Nova Daily - 3 June 2025: The little things

Hi!

After finishing yesterday's blog I was struck by a thought that I wanted to share here today. It's something that I feel is worth sharing, even if it seems small and insignificant.

The little things

• I wanted to make a cup of tea.
• I went to the kitchen.
• I took the kettle.
• I filled it with water.
• I took a saucer and a cup from the cupboard in the kitchen.
• I took some tea.
• I poured the boiling water in the kitchen.
• I placed the saucer and the cup of tea on my desk.
• And then it hit me.

Sometimes I have this sensitivity where I can be overwhelmed by something extremely small. This was just me making a cup of tea. Nothing I've never done before. I'm able to make myself a cup of tea. Big deal!

Yes, I do believe that that is a very big deal.

It's something very common for people to get used to their circumstances. Sometimes we tend to take for granted what we have and forget to appreciate how incredibly lucky we are.

Sometimes it's worth to stop and think about the little things. All those things that you take for granted that enable you to do the little things. It's very unique, and it deserves to be acknowledged.

• I'm alive.
• I don't have to fear for my life on a regular basis because of war or poverty.
• I have a place to live, and all utilities work.
• My basic human needs are met in a satisfactory way.
• And I am able to make myself a cup of tea late in the evening.
• I'm very fortunate, and very grateful.

Yesterday's game

Marin has seven chapters devoted to the study of positions that emerge after 1.c4 e6, and I won't be studying them all here. But let's go over the game quickly anyway.

I hate to say it, but I learned nothing much from this game except that the engine prefers to regain the pawn through 6.Qa4. It's usually the case that Qa4 regains the pawn, and this was no exception. Especially with the knight inflexibly sitting still on c6 like McGonagall in 4 Privet Drive in the very first chapter of Harry Potter, there isn't much wrong with Qa4. This Na3 idea is something I picked up from Marin. I think that it's an interesting idea to deviate from the usual plan. It might not be as theoretically accurate, but it's definitely worth the investigation.