ROME SHOT 887

Please remember me when  CHRISTMAS  shopping online. Thanks in advance. US HERE – UK HERE  These links take you to a generic “catholic” search in Amazon. Amazon remembers that you used my link and I get the credit.  WHY?  This helps to pay for insurance (massively hiked for next year), utilities, groceries, all the necessities.  You get the items you need and, at no extra cost to you, you provide important help for which I am grateful.

Black to move and mate in 4.

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

Priestly chess players, drop me a line. HERE

The wonderful nuns of Gower Abbey, the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, have a lovely Christmas carol album.  Caroling at Ephesus .

US HERE – UK HERE

There’s also Christmas At Ephesus and Advent At Ephesus

Also, I went to the online store link for the Benedictines of Mary and the photo shows the late-great Extraordinary Ordinary, Bishop Robert Morlino.  We need more like him and we need them NOW.

In chessy news, Alireza won his third in the cobbled-up scramble to improve his rating.  I don’t care it this is happening in Chartres or not, there is something wrong with this even though it is within the rules.   Just because one can do something doesn’t mean one should it.

Alireza wins third game in a row. His opponent resigns in what seems to be an equal position, with 40 seconds on the clock.
3 down – 3 to go pic.twitter.com/Lm4Rch6Nww

— agadmator (@agadmator) December 20, 2023