Archive for category General
Forms of Chess
Posted by in General on January 18, 2010
Chess is one of the ancient games which we have been playing since countless cultures In fact when it was started through Indians or Persians then moved to Islamic Regions to North Africa and then Europe. Every region that the game has moved to has added its own variation. Basis these variations here are some forms of Chess across the globe:
Traditional Chess – The most well known form of chess which has no region as the limit. It is one of the most played on board games. It originated in southern Europe during the 15th century. It’s played by 2 players on a square checkered board with 64 squares. This form is now available online and played at most of the clubs. In fact it’s one of the recognized sports of International Olympic Committee.
Xiangqi – As the name signifies this form is originally from China and known as Chinese Chess. If we look at the name, xiang means image or representational. So this form is also known as representational chess; again played by 2 players on Chinese board, however here it’s more of a battle between 2 armies. Another unique quality of the game is that the board has the river and palace features which limit the movement of some pieces
Shogi – The word means Generals in Japanese. Hence it’s a form originated at Japan. The chessboard remains same here. The only difference is that the captured pieces could be returned to the board and used as one’s own.
Chaturanga – It’s a Sanskrit word and started in ancient during 6th century in Gupta period. Later it was adopted by Persia and the game got a different name
Shatranj – It’s the second known variant of chess. As mentioned it was a modification to the Indian form of Chess. The game originated in Persia around the 7th century. Now it’s the most well known form of chess which is unique and adopted by the wealthy class in
Arab. It doesn’t have the traditional chess board.
3 D Chess – This form was originated in Germany in 19th century. Here the board is a cube sliced into 5 equal spaces across each of its major coordinal planes. In fact the section yields a 125 cell playing volume. This form of chess could be seen in certain TV shows like Star Trek as the show was assembled using board from 3-D checkers which has added to the popularity of the game.
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.
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!!