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Choral Society bring hit musical to the Scouts Hall

Published: Sat 19 Mar 2022, 12:00 PM

NENAGH Choral Society are back- as they venture into the world of Chess, coming to the Scouts Hall stage this April.

Under the direction of Greg Browne, William Cullagh (Musical Director) and Stephanie Browne (Choreographer), NCS cast have been working hard for the last few months to finally stage this production, which is two years in the making. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic Chess the Musical was postponed two weeks before it was to be staged in 2020.

Chess was written in 1984 by ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Bjrn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice. It tells a story of a love triangle, set against the background of the Cold War in which superpowers attempt to manipulate an international chess championship for political ends.

Two of the worlds greatest chess masters, one American, one Russian, are in danger of becoming the pawns of their governments as their battle for the world title gets under way. Simultaneously their lives are thrown into further confusion by a Hungarian refugee, a remarkable woman who becomes the centre of their emotional love triangle. This mirrors the heightened passions of the political struggles that threaten to destroy lives and loves.

The show includes the international hit singles I Know Him So Well and One Night in Bangkok. Other well-known songs from the score include Anthem, Heaven Help my Heart and Pity the Child.

This popular musical sees old and new faces return to the Scouts Hall stage. Russian Champion Anatoly - Paul Browne, American Grandmaster Freddie - Shane Kelly, Florence - Kirsty Ryan, Molokov - Andrew Whelan, Walter - Alan O'Brien, Arbiter - Paul Shesgreen, Svetlana - Niamh Chadwick.

Chess opens in the Scouts Hall on Tuesday, April 5, and runs until Saturday, April 9, nightly at 8pm. Ticket prices: Adult - 20 / Child(U16)/OAP - 15.

Box Office is open at the Scouts Hall from March 22 or by phone on 086 312 2725.

Published: Sat 19 Mar 2022, 12:00 PM

Read more here:
'Chess' comes to stage in Nenagh - Nenagh Guardian

Chess the Musical announces stellar all New Zealand cast for five semi-staged shows coming to Auckland in June. Photo / Supplied

Producers of Chess the Musical are delighted to announce a stellar all New Zealand cast for five semi-staged shows coming to Auckland's Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre this June.

Playing the lead roles of Frederick and Anatoly fierce competitors on the chess board and for the love of one woman are music chart-topping pop artist Michael Murphy, and international opera star Edward Laurenson.

Caught in their love triangle is Florence, played by Heather Wilcock whose glorious soaring voice landed her the role of Elphaba in Wicked in multiple New Zealand productions. She has also played Tracy in Hairspray and Eva Peron in Evita in both Auckland and Wellington.

Trying to bring order and dignity to the game as Arbiter will be one of New Zealand's favourite entertainers, Jackie Clarke (MNZM). Jackie's highlights include performing in The Lady Killers with Tina Cross and Suzanne Lynch for 15 years.

Television and theatre star Stephen Butterworth (Ngati Porou) will be playing Walter. Stephen achieved a cult following for his roles at Pop-up Globe and has appeared in The Lord of the Rings and Shortland Street.

Playing Anatoly's sidekick, Molokov, is Matthew Cutts, a Kiwi whose star has shone brightly on the West End in London and across Europe, performing in some of the world's biggest productions, including Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express, Miss Saigon and Mamma Mia!.

Playing Anatoly's ex-wife Svetlana, is Rebecca Wright who has enjoyed an illustrious career in the musical theatre industry, most recently performing the role of Fantine in Les Misrables at The Civic in Auckland, to critical acclaim.

The production will also feature an outstanding ensemble and mass choir.

Written in 1984 by Abba's Benny Andersson and Bjrn Ulvaeus, and Sir Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita) Chess the Musical features hits including I Know Him So Well recognised in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest-selling UK chart single ever by a female duo and the upbeat pop favourite, One Night In Bangkok.

Chess the Musical tells the story of a complex love triangle combined with dramatic political intrigue, set against the background of the Cold War in the early 1980s, where Soviet and American forces attempt to manipulate an international chess championship for political gain.

