By Lee Dobbins 

As we are all aware the internet has become a big part of all our lives and the whole word has changed and the internet has given us the power to communicate more freely. Certainly one of the most amazing changes that has been brought about because of the internet is the playing of chess online and this has been created by the gaming culture that can be found online.

Chess has always been a game of minds, a person’s ability to use mathematical thinking as well as being able to understand their opponent’s strategy and any future moves that will be made. Invented in Persia the game of chess has been played by millions of people around the world for many centuries now. However during modern times it was decided to promote the game of chess as a game for the masses and not just for the intellectual elite. Not only did this create an overwhelming passion for the game throughout all communities but it has made it a global game which can be played by all no matter where they come from and makes all players equal.

The difference with chess compared to other activities and sports is that it can be played for long periods of time, whilst playing partners can play against each other even if their board is at home and whilst they are playing with another competitor. At one stage it was quite often that movies would show two friends playing chess against each other whilst miles away from each other, by playing the game on the phone.

Yet with the introduction of the internet all you need to do is log onto a one of the many chess playing rooms and you will find someone that you can compete against, as well as learning new tactics and making new friends around the world. So now what was once done by sitting at a chess convention or chess meeting is being carried out across the globe. Because of being able to play chess online its popularity is growing even more and we are now moving into the era where the game has become impersonal as players are now competing without actually having to meet each other.

You will soon discover when visiting an online chess room a whole new chess community and experience the passion felt by those players playing around the clock against other players in different time zones across the globe. Time and time again the game of chess has risen to the challenges that the internet is now providing and will keep on providing well into the next century.

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by Richard Stooker

Chess is a game of substitute war, so you will win more chess games by taking advantage of the ancient wisdom distilled from the art of military strategies. This includes a collection of strategies compiled in China at least 1,500 years ago.

These strategies are taught to school children all over China, Japan and probably much of the rest of Asia even today.

If you think Chinese children learn the 36 Strategies as “classic literature” the same way American children must read Mark Twain . . . you are too foolish and naive to be allowed near a serious chess tournament.

You also should never try to do business in Asia, but that’s another article.

You must first of all understand that the essence of warfare is deceit. This is challenging in chess, because both players can see the entire board and all the pieces.

You must learn to make moves that advance your strategies and tactics without revealing them to your opponent until it’s too late. Of course, this is easier to write than to pull off in an actual chess game.

And it does require you to work, study and plan.

Your opponent can see the chessboard — but not what’s going on inside your mind.

You must learn to use that to your advantage. It requires a mental attitude and preparation which studying the 36 Strategies can help you acquire.

Some of the strategies to adapt to your chess game include:

Surrounding Wei to Rescue Zao — do not attack your enemy where and when he is strong. Avoid direct confrontation. Aim for their weak points.

Make the Enemy Work While You Wait at Leisure — when you are in a weak position, delay the confrontation.

Watch the Fire Burning Across the River — Exercise patience and allow favorable events to progress.

The Plum Tree Sacrifices for the Peach Tree — this is an ancient stress tactic. Sacrifice a piece for the greater good of your game.

Walk the Sheep Home Just Because It Is There — take advantage of all opportunities to gain an advantage.

Trade Your Brick for a Piece of Jade — if you want to trade pieces to your advantage, convince your opponent your brick is worth more than their piece of jade.

Pretend to Be a Pig to Eat the Tiger — make your enemy believe you are weak so they will attack and fall into your trap.

Be Wise But Play the Fool — make your enemy underestimate you.

Provoke Strong Emotion — upsetting or angering your opponent can encourage them to make mistakes. You must learn to remain calm so that you don’t fall into this trap.

The Empty City — when you are in a weak position, emphasize your vulnerability, to confuse your opponent.

Chain Links — this simply refers to using a chain of interlinked strategies to attain your goal.

