Mama's Chronicles

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A Rude Awakening At The Toronto Open 2023

A Rude Awakening At The Toronto Open 2023

MomOnaBreak
| 14 days ago

St. Casimir’s Parish Hall. Sept 2, 2023. A scrawny middle-aged woman slips effortlessly through the building’s door, unseen. She is here on a mission, to compete in the Toronto Open 2023, U1900. Will she lose ALL of her games, like las...

We, Women In Chess

We, Women In Chess

MomOnaBreak
| Aug 17, 2023

In a checkered Kingdom ruled by kingsWhere we adore our precious queens,A shadow creeps ‘n this game for twoAnd trembling voice whispers - “Me too.”   We, women in chess, we speak our truthWe’ve been harassed, we&rsq...

Help Little Luv Achieve Big Chess Dreams

Help Little Luv Achieve Big Chess Dreams

MomOnaBreak
| Jun 26, 2023

Imagine a jolly, little girl living peacefully in Kyiv, Ukraine. She enjoys school, frolicking with her friends, and going to the chess club. Early in 2022, she competes in her first chess tournament where she gets her first Ukrainian norm and sho...

Death Of An Avid Chess Player

Death Of An Avid Chess Player

MomOnaBreak
| Mar 29, 2023

I spent my life playing a game.And now for loneliness I blame,No other but myself. Indeed,In love with chess, I fell so deep. And in this world of black and whiteI was immersed all day and night.Nimzowitsch, Fischer, Morphy, TalEach one by one b...

Let's Do This Better, Canada!

Let's Do This Better, Canada!

MomOnaBreak
| Feb 22, 2023

Mike Klein put his head and $10,000 on the line by challenging Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, to a chess match last week in his tweet. The face of Chesskid.com, FunMasterMike, is called “fun” for a reason. Who wouldn&rs...

My Brief Encounter With Magnus Carlsen

My Brief Encounter With Magnus Carlsen

MomOnaBreak
| Feb 17, 2023

I felt like a thief. With every photo I took of Magnus Carlsen, I stole his privacy and personal space. And he saw me stealing away... My hometown, Toronto, just got lucky with the arrival of Magnus Carlsen. It generated quite a stir in the ches...

Let's Do This, Canada!

Let's Do This, Canada!

MomOnaBreak
| Feb 3, 2023

Dear Canadians, What an exciting time for all of us! How many of you would love to see our favourite game of chess supported by the Canadian Government? We can now make this happen … with a bit of YOUR help! When it comes to chess, for ...

My Five Deadly Mistakes Against Hikaru

My Five Deadly Mistakes Against Hikaru

MomOnaBreak
| Nov 24, 2022

It took him 34 seconds, a ferocious attack, and a gentle smile to temporarily destroy all my self-confidence in chess. Charismatic, merciless, faster than lightning, he showed me what high-class chess is all about ... And just how far, faaaar away...

My Most Epic Chess Year. Ever!

My Most Epic Chess Year. Ever!

MomOnaBreak
| Nov 9, 2022

Ever since I had my first child eight years ago, most of the new friends I made were mommy friends. Together, we built sand castles in the sandbox with our little off-springs; exchanged cookie recipes, agonized over our babies’ unexplained r...

Change Of Plan. I’ve Had Enough!

Change Of Plan. I’ve Had Enough!

MomOnaBreak
| Oct 6, 2022

This was one of those moments where you work, work, work towards something and then boom! The reality hits. You realize that all the work and effort you’ve put into a project was … a waste. My project – the Pirc Defense. Since...

I Felt My Fears And Did It Anyway

I Felt My Fears And Did It Anyway

MomOnaBreak
| Jul 19, 2022

I survived!! What an incredible, mind-blowing, and challenging experience this was! Exciting, nerve-wracking, emotional, and totally overwhelming! In short, I just finished playing in the Canadian Open 2022. My first tournament since 2011. In ever...

Feeling My Fears … And Doing It Anyway

Feeling My Fears … And Doing It Anyway

MomOnaBreak
| Jul 11, 2022

This is it, guys! Tomorrow I will compete in the Canadian Open 2022, my first tournament since 2011! Exciiiting! And … downright scaaaryyy! “Oh, why so?”, you might ask. Well, where to begin? Oh, here: Background Every once ...

My OTB Chess Adventures With Strangers

My OTB Chess Adventures With Strangers

MomOnaBreak
| Jun 9, 2022

It’s amazing how people we cross paths with can set us off in an unexpected direction, even decades after the brief encounter. It all began here with Hugh - a guy who played chess in the same tournaments as I some 20 years ago. We never talk...

The Flames Of Chess

The Flames Of Chess

MomOnaBreak
| Jun 1, 2022

My, oh my, here we go … The Flames of Chess How long have weBeen playing chess?Eternity.Nevertheless ... Some things have shiftedBetween usMy mind has driftedBut, alas … The pawns and kingsDon’t look the sameThe k...

Both Sides Now - My Version

Both Sides Now - My Version

MomOnaBreak
| May 10, 2022

Rows and rows of checkered squaresRooks and bishops in the airPawns and knights are everywhereI've looked at clouds that way … But now they only block the sunThey rain and snow on everyoneSo many games I could have playedBut clouds got...

Promise Me No Love, Just Chess - Part 3

Promise Me No Love, Just Chess - Part 3

MomOnaBreak
| Mar 17, 2022

Love is like chess, anyone can comment, speculate and guess. But only the two of them truly know what is going on and what move to make! -Shaik Ameen  PART 3 - The Grand Finale Continued from Part 2 “You know Damien,” ...

Promise Me No Love, Just Chess - Part 2

Promise Me No Love, Just Chess - Part 2

MomOnaBreak
| Mar 10, 2022

If my rating could go up by one point each time I thought of you, I would become a grandmaster in one day. -Josephine PART II. Continued from here. They met at their usual coffee place. When Josephine walked in, Damien was already sitt...

Promise Me No Love, Just Chess

Promise Me No Love, Just Chess

MomOnaBreak
| Mar 3, 2022

“It would be easier without love,” she said, in a hesitant voice that betrayed temptation. “No love, I promise … just chess,” replied Damien. And for the first time in years, he wasn’t so certain he could kee...

DON’T Let Your Chess DIE!

DON’T Let Your Chess DIE!

MomOnaBreak
| Feb 11, 2022

Pressed for time? Fatigued? Need a little extra motivation for your chess? I’m in the same boat and this blog is for you. I’m going to share what’s been working for me for the past year to keep my chess alive, while I scramble to...

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