Paul Macdonald @grandmastermac - Tumblr Blog

Finally got the final version of the X-Chess boxed product completed. Note the pawns have a crest now - they are actually hoplites. The dragons are taller now and the minotaurs shorter as we decided to swap them around. The xchess.live site will be updated in 2 weeks with the new setup. Please join our xchess channels to keep in the loop. Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/xchess.live Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xchess.live Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/xchesslive YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRi5Pa0j8JodGM_ax_Y3HNg #behindscene #behindscenes #xchessbehindscenes #xchess #boardgame #videogame #playonline #onlinegame https://www.instagram.com/p/CRD9H4tB-OV/?utm_medium=tumblr

#behindscene #behindscenes #xchessbehindscenes #xchess #boardgame #videogame #playonline #onlinegame

This is Hegel Ganias, affectionately known as Heg (pronounced Hedge). With Hegs guidance, his cousin Enrique has made the final touches on the latest version of X-Chess 3D models. I am delighted with the result and can now say the X-Chess pieces are complete! They really look amazing and I couldn't have asked for better. Thanks Heg and Enrique for making the difficult possible! I will post photos of the final designs. Heg is the co-owner of RightHandMan (https://www.righthandman.co.nz), a design consultancy. You can see his portfolio at https://www.hejworks.com. (at 71 Jellicoe Road, Panmure) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO04m8Ghq20/?igshid=ivoyat57wlbh

A common opening setup I see quite frequently. And yes, this is after showing them the opening principles of chess. This happened in two games in the same class yesterday! Actually, it is reflective of what would happen on the battlefield. All the foot soldiers clashing early. But what it really shows is kids like to mirror each other and just want to have fun. #chesspower #chessfun https://www.instagram.com/p/CO03Yl5Bt-e/?igshid=fzkjdc5dfel5

#chesspower #chessfun

This is the latest X-Chess board for tournaments. Yes, we will be running X-Chess tournaments in New Zealand and across the world! The design maximises the board space. The board is 520mm square. Let me know your thoughts. #x-chess #xchess https://www.instagram.com/p/COxet1aBdIc/?igshid=mf67on6nsgjc

#x #xchess

Latest version of the X-Chess box cover art. We made a stone dragon. I look forward to your feedback. #xchess #x-chess https://www.instagram.com/p/COxeEvihYmD/?igshid=6gv1id1afxx7

#xchess #x

The most difficult mate in X-Chess. Minotaur vs King. This is the end of the mate. The legal moves of the minotaur are in green. Can you solve it? Mate in 5. You can play X-Chess at https://www.xchess.live #x-chess #xchess https://www.instagram.com/p/COxWJ0Lh2tc/?igshid=qvt5wxwpn94h

#x #xchess

Just got a preview of version 2 of the X-Chess pieces. These are 3D printed and take 6 hours to print each piece. Thanks Hegel Ganias and his cousin Enrique for the huge effort in getting it right. The wings are on the dragon. The minotaur has better horns and looks bullish (no pun intended). And the General looks more spartan! All pieces are stronger and better and less likely to break. All going well this is the final design version. Then we move to a prototype production using moulds rather than 3D printing. You can play X-Chess on https://www.xchess.live. There is a tutorial to teach you the rules. X-Chess allows you to be creative from move 1, no cheating, very few draws, great game balance between white and black and you can play to win with black equally as you can with white. Give it a try! https://www.instagram.com/p/COlbSBQB1Hj/?igshid=1rymmwb09dpiz

Another great Sarapu Cup with delighted kids achieving success in Chess. I think this is close to our 100th Sarapu Cup. #sarapucup #chess #chesskids (at Eden Rugby Club - Juniors) https://www.instagram.com/p/COXjDYKBfl6/?igshid=1bpnwjedrra68

#sarapucup #chess #chesskids

Post game analysis with International Arbiter Bruce Pollard at the Chess Power Junior Masters. Currently Hayden Steele and Pamiru Gallage are leading the F group. And Peter Ladur and Anya Thurner are leading leading D Group. Last round is tomorrow morning. http://www.newzealandchess.co.nz/tournaments/bp/2021/wwwJMD-Grade/standing.html http://www.newzealandchess.co.nz/tournaments/bp/2021/wwwJMF-Grade/ #juniormasters #chesspower (at Auckland Chess) https://www.instagram.com/p/CORtZYehDbA/?igshid=1tfakjksx0vij

