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I picked up the game when I was travelling - great way to communicate with those who do not speak the same language. But got out of the habit and I am badly out of pracitce. Played it for the first time in a year yesterday and really enjoyed it. Even though I was only lucky enough to get away with one stalemate, the bloke I played was quite good, I showed how rusty I was getting skewered by the same move on 2 separate occasions.
The thing that facinates me most about the game is it that there is no luck involved. Every thing that you do is accountable. and the fact that anyone can learn to play - I have had my arse kicked by a 12 year old - who was astonishingly good - that was humbling!
Got taught as a boy but never really appreciated the game until about 10 years ago.
I've been playing chess online for about three years (Atlantic Games - you get rankings). Prior to that I used to play an electronic board - occasionally could beat it when programmed to four moves depth; frequently at three. Never got any better than that.
About 18 months ago my game deteriorated badly, partially because the higher you are in the rankings the tougher the competition, and partially because of bad habits (on the board that is).
After bit of a break I've won the last three games played online and my form is improving - a bit.
I have a half a dozen or so books on the game. One dates from 1909, another 1919.
A wonderful game is chess; if only I could play better though!
Syzygy
[edited by: Syzygy at 2:37 pm (utc) on Mar. 14, 2005]
I actually find it really hard to play against a computer, I need a board to visualize things it's weird I know.
You just can't intimidate a computer.
Syzygy
<aside /> Was plying a typo? If not, it's a superb choice of words. Ply numbers are definitely applicable. ;) 6 or 7 ply being essential for midgame. For every piece on the board...
Ply numbers are definitely applicable. ;) 6 or 7 ply being essential for midgame
Please do elucidate...
Can you/we beat Kasparov (now retired), Anand, Topalov & Kramnik with numbers?
;-)
Syzygy
[edited by: Syzygy at 1:01 am (utc) on Mar. 15, 2005]
...6 or 7 ply being essential for midgame.... I'm impressed!
For humour...
1. d4 Nf6
2. Nd2 e5
3. dxe5 Ng4
4. h3..
(Ne3...?)
(Gibaud - Lazard, Paris c,1924)
Allegedly...
Syzygy
Yep played since I was 10 love the game havent played much in the last 10 or so years though.
Ply, is the number of moves you can think ahead.
I hadn't heard this term either.
..."6 or 7 "- that's pretty damn good. I rarely think more than 4/5 for any particular series of moves. My game is limited to the amount I play, just like golf, you need to be out there working on each aspect to stay sharp.
Next thing will be to re-read a clever book I bought some 10 years ago.. the name I can't remember but it contained lot's advice for 'the terrible chess player' and some excellent gambits for the less initiated - problem is trying to find a playing partner whose game is a touch ahead of your own - enough to learn without losing all hope.
Scicilian Dragon - Didnt know you knew my wife!
Scicilian eh? that must be fun ;)
Brilliant title; lol.
From "The ABC of Chess", one of the books that I own and which was published in 1918 (not 1919, as I earlier thought), herewith an extract from the closing chapter, dedicated to the "Morals of Chess"...
...if your adversary is long in playing... you should not sing, nor whistle, not look at your watch, not take up a book to read, nor make a tapping with your fingers on the table...
...you ought not to endeavour to amuse and deceive your adversary, by pretending to have made bad moves, and saying that you have now lost the game, in order to make him secure and careless...
...you must not, when you have gained a victory, use any triumphing or insulting expression, nor show too much pleasure...
Snatch not eagerly at every advantage offered by his unskilfulness or inattention; but point out to him kindly, that by such a move he places or leaves a piece in danger and unsupported; that by another he will put his King in a perilous situation, etc. By this generous civility... you may, indeed, happen to lose the game to your opponent, but you will win what is better - his esteem, his respect, and his affection, together with the silent approbation and goodwill of silent spectators.
How times have changed...
Syzygy
The secret is to look down on the three boards from above, so that you can see them as one. Don't try to look at all the three tiers, but view the key pieces on each as if they are on the same plane.
The 'battle boards' are another problem all together and that really is where the extra dimensions come in to play. Leave your back ranks unguarded and a 'battle board' is a devastating end game flank attack that cannot be repelled.
Syzygy
Can't let this go.... how does it handle the knights?
If another piece is in the way, the piece slides out of the way, the knight moves, the piece slides back. Captured pieces move off the board. Castling works the same way.
Can it play itself?
Can it run on a continous loop?
Does it come in wood? (I really like the look of a classic wood chess set)
Where can I get one?
Where can I get one?
Ditto.
I would love to own one of these.
One of my peculiarities is that I prefer Descriptive Notation instead of Algebraic. Somehow it just seems more . . . well, descriptive!
My brother and I used to enjoy playing a lot. We had a chess clock and would often play two-minute speed games. Other times we'd play with half an hour or an hour each. He kept a record of who won each game in a little blue notebook, which I believe currently shows him leading me by a ratio of about five to one!
