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There is a strange long-distance chess game going on between Dublin and Brussels focused on picking a replacement for Phil Hogan. And this chess game has compounded the already messy political wrangling going inside the three-party Coalition.

he Government's focus has been on trying to figure out what the EU Commission President's next move would be - once they have shown their hand. If they comply with a request to send the name of a man and a woman, is the man definitively not going to get the job? And just what calibre of job might be available?

For those of us who like our politics, this one carries more than a hint of intrigue.

People around Government Buildings keep stressing that Brussels has no legal right to demand two nominations, male and female. This is true - but it does not help things.

Realpolitik is that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has the final decision on who gets what. Given the recent history of this one, it would be prudent to comply with her wishes.

Ireland will not keep Phil Hogan's trade portfolio, but two high-calibre names could secure a meaningful role for his successor, maintaining Irish political heft.

Informal talks are going on between European experts in Government Buildings and Ms von der Leyen's advisory team, while Ireland's EU embassy is heavily on the case. But hard information is scarce - and there can be no guarantees.

In the simplest terms, it means Simon Coveney has no guarantee of anything much. If he lets his name go forward as one of two, he could be rejected in favour of the female nominee. Or, he could come through and be handed a portfolio with little political relevance.

Yesterday in Brussels, Ms von der Leyen hosted the big return-to-work, meeting her Commission team. It was an informal affair focused on identifying the many challenges facing the European Union in the coming months.

Ireland's Commission nominee was at best a sidebar, viewed through the prism of who might be getting promotion now that one of the heavy-hitters, Mr Hogan, had unexpectedly departed. Ms von der Leyen's immediate focus is on her first so-called 'State of the Union' address, to be delivered to the European Parliament next Wednesday week, September 16.

You're already forgiven if you have not heard about this before. It is a product of the 2009 Treaty of Lisbon, borrows heavily from the USA, and is an effort to put more political transparency, and indeed some political oomph, into the EU's sometimes byzantine politics.

Suffice to say this is big stuff for the woman known increasingly as 'VDL' since it is her first of these and she needs to show leadership on Covid-19, Brexit, climate change and a plethora of other pressing issues. When it comes to Irish issues, she can afford to wait.

Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis has taken temporary responsibility for trade. The former Latvian prime minister has been briefed by Mr Hogan and is familiar with the big-picture issues.

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John Downing: In this long-distance chess game there is only one kingmaker - Independent.ie

Whether championing math, poetry, or just how to be a decent human being, the inspirational teacher is as familiar to movie audiences as the class stoner. Critical Thinking does little to detach itself from genre clich; yet this heartfelt drama about a rough-and-tumble group of high-schoolers who claw their way to a national chess tournament has a sweetness that softens its flaws.

Based on a true story and set in an underserved Miami neighborhood in 1998, the movie drops us into the boisterous classroom of Mr. Martinez (played by the director, John Leguizamo).

Chess is the great equalizer, he tells his multiethnic students, using the game to teach his critical thinking elective with a side of racial history discouraged by his school board. The principal (Rachel Bay Jones) might treat his classroom like a dumping ground for miscreants, but Martinez, assisted by wigs and funny accents, explains complicated chess moves with a deftness that cuts through their indifference.

With goals as modest as the lives of its characters, Critical Thinking follows the predictable arc of the underdog drama as the chess team overcomes troubled home situations and other setbacks on the road to a Beverly Hills-set finale. Slow and straightforward, the movie knows that a chess match is hardly a barnburner; but its lively young performers and their eventual triumph are easy to warm to. Drugs and gangs might beckon and ICE hovers just outside the frame but theyre no match for the values of sportsmanship and teamwork. And Mr. Martinezs pep talks.

Critical ThinkingNot rated. Running time: 1 hour 57 minutes. Watch through virtual cinemas, or rent or buy on iTunes, Google Play and other streaming platforms and pay TV operators.

Link:
Critical Thinking Review: All the Right Moves - The New York Times

Chess has been played by millions of people all over the world from the 6th century onwards in one form or another. Young and old, rich and poor: chess transcends all normal social barriers.

