Archive for November, 2009
Knight Endings
Posted by in General on November 6, 2009
Knights are a very special piece. The knight is the only piece in chess allowed to jump and this creates very nice moments when playing chess. Not in vain, German players have given it the name of “Springer”.
The way a knight moves is odd, it not only jumps over other pieces, it also moves in a non-linear way and this makes them unique as well. All other pieces on the board are allowed to move in a straight line, but knights hop in an “L” pattern. The movement of the knight is the only which can not be done by a queen, making it even more unique. This difference in the movement pattern of the knight leads to completely different principles and strategies in the ending.
Just to start, we’ll take a look at some positions which are usually given in an ending involving the knight.
Even having a good advantage when it comes to material, it is impossible for white to win in this position. Even if white player sends the king to defend the pawn, he will only get a stalemate if black king is smart enough to crawl into the corner.
This position is much better for white. That’s what it is usually called “mutual defense pact” involving the passed pawn and the knight. The king can not capture the pawn and if the monarch moves to capture the knight, it will get out of the square and the pawn will promote to queen. To win in this position, white king must first capture the passed pawn to avoid problems and then protect the passed pawn till it promotes.
The above is a clear example of knight and pawn vs knight played by two masters. In such a position of knight and pawn vs knight, black is the stronger side and it would seem easy to win the game. The idea is to keep the white knight clear from the way of the pawn. To do this, the knight must cooperate with the king. It is not easy to white to defend in this position because the king is located far away from the passed pawn and it is blocked by the black king.
1.Ne3 g3 2. Ng2 Nf5
To limit the movement of White’s knight, and to relocate his in a better position;
3. Kc4 Ke4 4. Kc3 Kt3 5. Nel+ Ke2
In this position 6.Ng2 White’s 6. Nd3 loses because of… Ke3 7. Nel Nh4 8. Kc2 Ke2 9.Nd3Ng6 10.Ncl+Ke3 so… 6…. Kfl 7. Nf4 Ne7!
Black threatens 8…. Ng6.
8. Kd2 Ng6
9-Nh3
White shall not capture the black or the black pawn will promote with no opposition. This is a clear Trojan horse. If white decides to play 9. Ne2, then 9. … g2 10. Ke3 Nf4! the board will look like the below:
Black would be pleased to sacrifice the knight in order to promote the pawn, this push is something to be done in such a situation, it is a good deal to exchange a knight for a queen!!
How Do Computer Chess Programs Work In Online Chess
Posted by in General on November 1, 2009
When online games were introduced in the World Wide Web, they open up opportunities for computer programmers to develop different versions of online games. Among the many online games that are developed, online chess games are the most popular. Although the programming of chess game is some kind tricky but the concepts of online chess are easy to understand. Evidently, online games would not materialize without the computer chess program.
Computer chess programs are used in tournaments like the one that was created by Larry Atkin, the Odessa. This program symbolizes the pattern of the eight by eight arrays of numbers that is equivalent with the pattern of the chessboard. Positive and negative numbers represent the chess pieces. Most computer chess programs are consist of modules that include evaluation function, quiescence function and generator. However, despite of these features of the programs, still it cannot calculate the millions chess positions involve.
Understanding the module is important for you to use properly the chess program. As stated, evaluation function is the first module that observes the possible move that a player can make from the original position. It also provides list of the possible situations and the corresponding move. The next module involves an algorithm that determines the concepts and strategies. It acts like playing the real chess that requires both players to respond in every move in chess openings, king’s safety as well as in defenses. On the other hand, the quiescence acts in evaluating the end position and the other possible move. Just like in the traditional chess game, every move from the opening to the end game is significant in winning the game.
Aside from Odessa, other computer chess programs emerged and developed with different new ideas. Kaplan created a program Turbostar as the product of his brute thinking. Because of his special knowledge in computer programming, he decided to improve the chess program with his ever-changing concept. He was a national master and a Junior Chess Champion when he created Turbostar. Up to this writing, the chess program created by Kaplan is still being used in playing online chess.
However, because of the innovation in technology, more powerful computer chess programs override those previously created. Fujitsu LLC developed a chess program SPACE that is considered as super computer that can process around 1.3TB raw details. It has also the capability to analyze the over 4 million games all over the world.
Time will come that because of the ever changing improvements in technology, thousands of computer chess programs would be created that would match or even surpass the ability of humans. Like what had happened before, it is more likely possible that a computer would defeat human player in a chess battle. However, although computers can work fast but they are not perfect. As a product of human knowledge, computer programs also have weaknesses that are inevitable. Indeed, man is gifted with talents and skills to develop chess programs that help chess players to understand the challenging game of chess.