Think of these ‘seasonal’ blog posts as something of a ‘blog within a blog.’ An easy-breezy way to add new content (on a variety of topics). These are subject to editing, right up to when the next new seasonal one begins.
(2) (Tuesday, June 23, 2026) “I have always a slight feeling of pity for the man who has no knowledge of chess, just as I would pity the man who has remained ignorant of love. Chess, like love, like music, has the power to make men happy.” That quotation is from the late chess grandmaster and physician Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch. This game below made me so happy that going home I happily handed the taxi driver a $20 bill for a $5 ride. At the time, Susan Polgar’s rating was 2445. In subsequent years, she went on to become the Woman’s World Chess Champion. This game is from a simultaneous exhibition event (April, 1984?) in which Polgar played approximately torty people at once. We were each allowed one pass. I used mine on my 19th move. The game below demonstrates the power of a passed pawn. It earned me a draw against a player of her caliber.
White: Susan Polgar / Black: Paul Reinicke
- d4, d5
- c4,c6
- Nc3,Na6
- c:d, c:d
- Nf3, Nc7
- Bf4, e6
- e3, a6
- Bd3, h6
- 00, Bd6
- Ne5, Nf6
- Na4, Nd7
- N:f7, Kf7
- B:d6,Nf6
- Be5, Nc7-e8
- Qc2, Rf8
- Bg6+, Kg8
- Rac1, b5
- Nc5, Qe7
- b4, (PASS) Nd7
- f4, Nb6
- Qf2, Nc4
- Qg3, Ne8-d6
- B:d6, N:d6
- Nd3, Rf6
- Ne5, Nc4
- N:c4, b:c4
- a3, Bd7
- e4, Be8
- B:e8, R:e8
- e:d, e:d
- Rce1, Qf7
- R:e8, Q:e8
- Re1, Qf7
- Rf1, g5
- f5, R:f5
- R:f5, Q:f5
- Qb8+, Qf8
- Qe5, Qf7
- Qb8+, Qf8
- Qf5, Qf7
- Qb8+, Qf8
- Qc7, Qf7
- Qc8+, Kg7
- h3, Qf6
- Qd7+, Qf7
- Qc8, Qf6
- Qd7+ and Draw Offered (Accepted)
(1) (Tuesday, June 23, 2026) The other day, I came across an article in my Sunday New York Times (“The Artist Filling Subway Ad Space With Whimsy,” June 21, 2026), which describes how the artist Sue Sarah Gilbert (also known as Susan Bird) raised $1 million to display her artwork in the New York City subway system. Besides contributing some of her own money (the article mentions she’s a great-granddaughter of John D. Rockefeller Sr.), friends (“in the finance world who love art”) also contributed to the endeavor. Ordinarily, that space would be leased out for ads — for example, steering people towards buying various products or services. She’s not selling anything. Her intentions are good. But I think it’s a perfect illustration of a bad idea. The world is in such a situation right now that I think it’s wholly irresponsible to spend $1 million on displaying artwork in a city subway system. There are people out there (like me) who could be making a really big difference in the world, if they only had the funding (ability to get their ideas out there). (Just saying.)