas to everyone from www.ChessRight.com and best wishes for a successful and prosperous New Year 2009!"
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Chess Tournament
Chess Association for Arkansas Schools ("CAAS") is a state organization of parents and educators working to develop and improve chess play throughout the schools of Arkansas. The goals of this organization include (1) rewarding study and practice, (2) encouraging critical thinking, and (3) cultivating creative problem solving.
The CAAS held a chess tournament in November. The tournament organizer was Carm Proct of the Wilbur Mills Education CoOp (pictured at right). She has been organizing chess tournaments since 1999. Presently, the Wilbur Mills Education CoOp hosts two chess tournaments per year, with approximately 200 players between the fourth and sixth grades, and about 85 players at the junior high and senior high levels. Both individual and team play is encouraged at these tournaments.
Congratulations from all of us at www.ChessRight.com to Josh Elander of Searcy, AR for his first place win in the 11th - 12th Grade Division, and to the two eighth graders, Patrick McKenzie and Josh Lovitte, for their second and third place trophies in their division.
The senior high regionals will be held in February 2009, and the state finals will be in April. You can learn more about CAAS by visiting their website.
The CAAS held a chess tournament in November. The tournament organizer was Carm Proct of the Wilbur Mills Education CoOp (pictured at right). She has been organizing chess tournaments since 1999. Presently, the Wilbur Mills Education CoOp hosts two chess tournaments per year, with approximately 200 players between the fourth and sixth grades, and about 85 players at the junior high and senior high levels. Both individual and team play is encouraged at these tournaments.
Congratulations from all of us at www.ChessRight.com to Josh Elander of Searcy, AR for his first place win in the 11th - 12th Grade Division, and to the two eighth graders, Patrick McKenzie and Josh Lovitte, for their second and third place trophies in their division.The senior high regionals will be held in February 2009, and the state finals will be in April. You can learn more about CAAS by visiting their website.
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