ROME 24/4– Day 33 (-8): It’s over, for now.

Welcome registrant:

grayanderson

And, obtaining my lunch meat (mortadella)…

This came via email.   Funny.  I think originally from a substack called “Pithless Thoughts”:

Actual Internet Catechumen Q: When we are in a fasting season, should our pets fast with us?

Me: If you were more like your dog, you wouldn’t NEED to fast.

On the other hand, if the catechumen were more like his cat, no amount of fasting would do any good.

Sounds about right.

Candidates: Final Round – 14.  TENSION.  Nakamura (8.0) v. (leader 17 year old) Gukesh (8.5).   If Gukesh wins, he wins.  If they draw, then the other game matters. But… if Naka wins….  Caruana (8.0) v. Nepomniachtchi (8.0).  If there’s a draw, then tie-breaks tomorrow in a shorter time format.  If Nepo beats Gukesh, they rematch.  Fabi could do the same.   Complicated.

However, Naka drew against Gukesh.  That means that Naka was washed out of the contention.  Therefore, the results of Caruana and Nepo would catch up to Gukesh.   If it is a draw, Gukesh wins.  Otherwise, the winner would play Gukesh in a Rapid.

After 109 moves, Nepo and Fabi drew.

17-year old Gukesh will play Ding Liren for the title.   Not my choice, but they didn’t ask me.   I hope the title match will be good even if there are conspicuous names absent.

White to move.  Obtain an advantageous position and material through a tactic, and name it.

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