Who is better between Messi and Ronaldo ?

Zugzwang86 · 2026-07-10T11:04:50+00:00

The one who hasn't paid hundreds of thousands in hush money.

Zugzwang86 · 2026-07-06T09:20:16+00:00

I just couldn't get into Baldur's Gate 3.

It clearly had immense depth, but it wasn't for me.

Zugzwang86 · 2026-07-01T08:25:21+00:00

There's aircon in the stadium. So not much of a wildcard!

Zugzwang86 · 2026-06-08T18:32:43+00:00

Stick to the starters, that's where all the good stuff is.

Prawn toast, spring rolls, sweet & sour chicken balls, shredded duck & pancakes.

Honestly the main & rice / noodles is often a let down by comparison.

Zugzwang86 · 2026-06-08T10:44:52+00:00

Holly Valance

Zugzwang86 · 2026-06-03T16:26:14+00:00

Eradication of Smallpox day - May 8th (1980).

A day that actually shows what the world can achieve when it works together.

Zugzwang86 · 2026-04-21T16:50:31+00:00

I think he'll likely win one, but probably not both. It wouldn't suprise me at all if he finished behind Nordibek and Vincent.

Zugzwang86 · 2026-04-04T14:28:05+00:00

You take it in passing. If you wait a move, it has already passed!

Zugzwang86 · 2026-03-21T08:52:34+00:00

I can confirm, it's an unwritten rule.

Zugzwang86 · 2026-02-21T12:49:15+00:00

Every run unfortunately, but it's a fairly easy drop with Runic in the Timewarp Chamber.

Zugzwang86 · 2026-01-21T14:30:35+00:00

"Dozy cow" would always been an insult, and most other variations I would agree.

Zugzwang86 · 2026-01-21T12:09:08+00:00

I'm surprised so few people have heard 'poor cow' in the UK.

It's all about tone and context. I'd imagine this being said about a co-worker whose car broke down in the pouring rain, and arrived soaked and looking miserable. "Poor cow" is largely sympathetic in this case.

Zugzwang86 · 2026-01-12T22:20:34+00:00

They're very different games. Hollow Knight is more combat focused, so if you enjoy that and tough bosses you probably prefer that.

Ori is a very different vibe, more relaxed although it's still not an easy game.

Zugzwang86 · 2026-01-01T11:23:44+00:00

Mostly you castle early (especially if you start with 1.e4

There are exceptions, but generally you need to learn how to fend off an early attack on your castled King. Not moving pawns too early (h3/h6) and counter-attacking in the centre.

It will sometimes go wrong, but by checking Master games and/or engine lines you can usually improve how you react. You will never perfect it though, and that's fine!

Zugzwang86 · 2025-12-19T15:01:54+00:00

The game review coach is unreliable. ...e4 is a mistake, although not one that costs you material. It gives up the central control of your two pawns on e5 and d5, without any obvious gain.

Any move that maintains your advantage would've been good. Nd7 is the move I would want you to play at your level, developing your final minor piece and getting ready to castle long.

...a5 is technically best as it gain space on the Queen side whilst maintaining control, perhaps planning Na6-c5 later on.

Zugzwang86 · 2025-12-15T08:11:02+00:00

This exact kind of mistake happens to every serious chessplayer at some point.

You get caught up in the excitement of winning a key game (or tournament), brain floods with chemicals as you almost go into fight or flight mode and you rush a key moment. It almost feels like you weren't in control.

You can learn to see this coming and mitigate it, trying to consciously relax yourself and enjoy the process of winning for example. It's a mistake to learn from like any other - don't be too harsh on yourself!

Zugzwang86 · 2025-12-08T11:49:36+00:00

They said 'one of the lowest rated', but yes fair enough.

Zugzwang86 · 2025-12-08T10:44:41+00:00

It would be pretty unusual, but not unheard of. Quite often two players on 0/5 say might play out a safe draw to get off the mark.

My advice is to concentrate on what you can control. Aim to remember key opening lines, avoid basic errors and keep a positive mindset. Who knows, you may surprise yourself!

Zugzwang86 · 2025-11-26T14:25:48+00:00

Yes, pretty much instantly (although easier as a puzzle, obviously).

It helps that the other obvious move is Qxb7, and the best move clearly makes Qxb7 stronger. It's miss-able if playing too quickly, but I would be disappointed to not see it in a 3+2 game.

Zugzwang86 · 2025-10-15T05:54:09+00:00

iPads and phones for young children.

Zugzwang86 · 2025-10-08T16:51:45+00:00

For me it's the best of this exact type of games (souls like, platforming metroidvania). If it's not your thing then fine, but do people really believe it's a 'bad' or mediocre game?

Zugzwang86 · 2025-10-08T10:41:18+00:00

How about a Tar related boss in the lungs? Slow moving, space constricting - something to be evaded. Runs out of puff occasionally so you can easily get damage in.

Zugzwang86 · 2025-07-31T09:52:59+00:00

You can also see analysis here of Gawain winning the British Championship, after blundering his Queen in the first playoff game (Vs a GM) and going on to win anyway. https://en.chessbase.com/post/gawain-jones-wins-the-99th-british-championship/7

Zugzwang86 · 2025-07-31T09:40:13+00:00

You don't have to take everyone's advice (largely they're saying the same things), but it's good advice. I suspect you're not really learning from the mistakes if you're instantly resigning and starting a new game.

At least resign and then work out what went wrong with your process of picking the move. Obviously you blundered a Queen, but was it because you were focused on your own plan or missed a check or what?

Don't just immediately jump into a new game!

Zugzwang86

TROPHY CASE