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New FSSP subdeacons ordained in Germany. Notice anything strange? At least I think it is strange.
USMC 250th Birthday Kickoff ?
The #MarineCorps is conducting the flyover of #SuperBowlLIX.
To celebrate 250 years of service, we are flying 2 F-35B Lightning IIs (VMFA 542) and 4 MV-22 Ospreys (VMM 764 & 774) over the @CaesarsDome during the National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/YN4NXelhZg
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) February 9, 2025
Clarity from Camille
Nearly a decade ago, Camille Paglia saw transgenderism as a sign of the unraveling of our civilization, and a predictor of the future rise of “heroic masculinity”. And here we are. @moveincircles pic.twitter.com/57WmGqlhr2
— Rod Dreher (@roddreher) February 10, 2025
In chessy news…
White to move and mate in 2.
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White to move and mate in 2.
[NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.]
Magnus, Fabiano, Vincent and Javokhir Sindarov advance to Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Semifinals. Carlsen again beat Nodirbek. Fabi again beat Gukesh (in 18 moves). Vincent forced a draw against Puer. Javokhir brought down Hikaru. Levon won the consolation for ninth place Fedoseev.
The real news is the apparent evolution of a new player association. The 12 members of the Freestyle Chess Players Club (FCPC) decided in a meeting on Sunday evening to form an independent players’ association to safeguard their interests.
The FCPC is composed of grandmasters rated above 2725 eligible for participation in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour. They decided unanimously to use for the winner “Freestyle Chess Champion” and temporarily avoid using “World Champion”. They are standing in opposition to FIDE’s “ownership” of “world champion.” FIDE demanded that players involved with the Grand Slam not compete in non-FIDE tournaments that crown a “World Champion.” Those who refused to sign the contract would be banned from the next FIDE World Championship cycle. However, Fabiano Caruana, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Alireza Firouzja, and Levon Aronian confirmed they did not sign the waiver contract. Hikaru said he would not sign it. Magnus expressed unwillingness to play in future FIDE events under the current administration. I suspect FIDE will have to blink. Chess is getting big enough that big money is now willing to get involved.
Mate in 2 is forced:
1. Ne6+ BxN
2. Bh6 checkmate.