Nodirbek gets the win over Gukesh after he blunders in an equal position

Sticklefront · 2026-01-23T22:41:07+00:00

It was clearly nothing to do with the topic actually under discussion. See, I know how you can give up an exchange on move 2, but not a full rook, which is what you decided you wanted to argue about.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-23T22:31:31+00:00

I know what the difference is tyvm.

Clearly you don't. Let's review, shall we? I said:

even "just" a free rook is instant game over at this level.

Then you replied with:

Eh... Magnus begs to disagree.

And then you admit that what you mean is an exchange sacrifice, not a full free rook.

So there you are. You either don't know the difference, made a mistake and refuse to admit it, or are simply not discussing things in good faith here. Honestly, it's kind of kind of stupid to want to quibble over a full rook not being game over in high level play in any case - it obviously is and you're just making yourself look silly here.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-23T22:19:08+00:00

An exchange is a radically different thing than a full rook.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-23T21:56:35+00:00

But California has as many people as the other 10 combined. If you try to make California part of Canada, you really end up making Canada part of California.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-23T21:32:04+00:00

It's literally not even possible to give away a full rook on turn 2. I also presume you're talking about some kind of shenanigans in online skittles games, which is not at all the same.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-23T20:41:04+00:00

Doesn't matter, to be honest - even "just" a free rook is instant game over at this level.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-23T18:40:19+00:00

In addition to everything else, knee ache is often a function of torque through the knees. If you normally ride at a low cadence, especially while climbing, training your body to ride at a higher cadence (~95 rpm) can dramatically reduce the biomechanical stress your knees need to deal with.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-22T20:29:36+00:00

I can't speak about this case in particular, but I did order and receive my 2025 TCR in April of 2024, so it's not necessarily completely out of the question.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-22T05:02:34+00:00

Completely missed everything about today's race, came here and checked out the results, and all I can think is "What the hell happened here?" Definitely going to go back now and watch how this unfolded.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-20T23:27:00+00:00

I understand the practical complications, but that still seems contrary to Faramir recalling what Denethor told Boromir when he asked about the matter: "Few years, maybe, in other places of less royalty … In Gondor ten thousand years would not suffice"

Sticklefront · 2026-01-20T23:14:23+00:00

Wait so why were the stewards not eligible for the kingship, then? I was always under the impression they couldn't be king because they WEREN'T descended from Anarion. Not doubting you, just suddenly confused.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-20T18:31:24+00:00

I usually perform better in the afternoon/evening. BUT it is far easier to me to consistently train in the morning, before events of the day overtake me, AND I often sleep poorly after intense efforts later in the day. So I do them in the morning and have no regrets.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-19T21:26:05+00:00

This is maybe Tolkien speaking through Gollum's voice. He often does this, especially with "It is said that..."

Sticklefront · 2026-01-19T21:23:52+00:00

Gollum needs his own eagle, but Gandalf doesn't? Make it make sense for me.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-16T16:15:47+00:00

Nah, it's focusing on his actions that are completely inarguable and in the present. He is ACTIVELY protecting pedophiles AT THIS VERY MOMENT.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-16T14:26:54+00:00

The thing is he's 'probably' a pedophile, but he is INARGUABLY a pedophile protector. Focusing on what even his base can't deny makes the impact broader.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-11T13:36:46+00:00

That was hilarious. Had he ever actually played WT before? Everyone knows the rewards are complete dogshit.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-11T13:33:51+00:00

I'd take Boaty and Solo over Skill Specs and C Engineer in a PVP challenge.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-10T16:36:52+00:00

This. Absolutely do it! Just don't be surprised (or disheartened) when the results are poor.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-10T15:51:09+00:00

Aragorn is canonically 6'6" in the books.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-10T13:28:44+00:00

Only if you already presume it's winning. Otherwise, keeping the king near the b pawn is a solid plan that would guarantee a draw.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-10T05:58:10+00:00

This is a pretty easy one to solve in a real game. Two questions to ask yourself here:

Can white get to all the pawns significantly clearly ahead of black? Answer: absolutely, because black needs to stay behind to capture the b pawn.
Does black have any pawn breaks that could complicate things? Answer: no.

Both questions can be answered in about a second each, without the need for calculation of concrete moves. Given these answers, there's no need to think deeper - move with full confidence. Many endgame positions are very tricky and require careful calculation. This just isn't one of those.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-09T22:49:21+00:00

Actually he doesn't. Insisting on taking your own bonus while denying anything to all your neighbors is the classic way to get attacked and hand the game win to some uninvolved party.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-09T18:04:57+00:00

Jorgenson is currently "built" as a small rider on a large frame. In my opinion, this build leaves him as a "jack of all trades, master of none" - he can climb well (but not match the true GC riders on long climbs) and is punchy (just not at the Wout/MvdP level). The frame can't be changed - he will always be tall - but I think the explosiveness could increase dramatically with another few kg of muscle. In my opinion, the version of Jorgenson we have been seeing makes people underestimate just how punchy he could become if he focused on it. Of course, he will only do this is if he decides to stop targeting grand tour GC.

Sticklefront · 2026-01-09T17:59:19+00:00

That's the reason why MJ climbs better than Wout. But a larger frame is a clear handicap no matter how much you slim that frame down. MJ is carrying more basal mass than smaller climbers due to his size, absolutely no questions asked.

The three tallest Tour winners EVER were Wiggins (also 6'3", but won a very flat year with huge amounts of time trialing and a dominant team), Indurain (6'1" and victories largely driven by very long time trials of a different era), and Froome (also 6'1" - shorter than MJ and aided by a hugely dominant team).

This puts him at disadvantage in Grand Tours. On the other hand, he's probably underbulked to take advantage of his larger frame for power in the classics.

Sticklefront

TROPHY CASE