25 Jun 07
Ok, so I’ve been asked to write a chess column for my local paper. A friend of mine is one of the editors, and thinks it would be a great addition. I explained that I’m not a writer or even a highly-ranked player, and suggested that he might want to find someone with a little more credibility. My friend said that wasn’t important. As long as I used published games and analysis that were in the public domain, and offered commentary on the local “chess culture”, I should be fine.
Anyway, I’m sort of excited about it. It should be fun. The only problem I have now, is putting together an interesting story and making sure it’s as accurate as possible.
Recently, my friend told me that the editor-in-chief has “suggested” a topic for the first installment. Here’s where my real problem lies. I’ve been asked to write something about how chess can benefit the handicapped and how to get them and their (often female) caregivers more involved. He said I should also include one or two short GM games with a bit of analysis.
Since it’s the first installment, I want to make sure it’s interesting, well-written and serves its purpose (ie: To get women and handicapped people more interested in chess.). If you’ve got any experience writing chess columns, please let me know how you'd approach this difficult topic. I’d appreciate all the feedback I can get.
25 Jun 07
1 edit
This guy User 74400 is writing a ground breaking chess paper that is going to rock the world of FIDE. Maybe you should ask him for tips ?
edit....
or steal some stuff from here - http://www.chessbase.com/
25 Jun 07
1 edit
Originally posted by rbmorrisYou write to a target audience.
Ok, so I’ve been asked to write a chess column for my local paper. A friend of mine is one of the editors, and thinks it would be a great addition. I explained that I’m not a writer or even a highly-ranked player, and suggested that he might want to find someone with a little more credibility. My friend said that wasn’t important. As long as I used publishe ...[text shortened]... let me know how you'd approach this difficult topic. I’d appreciate all the feedback I can get.
Find out what the target audience is.
Women (forgive the sweeping generalisations here) like soaps, romance and intrigue.
Handicaps (is that even politically correct?) are practical, inclined to watch sports and enjoy general music and comedy as opposed to alternive variations.
Now. Practical chess is what piece goes where and can move in which direction.
Now. Take a soap opera with romance and intrigue and cunningly (or sarcastically....nobody will mind) fit it into the chess moves being discussed.
And write for your target audience.
You can't go wrong!
Well, possibly you can, but hey... true art is hardly ever appreciated!
25 Jun 07
Originally posted by rbmorrisSomeone once said(you will have to research this) that women can not concentrate like men because they are always listening for a baby crying.
Ok, so I’ve been asked to write a chess column for my local paper. A friend of mine is one of the editors, and thinks it would be a great addition. I explained that I’m not a writer or even a highly-ranked player, and suggested that he might want to find someone with a little more credibility. My friend said that wasn’t important. As long as I used publishe ...[text shortened]... let me know how you'd approach this difficult topic. I’d appreciate all the feedback I can get.
I watched a blind man and I mean blind (not blindfolded)play he used a braille set.I watched the end of his game.He played fast.Maybe I noticed his fingers moving over the braille set when it was not his move.I saw him win against a strong player.I made a note if I ever need my ass kicking then play him.
I know someone who can not cummicate he brings something that looks like a key board.If he wants to offer a draw he types it in.
Same he uses the key board for thanks for the game.
I wish you well in this project.
25 Jun 07
Originally posted by rbmorrisGoogle "chess - handicapped" and you'll find tons of info on clubs and organizations for handicapped players, including the Braille Chess Association. One of your annotated games could be a championship match between two visually impaired contenders. Good luck.
Ok, so I’ve been asked to write a chess column for my local paper. A friend of mine is one of the editors, and thinks it would be a great addition. I explained that I’m not a writer or even a highly-ranked player, and suggested that he might want to find someone with a little more credibility. My friend said that wasn’t important. As long as I used publishe ...[text shortened]... let me know how you'd approach this difficult topic. I’d appreciate all the feedback I can get.
