Some Fun Today

Today is a double NFL day. The main game for us is the Detroit Lions against the San Francisco 49ers. My dear wife, Kathryn Farley, is a dedicated fan of the Lions.

She and I are busy all today thinking about the game until it starts at 6:30pm and so I cannot do a more technical post. Hope that is okay with our followers.

From Chess to Football

Ken will also be rooting for the Lions—after pulling in the early game for the Baltimore Ravens to avenge the Bills’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

He just finished watching a thrilling climax to the annual Tata Steel Chess Festival in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, which he was officially monitoring. After the fortnight of classical chess resulted in a four-way tie for first (not seen since 1989), Wei Yi of China won a blitz playoff over D. Gukesh of India, Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan, and defending champion Anish Giri of the home country.

Ken was also in a short piece in last Monday’s “GamePlay” online section of the New York Times. The article, titled “Catching Chess Cheaters Is Tricky Work,” was written by reporter Emily Belz.

Open Problems

Many seem to think that fire is the most important and should have won. Do you agree?

Please enjoy the games and we will be holding our breath all evening wishing for the Lions.