TudoRama

Send us Fan Mail Paddy Gallagher @pad_gal The James Webb telescope continues to take stunning photos of the cosmos;  this image is of an asteroid named  POT 8 O found in the Kuiper belt… @JonathanLevitt7 The Russians have announced plans to build a docking port on the asteroid for 24 military grade Spudnik spacechips. Donald Trump will be joint financing the development and opening a golf resort a...

Send us Fan Mail The politics of chess. The case of Shohreh Bayat It should not be a great surprise to learn that top level Chess, like other sports,  has its share of politics.  A case study is that of the gifted Iranian player Shohreh Bayat. Shohreh, now domiciled in England fell foul of the chess authorities some years ago, but her case was brought into the headlines recently by an investigator...

Send us Fan Mail Porridge takes a goodly while for the body to digest, which means it releases its energy more slowly, keeping you feeling fuller for longer. This last property can also be blamed for the "porridge glow" many people experience when entering crowded public transport in the mornings. The Porridge song With acknowledgment to George Gershwin  Stay up-to-date with all of Tudor...

Send us Fan Mail My weekly visit to Poynton. I remember last week’s excitement and ambulances at Waitrose. No such drama, but the trip was not without interest. I came across an example of unexpected behaviour which prompted this podcast, and brought back memories of a crazy football cup semifinal the previous day.  The story unfolded shortly after I had negotiated the perilous free passage zone,...

Send us Fan Mail @JohnWest_JAWS Economists have calculated that the 30 pieces of silver given to Judas Iscariot would today, accounting for inflation, be worth £10m. @Iratus Ursus Major This very successful poster tweets in lengthy and sweary threads. His visual self is of a great bear.  [I have abbreviated a recent post contributing to the recent debate on returning to traditional British values]...

Send us Fan Mail Chess Memories. Has Stockport become East Cheadle’s bunnies? The pulsating twist and turn of the events means  that my reporting may on this rare occasion fall below its customary high standard of accuracy.  As I recall, on my arrival at our place of many a mighty battle, the visiting players had arrived, and discarded the extra layers of clothing they wore, after learning that me...

Send us Fan Mail We start with Tweet of the month:   It comes from chess GM Hikaru, purporting to be from his chess team, and posted by his trainer. Hikaru is American of Japanese family and has his own unique sense of humour. "This is Hikaru’s Second. No stream today because Hikaru is not allowed to play internet games until he finishes his daily workout - he needs to do 1,000 rook lifts, 1,...

Send us Fan Mail Like Littler, teenage phenomenon, is already competing with the best darts players in the world. I can see his development with similarities to that of a young chess phenomenon heading for super grandmaster status. Darts, like chess, calls for high concentration levels. A drop in micro-concentration can lose a match in these and other sports where a momentary loss of concentration...

Send us Fan Mail The big freeze. The double Houdini that failed.  This podcast is not so much about chess, as about the eternal human challenge of overcoming adversity. My story starts with a message to members from the East Cheadle Chess Club Mission Control. It  sent a chilly warning to the fearless band of the limitless potential league warriors.  It read  "Please be aware that the heating...

Send us Fan Mail The golden age of detective stories and the locked room puzzle. Comments about the golden age of detective stories, tell of the domination of Agatha Christie, and before her, Arthur Conan Doyle and even earlier, Edgar Allen Poe. More specifically, the golden age is placed approximately between the two Great world wars, 1920 to 1938. One particular sub-variant is the locked room my...

Send us Fan Mail Every chess player knows chess is complex. Most chess players have a sense of just how complex. It has even been suggested there are more moves theoretically in chess than there are atoms in the universe. Don’t be deterred. The reality is beautifully described by Stephen Westland on the discussion website Quora. He also happens to be an interesting academic and professor in colour...

Send us Fan Mail John O Connell responds to journalist’s jibe at Taylor Swift @jdpoc "I wouldn't date Taylor Swift" says @GB NEWS' Eamonn Holmes. On the same lines, I refuse to buy that new Maserati. And I've turned down the James Bond role, again. And playing upfront for England in the next World Cup? Nah. Can't be bothered. @PaulTempleton6 BREAKING: Taylor Swift den...

