Daily Rome Shot 1392 – Speaking of Tolkien…

“Dear friends, may no adversity paralyze you. Be afraid neither of the world, nor of the future, nor of your weakness. The Lord has allowed you to live in this moment of history so that, by your faith, his name will continue to resound throughout the world.” – Pope Benedict XVI pic.twitter.com/W2Sje3GNaZ

— Fr. Charbel Abernethy ?? (@philokalia_min) July 12, 2025

I know you’ve been eagerly awaiting International Chess Day: 20 July.

This puzzle is rather tough, at least it was for me. It eventually resolves in a familiar mate which you might guess at by the piece placement.

White to move and mate in 5.  HERE

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

Priestly chess players, drop me a line. HERE

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

And now something completely different… Fr. Z and a Jesuit… GMTA….

Here is a man after my own heart.

This is Fr. Robert McTeigue, SJ who has fine videos on the Youtube channel iCatholicRadio.

And… speaking of Tolkien.

“Art Nouveau is when it looks made by elves.
Art Deco is when it looks made by dwarves.”

We need that magic again! pic.twitter.com/vhDc0EKJZ6

— DaVinci (@BiancoDavinci) July 15, 2025