Chess Scotland Noticeboard

AMcHarg · Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 12:16 pm Post subject:

Well perhaps it's not as bad as you're making out George. It's quite likely that most film directors use Chess as something the bad guy plays when they want to portray an intelligent baddy, with a sophisticated level of calculation in his evil plans. I think it's quite similar in it's use as Poker, although not widely deemed as cool as Poker. BTW: You watch too much television if you saw all that in one week! Cool

I do always find it quite interesting that most Chess players seem to be quite quiet, reserved and polite... but I have never met one that I would consider 'evil'. It's also true that the same characteristics have been applied to serial killers in the past though; is it a sign? ... Let's hope not!

Maybe this is an attraction in itself though, and rather than try to rebrand Chess, use this to it's advantage. There is a strange attraction for many of being some sort of fictional "evil baddy", and if it gets more people playing Chess then so be it. Smile

Alan Jelfs · Queen Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 81

I thought the game of 'wizard chess' in the first Harry Potter film gave a positive image for Chess.
_________________
Chess Club - the first rule of Chess Club is you don't talk about Chess Club.

arf · Bishop Joined: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 27

I'm not sure if there's not something in the baddie image. Surely we could all get together to create some weapon (a "laser" perhaps) and use it to capture all the world leaders. If they dont give in to our demands we could force them to sit through the Chess Scotland AGM at the Busby Hotel or something. It's close for a pint too so it all seems to fit together well..

Alan Bell · Queen Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 89

Phil Thomas · King Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 758

SteveHilton · King Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 443 Location: Greenock

Arf,
"I'm not sure if there's not something in the baddie image. Surely we could all get together to create some weapon (a "laser" perhaps) and use it to capture all the world leaders. If they dont give in to our demands we could force them to sit through the Chess Scotland AGM at the Busby Hotel or something. It's close for a pint too so it all seems to fit together well.."

This would be a breach of the Geneva Convention!! Laughing

Donald Wilson · Queen Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 143

The Geneva Convention . . . is that the Swiss Gambit under another name?

sigrun · King Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 307 Location: Europa

I've read lots of crime stories where a doc was the baddie & wasn't there a real life doc who killed a lot of his patients?
But that doesn't mean we're not going to see our docs anymore.
_________________
''All murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.'' Voltaire

SteveHilton · King Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 443 Location: Greenock

It could be classified as torture Donald. We speak from experience of CS AGM's!!! Laughing

Stuart Blyth · King Joined: 11 Sep 2008 Posts: 209

on depictions of chess, I'm reading Never Let Me Go, at the moment.
Don't spoil it, as I'm only at chapter six!
Anyway, there's a part where the narrator is impressed because her friend is going to teach her chess. She believes her friend is a great player because she always gives knowing looks when she passes the older kids playing chess. After a while of playing games where the rule is that every piece moves in an L shape, she realizes it's been a con.

Don't know if that has any relevance whatsoever, but it did at least seem a nice coincidence! Surprised

Craig Pritchett · Queen Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 114

Got call from "Anna" from 0207 831 7252, London office of the distributors of the Fischer docu-film. I was playing at Scot Champs so didn't take the call personally. But the distributors appear to have wakened up to the fact that something "could/should" be done in Edinburgh (as well as London) with real chess players at or around the film's general release date ... in next few days - imminent.

Anna suggested some chess-youngsters arrange a radio event (Radio Scotland might well do - even I've done chess with some Glasgow primary children, who played all morning in the Glasgow studio, with occasional comments by the host / guests on the regular morning show hosted by Fred Macauley. It went down very well and I'm sure they'd be interested (including Fred) ... just call or perhaps better ask Anna to call BBC Scotland, and between you, you'll devise something quickly. And make sure that the BBC stand all participants at least free tickets for the premiere (which they will be very pleased to do ... they normally pay fees of some sort, so buying tickets would be very cheap for them).

As I'm playing in the Scottish, I can't really organise or get involved. Geoff or anyone else interested? Feel free to call Anna, give my name and chess will be on the radio live before you know it. Mention the Scottish is on ... and BBC will probably come along there to interview ... Alex!?

DMB · King Joined: 08 Mar 2007 Posts: 267

http://www.chessscotland.com/archives/fischervworld.htm

A Muir · King Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 489 Location: Dumbarton

saw film last night for £7, really enjoyed it, about 70 people watched it at Glasgow FT, mostly young couples, didn't see any fellow chess players

After Fischer gave up chess, he came across as unwell, but no risk to anyone. It's a pity he never had many friends/family/girlfriends/wife or state support to help him make more use of the last 30 years of his life. Instead the US indited him which I didn't think was helpful to anyone.

robin moore · King Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 164

Yes, I watched it yesterday afternoon and enjoyed it very much too. Good insights from those involved with Spassky match, seconds, arbiter, organisers etc. Some good photographs and interviews that were new to me. Covers all Fischer's life to the end with contributions from chessplayers, friends and family.

Graham Morrison · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:48 am Post subject:

Lynne and I went to Sheffield (about 90 miles!) yesterday afternoon to see the film. Only about 15 in the auduence and none of them players that I recognised. I don't think this film will get wide circulation, so see it while you can since who knows if/when the DVD will appear.

The film itself was very good (though there were a few howlers, like saying that Game 3 of the match with Spassky was the first time Fischer had ever played the Benoni) with lots of footage and photos of Fischer that I for one had never seen before.