Chess in the news
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
In keeping with the policy of this blog to show the naked truth of our collective chess community, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!
Violent chess player sentenced to 15 years after killing room mate
Neils C. Larsen III
A 57 year old amateur chess player, with a history of violence, has been sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison for killing his room mate , a 61 year old woman named Barbara Hebert, apparently after an argument. Judge Bulone said at the sentencing “This is the most aggravated manslaughter this court has ever encountered.”
Larsen tried to argue self-defence, but the facts proved otherwise. Hebert, who was on crutches at the time, suffered 13 fractured ribs and a broken sternum. As well, Larsen duct-taped her mouth, arms and legs. He then left her on the kitchen floor to decompose, covering her corpse with as many as 5 blankets.
When friends of Hebert began to get worried after she had not shown up after a long while, Larsen refused to allow the police enter the appartment. It was necessary to call the SWAT team, who had to use tear gas to break in.
Larsen claimed during the trial that Hebert’s injuries were the result of him accidentally falling on top of her!
The whole story can be found at : http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/article1087795.ece
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Do you know how the Rook really moves? Better be sure….
Just as it is in any good kitchen, this is an absolute staple of slapstick comedy In some cases, it might also be considered the Western counterpart of the Hyperspace Mallet. May be found in the arsenal of the Chef Of Iron.
(Closely related to Rolling Pin Of Doom.)
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RollingPinOfDoom
This was not the first time that Neils C.Larsen III was brought before the courts for violence.
In 2004 he had attacked another room mate while arguing about the exact rules for moving a chess rook. The room mate was repeatedly stabbed with a knife and then hit with a frying pan. Larsen later pleaded no contest to a lesser charge and received probation.
(Try to avoid arguments about chess rules with someone who is holding a knife in one hand and a frying pan in another!?)
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Frying Pan Of Doom
Unlike other Improbable Weapons, the frying pan could actually cause quite a bit of damage. One can assume that getting hit over the head with a slab of iron would at least cause a concussion. Indeed, the noble frying pan is a worthy melee weapon.
It should be mentioned that frying-pans-as-weapons are usually wielded by females (although the occasional chef may be found using it) .
It should also be mentioned that wielding a typical cast iron skillet for any length of time, with any efficacy, would take considerable arm strength.
Just as it is in any good kitchen, this is an absolute staple of slapstick comedy In some cases, it might also be considered the Western counterpart of the Hyperspace Mallet. May be found in the arsenal of the Chef Of Iron.
(Closely related to Rolling Pin Of Doom.)
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RollingPinOfDoom
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS