A view of Samarkand Olympiad 2026

Pakistan: Samarkand Chess Olympiad 2026 – Israel “Boycotted” in Favour of “Palestine Solidarity”! (19.9.2026)

I had know idea historical Samarkand is now situated in the modern Nation State of Uzbekistan (a former Soviet Republic) an Islamic country. When the US and UK invaded Revolutionary Russia between 1918-1921 – the (58,000) British Army tended to manoeuvre around this general geographical area (the British committed an atrocity in Baku – Azerbaijan – by murdering unarmed Soviet POWs). So ashamed was the British Nation after this shameful event – no regiment in the British Army claim these actions as “battle honours”. The US tried to extend WWI to happening between 1914-1921 (these dates actually appear on some plaques) – but Great Britain refused this designation and limited WWI to “1914-1918” (although occasionally a plaque will read “1914-1919”) when the Soviet Red Army prevailed (the formation of the USSR was established in late 1922). Now, I know people from Pakistan sometimes access this blog – so I have added a few “Urdu” texts with English translation. Never stop learning.

Gee Wines! Congratulations!

Down House: Gee & Adrian Play Chess – Gee Wins! (7.3.2026)

Whilst visiting the Games Room of Down House – Kai-Lin played with the dinosaurs and the globe – whilst Mei-An watch myself and Gee play chess on a huge set of pieces and large board! Mei-An filmed and photographed whilst the game ebbed and flowed. I started really strongly – but made a poor move that sacrificed my Queen unnecessarily – Ge quite rightly pounced – turned the game in her favoured – and wiped the board with me. It was a great and explosive match and I definitely went-out on my shield! We try and play each other at least once a week to keep our thought processes subtle and sharp. I find the processes of intense thought relieves the fatigue my academic work often induces,