#juniormasters #chesspower

I told my students that most strong Chess players can play Chess blindfolded against multiple opponents. One student didn't believe me. This was the result. A lot of fun and a great activity to keep the kids excited. He also learned lots about Chess notation. (at EduExperts One Tree Hill) https://www.instagram.com/p/CORsr5JB-KU/?igshid=ml9ljg02h6xa

EduExperts School holiday program finished. Feeling completely exhausted. Great to see the two top places go to girls! #chesspower #eduexperts (at EduExperts One Tree Hill) https://www.instagram.com/p/CORryrrhQ7E/?igshid=1767lpcspwaq9

#chesspower #eduexperts

Managed to put together the first prototype of the X-Chess box. Let me know what you think. And no, the real thing won't be covered in selotape, I hope. I designed the box last night - only took 3 hours but it helped having all the artwork ready to go. Getting close now. Just waiting on the updated 3D-printed pieces to arrive! Once we have reviewed everything, we can get the first prototype manufactured overseas. #xchess #chesspower https://www.instagram.com/p/COPHx1Khlt4/?igshid=zr3b039oivpe

#xchess #chesspower

This is Peter Zhou. Peter has been doing his best to put obstacles in his opponents way in the Chess Power Junior Masters. Here he is having a giggle because his opponent Chen Chen starting bursting into histaric fits of laughter for reasons I am not too clear about. #juniormasters #chess #chesspower (at Auckland Chess) https://www.instagram.com/p/COOe7AMhoOz/?igshid=12a0hd79ob353

#juniormasters #chess #chesspower

During yesterday's game I was called over to Cherry Wang's (better known as Chen Chen) with an unusual issue. On arriving at the table Chen Chen said "My hands are turning purple". This possible issue wasn't mentioned in the FIDE arbiters course, so I was on my own. I told Chen Chen to let me know if the problem gets worse. Fortunately the purple hue stayed at the same level and it became clear she wasn't turning into a Zombie. It turned out the purple hand syndrome was contagious with others being infected. #juniormasters #chess (at Auckland Chess) https://www.instagram.com/p/COOeCMMhrfi/?igshid=1s0wfp1uje94v

#juniormasters #chess

This is Peter Ladur from Hamilton. Peter doesn't have an NZCF rating but is playing strong and is one of my picks to win the D Grade at the Chess Power Junior Masters. You can see the full results here http://www.newzealandchess.co.nz/tournaments/bp/2021/wwwJMD-Grade/sortedcrosstable.html. Use the menu to change grades. #chess #juniormasters (at Auckland Chess) https://www.instagram.com/p/COMLauGhJf_/?igshid=32fk7e6lfi34

#chess #juniormasters

First day of the Junior Masters was today. I will post the most interesting photo for each day of the event. This is Maan Bhatia vs Sean Wang. It looks like the game has finished and they are signing the scoresheets. But this is not what is happening. Both players are playing standing up, some juniors preferred playing posture. OK, makes sense for a blitz game maybe. But the time control is 1 hour 15 minutes per player. Fortunately for the players the game didn't last long and Sean got his first win of the tournament. #chess #juniormasters #chesspower (at Auckland Chess) https://www.instagram.com/p/COKEh5jho8o/?igshid=iuxwzs0lq3bf

#chess #juniormasters #chesspower

Ian Nepomniachtchi has won the FIDE Candidates Tournament with a round to spare and is the new Challenger for the world championship against Magnus Carlsen. Let's start a pool, best guess wins a 1 month subscription to X-Chess. The World Championship is the best of 12 games at a classical time control. If that is tied, then rapid is played with a best of four games. If that is tied, a series of five best of 2 blitz games. Finally the world championship is then decided by an Armageddon blitz game. The World Championship will be played in November and December this year. Put your predicted score in the comments. https://en.candidates-2020.com/ #FIDECandidates #chess https://www.instagram.com/p/COJgnqUBQ13/?igshid=1glso4k7lv5dy

#fidecandidates #chess

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Paul Macdonald