King John dragon-slayer

But real people don't actually do any of that interesting stuff. So, I'm just sitting here in front of my computer, wearing some pajama pants. How does one do something interesting?

This is sort of like asking, "What would Jesus do?", but it is instead asking, "What would someone interesting do?"

I mean, would Tom Sawyer be sitting here surfing the web? Would Gandhi be idling his life away?

So I'm trying to gain a greater knowledge of music composers throughout history. In "Scholar's Bowl," teams from different schools compete against each other by answering questions. These questions can be about almost anything, and I've noticed that my team rarely knows the answers to questions related to music composers. The questions often give a famous song and ask who wrote it. People like Bach and Tchaikovsky.

So, I'm trying to study composers. Can anyone tell me several composers whom I'd possibly benefit from studying?

Thanks :)

I'll save you the long story, but my teeth have superpowers - I can go months without brushing them, and they'll stay pretty white. There may be some yellowing, but they instantly go back to being white after a single brushing. Cavity-free and all.

However, I pushed my limits too far, and now my teeth have green stains at the bases. It only affects a small area of my teeth - right next to my gums.

I went to a dentist for a regular check-up, and their tooth-cleaning tool didn't remove the stain. Regular brushing also doesn't remove the stain. I'd just get some tooth-whitening strips, but they're pretty expensive, and I'm not confident that they're strong enough to help my situation.

So... bleaching. I've got bleach in my laundry room. Can I just apply some to my teeth using Q-tips and toothpicks? Any better ideas? Is this safe, or can I make it safe?

A career as a military sniper is the only motivation I'd have for enlisting. It's a sort of dream job of mine. I don't really even need glasses, but my driver's license says I do. I usually don't wear them. Could my lack of 20/20 prevent me from becoming a sniper? It seems like they might not allow people with glasses for the reason that glasses might interfere with using a scope.

Thanks

To Quote Wikipedia

"Considered miraculous for centuries, it is now accepted that any strong player today can play at least one game blindfolded."

Lately I've been really eager to give blindfold chess a try. God it's been insane. I suppose that's why the USSR outlawed Blindfold Chess Simuls in 1930.

Once more, wikipedia reads: While blindfold chess has been recommended in moderation by many sources as a method of increasing one's playing strength, simultaneous blindfold exhibitions were officially banned in 1930 in the USSR as they were deemed to be a health hazard. Mikhail Botvinnik also warned against it. Blindfold players have reported that it is more tiring than regular play, even if faster time controls are used.[1]

Anyway, so... yeah, it's been really insane. Does anyone know or have any suggestions (even retarded suggestions by random people with no experience are wanted)?

What would you first do if you wanted to get good at blindfold chess?

I feel as if this question will get very few answers... :(

And yes, Mark H, I think we all know yours, haha. Going out on a limb here, but Irving Chernev perhaps? (girl in crowd whispers, "Oh my God, he's phychic!")

But other than Mark H's "How To See Three Moves Ahead" recommendation, what are *you all*'s favorite books to recommend? And please describe them in absolute detail.

I'm gonna buy one soon, and I've been trying to decide by a book by John Nunn that got incredibly mixed reviews, and one other, but, there's around infinity billion choices out there, so what are your tops?

Thanks,

~John~

On............

Unicorns in comparison to a Pegasus?

What is the Plural word of Pegasus, and how is it spelled?

If you were in a bookstore, say... Barnes and Noble... Which book section would you first probably go to?

What's your three favourite types of Cheese?

When you first turn on the tv, which three channels do you first flip to?

How do YOU drink your coffee?

And....

Would you like to have the last name Coffee? I think it'd be pretty sweet.

And absolute useless question, but it's been far too long since my last nugatory one.

And... pony, or horse?

There we are, bring in the answers!

Just need to know. Thanks.

So, I live in a very small town which is 45 miles away from a very big town. In this very big town, there is a very big Chess Club. The person in charge of this "very big Chess Club" requested me to start a chess club in the afore-mentioned very small town I live in, to "expand" it and whatnot.

Well, I am at full liberty to decline, and have declined before, but ... I started really thinking about it. It could be great, with all five members in it. I honestly wouldn't really know at all how to start one. Much less run one.

Actually, starting wouldn't be the problem I don't guess. I mean, there is a public library there consisting of approximately 17 books, haha. I'm not sure it would be appropriate to meet there though as there aren't any side-rooms or anything that we could go in.

I suppose I could afford enough chess sets. What would we actually do though? I mean, ... what would we do? Play all the time? Yeah, I guess so. How would I go about getting members? Any advice at all? On anything?

Ah, and, it is going to be Free. That's what makes the Freedom Chess Academy special.

Anything at all? I still have time to decline this, or accept it. Not sure which to choose.

Dear Chess Players,

1In an upcoming tournament, (nine days away) I'm going to be playing the English Opening, 1c4, a great deal. Probably, I'll use it one hundred percent in the games where I am white.

Thing is, as black, I intend to use the Nimzo-Indian Defense against 1.d4, that much is for certain. As for 1.e4? I'm not quite sure just yet, but I have a few days left to decide. Should I be trying to use the Sicilian? It seems a bit obnoxious to me. Should that matter? Everyone seems to be using it though, and I'm not one for being clech'e.

What's your voice on black against 1.e4? Just wanting to hear from you all.

My main question is, and, I'm not sure I'll even encounter it at all in this tournament, but, against the English...

A saw a game against Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky where Fischer deployed the English just to surprise him. The first few moves went exactly as this: (Fischer as White)

1.c4, c5

2.Nc3, Nc6

3.Nf3, Nf6

4.g3, g6

5.Bg2, Bg7

6.0-0, 0-0

7. d4, cxd4

8.Nxd4, Nxd4

9.Qxd4

So, a game of copy-cat as you see.

A popular answerer in the Board Games section. Thumbs up or Thumbs down? Plus comments.

I especially want to know your rating, Captainstoryteller.

So... 2000 is considered Master. What's the rating for being considered GM??? I used to know but of late it has slipped my mind

1 What three openings would you recommend and why?

2 What tips would you offer for beginning players?

3 What tips would you offer for experienced players?

4 Any books you'd advise buying?

5 Who's your favorite chess player? (Bobby Fischer is mine)

6 What you've learned in your chess wisdom:

I like the King's Indian Attack a lot. 1 Nf3, 2 g3, 3 Bg2, 4 e4, 5 d3, Nbd2, 6 0-0, 7 Re1. That's my twist on it at least.

So what do you peoples use?

Alright, ... I need a word for A - Z. Are YOU up to my Challenge!~?

I will pick best answer according to whose words are the biggest, coolest, and/or funniest. Do you think you can do the whole dictionary??? I, King John Dragon Slayer, believe in you!

Do this for me!