By George Wood 

Chess is an interesting game and learning it is not difficult. There are three phases of the game. The first ten to fifteen moves make the opening phase, then there’s middle game and lastly the end game. However it is not necessary that the game lasts through the three phases. It can end before hand also if someone makes big blunders initially. All the three phases are played differently. One needs to develop the forces in the opening phase. This is done so that the player becomes ready for the middle game. To make yourself perfect in the game, you need to follow some basic steps. These steps are offered by the world class chess players. Of course you need a lot of experience to master the art of playing chess.

When you move a piece from one position to another, it is said to have developed. So, development is the most essential principle that is applied initially. When a piece is developed, its mobility as well as the number of squares it controls increases. You must complete the development before you put any plan to work. Development is essential as it may also develop pressure on your opponent by threatening one of his pieces. Complete the development for it can lead to bad times ahead!

Controlling the centre is very important as this is the place where most of the strategic battles take place. A piece which is placed in the centre exerts big pressure as it controls a number of squares, so it has to be nicely placed. Central pawn moves are preferred in comparison to side pawn moves because the centre is controlled by the movement of the pawn. Regular piece development may also help in controlling the centre.

You should never postpone castling because king safety is very important. It increases the safety of the king and also helps in development of the rook. To be on the safer side, you should go for short castling. You are giving an opportunity to your opponent to attack your king in case you don’t castle. However there are cases, when you should not castle.

Planning is the most important step. Make a plan in your mind and play accordingly. You plan should include where the development of pieces will take place. How the pawn moves should also be included in your plan. Importance should also be given to Move Order. Usually, the pawn moves first, so that the centre is controlled properly. The knight moves next as they have a less number of squares to develop. Bishop moves last as they can be developed at a number of squares. Castling should not be postponed. Do not move your queen initially. By doing this, you are actually giving a chance to your opponent to threaten your queen. Develop the heavy pieces also.

When playing the opening game, you should keep certain things in your mind. Let’s take an example if White moves first. In total there are 8 pawns, and they can advance up to 2 squares. Other than the two knights, the rest of the pieces cannot be moved. The knights can advance to two squares each. White needs to remember the basic principles- first the development, then controlling the centre and finally formulating a plan. To start the development one may also move the knight. 1.Nc3 and 1.Nf3 are also good moves. However do not place your knight on h3 or a3 as it is far away from the centre. Move the pawns first, so1.e4, 1 .d4 and 1.c4 is good choices. Though 1.f4 move is suitable but it weakens the king slightly. Don’t move the pawns a, b, g or h as they do not control the centre. Moves like 1.d3 and 1.e3 are acceptable but they should not be usually made.

White has more options if white plays with 1.e4 and BLACK respond with 1.e5. The White’s queen and its bishop that is placed at f1 can also move now. Next, White should include all the basic moves like 2.d4, 2.Nf3, 2.Nc3, 2.Bc4. though there are some other good moves also; these are considered the best ones! White should not move 2.Bd3 as it has some limitations. It prevents the pawns from making advances and bishop’s mobility is not increased. The pawn needs to move so 2.Bd3 should not be moved. This is just an example to show as to how you can play chess by following some basic rules and using your own logic and judgment. These basic principles are not universal but you can use them to be on the safer side!

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Chess Vision Trainer is a chess training system (patent rights reserved) to improve your visualization and move calculation skills in Chess. Visualization and calculation plays a major role in chess. These are the skills that separates the masters from the amateurs.

When Alekhine was asked “How many moves do you see ahead?” his answer was “Just one move deeper than my opponent!“.

The built-in chess playing engine acts as your spar. The position displayed on the chess board is not the true position but the position a certain number of half-moves before the true position. You do not decide the moves based on the displayed position but based on the true position (which you do not see but you are trying to visualize). This means that you are always forced to look ahead of the chess position you see in the board.

Then, there is the concept of ‘Blindfold Areas’. Blindfold Areas are quadrants of the chess board and these are areas where the pieces are invisible. One of the intentions of this concept is to solve the problem of ‘blind spots’. Using the concept of Blindfold Areas will also help you to develop chess board memory. This idea of dividing the chess board into quadrants is derived from Buckley’s suggestion in his book Practical Chess Analysis.

The combination of these training exercises will improve your visualization and move calculation skills.

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Chess Opening Trainer will help you learn and remember chess opening theory faster than ever before. In addition, you can use this software to build your opening repertoire.

Unlike the other chess training software, Chess Opening Trainer does not randomly select training moves and positions. It smartly selects and serves the training move and position which you had difficulty in solving. This way, you concentrate to strengthen your weak points and reinforce what you already know in the opening line that interests.

If you have ever looked up your opening moves in the chess opening books then Chess Opening Trainer will change the way you study the openings. If you struggle with published chess theory you will squeeze even more from this tool.

Chess Opening Trainer builds on the time-tested educational technique of learning by doing. You train against the computer by playing the exact opening lines you want to learn.

