Best music to play chess to.

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
I've developed an enthusiasm for chess history; the convergence of music, literature and chess in the figure of Philodor excites me.

former world champion Vasily Smyslov and GM Mark Taimanov:

Smyslov is a fine baritone singer, who only positively decided upon a chess career after a failed audition with the Bolshoi Theatre in 1950. He once said, "I have always lived between chess and music." On the occasion of a game against Botvinnik, he sang to an audience of thousands. He occasionally gave recitals during chess tournaments, often accompanied by fellow Grandmaster and concert pianist Mark Taimanov. Smyslov once wrote that he tried to achieve harmony on the chess board, with each piece assisting the others (Smyslov's Selected Games, by Vasily Smyslov, 1995, London, Everyman Chess, introduction).

Originally posted by Blackamp
former world champion Vasily Smyslov and GM Mark Taimanov:

Smyslov is a fine baritone singer, who only positively decided upon a chess career after a failed audition with the Bolshoi Theatre in 1950. He once said, "I have always lived between chess and music." On the occasion of a game against Botvinnik, he sang to an audience of thousands. He occasional ...[text shortened]... rs (Smyslov's Selected Games, by Vasily Smyslov, 1995, London, Everyman Chess, introduction).

Wouldn't a chess match with live pieces be an aesthetically satisfying form of capital punishment? The sacrificial aspect would probably trump any residual moral repugnance. Especially if it took place in a purpose-built temple.

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
Wouldn't a chess match with live pieces be an aesthetically satisfying form of capital punishment? The sacrificial aspect would probably trump any residual moral repugnance. Especially if it took place in a purpose-built temple.

perhaps Seitse could supply troupes of criminal midgets to play the pawns.

i'm going to try your suggestion of listening to The Cramps while playing chess now. Any particular song suggestions? I'm thinking 'Caveman' and maybe 'Human Fly'.

Originally posted by Blackamp
perhaps Seitse could supply troupes of criminal midgets to play the pawns.

i'm going to try your suggestion of listening to The Cramps while playing chess now. Any particular song suggestions? I'm thinking 'Caveman' and maybe 'Human Fly'.

You could make a opening/middle/endgame playlist.

Cramp Stomp (march!)
Googoo Muck
Give me a Woman
Hypno Sex Ray
Bikini Girls With Machine Guns
Beat out my Love
Garbage Man
Zombie Dance
The Creature from the Black Leather Lagoon
The Hot Pearl Snatch (checkmate!)
Human Fly (victory dance)

Originally posted by Bosse de Nage
You could make a opening/middle/endgame playlist.

Cramp Stomp (march!)
Googoo Muck
Give me a Woman
Hypno Sex Ray
Bikini Girls With Machine Guns
Beat out my Love
Garbage Man
Zombie Dance
The Creature from the Black Leather Lagoon
The Hot Pearl Snatch (checkmate!)
Human Fly (victory dance)

for the purposes of the experiment, i just went with:

Human Fly
The Way I Walk
New Kind of Kick
Caveman
Can't Find My Mind
Strychnine

i don't think i made any major blunders while listening, but then i started listening to Cream's Disraeli Gears and it's really working as chess music.

Originally posted by Badwater
Mozart Symphony #39

Most any Vivaldi.

Scheherazade.

Alien Sex Fiend.

Harold in Italy, Das Lied Von Der Erde, Brahms #3, mahler's#5, Antonio Caldara's Stabat Mater, Schubert Lieder.

I prefer This Mortal Coil. Try the song, "It'll End in Tears".


Very appropriate imo :>