All Posts in "Month: October 2023"

Chess Glossary – Today’s 10 Chess Terms (Collection 2)

Today’s collection of 10 Chess Terms are as follows…

#1 Kingside

When looking at the chessboard, you can visualize it in terms of Zones, rather than a mass of 64 squares.

If you imagine the board being split in half, from top to bottom, the Kingside includes all 32 squares on the right-hand side. It’s called the “Kingside” because that’s the half where both player’s Kings start each game of Chess.

For precisely the same reasons, the opposite side of 32 squares is referred to as the Queenside.

#2 Long Diagonal

There are two Long Diagonals on the chessboard and they each run from one respective corner to the other.

Using Algebraic Chess Notation, one of the Long Diagonals runs from a1-h8 (that is, from the square referenced as ‘a1’, diagonally up to the ‘h8’ square). The other Long Diagonal runs from a8-h1.

#3 Middlegame

The majority of chess games can be split into three distinct sections, or phases. After the Opening phase, when the players develop their Pawns and Pieces, comes the Middlegame phase, which is when the main battle takes place. Finally, there’s the Endgame phase, which is the final stage of the game, which leads either to Checkmate (a Win/Loss) or Stalemate (a Draw).

#4 Odds

This refers to a type of chess game between a strong player and a significantly weaker player. The stronger player will be given a handicap of some description – could be less time to complete their moves; or removal of material.… Continue Reading ...

Amos Vanbrocklin by — October 1, 2023 in Isis News Today
Moving the Television Outdoors

With the popularity of the patio increasing, many families are moving their activities outside. All over the country, many people already cook, eat family dinners and entertain outside. Don’t want to miss the big game? Why not watch television on the patio, as well.

Previously, families accomplished this with an expensive patio design to cover the TV from the elements and the glare of the sun. But with modern advances in televisions, families can now install a TV anywhere outside and not worry about the elements or the quality of the picture.

Televisions first need to be installed in all-weather, watertight enclosures that protect internal components from rain, dirt and insects. Next the cable hook-up needs to be water-tight to keep the signal and the internal components from getting wet. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, the picture has to be viewable. The contrast must be enhanced and an anti-reflective screen is needed to keep the glare from destroying the picture. Because this TV is outside it is a good idea to make sure that the screen is scratch-resistant.

To keep your television as maintenance free as possible, don’t forget to get a cover that will protect television from the elements. Nobody wants to clean bugs and dust off the screen every time you want to watch. The covers are made out of weather proof vinyl and work just like your BBQ pit cover.

Once you have found a television that meets all these requirements, you just need to find a … Continue Reading ...

Amos Vanbrocklin by — October 1, 2023 in Tucson News