Chess

[Cain]

I've always been fond of games, but I'm starting to tire of the games that don't really require thinking. I'm a huge fan of backgammon, but it seems to me that it's losing it's skill aspect and is turning into a game of luck.

I know the basics of chess. I know the setup, all of the pieces names, and the way they all move. I don't, however, know strategy. I like the way it's an intellectual game that requires a great deal of thought, strategy, trickery, and thinking ahead to win.

I don't know where exactly to start though in order to master this game. Do I just start playing and then after a while start reading up on it? Do I start reading first? Are there good sites to go to? Are there programs that analyze games like in backgammon?

This is basically for those that are experienced in chess.

[boobaa]

I love chess.

I used to play online but have gotten a bit rusty in recent months. I am not generally a good player, but I know the game. Funny thing is that I have known this game since very early age, my brother always beat me so hard in that (he was older and more experienced too, of course) and I just got into chess more serious about year and a half ago... sigh.

[Cain]

I love chess.

I used to play online but have gotten a bit rusty in recent months. I am not generally a good player, but I know the game. Funny thing is that I have known this game since very early age, my brother always beat me so hard in that (he was older and more experienced too, of course) and I just got into chess more serious about year and a half ago... sigh.

It's definitely a great and classic game. I wish I'd have gotten into it at a younger age, but I never did.

Hell, some people achieve the GM rank before they even hit my age.

[boobaa]

yep.

Anyway, you up for an online game sometimes?

[Aegis]

I'd recommend playing it for awhile before reading up on it so when you do read the ideas, moves, the openings, even just the jargon, it'll mean something....not that I'm any type of expert player or instructor...

[anachronistic]

I have been playing chess since I was 3 years old. Just play man. Come up with your own strategies as you begin to play, look up techniques and things like that.

Playing chess with people online is much different than in person, because you cannot see the person, and you cannot watch them make their decisions. That's why I don't enjoy chess online.

I learned how to play backgammon a few years ago. I love that game. Another favorite of mine is Texas Hold'em.

[misombra]

yep.

Anyway, you up for an online game sometimes?

lets do it.

[NeoSeminole]

I recommend watching matches between good chess players. You will gain valuable information that books won't teach you. I also suggest you play hundreds and hundreds of games. After a while, you will begin to see patterns unfold and you will have a better sense of which move to make.

[Gribble]

Online chess is boring to me. If you don't have a few opponents to play against on a semi-regular basis in person you'd be better off getting a game like Chessmaster for your computer. It boils down to the same thing as online chess, plus the latest ones have a slew of tutorials to help you along.

But the best way is to play against a flesh and blood person.

There is a problem with Chess, however. I love the game, but if you get very good at it becomes less and less a game of individual strategy and more a game of knowing which set of predetermined moves best thwart your opponent. For that reason you may want to take a peek at Go.

[Mish]

I don't know where exactly to start though in order to master this game. Do I just start playing and then after a while start reading up on it? Do I start reading first? Are there good sites to go to? Are there programs that analyze games like in backgammon?

This is basically for those that are experienced in chess.

My dad sent me to a chess school when I was 8 and I think it definetly helped me with formulation of strategic and tactical skills. I haven't played it for awhile, actually I'd like to get back into it at some point.

What I really enjoyed a while back was analyzing different combinations of chess champions like Karpov of Gary Kasparov's. You learn a great deal from them.

The combinations most often look like this, there is ussually a way for one party to defeat the oponent in a couple of moves.



There's a whole section you can try in here

[url]http://www.chessbase.com/puzzle/tactics/tac0521.htm[/url]

[Lipp]

Quite like chess compared to any other board games, ended up fifth at my first competition (moderately big) years and years ago, but I've grown tired of taking time to ponder every decision, planning and all that, so I just play for fun, not to win. I play games to relax, and think when I work.

[Cain]

I just finished downloading Chessmaster today and I've been using it to play. My cousin recommended it and some other program called Fritz or something.

Eventually, I'm going to learn some stuff from him. He tutors and teaches chess... been playing since he was a little kid. He's apparently been thinking about getting back into competition. Before he quit, he had nearly attained the title of master which is 1800-2200 rating.

Chessmaster is actually pretty nice. I've actually learned a couple of things that I didn't know about so far and I'm still in the tutorials. For example, I had no clue about the en passe rule. I also had no idea you could promote a pawn to a queen if you already had a queen on the board.

[anachronistic]

Those are pretty basic rules. Wait till you dive into the complexities of castling your king, and things like that.

Also, if you play someone in person, sometimes they play by different rules. You should ask them what rules they like to play by. Always have the rulebook nearby to refer to.

Cain I haven't played in ages, but if you'd like to, I'm willing to get an account on Pogo or something. Let me know.

[Cain]

Those are pretty basic rules. Wait till you dive into the complexities of castling your king, and things like that.

Also, if you play someone in person, sometimes they play by different rules. You should ask them what rules they like to play by. Always have the rulebook nearby to refer to.

Cain I haven't played in ages, but if you'd like to, I'm willing to get an account on Pogo or something. Let me know.

Sure.

I need to do some more practicing and finish the Chessmaster Academy so I can get a good idea on what I'm doing. I'm also studying all of the famous openings and defenses to openings.

I already knew about castling. That was rather easy. But since I hadn't played much, I didn't know about en passe and two queens on the board. I thought you could only promote a piece that had been taken.

[misombra]

what's en passe?