Liquid Drain Cleaner

No, this is not a "typical" topic but it is an important one.

My sink drain connects to my shower drain. Sometimes the sink backs up.

If I plunge the drain, I usually manage to push the blockage to the shower drain, resulting in two blocked drains.

I pondered the problem, and worked out that a "one two punch" using liquid drain cleaner does the job.

First, I pour an entire bottle of liquid drain cleaner down the sink. Sure, it may result in a blockage of the shower, but at least I know where the blockage is.

Then, I''ll clear the shower drain with liquid drain cleaner as well.

There are two kinds of liquid drain cleaner: acid and alkali. You want alkali unless you have something serious down the drain. This is still dangerous stuff, so observe the safety instructions.

Alkali drain cleaner works really well on hair, soap buildup, and organic "films" that grow in drains.

It is also important to follow use of the drain cleaner with LOTS OF HOT WATER to flush the (partially) dissolved clog all the way out (or it will be like when the sink clog has clogged the shower drain).

Three bottles did the job. Much cheaper than a plumber.

Modern Chess Strategy: "Chess for the Rest of Us" by Luděk Pachman

Yes, another book from Dover Publications.

This is the one to get if you already know how to play chess (this book assumes you know how the pieces move) but are still rated below 2000.

Ludek Pachman is not the "household name" Bobby Fischer is, but Pachman did beat him-twice!

This is an excellent book, worth playing through every now and then, it seems there's always something new.

Pachman does not hesitate to criticize his own moves, and he has an interesting discussion on chess playing computers, that may seem a little dated (and he can be certainly be forgiven for that) but is well worth reading and contemplating nonetheless!