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By Thomas Morva

A long car ride or airplane trip is the perfect time for a game of chess. There a variety of chess sets available for people who want to play chess on the go. Electronic chess sets and chess sets with either Velcro or magnetic pieces are perfect for playing in a moving vehicle.

Electronic chess sets are a relatively new invention. Most of them allow for two human players or one human player against the computer. Two main kinds of electronic travel chess sets are three-dimensional and touch screen. The three dimensional electronic chess sets involve players using chess pieces with pegs on the bottom into indentions on the chessboard. The indentions have electronic sensors that let the computer know what kind of piece is placed there. Many of these travel chess sets also give players advice on how to play and feature electronic lessons. Touch screen electronic travel chess sets are similar to the three-dimensional games but they involve players touching the computer screen with a sensor to show where they want to move the pieces. Both types of electronic travel chess sets are compact and handheld, allowing them to fit nearly anywhere.

Velcro and magnetic chess sets are perfect for travel. Velcro chess sets fasten the pieces to the board using Velcro attachments. This insures the pieces will not fall off if the board is suddenly jostled or moved. Velcro chess sets often have a soft chessboard that can be rolled up when it is not in use. The pieces of magnetic chess sets rely on magnetic forces to stay on the board. These travel chess sets are very popular and can come in tiny sizes that are perfect for being taken anywhere. The magnetic board usually has a storage compartment underneath to put the pieces in when they are not in use.

Travel chess sets are perfect for people who want to entertain themselves on a long trip. These chess sets use innovative methods to ensure that the pieces will not be lost. The small size of the boards is also perfect for taking onto an airplane or using in a car or bus.

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By Clive Jenkins 

Chess competitions occur regularly, and you may even find there’s one taking place near you. Ranging from competitions purely for fun to international level sporting competition, chess is a seriously competitive sport the world over. If you’re looking to get a head start in the game, the best idea is to start young and research the game to learn how to play it and how to play it well. Additionally, there is no real substitute for practice, and it is advised that before considering entering a chess competition, you play plenty of games, particularly against players better than yourself were possible.

Chess is a game requiring extreme concentration and strategic thinking. Participating in a chess competition requires even further concentration over a number of matches, and should only be the reserve of the more accomplished player. Those who join clubs may find themselves presented with the opportunity to participate in chess competitions, although these are normally particularly competitive environments, where only the intellectually strong can survive.

Before considering entering a chess competition, it is pivotal to ensure your game is up to scratch. If you find it difficult to beat players in your own club, perhaps you should focus on learning from the experience, rather than setting your sights on victory. Players tend to up their game for the competition, and some less experienced players find the nerves too hard to handle, and lose their game at the last minute. Either way, the experience of playing in a chess competition against more skilled or more experienced players is beneficial to anyone’s game, and will most certainly help strengthen your strategic thinking and gameplay.

It is important to be realistic about your expectations before going into a competitive environment to avoid disappointment. For many, a chess competition is the first time they realise there are better and more experienced players out there, and is the real motivation many players need to improve their game and work on their strategy. If you’re looking to improve your game, there are a number of books and videos available from the minds of the grandmasters, which aim to give you some useful tips in improving your game, as well as focussing on constant practice with a buddy, or a specialist coach.

Many people devote years of their lives to learning and improving their game, so don’t expect to win straight away. However, with continual practice and input, you will surely reap the rewards eventually as you begin to get further involved in the game and its more competitive side.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and play the game, learn from it, but most of all enjoy it. Although it’s a competitive game, at the end of the day it is only a game, and so it’s important not to get too wrapped up in the game Having said that, to see any real improvement in your game you have to maintain a routine of practice and expand your knowledge of the game and the theories behind it. Nobody said it was going to be easy!

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By Jonathon Hardcastle 

One day that I was old enough to understand the importance of strategic maneuvering when playing a game, my father decided that it was time for me to learn chess. Within a couple of months, I was carrying the chess board everywhere I was going, inviting friends to challenge my new game abilities. I still remember the reactions of those who have never been introduced to chess. They used to look me straight into the eyes asking me why they should waste their time playing such a difficult and boring game. I do not know even where to begin in order to describe what a beautiful game chess really is. With its variety of sacrifices and combinations, those who are eager to learn how it feels to belong to the winner’s side can advance their gaming experience through chess. Having the opportunity to outwit your opponent either on the tactical or the positional level, chess is in fact a game that requires a constantly working mind. Perhaps it is “difficult” game, but this is the only way one can really be proud of the attained goal of winning a worthy opponent. Now in relation to the accusation of chess being boring, after playing chess frequently for more than ten years in a row, I really cannot describe how far away from the truth this statement really is.

