I was recently asked for some book recommendations, and thought
easy-peasy, I'll point them to something online. Then I looked
at some lists, and thought I'd write my own... Just books, not
videos or Chessable courses. Lots of really great books
omitted. The ChessDojo list
isn't too bad.
The FIDE Elo rating system began in 1971. Elo did a bit of study trying to work the ratings backwards, but the chief scholar in this regard is Jeff Sonas http://chessmetrics.com/cm/. Jeff devised his own rating system, however -- using an 'absentee' penalty for periods of non-playing. This leads to odd-looking results like Lasker's repeated plummets and recoveries here:
There was an early exclamation of dismay when poor Hazel overlooked an attack on her Queen on Board 8, and shortly after Pengxiao emerged smiling after a 20-move crush of a King's Indian Defence, leaving Exeter 2-0 up. It was soon 3-0 when Reece put away his opponent in a game where both sides were reluctant to castle. Opposing captain Jon Underwood claimed one back on board 2 in an extra-closed Sicilian, but Will Marjoram gradually climbed out of the swamp into which he had sunk to leave Seaton needing to win all the remaining games.
I was updating my series on the world Champions, following Ding Liren's accession to the throne, and did a little due diligence digging around the Internet, as I'm a little out of touch these days.
I came across what looked like a helpful summary on a website which gave a not-very-interesting career summary and cited a few games.
To my shame, I didn't recognise any of the games at all.
Held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 20 September 2022 at the Heavitree Social Centre, 2 East Wonford Hill, Heavitree.
MINUTES
Members presents: Tim Starkey, Tim Paulden, Sean Pope, Paul O’Neill, Richard Player, Luke Honey, Jack Turner, Dave Regis, Jeremy Amos, Steve Homer, Ken Bourne, Quillan Wilson and Jim Ross. (Sorry for any possible omissions as I don’t have complete list).
.
1. Apologies Richard Truman, Richard Scholes, John Maloney, Steve Dean and Chris Lowe.
Graham Bolt 196 (B) ½-½ Paul Brooks 170 (W)
Dave Regis 166 (W) ½-½ Alan Brusey 158 (B)
Sean Pope 140 ½-½ Vignesh Ramesh
Tony Hart 135 0-1 Andrew Kinder
John Guard 130 ½-½ John Allen
Will Marjoram 128 ½-½ Jacquie Barber-Lafon
John Maloney 108 0-1 Mike Hussey
Brian Aldwin 88 0-1 Z Grophulous
