By Jim Slate

So you bought a chess set. You want to look smart, sophisticated. You want people to know you have a keen competitive mind. You want respect, perhaps even a little fear from certain people.

However, you may just be making yourself a joke. At least you are to anyone who really knows anything about chess.

The first thing you have to know is the order that the pieces go in. This is basic stuff, and almost everyone knows this, so that means you have to also.

If you are the white or lighter side, the pieces in front of you should be set up from left to right as rook, knight, bishop, queen, king, bishop, knight, and rook. It is important to note that this is the setup for the lighter side, the darker side is not the same, it is a mirror image of the other side.

So the darker side’s pieces should be set up from left to right as rook, knight, bishop, king, queen, bishop, knight, and rook.

The most common mistake made when setting up a chess set is getting the colors wrong. In chess, the lighter queen always has to stand on a light colored square, and the dark queen has to stand on a dark square. This means you have to turn the chess board to one of two directions out of four, in which this is possible.

An easy way to understand this is when you are playing chess, the square closest and to your furthest right, should always be a lighter color.

Once you have the chess set standing correctly, it is time to learn how to pay the actual game. A chess set is an invitation, an open call to battle which can be accepted at any time, by most anyone. If you reply to this challenge with a weak “I don’t really know how…” or with a startlingly pathetic performance, the status piece may actually turn into a demotion.

This article provided courtesy of PebbleZ.com, home of a line of unique chess boards crafted out of natural stone by american artists

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Slate

Popularity: 3% [?]

Share This

Posted by Cikgu Farizal | No Comments »

DGT Electronic USB Chessboard System + DGT XL Chess Clock

As you make each move, this USB chessboard instantly shows your move on PC Software of your choice! Connect the beautiful walnut chessboard to any PC with supplied USB connection cables and software and transform your personal study habitat into a high-tech experience that saves you time and gives your PC’s chess software a whole new meaning!

Ever wonder how experts maximize their precious chess study time?
Ever wanted to bring your Fritz, Shredder, Junior, ChessBase real life?
Ever tried to quickly setup a position on your software’s chessboard?

This DGT Electronic Chessboard makes life much easier for chess players and tournament organizers.

• Felted wood pieces slide nicely and smoothly across the board as the DGT sensor board automatically registers each move.
• Setup new positions much faster! Now you can place the pieces on the square you want rather than testing your intelligence with a thousand clicks.
• Beautiful, smooth, furniture finish graces this Walnut board design to FIDE regulation specs (squares of 2 1/8″ or 55mm)
• The board is sleek and thin at only 3/4″ thick, and 21 inches square
• Timeless series wooden chess pieces look great on this board. They measure 3.75″ tall. (95mm)
• Ready to connect with the special DGT XL Chess Clock available separately.
• More>>>

Popularity: 3% [?]

Share This

Posted by Cikgu Farizal | No Comments »

Popularity: 3% [?]

Share This

Posted by Cikgu Farizal | No Comments »

by Kevin Hall

Owning your own chess set comes along with many benefits that you may not even be aware of. The fact of the matter is that chess sets have a lot to offer the user. Even if you do not like to play the game of chess on a regular basis, you may find out that a high quality chess set is something that fits in nicely with your overall life style. But before you buy a chess set, take the time to look at what is available and what you are actually buying for the money.

Obviously, the number one reason to buy a chess set is if you like to play the game. After all, if you do not have a chess set you will never be able to hone your skills and experience the exhilaration of a long, strategic game. Believe it or not, chess sets are not quite as expensive as you may think. Many people are under this impression, and it in turn scares them away from making a purchase. But if you search around there is no reason that you should not be able to find a chess set that suits your needs.

Have you ever thought about buying a chess set as a simple decoration? There are many people who do this, and it can be a great addition to any room of your home. Chances are that you have probably been to a home where a chess set is the centerpiece of a coffee table or dining room. And guess what? A lot of the people who use a chess set as a decoration have never even played the game before. They simply like the way that it looks, and/or the way that it makes them appear to guests.

Finally, since chess sets come in so many different varieties finding one that matches your home is never a difficult task. The most common are the basic wood or metal sets, but the options do not end there. You can also find themed sets, or ones that are of higher quality such as marble or maple.

Not only can you buy a chess set for yourself, but these can make for great gifts as well. If you have a friend or a player in the family, buying them a quality chess set will set their world on fire!

As you can see, chess sets have a lot to offer. If you have never looked into what they have to offer you should do so today.

Kevin Hall is a contributing author for BraRoe Chess . Established in 2005, BraRoe Chess is dedicated to providing exceptional service for chess players of all ages in one place, as well as a resource for chess strategy. Visit BraRoe Chess today to find many different types of chess sets that will create a lifetime of memories for you!

Article Source: ArticleRich.com

Popularity: 31% [?]

Share This

Posted by Cikgu Farizal | No Comments »

Popularity: 2% [?]

Share This

Posted by Cikgu Farizal | No Comments »

By Michael Russell 

Even though a lot of today’s chess is played on the Internet or using software programmed to throw the most formidable opponent at you, there is still the opportunity to actually play chess against another human being. And if you’re going to do that you’re going to need a chess set. Choosing one isn’t as easy as you might think. There are chess sets for every occasion and setting. We’re going to give you just a hint of what’s available.

The old days of the typical plain board and wooden chess pieces are gone. Yes, these sets still exist and to a degree are considered collectors items if you can find a very old set, but today the materials that chess sets and pieces are made of vary greatly, not to mention the size of the sets themselves.

For example, if you’re looking for a set to have at home, maybe on a dining room table or play area, your standard chess board is usually around 15 to 17 square inches with the chess pieces between 2 and 4 inches, measured by the king size. Of course the pawns will be much smaller. But even home chess sets come in more sizes and styles than you can imagine.

For instance, the boards themselves come in all types of woods, maple and elm being the most common. The boards also come in materials other than wood such as marble, glass and plastic. The pieces, in addition to various sizes also come in different materials such as plastic, wood, glass and a number of synthetics. Aside from that, the pieces also come in a variety of styles. Most recently, it has been common to make chess pieces that are not your traditional king and queen shape. Many chess piece sets are designed after popular TV shows and movies such as Star Trek and Lord Of The Rings. These sets are usually very elaborate as well, made out of very expensive materials. These novelty sets can sell for as much as several hundred dollars. A traditional chess set is still going to cost you a pretty penny today, ranging in price from about $30 to $100 or more. The price of the sets is determined by the size of the pieces, board and the materials both are made of.

If you’re looking for a set that you can take around with you then you’re going to want one that is fairly small and folds up even smaller. Portable chess sets are all the rage for kids who belong to chess clubs. The average portable chess set is between 5 and 7 inches square. When folded up they are half the size. The pieces are usually very small, with the king being no taller than 2 inches. You better have small hands to play on these kind of sets.

Most portable sets are made of fairly inexpensive materials. In most cases the boards are made of hinged metal and the pieces are made of plastic. But there are some portable chess sets that are a little more elaborate for somebody who wants to impress his friends, even when he is traveling. Portable chess sets are usually between $10 and $79 in price. The most expensive ones are very well made and worth every penny.

Whatever you’re looking for in a chess set, you’ll have plenty of options. So take your time and make sure it’s exactly the one you want, because it’s out there. You just have to look.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Share This

Posted by Cikgu Farizal | No Comments »