The Queen’s Gambit: Accepted and enjoyed

The Queen’s Gambit: Accepted and enjoyed

The games are pulsating, despite there being very few closeups of the chess board. The atmosphere reverberates with nervous energy. The players’ expressions say it all. The drama is all the stronger for its subtlety, The ambiance; be it, the houses, furniture, cars, apparel and chess pieces hark back to a time of aching nostalgia – a buoyant and romantic cold-war ridden America of the 50s and 60s.

Tata Mumbai Marathon: You just cannot give up!

Tata Mumbai Marathon: You just cannot give up!

The fatigue returned as suddenly as it had gone. Good thing that I didn’t know at that stage that as many seven runners suffered heart attacks. The only succour was that I could now count backwards, 500 metres…300…100…0. Heat radiated from my body as I tried to settle down after crossing the line.

Prejudice: Borders of the mind

Prejudice: Borders of the mind

I tried my halting Mandarin Chinese with him. But, found him to be uncharacteristically non-responsive and unenthusiastic. My next appointment was a week later. A small-statured middle-aged lady was already in the clinic. I hesitated.

Conflict of interest mars cricket

Conflict of interest mars cricket

The conspiracy of silence is enforced like the Sicilian mafia’s code of conduct. Inconvenient truths are hushed up and conflict of interest is known to everybody but never questioned. Have Tendulkar, Dhoni or Kohli ever spoken about match-fixing? Why did Dhoni not speak out against the massive match-fixing fiasco around Chennai Super Kings? How was Dhoni allowed to start his own sports management agency while still playing? Why is BCCI Boss Ganguly endorsing a fantasy cricket league?