Archive for December, 2009
Online Chess against the Computer: Play With Anyone and Anywhere
Posted by in General on December 26, 2009
Have you ever played chess with someone sitting on the house next door, or lives on the other side of the world? If not, then this is you chance to play online chess using your own computer and internet. This is really different from playing online chess against the computer. It’s because here, you will have a chance to meet people and play chess with them. Although, chess was being played face to face, online chess is really different simply because you can play it any time of the day or night you want without searching for a partner.
During early years, its sounds a bit tricky for us to do such things we did nowadays. But then because of the internet, everything becomes possible. And online chess is just one example of this. These days, there are a lot of sites that offer online chess. All you have to do it to turn on your browser and search for them, then that’s it! You can now play the greatest game ever invented. There are also specific sites that have chess playing servers, whereas they will provide an access to online chess games and chess enthusiasts on the different parts of the world. All you have to do is to register as a member of their site.
Meanwhile, let’s discuss the things that should look in searching for online chess sites. The first thing is the price. There are a few sites wherein you can play online chess for free. This is a good option if you are just a beginner and want to know the rules and principles of the game, or maybe if you are looking for online site for you child. However, you can only play for a limited period of the time. And if you want to get a full version, you will have to buy it. Besides, the graphics and features are not that good compare to advance and paid subscription sites. Other than that, these sites contain a lot of ads and pop-ups which are not safe for your child.
On the other side, most paid subscription sites offer trials for a certain number of days or number of times that game has been played. Hence, if you want to get a full version, you are required to enter credit card information which is something you have to be careful about. When it comes to price, a paid subscription can cost about $10 to $60 per year. But then, there are also sites that offer premium membership which costs additional charge. Unlike, free subscription sites, these sites are good when it comes to graphics and features. Besides, there are few ads and pop-ups.
Online chess game is a fun way to improve your skills regarding chess opening and game principles. But sad to say, there are no alternatives than playing with a real opponent – face to face game. But then because of the hectic lifestyle, there’s no time to seek for a chess partner. Hence, we seek opponents online. Anyway, the decision is yours whether what type of chess game you are comfortable to play with.
Chess tips: Useful tips for novices to approach the middle game
Posted by in General on December 7, 2009
In the game of chess, the most fascinating and challenging segment is the middle game. In comparison to the other two segments, the opening game and the end game, there is not enough material to walk us through this vital segment of the game, the middle game. Even after more than 1400 years of existence in this world, there is no clearly defined strategy or blue book that can be prepared or used with conviction in the case of this middle game. And absence of any specific strategy or approach in this aspect is the most important reason, I personally believe, for the fascination of this game and the challenge to the minds.
The innumerable books, tons of material available in the writings of great chess players and the large collection of games that can be instantly accessed through the Internet, all fall short of meeting the requirements in the Middle game, and the human element, the thinking process, new and innovative tactics and the novel strategies deployed in this stage of the game make this the King of the games or the Game of the Kings.
If one were to gain proficiency in the game of Chess, one needs to do a lot of analysis as well as hard work and practice, especially in the middle game. Playing online chess with players from different places and having different types of approaches to the game, using the computer and the Internet, might help in speeding up your practice in this vital segment.
I would like to briefly highlight the importance of the middle game and provide you with some basic ideas that will help you in approaching this segment of the game.
What actually is the middle game, in the first instance?
Well. In simple terms, middle game is that intermediate part of the game that starts at the end of the opening stage and ends at the beginning of the end game. Does it appear vague to you? You are absolutely right. While there is some sort of clarity with regard to the end of the opening game, or the beginning of the middle game, there is still not much clarity with regard to the start of the end game of the end of the middle game.
Without dwelling much into the research of when the opening stage ended or when the end game begun, let us look at some of the fundamental aspects that every player, especially in his early stages of learning process, should bear in mind.
The basic ingredients that are required for a player to handle the middle game stage of the game should include the following things: a) Safety of his King; b) Material strength and positional values, and c) space for movement of the pieces or simply mobility of the pieces in the board.
It is the middle game in which both the players display their mental, analytical and strategical proficiency. Attack will be the keyword in this stage and both the players will be targeting the opponent’s King. As long as you ensure that your King is safe and secure, you have a better chance of launching attack on the opponent and devise innovative tactics and chess strategies that often include luring the opponent with sacrifice of one or two minor pieces.
How you approached the opening game will be reflected in your capability in terms of material strength and positional importance in the middle game. If you commit any calculation errors or misjudgment in the opening stage, then you may find it difficult in the middle game. Not only the equality of the material in comparison with your opponent, but also the position of the pieces has a vital role to play in the middle game. Sacrificing unnecessary pawns in the opening game or blocking the movement of the bishops or Knights by blocking their movement are the things that you should avoid and allow for free movement of the pieces in the board.
Once you ensure that these fundamental things are given adequate attention, you can have a fairly fascinating and exciting middle game in which you can challenge your opponent’s mind with confidence.