The Panda and Poet show recap: Nov 23rd

The Panda and Poet Show Recap: Nov. 23rd

   What better way to open the Premiere show of this new weekly program than to diss one of the Chess.com "head honchos?" Panda, mimicking a news reporter, described a controversy at the chess tournament in Texas, the illegal immigration of this man:

"Wanted Dead or Alive!--Danny the Jackyl AKA Huevos Renscheros!" Poor Danny will never live this down, but honestly, I think it will be considered one of the best highlights on Chess.com this year!

   This new show's format includes five segments: four main topics covering varied aspects of the chess world; and a closing "Q&A" segment with audience participation.

Let's get on with the show recap:

Topic #1: The Daily Drivel

(News about the Chess World)

   First, the passing of chess GM Larry Evans was touched on, mentioning the impact Evans had throughout his journalism and his chess career. Among his accomplishments, Evans won 81 U.S. chess games, 2nd only to Samuel Reshevsky, but far ahead of Bobby Fischer.

   Next up was the topic of the two chess tournaments that recently took place in Moscow: The Tal Memorial and the Tal Blitz:

   It is common knowledge that there was an unclear result at the Tal Memorial at which Levon Aronian. Sergey Karjakin, and Shakhiryar Mamedyarov all finished with 5.5 pts. BUT-Mamedyarov missed out on a share of the lead of the top spot because his victories were against playes that performed worse, on average, than Kramnik and Gelfand. Still, it was enough to cause a little controversy in the Chess world.

   Poet also brought up one of his favorite subjects: Women's chess. He was pumped talking about the magnificent performance by Judit Polgar in the UNAM Chess Festival in Mexico City where she crushed Veselin Topalov in the final 3.5-.5. Here are 3 PGNs of those very games: The time controls for this event were 10/5 and Josh agreed that Topalov's career is closing in on its final downfall.

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Topic #2: Actual Chess Moment

   This segment addresses chess analysis; this week's topic focused on the development of the Queen's Bishop in the Slav/Semi Slav Openings. Panda pointed out that he doesn't consider one opening better than another; it simply depends on how a player executes the game using them. It was very informative for a novice such as myself

Topic #3: Attack vs. Counterattack

   In other words, Poet vs. Panda, a segment in which they go toe-to-toe on a topic. This week's segment was about time control in chess matches.

   Jason stated that longer time controls equal a better game, though shorter time controls can be a great equalizer, meaning a strong player might blunder in Blitz chess, leveling the play in the game.

   Josh argued that the long time controls, are, in ways, bad for chess, while shorter controls make for a more enjoyable experience for the viewers, though it gives more problems and more randomness to the game, perhaps with moves that are not usually made in longer games. But Josh also mentioned that blitz chess ruins the intergrity of chess as a whole. This is a common debate in the chess world and we'd love to hear your thoughts.

   Do you prefer longer games with more thinking time or do you like the fast, chaotic pace of Blitz with pieces flying all over the board, like Danny Rensch and Ray Robson going at it at the 2010 SPICE Cup just very recently?:

Topic #4: Minor Piece Theater

(where something creative outside the chess world itself, makes mention of it)

   Poet exposed the audience to a piece of art created by Yoko Ono entitled "Chess by Trust."

   He went on to give his philosophical thoughts on what he believes her message was by having made all the chessboard squares and all the chessmen white: The black and white squares and pieces, in her mind, represent the borders we draw for competition, people identifying sides and debating things; that we lose sight of bigger and richer truth in life that can be attained through cooperative and symbioticz relationships between people. Panda, on the other hand, wasn't impressed and didn't "get it." Do you agree with Poet's interpretation? Or are you like Panda and just don't understand? Perhaps you have a different opinion. We'd love to hear all about it.

Topic #5: Jamming with the Peanut Gallery

   This last segment is a Q & A session, opening the floor to audience participation. Our Hosts were asked questions about anything and everything, from whether or not they both grew up in the U.S. state of  New Hampshire, to what difference in attitude is, U.S. and Europe, toward chess players get in the U.S. and Europe. Poet, living in France, has firsthand knowledge on this subject, but Poet is also aware of how the attitudes differ. In Europe, chess players are treated with respect and are not looked at with a sideways glance or a furrowing brow. By contrast, in America, when you tell someone you're a professional chess player, they look at you like you're a mutated Elmo with spinach caught in your teeth.

   The status of chess players and chess as a sport could use a boost in the U.S. Does anyone have opinions or suggestions as to how the attitude in America can become more like that overseas? We'd love to hear them from chess players and fans on BOTH sides of "the pond."

   And that concludes our recap of the World Premiere of The Panda and Poet show. It's Chess.com/TVs reporter, ChessMarkstheSpot signing off. So 'til next time-same Chess Time-same Chess Channel.