| Author | Message | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 951 Registered: 10-2001 |
I wouldn't say he was a *BLANK* but his best friend is called *BLANK* | ||
| Comforteagle (Comforteagle)
New member Username: Comforteagle Post Number: 165 Registered: 7-2006 |
The puzzle statement makes me laugh for some reason. Are the two blanks the same word? Phrase? Are they all we need to figure out? Are they considered curse words? Are you, Borean, saying this? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 952 Registered: 10-2001 |
The puzzle statement makes me laugh for some reason. Yes, I know what you mean :-) Are the two blanks the same word? No Phrase? No Are they all we need to figure out? No Are they considered curse words? No Are you, Beroean, saying this? No but.. | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 3105 Registered: 12-2000 |
Both human? Or is the best friend a dog? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 953 Registered: 10-2001 |
Both human? No Or is the best friend a dog? No Nice to see you about :-) | ||
| Plebeian (Plebeian)
New member Username: Plebeian Post Number: 691 Registered: 7-2006 |
Is each blank a single word? Is the first blank more than one word? Is the second blank more than one word? More than two? Is the phrase meant to be interpreted as we currently are, i.e. a sentence (probably humourous) with two missing items which, when found, we'll get the joke? (Hopefully  ) | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 3106 Registered: 12-2000 |
Both animals? Thanks, nice to be 'about' | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 954 Registered: 10-2001 |
Plebeian Is each blank a single word? Yes Is the first blank more than one word? No Is the second blank more than one word? No More than two? Is the phrase meant to be interpreted as we currently are, i.e. a sentence (probably humourous) with two missing items which, when found, we'll get the joke? (Hopefully :-)) That is generally the idea however I realise that in my desire to avoid making it too easy, nobody (or hardly anybody) will get the joke - if I may call it that - from simply filling the blanks. You will need to unearth some background knowledge. So thanks for asking the question because it allows me to explain the matter :-) Lynne Both animals? The first is human but the second is neither human or animal | ||
| Tosh (Tosh)
New member Username: Tosh Post Number: 58 Registered: 5-2001 |
Oh, oh - is she/he like my invisible friend, Lynne?  | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 955 Registered: 10-2001 |
Oh, oh - is she/he like my invisible friend, Lynne? No but that's a great idea and more amusing than my notion. (Basically it's not a solution that you can make a lateral leap towards unless you know the specialist background knowledge first.) | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 3107 Registered: 12-2000 |
An alien? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 956 Registered: 10-2001 |
An alien? Nope | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 3108 Registered: 12-2000 |
Something metaphorical? Something/one online? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 957 Registered: 10-2001 |
Something metaphorical? Something/one online? No to both | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 3109 Registered: 12-2000 |
Is his friend called Hal? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 958 Registered: 10-2001 |
Is his friend called Hal? No but Hal might be one of his relatives! | ||
| Bodo (Bodo)
New member Username: Bodo Post Number: 1876 Registered: 2-2001 |
Hey Simon! How're you? Is his friend is a construct of some sort? A machine? A computer? A body part? A peripheral? But it's not a stand-up one-liner, like "I wouldn't say he's a nerd, but his best friend is a mouse." or like that? That is, where knowing the first word would give us the second? | ||
| Rubberduck (Rubberduck)
New member Username: Rubberduck Post Number: 15 Registered: 3-2006 |
Is the friend a robot? | ||
| Rubberduck (Rubberduck)
New member Username: Rubberduck Post Number: 16 Registered: 3-2006 |
Are the two words related? For example "I wouldn't say he was a ROBBER but his best friend is ROBBIE (the robot)? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 959 Registered: 10-2001 |
Bodo Hey Simon! How're you? Very well thanks Tim, and you? (I enjoyed your recent puzzle!) Is his friend is a construct of some sort? A machine? A computer? A body part? A peripheral? A computer / computer application But it's not a stand-up one-liner, like "I wouldn't say he's a nerd, but his best friend is a mouse." or like that? That is, where knowing the first word would give us the second? It is a stand up one liner with the very same formula that you suggest. However knowing the first word will give you a lead rather than the solution. (This is where a bit of specialist knowledge needs to be unravelled) Rubberduck Is the friend a robot? Not quite - see above Are the two words related? For example "I wouldn't say he was a ROBBER but his best friend is ROBBIE (the robot)? No they are not related in that sense but once you know the story there is a clear connection. | ||
| Plebeian (Plebeian)
New member Username: Plebeian Post Number: 701 Registered: 7-2006 |
