Tuesday, March 14, 2017

In Spain they don't call a bullfight a bullfight. It's not a fight. The bull has to die. It's against the law to let it live because it would be too dangerous after its experience in the ring. In Spain it's called "corrida" which translated to English means "running".

In Spain they don't call a bullfight a bullfight. It's not a fight. The bull has to die. It's against the law to let it live because it would be too dangerous after its experience in the ring. In Spain it's called a "corrida" which translated to English means "running".

I recommend "Death in the Afternoon" by Ernest Hemingway.

From Amazon:

"Still considered one of the best books ever written about bullfighting, Death in the Afternoon reflects Hemingway's belief that bullfighting was more than mere sport. Here he describes and explains the technical aspects of this dangerous ritual, and "the emotional and spiritual intensity and pure classic beauty that can be produced by a man, an animal, and a piece of scarlet serge draped on a stick." Seen through his eyes, bullfighting becomes an art, a richly choreographed ballet, with performers who range from awkward amateurs to masters of great grace and cunning.

A fascinating look at the history and grandeur of bullfighting, Death in the Afternoon is also a deeper contemplation on the nature of cowardice and bravery, sport and tragedy, and is enlivened throughout by Hemingway's pungent commentary on life and literature."

YouTube videos of a corrida: http://bit.ly/2mGX2S8

An interesting chess game I played against someone in Spain today:

https://en.lichess.org/0VN8QRyC/black#0

In this game each player is given 10 minutes to finish the game. I somebody loses on time like I almost did then that person loses the game even if he has an easy win.

With only 23 seconds left I found a queen sacrifice that won the game. Spain who has been here 2 months had 1:31 left. 39 moves. Score 1-0. Very intense game bookmarked. Spain probably thought his king was safe because of his P-QR3 move but it was not safe at all. I was determined to not lose on time but I was very concerned about it. Move 24 I didn't want to take the knight because I would have lost my queen but then I realized it was the best move.

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