Send us Fan Mail An Incident at Waitrose That’s the Waitrose in Poynton near to where I live. I was making a routine shopping visit there this morning. Not quite routine, because I am in search of a low-carb diet, as instructed by diabetes Zoe recently. I had vague ideas of browsing for low-carb suggestions to replace my favoured meals or at least replace some of the potatoes, rice, and spaghetti...

Send us Fan Mail Mental set.  Two words that could revolutionise criminal detection Sunday Standard. July 5, 1981 In what follows, the original newspaper article mentions that it was based on an interview about a report I had  written with restrictions to its publication by the Government department which had commissioned it.  I no longer have a copy of the report. It focuses on the recently-solve...

Send us Fan Mail Wit and wisdom Mid February edition @GOLDCOUNCIL When the unexpected happens and the world is in turmoil, with gold, you could be protected. 65 million hits. @deelomas I just saw this bloke going up a hill with a wheelbarrow full of horseshoes, four leaf clovers and rabbits feet.  Me Nicely crafted. I’m beginning to see how your twisted mind works. Stay up-to-date with all of Tudo...

Send us Fan Mail How Neil Kinnock is helping Keir Starmer to win the next General Election. The results of the by-elections at Wellingborough and Kingswood recently have been hailed as stunning victories for the labour opposition. They widely believed to be an indicator of a substantial win for labour at the next general election, expected later this year.  Stay up-to-date with all of Tudor's...

Send us Fan Mail Ageing leaders. How the ancient Egyptians solved the problem The is much concern that both President Biden and former President Trump are too old to stand to become President of the United States again.  This week a coruscating attack on Biden’s mental capacities appeared to reinforce  polling beliefs of his mental deterioration ...  The headline news emerges from the continued le...

Send us Fan Mail Success for the Ivory Coast. The 'zombie elephants' triumph an unlikely win in the capital Abidjan. The African Cup of Nations has gained increasing interest as its stars gain international familiarity for their exploits in the top teams of nations around the world. This year, in a pulsating final, victory went to the hosts Côte d’Ivoire, whose team the Elephants were co...

Send us Fan Mail @elonmusk The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well. Initial results show promising neuron spike detection. [This post triggered many responses pointing out the research seeking treatment for motor neuron conditions is being carried out in many institutions around the world]. @EvThat For 40 days each year, beginning on Ash Wednesday, my C...

Send us Fan Mail The dreadful war raging in Ukraine has now lasted over two years. In Gaza, and increasingly around other territories in the Middle East, only a matter of months since the Hamas attack on Israel triggered subsequent bloodshed. Some while before the Gaza conflict sprung into hideous life, I speculated on a possible outcome of the war (Russia's 'special military operation&a...

Send us Fan Mail King Charles diagnosed with Cancer The news was announced at approximately 6pm on the 5 February, 2024, in a Statement from Buckingham Palace. ‘ during the King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer. His Majesty has today commenced schedule of regular treatment...

Send us Fan Mail The turning in the road This is a pre-publication audio for a project on developing calmness tapes using NLP theory. I welcome suggestions (particularly if you have children who like to have a bedtime story read to them) TR I don’t want to disturb you. I hope not. I want you to come with me for a little walk. You don’t have to get up from your comfortable position.  It’s that kind...

Send us Fan Mail Do you have trouble going to sleep? Does worrying about going to sleep make the process even harder? Are your restless thoughts like gremlins, racing around in your head?  If so, here’s a way how to quieten down those gremlins. I call it the ready, steady, let go system. It is based on sound neurolinguistic ideas.  Now, before we start, let’s get comfortable. I’d like you to get i...

Send us Fan Mail Interview with Maksym Kryshtafor on his path to chess stardom I came across a remarkable 9 year old at the chess book stall of the Stockport rapid play tournament recently.  I talked briefly to him, shortly after he astonished the  other participants.  He won first prize in the major category without losing a single game.  His name is Maksym. I later learned his fascinating story...

Send us Fan Mail Wit and wisdom. End of January posts @MarkDaviesUK Lance is an unusual name now but in medieval times people were called Lance a lot Me Nice message from Amazon Hi Tudor, Your package with ‘Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow’ will be delivered today. @antonyncutlet Delivered at a petty pace? (Spot the quotation) Stay up-to-date with all of Tudor's podcasts, blogs and curren...