Is the first word implying (or saying) he's a Nerd? Geek? Propeller-head? Something connected with computers? Something connected with being online? Something connected a specific type of computer? I've heard some very geeky humour in the past relating to Unix users. As a PC person, I don't get it | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 962 Registered: 10-2001 |
Is the first word implying (or saying) he's a Nerd? No Geek? No Propeller-head? No Something connected with computers? Yope Something connected with being online? Noish Something connected a specific type of computer? Yes I've heard some very geeky humour in the past relating to Unix users. As a PC person, I don't get it I only wish I was geeky enough to use Unix | ||
| Plebeian (Plebeian)
New member Username: Plebeian Post Number: 707 Registered: 7-2006 |
Trust me, as a Unixy-type person of many years ago, you probably don't A specific type of computer rather than an aspect of computers, e.g. programming languages? PCs? Apples? Mac / Lisa relevant? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 964 Registered: 10-2001 |
A specific type of computer rather than an aspect of computers, e.g. programming languages? It's a specific computer program but often spoken of as if it is a computer. PCs? Apples? Mac / Lisa relevant? I think it may be used on PC's and Macs. I don't know what Lisa is | ||
| Plebeian (Plebeian)
New member Username: Plebeian Post Number: 709 Registered: 7-2006 |
It's the name a very old Apple personal computer was given. I go back some time in computers Something provided online? Messenger? Google? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 965 Registered: 10-2001 |
It's the name a very old Apple personal computer was given. I go back some time in computers. And I just go back some time :-) Something provided online? No Messenger? No Google? No It is a specialist program that you likely don't know although you would certainly know the category of program | ||
| Beccaann (Beccaann)
New member Username: Beccaann Post Number: 482 Registered: 6-2006 |
Is the name of the program also the name of a person? or a likely name for a person? The type of program: word processing? spreadsheet? accounting? publishing? graphics? music related? video? Would most people who use a computer daily use this type of program? or only people in a certain profession? people with a certain hobby/interest? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 966 Registered: 10-2001 |
s the name of the program also the name of a person? Yes! or a likely name for a person? The type of program: word processing? spreadsheet? accounting? publishing? graphics? music related? video? None of these Would most people who use a computer daily use this type of program? No or only people in a certain profession? Yope people with a certain hobby/interest? Yes | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 3110 Registered: 12-2000 |
Is it a chess program? | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 3111 Registered: 12-2000 |
Is the first word 'loner'? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 967 Registered: 10-2001 |
Is it a chess program? Yes Is the first word 'loner'? No (but it would fit nicely) | ||
| Tobasi (Tobasi)
New member Username: Tobasi Post Number: 163 Registered: 8-2006 |
Is the first word 'genius'? Is this word describing a person? if yes is it positive? Or is this word the name of a person? a chessplayer? Does the second word contain 'chess'? like 'chessmaster'? or is it a word that is used in another context than chess? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 971 Registered: 10-2001 |
Is the first word 'genius'? No Is this word describing a person? Yes if yes is it positive? No! Or is this word the name of a person? No a chessplayer? It refers to a certain chess player Does the second word contain 'chess'? No like 'chessmaster'? No or is it a word that is used in another context than chess? It is used in a both a chess context and other contexts | ||
| Plebeian (Plebeian)
New member Username: Plebeian Post Number: 716 Registered: 7-2006 |
Only chess program I know famously is Deep Blue? | ||
| Beccaann (Beccaann)
New member Username: Beccaann Post Number: 486 Registered: 6-2006 |
Amy? Fritz? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 973 Registered: 10-2001 |
Plebian Only chess program I know famously is Deep Blue? And it is a name worth knowing but it is not the one. Beccaann Amy? No Fritz? Yes indeed! | ||
| Plebeian (Plebeian)
New member Username: Plebeian Post Number: 726 Registered: 7-2006 |
Does the first part refer to his computer activities? Or chess activities? Or specifically both? Or just a general derogatory name? Loner? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 974 Registered: 10-2001 |
Does the first part refer to his computer activities? Yope Or chess activities? Yes Or specifically both? Mainly the Chess Or just a general derogatory name? Yes this too - in fact people are called this in all other fields of activity Loner? No | ||
| Plebeian (Plebeian)
New member Username: Plebeian Post Number: 730 Registered: 7-2006 |
Bookworm? I've used most of the less-serious derogatory terms I can think of, if someone else doesn't get it this could get rude... Is the speaker a colleague? Friend? Or a real stand-up comedian? Relevant? Is this joke made to an audience who would get the joke immediately? (I reckon we're at "I wouldn't say he was a *BLANK* but his best friend is called Fritz", which even having the other word wouldn't give it away to me) | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 975 Registered: 10-2001 |