The musical originally premiered in London's West End in 1986 (where it was revived in 2018), starring the beloved Elaine Paige. The season ran for three years, resulting in a BBC listener poll ranking Chess the Musical seventh in a list of Number One Essential Musicals of all time.

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Chess the Musical is produced by the makers of last year's theatrical extravaganza Jersey Boys and is directed by Jeremy Hinman (Jersey Boys, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert).

Venue: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland.

Dates: Performances from June 16, 2022.

Times: Thursday 7.30pm; Friday 7.30pm; Saturday 2pm & 7.30pm; Sunday 2pm.

Tickets: Tickets from $49.10. A service fee applies.

Tickets available from Ticketmaster.

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Chess the Musical announces all-star Kiwi cast for new Auckland production - New Zealand Herald

So argues John Mac Ghlionn in todays Martin Center article.

In chess, he writes, Every action has a reaction. Decisions have consequences. The game of chess teaches people basic life skills, like the importance of patience, perspective, and proper planning. It is, in many ways, a highly effective, highly instructive educational tool. Right now, the US is very much lacking such tools.

Thats right. Playing chess builds, to use Hercule Poirots favorite phrase, the little gray cells.

Ghlionn explains that, Researchers have found that the schema used by chess players is eerily similartothe scientific method, with great emphasis placed on calculations and assessments. Other researchers havedocumented the ways in which chess improvesattention, memory, concentration, and reasoning among players.

If American schools (including colleges) would encourage chess, that would have great benefits for the individuals and, in the long-run, for the country.

Go here to see the original:
How Teaching Kids Chess Will Benefit the U.S. - National Review

Make Your Movechess tactics appear monthly inChess Lifemagazine, an exclusive US Chess member benefit. Not a member? Join today!

This month's 9 puzzles are all taken from the 2021 World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Warsaw, Poland. The puzzles start from easy (1) and gradually move toward being difficult (9). Please note that "easy" is a relative term. Newer players will find the "easy" puzzles to also be a challenge.

First, try to solve the puzzle without checking the hint. If you cannot, open the hint to get a clue. Try your best to solve the puzzle completely on your own before checking the solution.

If you were unsuccessful, return to the puzzle in a few weeks to see if you can solve it. That way, you gradually expand your tactical vision and you'll be more likely to spot tactics when they occur in your own games.

Whatever you do, do not use an engine to solve the puzzles. You will only be cheating yourself out of improving your game.

PIN!

[Event "World Rapid 2021"][Site "Warsaw POL"][Date "2021.12.28"][Round "11.80"][White "3.3 Aziz, Husain"][Black "Nasuta, G.."][Result "0-1"][ECO "C47"][WhiteElo "2357"][BlackElo "2521"][Annotator "FM Carsten Hansen"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r2qr1k1/p1p2ppp/2p2n2/3p4/1b2P1b1/2NB4/PPPB1PPP/R1Q1R1K1 b - - 0 11"][PlyCount "3"][EventDate "2021.12.26"][EventType "swiss (rapid)"][EventRounds "13"][EventCountry "POL"][SourceTitle "Chess Life March 2022"][SourceDate "2022.03.01"][SourceVersion "1"][SourceVersionDate "2022.03.01"][SourceQuality "1"]

{[#]} 11... dxe4 $1 12. Nxe4 $4 ({White responded a little too quickly andmisses Black's tactical point. If} 12. Bxe4 $4 {then} Bxc3 {removes thedefender and wins a piece. Therefore, White has to play}) (12. Bc4 {when} h6 {leaves Black with a solid pawn up and clearly better chances.}) 12... Rxe4 $1 ({White resigned on account of} 12... Rxe4 13. Rxe4 Bxd2 14. Qxd2 Nxe4 15. Qb4Nf6 {and Black would be a clear piece up.}) 0-1

[/pgn]

First step, then kick.

