Best of CLO 2012 #7: Mate in 196 by Daniel Parmet
January 29, 2013
ParmetBaloons.jpgThe #7 article in Best of CLO 2012 is London Chess Classic: Mate in 196 by Daniel Parmet. Parmet was in London working on the media team and had an insider’s view of the activities. Judges  praised Daniel’s story-telling and the way he set up the key game of the article, Anand-Nakamura. 

Daniel Parmet was the general manager of the US Chess League team the Chicago Blaze from 2008 to 2011. In 2010, he was featured in an Atlantic City edition of the US Chess Scoop. 
PressLondon.jpg
Parmet with the press team at the London Classic


The Judges Sound Off
Read more about the judges 

This story was a nice combination of commentary, story telling and photography.  It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words, however Parmet gives the reader the back-story to the photograph.  Being a photographer myself I found humor in the gentleman taking pictures of the empty chairs while the future occupants of those same chairs were sitting right in front of him. 

The story of Grandmaster analysis of the Anand-Nakamura game was both entertaining and instructive.  The endgame was incredibly complex.  Parmet’s analysis and the comments from Anand and Nakamura were very instructive. At the same time his narrative of what was going on in the VIP room during the game was quite entertaining.  Mate in 196 moves?  I think I like the human element that lead to a draw in the position -Polly Wright 

 A story that created a lot of buzz in the chess world! Hikaru Nakamura was the recipient of many barbs around the chess world even from Anand! How could he blow such a position?? As I watched the webcast of this complicated battle, even Magnus Carlsen didn’t know what to make of it. After the hard fought draw, the chess engine adjudicated the position. At one point Nakamura missed mate in 196! While everyone had a good laugh, this showed the ridiculous power of computers and how far they have come. Looking at the evaluation in the engine was amazing… even shocking.-Daaim Shabazz

Great pics and great games from a great event!—-GM Ben Finegold 
 
Best of CLO 2012 Countdown
#6-???
#7- London Chess Classic: Mate in 196 by Daniel Parmet
#8- "Nakamura Defeats Fischer’s Record in Istanbul" by FM Mike Klein (Read the judging article)
#9- Sam Loyd’s Organ Pipes and Benko’s 45th Anniversary by Dr. Steven Dowd (Read the judging article here.)
#10- Greg on Chess: Opening Books by IM Greg Shahade (Read the judging article here)