Chess

[Crankarm]

No I haven't. I did try a chess board computer game once but I didn't like it much. It was too easy to beat on the low levels and took too long to move on the higher ones, really boring. Chess is very much about physiology, you don't get that with a machine, and I like to be able to chat whilst playing.

Must be about fifteen years since I played regularly! None of my kids are interested and my wife stop playing me because I beat her all the time. Her lawyer said that that was an unacceptable reaction to loosing a board game! ;0)

Surely you mean psychology........

You wouldn't get much chat out of me if we played. You'd probably get a poke in the eye for unsportsmanship behaviour. It was my experience playing chess as a kid that opponents that talked a lot invariably lost.

Nice to play in a cosy old pub next a roaring open fire with a bowl of chips and a drink.

 

[Mr Pig]

I've played by text before. Is that a possibility?

I guess. I think it would be boring but why not? Probably take days to play a game.

Hang on, how much does a text cost?!!!

 

[palinurus]

I learned a lot quite quickly by looking up chess games- in those days the ones printed in the paper but they'll be available on the net now- and playing through them on a chessboard. I also learned a fair bit by playing against someone else and getting beaten regularly (until I finally won a game and he lost his rag).

 

[Mr Pig]

Surely you mean psychology

Oops, too quick with the spell checker!

Nice to play in a cosy old pub next a roaring open fire with a bowl of chips and a drink.

Yes. I like the social aspect, it's as important as the game.

 

[PastyPower]

Get playing on YAHOO imo. You can start in the beginner rooms and your playing against real people rather than a computer and can talk as much as you or your opponent likes. You can also pick and choose oppo's as their ladder score is visible. Players start with a score 1200 and each win adds to this or detracts dependant on result ofc and the players score. Try and pick players with a similar score to you then build up to a high scalp when you have a better understanding of the game.

You'll only improve by playing people better than you mind but i would advise reading a book or two if your serious.

matt

 

[montage]

I love using 'en passant' and castling one's King out of any threat if your opponent has concentrated an attack only one side of the board. You can learn basic tricks to surprise and trap less experienced players. The Fisher opening gambit. IIRC the quickest to check mate can be 7 or 8 moves if the opponent is unaware of the strategy. Bluffs and sacrifices to win a game. One of the most satisfying moves is getting a check mate using a knight, bishop or pawn when the opponent's King is trapped. The classic is a rook down the flank to the oppontent's back row check mate!

4 moves .... unless they play into your hands unknowingly and therefore it can be less

 

[montage]

Get playing on YAHOO imo. You can start in the beginner rooms and your playing against real people rather than a computer and can talk as much as you or your opponent likes. You can also pick and choose oppo's as their ladder score is visible. Players start with a score 1200 and each win adds to this or detracts dependant on result ofc and the players score. Try and pick players with a similar score to you then build up to a high scalp when you have a better understanding of the game.

You'll only improve by playing people better than you mind but i would advise reading a book or two if your serious.

matt

Have you got a link for this?

 

[marinyork]

Have you got a link for this?

Yahoo games, it's been around for what 9 years. I used to use games back in the day, unfortunately it was very unreliable.

 

[Davywalnuts]

I used to play online too years ago, on MSN, great education tool and fun too. Every player plays differantly and the more wide ranging styles of play will help you no end. Try quick play too. Intense but will keep you sharp, think quicker and even out those silly mistakes you get punished quickly by, then 5 mins later, your playing again!

Also, the best book I ever read on Chess, was one made back in the 80's, called "Chess for Kids" I think. I was an adult when I read it but really freshened up the mind and was very very easy to read and understand.

 

[NickM]

Panter, the two best chess teaching books I have come across are these:

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?bt.x=55&bt.y=13&sortby=3&sts=t&tn=Chess+for+children

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/S...=14&sortby=3&sts=t&tn=More+Chess+for+children

Don't worry about the "for Children" bit - being from the 60s, they are charming rather than patronising. They assume absolutely no prior knowledge, yet the second volume gets you to quite an advanced level (and without bad habits, too). At secondhand prices, they must be worth a punt

PS I reckon the first is the book Davywalnuts remembers...

 

[Davywalnuts]

Panter, the two best chess teaching books I have come across are these:

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?bt.x=55&bt.y=13&sortby=3&sts=t&tn=Chess+for+children

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/S...=14&sortby=3&sts=t&tn=More+Chess+for+children

Don't worry about the "for Children" bit - being from the 60s, they are charming rather than patronising. They assume absolutely no prior knowledge, yet the second volume gets you to quite an advanced level (and without bad habits, too). At secondhand prices, they must be worth a punt

PS I reckon the first is the book Davywalnuts remembers...

Oh wow!! Yes, this one:- http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/B...&bt.y=13&sortby=3&sts=t&tn=Chess+for+children is it! I remember the cover very well! Alas, the ex took it, not that the dozy B***** is intelligent enough to play the beautful game of chess. Very tempted to buy it!

Cheers!

 

[JiMBR]

Must be about fifteen years since I played regularly! None of my kids are interested and my wife stop playing me because I beat her all the time. Her lawyer said that that was an unacceptable reaction to loosing a board game! ;0)

hehe...my wife's the same...she can play a bit, but doesn't because I keep beating her.

I just like playing...used to play for a club (got to around 1350 ish), but don't get the chance much nowadays.

 

[Twenty Inch]

hehe...my wife's the same...she can play a bit, but doesn't because I keep beating her.

I just like playing...used to play for a club (got to around 1350 ish), but don't get the chance much nowadays.

My wife regularly thrashes me.

She plays chess very well, I mean.

 

[NickM]

Ah, but she is from the land of Spassky, Karpov and Kasparov, is she not?

There's something in the water in them parts, I reckon...