Daily Rome Shot 780 – Remember: it’s a 1st Friday and the beginning of September

Photo by The Great Roman™

BTW… thanks to AFC for the monthly donations via Zelle.  I’ve tried writing thank you notes but they’ve been “undeliverable” (@charter.net).

Also, please in your goodness remember in your prayers Laura B, a long time reader, who died recently.  Her husband William, who died last year, and she were monthly donors.  I am very grateful for their support and I will remember them in my prayers monthly on the day their donations once came.

Meanwhile,…  white to move and win.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

This is great… My reaction…. “Ummm… yeah. What he said!”

Random old chess video that you will not regret watching. Spoiler: Hikaru will not say a single word.https://t.co/VB5vqOO8Ya

— Anish Giri (@anishgiri) August 31, 2023

And just because…

Incredible footage of Saturn rising from behind the Moon during a lunar occultation, captured from a ground based telescope by astronomer Jan Koet.pic.twitter.com/IES37HzUPi

— Wonder of Science (@wonderofscience) August 26, 2023

Yesterday in the Julius Baer Generation Cup, part of the Champion Chess Tour (lots of money at the end, $2 million prize fund) Magnus defeated Fabi and, alas, Alireza defeated Wesley.  Those two drop to the second bracket where they still have a chance if they simply win all the time and fight their way back from “underneath” to the final.  Also still on the winners side are Nodirbek, Nepo, Levon, Shakhriyar and Sam Sevian.

In game 2 against Fabi, Magnus played the Norwegian Rat Defense.  Really.  1.e4 g6 2.d4 Nf6 3.e5 Nh5 4.Be2 d6 White didn’t develop a piece until move 9!

I didn’t know there was such a thing as the Norwegian Rat Defense.

The knockout tournament continues Friday 1 September 1 at 11:00 ET, 17:00 CEST