Quickies: Rooks are the new black

• The month of incessant Ben Franklin continues: today, we all learn that Ben Franklin published the first book about chess in Russia. And, not only that, but this column mentions Latvia, quizzo and features characters named Sal, Roz and The Master. (Sounds like a plot for Matrix 4.) [Metro]

• Speaking of convicted sexual assaulter Tracy McIntosh, his job in Milan may be in doubt. But his lawyer says it was due to erroneous press reports in Italy that he was a serial rapist. Because, you know, if you only raped once, it’s not a big deal, right? sigh. [Inky]

• The choking game: “There’s no way to win,” sez a police officer. I’m telling you: if they bring back the old school cable boxes that allow you to kind of see the porn channel in scramblevision, kids will stop doing shit like this. [Bucks County Courier Times]

• Hey, people: Everything’s all peachy keen between Webber and A.I., okay? In related news, the Sixers have won three straight. If you want a different answer, talk to Webber after the Sixers fall back below .500. [DN]

Quickies: Viva Italia!

• Ex-Penn prof Tracy McIntosh, convicted of sexual assault in 2004, is now heading to Italy for a new job after he’s freed from house arrest. Jesus. You get stricter sentences for underage drinking. [Daily Pennsylvanian]

• While you were watching the start of the AFC Championship (or not), Andre Iguodala was hitting a buzzer beater to rally the Sixers from 19 down and top the Timberwolves, 86-84. The Sixers scored only five more than Lower Merion native Kobe Bryant, who dropped 81 (!) on the Raptors in a Lakers’ win. Both these links have video, too. [AP via ESPN.com]

• Daily News TV scribe Ellen Gray is blogging from Hollywood and notes that, sometimes, IMDB is just as faulty as Wikipedia. [Ellen Gray in Hollywood]

• A fire in East Mount Airy that killed a 17-year-old girl and injured her mom has been ruled an arson. [Inky]

• When there’s nothing else to do (and, really, there never is in Bucks County), Democrats and Republicans argue over a sign about the Iraq war. Aren’t there any ribbon cuttings you guys can attend? [Bucks County Courier Times]