The player that takes risks may lose, the player that doesn’t always loses. – Savielly Tartakower.
ChatGPT suggested for me to journal “Why do I love chess?” Seeing that I have this old blog at my disposal, I might as well use this to journal them.
💓Why do I love chess?
One of the reason is that it is one of the escape I had from the real world when I was a young lad.
Due to situation in the family (nothing negative, I’m just too lazy to include them here), I usually spent my time alone in my home from after school until around 8pm/9pm. The chess board was my company, apart from the books and occasional video games.
I prefer the board.
⚒️What I worked on today
🐴Revised on how to checkmate using a bishop and a knight against a lone king.
Can’t believe that I forgot the method; and I was more baffled when I realize that I am able to pick it up in less than 5 minutes.
I guess I… still got it? 😅
📚Studied a Grandmaster’s game
The game I chose was Praggnanandha – Rapport, UzChess Cup Master, 2025.
They played the …a6 variations of the King’s Indian Defense, Sämisch Variation. I remembered having the note to this variation, courtesy of one of my coaches, NM Dan from the UK.
The idea? Simply to give up a pawn on b5 and loosen white’s central grip.
The way Rapport attacks, ignoring materials, is superbly stunning. I can feel the funny glittery feelings when I was studying the game – is that what “inspired” feels like? lul
And check out the accuracy:
If this was played on Lichess or Chesscom, Rapport would be… rapported, for cheating. (see what I did there?)
I guess that’s just about it. I hope I have the energy and time to continue this journaling thingie tomorrow.