Plane of the Week and Weekly Newsletter 8/26/2025

PLANES & CHESS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

8/26/2025

Plane of the Week: The Tacit Blue

When you think of stealth planes, you typically think of round, sleek craft with smooth angles and polished looks. But what if there was a plane that was rectangular? The Northrop Grumman Tacit Blue, a revolutionary stealth testbed, was just that. With a rectangular shape, sharp angles, and stubby stabilizers, the Tacit Blue looked like a sheet of paper that flew. The Tacit Blue tested numerous revolutionary technologies, including a new stealthy concept, quadruple-redundant fly-by-wire systems, advanced radar, and more. While unassuming, such revolutionary aircraft as the B-2, B-21, and YF-23 can thank this frumpy-looking aircraft for their existence. After 135 flights, the successful project concluded and the Tacit Blue is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, USA. The Tacit Blue is a truly incredible aircraft that paved the way for numerous modern planes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Gambit of the Week: The Walbrodt-Baird Gambit

The Walbrodt-Baird is stems from the extremely common Italian Game, and there is an extremely high success rate. Since posting a game would be too complicated, just watch this video from GM Igor Smirnov (one of the internet’s best chess teachers).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpfPwO2opN8                                                                                                                                   

News

Caruana Takes Lead in Sinquefield Cup (8/23/2025): GM Fabiano Caruana has taken the lead in the 2025 Sinquefield Cup in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA, after the fifth round before the rest day ended in all five games drawn.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Weekly Chess Riddle

I have no mass, no color, no shape,

 But a king's freedom I often escape.

 The castle’s defense, I often reshape.

Carried out by a pastor, I often am.

A chess piece’s movement, I often jam, 

A threat in the future, for all to align.

A dire threat, however benign.

What am I?

Trophies will be awarded to the first correct answer. The answer and explanation will be in the next edition.

Previous Riddle Explanation:

The answer was a loss by time out. Member CHESSERJAMA got the correct answer.
                                                                                                                                                                      

Club Happenings

Advertising Campaign: Planes & Chess will be holding another advertising campaign to get more members. We are open to creative suggestions for advertising. Also, please invite your friends.

Dogfight Chess: Please join the latest Planes & Chess Dogfight Chess Tournament!

Vote Chess: We are playing in numerous vote chess matches against ISM Chess Crew, Baseball Chess Crew, and others. Good luck and play well!                                                                                                                                                                                

Member Activity

Luca_Castle was the most active member. Great job!             

To compete to be listed, post in the forums, chat, answer the riddle, and partake in other club-related activities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Editor’s Note

Hello and welcome to the sixth edition of the Planes & Chess Weekly Newsletter! Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it! I am now looking for suggestions for the Plane of the Week, so message me if you have any.