Plane of the Week and Weekly Newsletter: 9/2/2025
PLANES & CHESS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
9/2/2025
Plane of the Week: Stipa-Caproni
The Stipa-Caproni looks somewhat like a bathtub that flies. Or, more accurately, a bathtub on top of a massive, hollow barrel on it that flies. Developed in the early 1900s by Italian engineer Luigi Stipa, the Caproni was meant to test a new, possibly revolutionary technology. It featured a massive ducted fan that was housed inside a more massive compartment. It utilized the “Venturi Effect” to its advantage. Though its high drag made it useless in itself, it was a direct precursor to modern jet engines, and was influential in their early development, paving the way for the world’s first jet-powered aircraft, the Caproni Campini N.1.
Gambit of the Week: This Gambit (IDK What it’s Called)
I played this gambit a few days ago. It stems from the Vienna Gambit, and involves a knight sacrifice to at worst, weaken Black’s king and improve your position, or at best, promote to a queen come away up 12+ material. (Please be sure to click through all the possible variations and sidelines on the board above.)
News
Turkey Wins 2025 NATO Chess Championship (9/2/2025): The Turkish Armed Forces Chess Team won the 2025 NATO chess championship, a chess championship between member armed forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The games were hosted in Dęblin, Poland. Germany finished in second, with Poland in third, and the US and Latvia grabbed 4th and 5th place.
Weekly Chess Riddle
I can be a bishop, a queen, or a rook.
I spin and I turn, so the castle shook.
I endanger a king and all his pieces too,
taking them down one by one,
it's true.
What am I?
Trophies will be awarded to the first correct answer. The answer and explanation will be in the next edition.
Previous Riddle Answer:
The answer was a pin, as the pin is usually done by a bishop (hence, “carried out by a pastor” and reshapes the king’s defence (as now one of his pieces can’t move).
Club Happenings
New Member: Welcome, @ayzowhatthe!
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
We didn’t have any strong competitors for this title.
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 seventh 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.