25 Jun 07
I aactually think it's a bit odd to think of the handicapped as a special case, as far as chess is concearned. Unless you are going to sell it as "the most fun you can have sitting down", i'm sure handicapped chess players don't need to be treated as special cases.....Maybe you can search for really good handicapped chess players, and do a piece on them.
25 Jun 07
Originally posted by rbmorrisBoth should be easy, women - look at the Polgars. For the handicapped there should be plenty of examples, there's a blind IM (Maybe FM or GM) - I'll try to find his name for you, and there are plenty of handicap amateurs - I played a kid missing an arm and a leg (I'm not being cute, he really was), he beat me in under 20 moves. 😕 And of course, there's Arrakis classic kindness example (really pathetic...). But good luck with your article, I'll try to find the name of that blind chess player.
Ok, so I’ve been asked to write a chess column for my local paper. A friend of mine is one of the editors, and thinks it would be a great addition. I explained that I’m not a writer or even a highly-ranked player, and suggested that he might want to find someone with a little more credibility. My friend said that wasn’t important. As long as I used publishe ...[text shortened]... let me know how you'd approach this difficult topic. I’d appreciate all the feedback I can get.
25 Jun 07
1 edit
Originally posted by rbmorrisA word of warning, previously published commentary and analysis are protected by copyright laws, though individual games are not.
As long as I used published games and analysis that were in the public domain, and offered commentary on the local “chess culture”, I should be fine.
26 Jun 07
1 edit
Originally posted by rbmorrisI'm an established professional chess writer. I can tell you that you can pull this off if you want to, but here's what you have to do:
Ok, so I’ve been asked to write a chess column for my local paper. A friend of mine is one of the editors, and thinks it would be a great addition. I explained that I’m not a writer or even a highly-ranked player, and suggested that he might want to find someone with a little more credibility. My friend said that wasn’t important. As long as I used publishe ...[text shortened]... let me know how you'd approach this difficult topic. I’d appreciate all the feedback I can get.
You need to have two people on your team. You need a professional who can write chess analysis, such as an IM or GM or at least a Master because this gives credibility to your work. You also need another person who has skills in writing articles to proof read your work.
What you don't want to do is bungle your first project.
Good Luck,
Arrakis
26 Jun 07
Originally posted by Arrakisdid you come in contact with IM and GM through your tournament play? is there another way?
I'm an established professional chess writer. I can tell you that you can pull this off if you want to, but here's what you have to do:
You need to have two people on your team. You need a professional who can write chess analysis, such as an IM or GM or at least a Master because this gives credibility to your work. You also need another person who has sk ...[text shortened]... your work.
What you don't want to do is bungle your first project.
Good Luck,
Arrakis
26 Jun 07
Originally posted by rbmorrisNice! 🙂
Ok, so I’ve been asked to write a chess column for my local paper. A friend of mine is one of the editors, and thinks it would be a great addition. I explained that I’m not a writer or even a highly-ranked player, and suggested that he might want to find someone with a little more credibility. My friend said that wasn’t important. As long as I used publishe ...[text shortened]... let me know how you'd approach this difficult topic. I’d appreciate all the feedback I can get.
Good luck, rb. Spread the word!
26 Jun 07
Originally posted by ArrakisYou don't think that's a bit too much for a simple chess column in a local paper?
I'm an established professional chess writer. I can tell you that you can pull this off if you want to, but here's what you have to do:
You need to have two people on your team. You need a professional who can write chess analysis, such as an IM or GM or at least a Master because this gives credibility to your work. You also need another person who has sk ...[text shortened]... your work.
What you don't want to do is bungle your first project.
Good Luck,
Arrakis
🙄
26 Jun 07
1 edit
Originally posted by PalynkaWait, he will post again adding that also a public relations expert
You don't think that's a bit too much for a simple chess column in a local paper?
🙄
shall be needed, as well as a professional hairdresser to make that
head shine.
But that's only the 1st stage, because later on morris will need a
'crew'. preferably 3 or 4 dancer/rappers that will always walk behind
him in public (a 'must' when doing the red carpet), celebrating
everything he says, yelling to the cameras "he's da man, dawg".