Cardiff half-marathon

The Cardiff half-marathon, part of the Superhalfs series, surprised the author with its organization and enthusiastic support. Registration sells out quickly, requiring advance planning. The race features a scenic route and significant elevation changes, with the author completing it in under two hours. Cardiff, with its attractions, enhanced the overall experience.

Chess – now and then

This post is split into two parts. The first part talks about my chess activity, and the second part is about the world of chess on the eve of a special celebration. The two parts are independent, and the second one is more interesting. Part I Recently, I played in two chess tournaments in Krakow. … Continue reading Chess – now and then →

Summer traditions from Krakow

Krakow, Poland's top tourist spot, hosts fascinating events in June. The Great Dragon Weekend features a dragon-themed parade and puppet show. Wianki, a midsummer festival, involves rituals like wreath-making, water activities, and bonfires. The Lajkonik Parade honors a 700-year-old tradition with music and medieval costumes. These unique traditions make Krakow a must-visit in June.

Helsinki

Helsinki, the capital of Finland since 1812, underwent various historical influences, including Russian governance and the Winter War with the Soviet Union. The city boasts both Lutheran and Orthodox cathedrals, along with modern architectural marvels like the Temppeliaukio Church. With its low pollution, excellent quality of life, and a historic marketplace, Helsinki offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition. Suomenlinna Island, once a military fortress, is now a popular tourist destination, offering museums and picturesque views. Additionally, Helsinki's abundance of parks, islands, and natural beauty make it a standout European city, especially during the late spring and summer.

Helsinki half-marathon

Helsinki offers three half-marathons over the summer, but the most interesting is the one during City Running Day. The main attraction of this half-marathon is finishing inside the stadium that hosted the 1952 Summer Olympic Games. There are not many races in the world inside an Olympic stadium. Another attraction is that most of the route … Continue reading Helsinki half-marathon →

Prague half-marathon

In 2024, Prague hosted a half-marathon with a record 13,500 participants, 57% of whom were foreigners. The race, part of SuperHalfs, faced hot weather at 28°C. Despite the challenging conditions, the writer finished in 2:14. Unfortunately, many participants suffered due to the weather, with 102 falling and 36 requiring hospitalization. The race's organization had some issues, such as long waits for medals and water shortages at the finish line. Despite this, baggage handling was well-organized. Suggestions for improvement included providing bottled water and better managing the finish area. After a hectic schedule, the writer plans to rest before the next half-marathon in Helsinki in May.

Grenke chess tournament 2024

Five years after playing in the Grenke chess tournament, it finally resumed after being canceled due to COVID-19. With around 2600 participants, it became the largest chess tournament globally, thanks to the rising popularity of chess. The festival featured four tournaments catering to players of different skill levels. The event's unique atmosphere was highlighted as players from various backgrounds gathered to compete. Notably, the tournament had outstanding playing conditions but suffered from noise issues. Although the author felt satisfied with their performance, they offered constructive criticism to the organizers. Ultimately, they expressed a desire to return due to the tournament's positive energy and atmosphere.

Lisbon half-marathon

The Lisbon half-marathon, part of the Superhalfs series, presented challenges for the runners. Organizational issues affected the start, and high temperatures led to numerous injuries and abandoned races. Despite setbacks, the writer completed the race, albeit with personal difficulties. Advice for future runners includes early registration and preparation for the race's unique demands.

Chess story

A chess enthusiast plans to attend a tournament, but due to unexpected changes, turns to write about the game instead, focusing on the Polgar experiment. Laszlo Polgar, a Hungarian psychologist, believed in cultivating geniuses via early and specialized education. To prove his theory, his daughters became exceptional chess players, with the youngest, Judit, becoming the highest-rated female player globally for over 25 years. Despite criticisms and gender biases, Polgar's experiment illustrates the impact of focused childhood training, even suggesting implications for potential advances in science and medicine.

Revolution songs from the previous century

The post discusses songs from the 20th century that have marked different revolutionary and wartime periods. Selected based on their composition date and correspondent historical events, the author curates a list of contemporary songs from periods such as the 1905 Russian uprising, the Mexican Revolution, the Spanish Revolution and the democratic fights of the late century. This subjective selection showcases interesting and motivational music from significant periods, refusing to incline towards any specific political side.