Of course, real chess masters apply tactics against their enemies away from as well as on the chess board. Boris Spassky was reportedly a master at keeping a poker face during games, so that his opponents didn’t know whether he was feeling good or bad about his moves, his position or his plans.
However, Bobby Fischer made so many demands during their famous tournament that he was able to Provoke Strong Emotion.

In MORTAL GAMES: THE TURBULENT GENIUS OF GARRY KASPAROV Fred Waitzkin relates how during one of his world championship tournaments against Anatoly Karpov, Kasparov’s business partner Andrew Page played a “dirty trick” to upset Karpov.

They were all flying from New York City to Lyon France. The tournament organizers had given First Class tickets to both Kasparov and Karpov and Economy class tickets to their trainers. Page bought Business Class tickets for Garry’s grandmaster trainers, paying for them out of his own pocket. Karpov’s group was made to feel angry and resentful of their inferior accomodations.

Later, Karpov may have gotten a blow of his own in. Gata Kamsky proposed that their chess organization change the rules so that defending world championships would have to compete to play in the world championship tournament just like all other contenders, instead of simply defending their title against the winner of the playoffs.

It was designed to make defending champion Kasparov angry, and one of his people told Waitzkin the idea probably came from Karpov who was friends with Kamsky. Gata was a teenager at the time and not likely to propose such a major rule change on his own. But if Karpov had proposed it directly, it would just have made him look bad, since he was the world’s number two player and would therefore most benefit from it.

Bottom line: learn the 36 Strategies if only to recognize when your opponent tries to use one of them against you.

c 2006 by Richard Stooker
Read more about the world’s greatest game at Richard’s Chess Games blog

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

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By Anne Smith, Ph.D. 

1. Eliminate sarcasm from your delivery style - do not make fun of or embarrass your players. Sarcasm and public displays of criticism are negative. Negativity breeds anger, resentment, and frustration. These emotions and feelings create stress which can lead to injury, illness, and defeat not to mention players, particularly young athletes, never wanting to play sports again. Give your players positive feedback on what they are doing well.

2. Focus on the process - take the focus off of winning or losing. Focusing on the outcome creates a tense, uncomfortable, and ineffective environment. Focus on the moment. The most important point, or shot, or play is the next one.

3. Stop negative interactions - players that respond to negative coaching may not allow themselves to win. When players have been reinforced with negative feedback, they may lose just so they can continue to receive negative feedback from the coach. It is a vicious cycle. Break the negative cycle. Get your players to respond to positive feedback.

4. Look for players who can accept positive feedback and compliments. Individuals who accept positive feedback and are able to say “thank you” after receiving a compliment are more likely to perform when it counts. Teach your players to accept accolades.

5. Act calm and confident. Have a calm tone of voice, speak softer and slower, and smile. What you say and how you say it will either make your players stronger and self confident or weaker and fearful. Take a look at your coaching style. Commit to being a positive, calm, caring, and confident coach.

These five tips will help you create teams that have more fun, learn more easily, and win more often.

Anne Smith, Ph.D. Copyright 2006 All Rights Reserved.

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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.

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  On the Attack - Timman

The modern style of attacking chess explained to amateur chess players by a world famous grandmaster.

 

This book explains how to build up an advantage in the game and how to convert that advantage into an aggressive strategy and into great attacking moves. It teaches the best way to exploit weaknesses in the opponent’s position.

 

Timman has selected the most instructive attacking games of great players like Kasparov, Topalov, Karpov, Shirov, and Judit Polgar in order to explain to amateur chess players the basic ideas of modern attacks and their successful execution.

 

On the Attack will increase your imagination and your confidence, and will lead to more wins be cause you know when, where and how to at tack in chess.

 

Jan Timman has for twenty years been one of the top players of the world. He contested many Candidates Matches for the world title. He wrote several highly acclaimed books, among which are Chess the Adventurous Way, Power Play with Pieces, and Curaçao 1962.

Jan Timman is editor-in-chief ofNew In Chess, the world’s premier chess magazine. Get IT

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