The number of young women at chess tournaments has increased dramatically. I think it's great! If nothing else, the level of hygiene has improved, and it smells better
Josef Rejfíř did have a title, he was made IM in 1956. He was good enough to have wins over Spielmann, Saemisch and Flohr (beating the latter in 22 moves!) He also made draws with such other nobodies as Alekhine and Fine.
You seem more inclined to respond to recently posted comments, so, to repeat my question relating to the last Menchik lecture, why did she not play Nc6 after Price went Bc8? I am genuinely at a loss as to why this was not played, and why you did not explain why. Thank you.
The knight was better than the rook. After bxc6 Qxb8 black can finally breathe for the exchange with hopes to play for a draw. Thats not to say Nc6 is a bad move, its just that keeping black locked down was better rather than cashing in early
12:27 Menchik wouldn’t have been a top male player. Sonas’ Chessmetrics put her peak at #53 in her day, and Kaufman estimated her strength at 2155 ELO.
One tiny quibble with an otherwise great lecture is that as much as Vera Menchik dominated the other women in the chess world (and was probably Grandmaster strength or close even by today's standards and without any knowledge of what has been learned since 1944) she was no Judit Polgar, not even close. So if memory serves Alekhine and Capablanca beat her every time they played her with scores like 6 - 0 and/or 8 - 0 No one and I mean no one could have done that against Judit Polgar during her long prime. Until recently I wasn't even sure Menchik played better chess in terms of pure skill by today's standards than Grandmaster Ben Finegold in his prime. That said Grandmaster Finegold very insightfully told me over 40 years ago (long before he was a GM and probably before he made IM, when I barely knew who Viswanathan Anand was), that one day Anand would become World Champion. I don't know if he remembers saying that 40+ years ago. Anand getting to the top took a bit longer than I expected but Ben Finegold was the first one I ever heard suggest that Anand would become World Champion. It's worth pointing out that unlike today when there are scores of women stronger than 2400 FIDE, for a long time there were only one or two women that strong if even that many, e.g. Menchik and Nona Gaprindashvili. In fact I'm thinking of sponsoring a lecture on when the female chess scene got so strong, and how that breakthrough occurred. I guess the Internet and chess content like this channel had a lot to do with that. I'm guessing Menchik would need an Internet connection, Stockfish, and six months of preparation before she could challenge the very best female players of today but that within a year she would surpass them too. But even then I doulbt she would ever reach Judit Polgar's level since Polgar has beaten every living World Champion at one time or another.
The number of young women at chess tournaments has increased dramatically. I think it's great! If nothing else, the level of hygiene has improved, and it smells better
Truth hurts
I hope this trend extends to poker.
Great stuff. Thank you Ben and Shea ( and all other sponsors, some great topics)
When I sponsor a lecture, the topic will be "Games that reach a position where Ben says "Stop the game this is too exciting!!"
Lmao “locusts”. Love you Ben
Shea Crippin sponsored a lecture on Vera Menchik; then she did it... again!
Josef Rejfíř did have a title, he was made IM in 1956. He was good enough to have wins over Spielmann, Saemisch and Flohr (beating the latter in 22 moves!) He also made draws with such other nobodies as Alekhine and Fine.
Rumor has it that Euro Böök never lost a game considering all his moves are book moves.
Thanks ben
Very suspicious pronunciation of Böök's name.
Opponent: you played an excellent game, Vera!
Vera: thank you!
Opponent: don’t Menchik it!
You seem more inclined to respond to recently posted comments, so, to repeat my question relating to the last Menchik lecture, why did she not play Nc6 after Price went Bc8? I am genuinely at a loss as to why this was not played, and why you did not explain why. Thank you.
The knight was better than the rook. After bxc6 Qxb8 black can finally breathe for the exchange with hopes to play for a draw. Thats not to say Nc6 is a bad move, its just that keeping black locked down was better rather than cashing in early
41:26 with advantage
12:27 Menchik wouldn’t have been a top male player. Sonas’ Chessmetrics put her peak at #53 in her day, and Kaufman estimated her strength at 2155 ELO.
Ah, yes, Finnish Secret Service agent double-umlaut K
Wow. The first game was really terrible.
One tiny quibble with an otherwise great lecture is that as much as Vera Menchik dominated the other women in the chess world (and was probably Grandmaster strength or close even by today's standards and without any knowledge of what has been learned since 1944) she was no Judit Polgar, not even close. So if memory serves Alekhine and Capablanca beat her every time they played her with scores like 6 - 0 and/or 8 - 0 No one and I mean no one could have done that against Judit Polgar during her long prime.
Until recently I wasn't even sure Menchik played better chess in terms of pure skill by today's standards than Grandmaster Ben Finegold in his prime. That said Grandmaster Finegold very insightfully told me over 40 years ago (long before he was a GM and probably before he made IM, when I barely knew who Viswanathan Anand was), that one day Anand would become World Champion. I don't know if he remembers saying that 40+ years ago. Anand getting to the top took a bit longer than I expected but Ben Finegold was the first one I ever heard suggest that Anand would become World Champion.
It's worth pointing out that unlike today when there are scores of women stronger than 2400 FIDE, for a long time there were only one or two women that strong if even that many, e.g. Menchik and Nona Gaprindashvili. In fact I'm thinking of sponsoring a lecture on when the female chess scene got so strong, and how that breakthrough occurred. I guess the Internet and chess content like this channel had a lot to do with that. I'm guessing Menchik would need an Internet connection, Stockfish, and six months of preparation before she could challenge the very best female players of today but that within a year she would surpass them too. But even then I doulbt she would ever reach Judit Polgar's level since Polgar has beaten every living World Champion at one time or another.
1st view!
Josef Rejfíř pronunciation: "Ray"-"Fee"-"Rzh"