Blog GilaChess

You have seen the above code before I am sure.

I was just looking at the Penang Chess Open games that were just concluded on the computer screen and was wondering what was the fastest way to transfer the game from the computer screen to my phone so I can view it there. Main reason I was on my Mac and don't have Chessbase installed  but I have a couple of chess readers on my phone.

Anyway, I was curious if the entire game can be stored in a nifty bar code. It turns out it was possible !!

So if the game was encoded in the new QR Code which can be read by all Android or iOS phones with the correct free reader installed it is possible to "suck up" the game from your computer screen instantaneously right into your phone. Cool!

Anyway, if you have your trusted phone with the correct app installed, just hover the camera over the code above to see how fast and easy the game gets transfered to your phone.

Also, it would be useful if your chess reader on your phone supports cut and paste games, otherwise you can only see the moves in plain text (tChess Pro for the iOS is excellent for this)

I can imagine some useful application of this if used in chess books or magazines. You can transfer positions and games from print to your tablet or phones for analysis or playback immediately.
Only practical use of this I know of is a French chess magazine embedding QR codes in their magazines for chess games. These are  actually links to their website to view specific games. The QR code does not include the entire games and you would have to have internet access to view the link.

Interactive crosstable for the curently ongoing Penang Open 2013 (up to Round 4) :-

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You want to buy a new notebook for chess?

Nine times out of ten I guarantee you will regret buying a new notebook for chess (or any other purpose) now.


The reason is that the new Intel processors that are coming out, namely the Haswell processors are incredibly power saving giving  any Haswell notebook a whopping 10+ hours of daily use. You do not need to bring your power cables with you anymore!

We have already seen this in the new Mac Book Air 2013 models which can achieve 10-12 hours. So if you were to go out and just buy a non-Haswell notebook that can typically run only 3-4 hours, you will be in for a big disappointment when the Haswell are sold en-masse.

The good thing about the new Haswell processors are they are inexpensive and do not cost more than the previous generation models they are replacing.

For me, personally I am eagerly waiting for the new Haswell Mac Book pro which are rumoured to be coming out this one or two weeks.

The Haswell processor is still slowly being rolled out  but a few brands are already implementing the Haswell processor. The latest being Samsung. So please, don't just buy any new notebook. Look and see if it has the new Haswell processor.


Read also:

• http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/buying-advice/laptop/3463734/best-haswell-laptops-group-test/
• http://gizmodo.com/now-is-a-horrible-time-to-buy-a-laptop-496028699
• http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-3121_7-57591398-220/dont-buy-a-new-pc-or-mac-before-you-read-this/

What? There was an event in Sabah? Not one but two?! Why didn't anyone tell me about the Sabah Interstate and Sabah Grande rapid event? Or more accurately, I didn't bother to look at chess blogs to find out. But I am also saddened as usually I get emails informing me of any such local event. This marks one of the few times not even one such email reached me.



Anyway, from the chess-results.com the "interactive" version of the cross table results of the Sabah Grande rapid event is as follows:-




Related links:

Jimmy Liew's commentary on some games

Peter Long's summary of the event

Chess Results

Interstate Team Returns after 15 years (Chess X-Pose)