Bookworm? No I've used most of the less-serious derogatory terms I can think of, if someone else doesn't get it this could get rude... It's not rude but it is pointed Is the speaker a colleague? Friend? Or a real stand-up comedian? Relevant? The speaker is me and the thought came to my mind after reading an internet article related to the subject matter. Is this joke made to an audience who would get the joke immediately? It is made to a chess audience - who would have read the article or would be aware of current chess goings on (I reckon we're at "I wouldn't say he was a *BLANK* but his best friend is called Fritz", Correct which even having the other word wouldn't give it away to me) A few hints have been divulged above | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 3112 Registered: 12-2000 |
Anything to do with being competitve - using Fritz as his 24/7 opponent to hone his skills? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 978 Registered: 10-2001 |
Anything to do with being competitve Yes - using Fritz as his 24/7 opponent to hone his skills? No | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 3113 Registered: 12-2000 |
Cheat? | ||
| Beccaann (Beccaann)
New member Username: Beccaann Post Number: 490 Registered: 6-2006 |
Is the person being referred to Veselin Topalov? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 979 Registered: 10-2001 |
Cheat? Yes!! Do you want to play more or shall I spill the beans with the background to the statement? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 980 Registered: 10-2001 |
Is the person being referred to Veselin Topalov? Not actually Topalov but his opponent, Kramnik! | ||
| Beccaann (Beccaann)
New member Username: Beccaann Post Number: 491 Registered: 6-2006 |
Thats right, I remembered backwards...as I understand it, Topalov's manager complained/reported about the extreme similarity between Kramnik's plays and what the Fritz program would have sone/suggested in the same situation...not quite calling him a cheater, but suggesting that his skill was not entirely his own...is that about right? | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 981 Registered: 10-2001 |
Thats right, I remembered backwards...as I understand it, Topalov's manager complained/reported about the extreme similarity between Kramnik's plays and what the Fritz program would have sone/suggested in the same situation...not quite calling him a cheater, but suggesting that his skill was not entirely his own...is that about right? Absolutely Right Well done Beccaann! Plaudits also Lynne, Plebian & Co! Spoyler to follow | ||
| Beroean (Beroean)
Moderator Username: Beroean Post Number: 982 Registered: 10-2001 |
I wouldn't say he was a *CHEAT* but his best friend is called *FRITZ* Fritz is the well known powerful German computer Chess Program, a favourite for professional Chess players around the world to train with and analyse their game positions etc. In the current World championship between Veselin Topoalov (Bulgaria) and Vladamir Kramnik (Russia), as always there are more mind games being played off the board than on it. In the 12 game match, Topalov lost the first two games. Topalov and his manager strongly insinuated that Kramnik was up to no good by leaving the chessboard to go to the restroom / toilet excessively and made a strong complaint. The unspoken suggestion was obvious - Kramnik was somehow getting assistance with his game whilst away from the board. An ill tempered debate arose with allegations and counter allegations and there followed a letter written by Topalovs manager that highlighted the similarity of Kramniks moves in the games so far, with the moves selected by the chess computer program, Fritz! Hence I wouldn't say he was a *CHEAT* but his best friend is called *FRITZ* The Letter from Topalov's manager Kramniks earlier letter of protest and the support from other Grand Masters A very interesting article by American Grandmaster,Yasser Seirawan explaining the psychology of it all Currently the score is 4 -4 with 4 games remaining ................................................................................................................................................. You may recall or heard about the great controversy in the Fischer v Spassky match during the cold war in the 1970's In August I posted a puzzle called "Nuts & Fruitcakes" that recalled the time in a previous World Championship when Korchnoy accused Karpov of cheating when his "seconds" brought him different coloured yoghurts to the board (alleging that the colours were a code to represent types of suggested moves.) The puzzle also alluded to the two players who had been found cheating in this years American open chess championship, using sophisticated electronic transmitting devices and computers. Back in the 1970's 1980's I clearly recall that the Scottish International Master David Levy boldly said that there would never be a computer that could beat the best human players. He has been proven wrong. The best computers are on a par with the best humans, and they don't feel the intense pressure experienced by the players in the World Championship. |