[Event "World Rapid Women 2021"][Site "Warsaw POL"][Date "2021.12.27"][Round "6.16"][White "3.4 Ovod, E.."][Black "Atalik, E.."][Result "0-1"][ECO "C55"][WhiteElo "2366"][BlackElo "2420"][Annotator "FM Carsten Hansen"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r1b2r1k/1pp3pp/p7/P2Pb3/2BBp2q/7P/1P3PP1/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 19"][PlyCount "10"][EventDate "2021.12.26"][EventType "swiss (rapid)"][EventRounds "11"][EventCountry "POL"][SourceTitle "Chess Life March 2022"][SourceDate "2022.03.01"][SourceVersion "1"][SourceVersionDate "2022.03.01"][SourceQuality "1"]

{[#]} 19... Bd6 $1 {The bishop drops brack to avoid being exchanged andsimultaneously preventing White from playing Ra3 which would help defendWhite's king.} 20. Qb3 ({White tries to defend on h3. If White instead plays}20. Re1 {to give the king an escape square, then Black simply continues} Bxh3$1 21. Qd2 ({or} 21. Bxg7+ Kxg7 22. Qd4+ Rf6 23. gxh3 Qxh3 {and Black forcesmate}) 21... Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Rf4 23. Rg1 e3 24. Bxe3 Rxc4 25. Kf1 Qh3+ 26. Ke2Rf8 {with an ongoing, decisive attack.}) 20... Rf3 $1 {A beautifulinterference move.} 21. gxf3 ({Or} 21. Qc2 Bxh3 {and it is over for White.})21... Bxh3 ({This capture wins, but Black can force mate with} 21... Qf4 $1 22.Rfb1 Bxh3 $1 {and White's king is stuck in the trap and White can only delaymate by giving up her material, e.g.,} 23. Bxg7+ Kxg7 24. Qc3+ Kg6 {and it isover for White.}) 22. f4 Bxf4 23. Ra3 Bg2 ({Also} 23... e3 {wins.}) 24. Qg3 ({And White resigned at the same time as} 24. Qg3 Qh1# {would have ended thegame.}) 0-1

[/pgn]

Link:
Make Your Move, March 2022 - Tactics III and IV - uschess.org

Photo: Theo Wargo (Getty Images)

Last December, Grimes released a new song from her upcoming album Book 1. The track, called Player of Games, was speculated to be inspired by her relationship with Elon Musk. One of the lyrics, Im in love with the greatest gamer, got me thinking: what kind of video games does Musk play when hes not reinventing public transit or allegedly abusing his employees?

A recent Vanity Fair interview with Grimes revealed that Musks latest obsession is The Battle of Polytopia, which he describes as a much more complex version of chess. Apparently, hes even beaten the creator at his own game at least once, which hes very proud of. While hes obviously boasting about his big brain for his fawning fans, I wouldnt be a video game journalist if I didnt check out the game for myself. So, I downloaded Polytopia and played a single game.

The Battle of Polytopia is a civilization simulator in which you control one of twelve different tribes. You try to expand the territory of your empire by collecting resources, exploring uncharted territory, and destroying rival civilizations. In short, its the exact sort of game that might appeal to a white billionaire who benefitted from apartheid in South Africa. He loves it so much that at one point, Polytopia was added as a playable game to Tesla carsyou know, before the government started asking questions about a feature that might take your attention away from driving.

Read More: Genshin Impact Cancels Elon Musk Event Following Fan Pushback

I played one game, which lasted twenty-five rounds. Every round, I could move my military units one space across the map, and I would be rewarded with stars each turn. These resources could be invested into extractive technologies for things like forestry or fishing, or they could be put into new kinds of soldiers. The goal was to wipe out as many enemy factions as possible before the turn limit.

Polytopia is not as complex as Musk described. If anything, winning against the computer-controlled enemies was easier than any chess game Ive ever played. There were more opponents than in a chess game, but its difficulty was inherently constrained by the number of possible actions per turn. Polytopia is an approachable game for newcomers to the civilization builder genre, but its definitely not what I expected from the so-called Player of Games.

Go here to read the rest:
I Played The Game Elon Musk Is Obsessed With So You Don't Have To - Kotaku