Chess

Hectorjelly

Does anyone read this forum? Anyone fancy a game? I play on FICs, username hectorj. It would be cool if we could post histories of games we played and got feedback etc.

Abdiel

I use gameknot.com myself - more like correspondence, although if you get a quick opponent you can finish a game quickly enough. Normally get up to 3 days per move...
Have used the playchess.com server as well with the 30 day free client - pretty good server and client interface.

Hectorjelly

Great, do you want to play a game on that site? Ive registered with a username of hectorjelly. Afterwards we could post the game here and talk about all of my silly mistakes.

Culchie

OK HJ, I've been suckered in to your forum.;)

I'd like to learn how to play chess, is there somewhere on-line I can start and play against a computer and learn the rules etc.... 'a la' play money poker?

I learned the very very basics from an old housemate years ago but have since forgotten.

Iago

Chess 101 for Culchie

1. If you get an opportunity to exchange queens do so, far too many players rely on their queen heavily and have no idea of strategy outside of that. If you're starting out the best thing you can do for yourself is learn to play without the queen.

2. Your opening gambit makes all the difference to the game, look not only to develop your pieces from an attacking point of view but also to ensure that your defensive setup is completed early on. This can make all the difference in the middle and end game, and is often overlooked.

3. Control the centre of the board, more often than not the player who controls the centre 4 squares goes on to win the game.

4. Pawns are not cannon fodder, use them well and only sacrifice them if you have a plan behind it. When it comes to the end game pawns can become very valuable if positioned correctly.

5. When in doubt, castle.

6. Sit on your hands, only make a move when you've "seen" the next 3 moves that you and your opponent are going to make based on the optimum play.

7. Instead of playing the game from your point of view, try and play it from your opponents, it'll develop your understanding far quicker and enables you to see the threats clearly. The opportunites are normally very apparent, while the threats are overlooked.

8. Sometimes it's better to take a step back before you move forward, sacrificing a high value piece can be a winning strategy.

9. Don't believe everything you read in bulletin posts from people you may end up playing against

It's been a long time since I played chess

You can learn basic rules and stratgies here http://uk.play.yahoo.com/games/helphub.html?page=ch I'm sure there are better resources out there but it's starting point

Abdiel

Hectorjelly wrote:

Great, do you want to play a game on that site? Ive registered with a username of hectorjelly. Afterwards we could post the game here and talk about all of my silly mistakes.

Will look for you there later so.

I like the fact that you have all past and current games available as PGN downloads. What's your rating on FICS btw ? I'll send on a challenge later anyway.

Ste05

Didn't even know you could play Chess on-line and haven't played in years, but used to play alot with my Grandmother before she died, so I've signed up on Gameknot to play a game or two, anyone wants a game just let me know. My name there is Ste0, go easy on though, I'm the ultimate fish, but it's a game I used to love and would love to get back into it. See you all at the tables....

Hectorjelly

Im rated at about 1420. Im not great, only beginning to understand the game.

Abdiel

Well I'm only 1360 something on gameknot, so you will probably be pointing out my mistakes :-)

Inquitus

HectorJ

I play on FICS, I'll arange a time to play you. I am about 1200-1300 Blitz and 1800-1900 Standard. I just never got the hang of blitz properly....I need time to think

Inqui