First of all, if you are up to the chess challenge, you have to begin by learning the rules of the game. Being an abstract strategy board game, chess is played by two players on a square board that combines eight rows-called ranks -and eight columns-called files. Its simple design creates sixty-four squares of alternative color; one darker than the other. Each of the players is assigned to sixteen pieces (units) at the beginning of the game, which as the game progresses they are eliminated by the opponent’s movements on the board. The object of the game is to checkmate the opponent. This practically means that one of the players has successfully managed to perform all the appropriate strategic movements so as to threaten the opponent’s king from moving. It has to be stressed that due to the variety of the chess pieces and their distinct abilities on the game’s board, chess has successfully become one of the world’s most popular games.

Garry Kasparov and Robert Fischer-or Bobby-have been famous chess players worldwide, due to their exceptional abilities in combining the art of chess with the strategic maneuvering entailed in disciplines of science. Considered by many funs to be a “mental martial art,” chess has gained its popularity among the nations of Asia, Europe and the Americas. Generally known as Western Chess or International Chess, to be distinguished from its many variations, the chess I was taught by my father is currently being played in a number of counties, some of which claim to have invented its original form. The most commonly held view is that chess originated in India, since the Arabic, Persian, Greek, Portuguese and Spanish words for chess all come from the Sanskrit game Chaturanga.

Currently, chess funs can be found anywhere from Japan to Sweden and chess players can locate their future opponents on the online forums and websites specifically designed to the pleasure of playing chess. If you are considering taking up the chess challenge, visit your local chess listings and you will be surprised of how many people are daily committed in exercising their mental abilities via a fun and instructive game like chess.

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By George Wood

A number of theories are available for opening of chess. These recommended theories are practiced almost everywhere although there are a number of other variations are also available. A large number of variations just prove the complexity of the game! Some variations are considered equally good for both the White and the Black. However you don’t need to learn these openings, they come through experience. You must use your logical and healthy thinking to play chess.

Each opening has a name of its own so to classify a game one needs to know the move which characterizes an opening. Each of the openings also has a number of variations and these variations also have different names! Openings which are similar lead to positions which have similar features.

The classification of the openings depends mainly on the first move. An opening can be an open opening, a semi- open opening or a closed opening. An opening is called Open if White starts the move with 1.e4 and Black responds with 1.e5. It is called semi-open if White starts with 1.e4 but Black does not respond with 1.e5. An opening is called closed if White does not start with 1.e4.

Some of the most common open openings are described below:

Italian game- [1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4] White castles while making the most of the piece’s mobility. d5 square is controlled by 3.Bc4 move. The free move d7-d5 is thus inhibited. It also keeps a check on a weaker square f7 and also on the square which is immediately related to the safety of the Black King.

Spanish Game- [1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5] The black pawn is threatened by White with 2.Nf3. Black also supports it with 2.Nc6. White now moves 3.Bb5 which threatens the pawn as he may capture c6 and e5.

Scotch game- [1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4] White opens the lines for the pieces quickly. The answer that one gets is 3.exd4. White may either play 4.c3 or take the pawn back with 4.Nxd4. The former is a variation which is known as Scotch Gambit.

Four Knights Game- [1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6] This non demanding opening is stable for White. 3.Nc3 faces no threats and the opening is thus non-demanding.

Phillidor’s Defence- [1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6] The opening results in closed positions though the plans are still open.

Russian Game- [1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6] It is an interesting opening theory though it’s not used much now.

Bishop’s Opening- [1.e4 e5 2.Bc4] It is an extremely old opening which is rarely used nowadays.

King’s Gambit- [1.e4 e5 2.f4] White captures the f pawn later on after 2.exf4. To keep the material advantage Black will like to settle for cover.

Some of the most common semi-open openings are described below:

French Defence- [1.e4 e6] Black prepares to play the freeing move which is d7-d5.

Caro-Cann Defence- [1.e4 c6] Black plays d7-d5. Bc8 develops easily which is a major difference from the French Defence.

Scandinavian Game- [1.e4 d5] Black opens the position on its own and tries to play actively.

Alechkin’s Defence- [1.e4 Nf6] If White moves 2.e5, Black does not move the same piece again. Black weakens its centers with the side thrusts like d7-d6, c7-c5 if White moves his centre pawns.

Sicilian Defence- [1.e4 c5] Many possibilities are available for both and hence it is the most commonly used opening. It also leads to wild strategies.

Some of the most common closed openings are described below:

Queen’s Gambit- [1.d4 d5 2.c4] White captures c4 later on if Black captures c4.

English Game- [1.c4 e5] It almost always leads to closed positions.

King’s Indian Defence- [1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d6] This opening has gained popularity due to its rich strategies and tactics. It is used in games of top class.

Dutch Defence- [1.d4 f5] This opening usually leads to closed tactical positions.

Slav Defence- [1.c4 c6] Tactical considerations play a very important role here. It leads to drawish and balanced positions.

A good player should know about all the openings and then play accordingly. One should try to gain experience and knowledge about these openings. Each opening possesses a key idea, which becomes easier to implement once it is perceived.

George Wood is a successful webmaster of many popular sites including plastic surgery and blog site. If you want to read more about chess, click over to George chess site.

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