for connie and the other chess masters

[alocispepraluger102]

http://newhumanist.org.uk/1631

[T.D.]

Thanks. Much of the chess history related is well-known and not particularly well-treated, but certain aspects of the article are interesting. I hadn't heard of Bennett's novel Zugzwang, and will look for it. I've read the other chess-themed novels mentioned.

The chess-pathology/insanity connection is often discussed (almost ad nauseam in the opinion of some enthusiasts ), with Paul Hoffmann's King's Gambit a recent notable entry.

[connoisseur series500]

with Paul Hoffmann's King's Gambit a recent notable entry.

Very entertaining book.

Will read Aloc's article shortly. Haven't gotten to it yet.

[connoisseur series500]

Very interesting article, Aloc. I have always marveled at the attraction the game held for oddballs and social misfits. This doesn't imply that chess tournaments are fully populated with such people, but there are a good number of them nevertheless. Many of them are charmingly simple and guileless; and they appear as wholly unfit for the rough and tumble of daily life. There are a lot of interesting characters who play the game. But I insist: I am normal!

[alocispepraluger102]

Very interesting article, Aloc. I have always marveled at the attraction the game held for oddballs and social misfits. This doesn't imply that chess tournaments are fully populated with such people, but there are a good number of them nevertheless. Many of them are charmingly simple and guileless; and they appear as wholly unfit for the rough and tumble of daily life. There are a lot of interesting characters who play the game. But I insist: I am normal!

i had similar feelings when in the big room at the horseshoe watching early rounds of the world series of poker. being in a room with several hundred con men and bluffers was really creepy, too.

[T.D.]

I got a copy of Ronan Bennett's Zugzwang (via interlibrary loan), and it's really good. Serious chess themes, as indicated in Chessbase's interview and event coverage.

Nevertheless, I might not have ordered it had I known more of Mr. Bennett's bio (see the latter link above). He's from Belfast, and seems to have been deeply involved with the IRA, although he was acquitted of two serious charges. [i'm of Irish Catholic descent, but by no means down with the IRA...]

That said, I strongly recommend the book to chess/fiction enthusiasts.