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David Smith

@datasmith.bsky.social

Chess player and organizer. We run a group on lichess.org that tries to duplicate the feel of a weekly meeting of serious players in a country pub. DM me for details. When not doing chess stuff I sing, play the violin, hike, birdwatch, camp, cook and more

67 Followers  |  159 Following  |  36 Posts  |  Joined: 22.11.2024  |  2.2927

Latest posts by datasmith.bsky.social on Bluesky

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Why Canadians need โ€˜the right to roamโ€™ A right-to-roam movement has never developed in Canada the way it has in the U.K. Hereโ€™s how it could benefit Canadian society as a whole, including reconciliation efforts with the Indigenous.

As Ron points out, with B on the move, ...h5 freezes the k-side pawns and B will be able to deal with the q-side at leisure. Once that taken care of, B can likely turn this into a win since the white king is tied to the black pawns on e4 and d5 while B is free to roam share.google/41YItN8DfcRx...

11.08.2025 01:31 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

g4 should create a kingside passer for W. While the B king is dealing with that threat, W will create a second passed pawn on the other wing (a4-b5-a5-b6 etc).

11.08.2025 01:30 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

lichess org of course ๐Ÿ˜ Munroe is, among other things, a programmer and is likely a fan of open source projects like lichess

05.07.2025 01:56 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

This must have been a bit of a surprise for Gus. I am expecting to see you post something much wilder on both sides when you play your second French in a classical game ๐Ÿ˜‰

04.07.2025 17:51 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Bc8

17.04.2025 02:13 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Autocorrect translated Rowson into Robeson! Sorry about that Jonathan.

04.04.2025 13:53 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

His proposed sales pitch for chess: Play chess! It is extremely difficult and absolutely maddening. You will definitely screw up and possibly feel like an idiot, but you will love it. Hurry while stocks last!

04.04.2025 12:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The Moves That Matter: A Chess Grandmaster on the Game of Life Amazon.com: The Moves That Matter: A Chess Grandmaster on the Game of Life (Audible Audio Edition): Jonathan Rowson, Jonathan Rowson, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc: Audible Books & Originals

Published almost six years ago but I am only now discovering GM Jonathan Robeson's brilliant _The Moves That Matter_ Won't necessarily improve your chess but it will improve your life.

#chesspunks #chess

www.amazon.com/Moves-That-M...

04.04.2025 12:04 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Club d'รฉchecs de Hemmingford Chess Club team Weekly play on Thursdays. Classical tournaments but also the odd blitz or analysis evening. Friendly club atmosphere. Serious chess with a social side. โ€ฆ

Have fun. And if you are looking for other places to play classical time controls, check out HCC: lichess.org/team/club-de...

03.04.2025 10:43 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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HCC Spring 2025 Tournament The Hemmingford Chess Club announces its Spring 2025 classical tournament starting the week of March 17th. Please join us !

What a good idea Ron! Funnily enough we just happen to have just such a tournament starting this week ๐Ÿ˜ Details here for anyone interested: lichess.org/@/Hemmingfor...

15.03.2025 22:41 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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I Don't Like Chess Tournaments It doesn't have to be this way!

For those of us wishing for the mythical wood-panelled club room, a drink, a cigar and a serious opponent: zwischenzug.substack.com/p/i-dont-lik...

#chesspunks #chess

15.03.2025 14:39 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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HCC Spring 2025 Tournament The Hemmingford Chess Club announces its Spring 2025 classical tournament starting the week of March 17th. Please join us !

Register for HCC's next classical tournament before Sunday March 16th. One serious 60+30 game a week with a group that values and cultivates the social aspects of the game as well.

Details: lichess.org/@/Hemmingfor...

Registration form: forms.gle/4r1jHpPGkWBo...

#chesspunks #chess

14.03.2025 00:45 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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HCC Spring 2025 Tournament The Hemmingford Chess Club announces its Spring 2025 classical tournament starting the week of March 17th. Please join us !

Our next event begins March 18th and we would love to have you join us: lichess.org/@/Hemmingfor... Registration deadline to participate in round one is Sunday March 16th.