16 pawns, 16 pieces, 64 squares and two opponents, but we are still nowhere near reaching the stage of the game being fully solved. Even in the modern era, when computers and programs can cycle through millions of positions and calculate to unbelievable depths, there are still entirely new positions being reached every day. The amount of possible permutations is just that big.

Especially now with the explosion of Internet chess, where streamers and Grandmasters alike are bringing the game to new audiences, there are more eyes on the chess world than arguably ever before.

So what kind of stories surround the "Game of Kings" and who are the players involved in them? From titled players to novices, there will hopefully be something here to pique the interest of everyone.Let's see what kind of stories have involved that chequered board in one way or another.

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10 Interesting Stories From The World Of Chess - WhatCulture

Collision industry trainer, mentor and Hall of Eagles member Toby Chess is among the many Americans suffering severe kidney disease, undergoing dialysis and in need of an organ from a living or deceased donor.

Colleagues have started aGoFundMe fundraiser to help Chess.

Toby Chess is known throughout our industry, not only as an amazing instructor with a plethora of technical knowledge, but for his willingness to give of himself, impart his knowledge to others and to ALWAYS do the right thing, the GoFundMe campaign states. Always the first to step forward and help others, our industry has the opportunity to pay it forward to our dear friend Toby, who is valiantly battling kidney failure as COVID-19 cripples his teaching schedule.

He has spent his life in service of others within our industry, and now has the opportunity to feel the reciprocal support from an industry that appreciates what he has done. Currently, Toby is undergoing dialysis three times a week, for four hours per treatment. This fund represents a way for an industry that is grateful, to recognize a wonderful man for his decades of service and volunteerism. For anyone that has ever been inspired by his words, motivated by his articles, informed by his seminars or videos, or simply touched by his generosity in sharing information.

Contributions can be made here.

Chess high-profile example might leave collision repairers and other colleagues curious about kidney disease and organ donation as well.

The Centers for Disease Control estimatesabout 15% of U.S. adults have some form of chronic kidney disease, with nearly all unaware they have it. Simple blood and urine tests will tip off doctors to the presence of the condition. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease said people with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease or a family history of kidney failureare demographics that particularly should get tested.

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A Look at Kidney Disease and Ways to Help Toby Chess - Autobody News

It is no secret that chess is a game of a lot of depth. It is not a simple sport: some consider it to be a science, while others see it as an art form. Sometimes, though, people can view it as a jokeand a pretty good one, too!

In that spirit, we decided to display hilarious chess memes in an article. Many memes were collected and then voted on by the Chess.com staff, and 20 made the final cut. Numerous great contenders did not make it to the final list, but we are sure that the ones we do have will get you rolling on the floor laughing.

Without further ado, we present you with the winners.

"Just act normal and they may think it is a trap." A facial expression that is all-too-familiar to most chess players.

We all know about IM Danny Rensch and GM Robert Hess' thoughts on the French Defense. Apparently, they are not alone:

Speaking of Danny, this one is among his top three picks:

I, too, was relieved for his ruler.

Kings be like "well, this is awkward."

After thinking for two minutes in a three-minute blitz game, this is me: "Ha! Found you!"

The feeling you get when you finally checkm...

AWWWWWWWWW!!!!

What about those tasty, hand-rubbingly good mouse slips?

Why slow-dance when you can slow-chess?

"Come at me, bro!"

"You come at me, bro!"

When you finally resist the temptation of playing blitz until three in the morning and go to bed early.

A classic chess meme and offensive only to babies, who can't defend themselves!

Fans of The Office will cherish this oneeven those who don't love that show should appreciate this meme!

The duplicity of Winnie=hilarious.

When you sac, sac, and... Mate?

When an invaluable and timeless piece of chess wisdom meets the internet.

The anthropomorphization of chess pieces? Yes, please.

If you play chess, you have seen this chess meme:

Possibly the most truthful statement in this entire article is displayed in this meme:

"Look! A weak pawn!"

When you could not be more proud of your hard-earned win.

We hope you have enjoyed these memes as much as we did!

Would you like to see another chess memes article? Do you have a favorite meme that is not on this list? Please post your chess memes in the comments below!

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20 Chess Memes That Will Make You Laugh - Chess.com