To play, please complete the registration form here: forms.gle/4r1jHpPGkWBo...

09.03.2025 14:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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HCC Spring 2025 Tournament The Hemmingford Chess Club announces its Spring 2025 classical tournament starting the week of March 17th. Please join us !

#chess #chesspunks

One of the best ways to improve your chess is to play at classical time controls in the context of a supportive club environment. The Hemmingford Chess Club offers exactly that by organizing regular tournaments which attract participants of all levels from around the world.

09.03.2025 14:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Cheating maybe?

16.02.2025 16:56 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Just browsing the Chessable catalogue and I am astounded by some of the prices. Do people really feel that video content is worth three or four times the price of the equivalent book? #chess #chesspunks

10.02.2025 01:32 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Is this a money league? Most of us play chess for fun and to learn. I would personally love the chance to play(and probably lose) games against a GM. Their presence enriches your league

08.02.2025 13:50 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

This is brilliant but can you give me a hint where to find this option? It is not immediately obvious to me. Thx

03.02.2025 02:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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When Should You Take a Risk? Because if you want to win, you'll have to eventually.

For the latest edition of GOOD MOVES, I rued a missed opportunity over the board and wrote about how to know when you should take a risk and when should play it safe open.substack.com/pub/makegood...

27.01.2025 18:41 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I watched this game so I won't give any spoilers but Chris is right, there are trades coming. The players made it to move twenty before the first pawn or piece was captured

16.01.2025 02:47 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I've seen it ๐Ÿ˜

12.01.2025 21:38 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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2025 HCC Kickoff Announcing HCC's first events of 2025: A New Year's party and simultaneous exhibition on January 9th at 7pm EST followed a week later by the first round of our Winter 2025 tournament.

Correcting a broken link. Sorry about the repost!

Today is the last chance to register for HCC's Winter 2025 60+30 tournament on lichess.org
lichess.org/@/Hemmingfor...

Serious chess in a welcoming club atmosphere.

#chess #chesspunks

12.01.2025 21:37 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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2025 HCC Kickoff Announcing HCC's first events of 2025: A New Year's party and simultaneous exhibition on January 9th at 7pm EST followed a week later by the first round of our Winter 2025 tournament.

You are right. Sorry about that. Here is the correct link: lichess.org/@/Hemmingfor...

12.01.2025 19:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Today is the last chance to register for HCC's Winter 2025 60+30 tournament on lichees.org
lichess.org/@/Hemmingfor...

Serious chess in a welcoming club atmosphere.

#chess #chesspunks

12.01.2025 15:21 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

๐Ÿ‘

11.01.2025 11:50 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

The registration deadline for HCC's upcoming game a week classical tournament is Sunday, January 12th. Serious chess in a friendly club atmosphere on lichess.org. Sections available for both European and North American time zones.

Details here: lichess.org/@/Hemmingfor...

#chess #chesspunks

11.01.2025 00:04 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I am with you. Developing the community side is the most important part of it all for me. I can play a game any time but finding a friend requires a bit more work.

FYI, the range of ratings in the group goes from about 1200 to 2200

09.01.2025 22:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

We do have a discord set up but very few members have used it. We need to work on making this a little more part of our culture. Even the Google meet is not as frequented as I would like. People tend to interact in the chat of the games going on at a given time

09.01.2025 22:33 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

We play once a week on Thursdays at 7pm EST (as well as a newly formed group on Tuesdays at 20h UTC (2pm EST) for Europeans and those who prefer days to evenings). The next tournament begins next week and in a week that you are unavailable you can arrange alternative times or take a bye

09.01.2025 22:23 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Chess.com - Play Chess Online - Free Games Play chess online for free on Chess.com with over 150 million members from around the world. Have fun playing with friends or challenging the computer!

People often make this complaint but I never understand it. lichess.org feels clean and streamlined to me compared with chess.com The constant attempts to upsell you and the absence of a rating category for classical time controls is a deal-breaker for me.

09.01.2025 22:18 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

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