I am going to get a nice equestrian jewelry for my baby horse love her…
No more Chess?
I will be updated the blog sometime soon but I have been busy with my ccie bootcamp please check my blog everyday for updates.
Do Fishing Trips!
Fishing trips, are a new activity on the rise. They help you meet new people and discover new places. Even if you’re not a fishing expert, you will enjoy the experience.
Use BBQ Grill Covers!
BBQ Grill Covers are used to protect everything you hold dear to your heart. Like your BBQ machine which makes you tasty meat and all sorts of other yummy food.
Tactics of Chess
Chess is the game of Tactics for the fact it deals with empires and one has to ensure that they should be handled by the best of the means. In fact it’s one of the most ruthless game where in one has to be prepared to kill people. Tactical ability is the most significant difference between the beginner and the advanced player. When they say Tactics it’s all about how you create permutation and combinations, whether you are prepared for the opponents plan. It’s basically to design your moves for the winning.
Patience – Being the mind game, Chess would need lot of patience from the players. In fact to think over and over one need to be patient and prepared for it at the same time.
The most successful chess players are the example of high patience.
Combination – Keeping the opponents move one has to be ready with the plan. Here the key is to wear your thinking caps. Be ready with all the possible combinations with the smallest of the piece in Chess. Think out of the box but within the rules of the games.
Double Threat – Any move that portrays two possible threats or problems at the same time to your opponent is known as Double threat. One would only be able to develop that once the combinations are done with all patience and right method. This definitely distracts the opponent and gives you a chance to think over and again for your next chance
Ready for Last Minute Change – With all possible calculations and combinations also be ready with the last minute change in your strategy. This is one of the key tactics of the game. Preparedness plays a role in playing chess.
Accuracy – One has to be accurate to the maximum possible extent as it’s a mind game. However as it’s based on the calculation has more probability to be accurate. One can practice the chess problems on diagrams. In fact it will be helpful to analyze a player who has done well and better. Study the games of the masters as they have a legendary accuracy. Learn the Tactics till the time you don’t become a Master in the game.
Travel Computer Chess Reduces the Boredom of Long Trip
Taking a long trip either by plane or by car is a good time to spend the time playing chess. Some chess enthusiasts always bring along their chess sets even when they are travelling. There are different types of chess sets that are portable to bring when in travel such as electronic chess sets or those chess sets that have magnetic pieces that can be played even in moving vehicle. However, nowadays you can bring more handy and sophisticated travel computer chess on your travel.
This is another breakthrough of technology in the game of chess. Either two human players can play this or you can play chess against the computer. It is highly innovative and can be found in two kinds like the touch screen and the three-dimensional. In three-dimensional, the players are using a specialized chess pieces with pegs on the bottom. The computer knew the kind of piece that is placed in a certain square through the electronic sensors in the indentions of the chessboard. Players can also achieve electronic lessons on how to efficiently play chess. On the other hand, the touch screen travel computer only requires the player to touch the computer screen and it will sensor the pieces being moved. These two kinds of travel chess can fit anywhere that makes it convenient to bring along for players on the go.
Moreover, you can install software about chess game in your travel computer. This will allow you to enjoy playing the game against the computer while you are on board. The software allows you to play the game performed by famous grandmasters in chess.
However, if you cannot afford to have this travel computer chess, you can choose the magnetic and Velcro chess sets that are also ideal for travel. The Velcro chess sets has a specialized attachments that ensures proper fastening of the pieces so that it will not fall off if the board is moved. It is very handy in such a way that the soft chessboard can be rolled when not in use. On the other hand, you can also have the magnetic chess sets that you can find in small sizes that are perfect for travelling. As the name implies, the chess pieces will not fall off because the pieces have magnets in the bottom and rely on magnetic forces. Likewise, it is also compact as you can put the pieces in the built-in compartment when not in use.
This travel computer chess is a great companion for travelling because it reduces the boredom of long trip. Likewise, you can gain friend by playing computer chess while on travel from all over the world. By using this innovative invention, you can play chess with your friends even if you are away from them. You can also keep record in your computer all the games you had played so that you can review it for your reference. No matter how complicated and challenging the game of chess is, enthusiasts always find ways to have them even in travelling. Indeed, chess is a game that makes everyone addicted to it.
Useful tips for beginners in chess to use the Bishops effectively
Chess Strategies – The power of Bishops
In the game of chess, the Bishop plays an important role next to the Queen. Flanking the important pieces of the King and the Queen at the back rank in the beginning, the bishops, placed in opposite colors and capable of moving forward or backward in diagonals, have a special place both in attacking the opponent’s pieces as well as defending his own King from the opponent’s threats.
The beginners in their early stages of the game tend to undermine the capability of this important piece and give more importance to the Queen and the rooks. In this article, I would place before you some of the salient features and positional advantages of bishops that every player, in his early stages should bear in mind not only to use the bishops to the best advantage, but also appreciate the importance of the two bishops in the game.
In 9 out of the 10 openings, it is the King’s pawn that is moved upfront by the white pieces. In other words, the pawn at e2 is moved to e4. This move immediately opens up the Bishop at the kingside to open up for attack, even before the queen is released for attack.
Now that the King’s Bishop is opened up for movement, one should ensure that the King’s Bishop is not placed in the third square in front of the Queen before the Queen’s pawn is moved from its original position. You must be aware that the Queen is placed in d1, King is placed in e1 and King bishop is placed in f1 – all for the white pieces. You should never move the bishop at f1 to d3 before the pawn at d2 is moved ahead to d4.
Again, as a general rule, in an open game, be careful not to move your Queen’s pawn at d2 one step forward to d3 before the King’s Bishop is brought out. If you do so, you are restricting the movement of the King’s Bishop at f1 to only e2 in the diagonat f1-a6, where the Bishop will act only as a defensive piece.
The ideal position for the King’s bishop is c4, the fourth square from the Queen’s bishop, because from that square, the King’s bishop threatens the pawn in front of the black King Bishop at f7. If the opponent threatens the King’s Bishop at c4 by placing his Queen’s bishop at f6, then it is advisable not to exchange the opponent’s Queen bishop with your King’s bishop and instead move to safety at b3. If you prefer to exchange the Queen’s bishop at f6 using your King’s bishop, then you will be allowing doubled pawns in the King file and also allow an open “f” file for the rook in case the opponent castles in the King side.
Do not indiscriminately exchange your bishops for the sake of knights or vice versa. In the end games, having two bishops will be more advantageous than two knights. However, one knight at the end game is more beneficial than one bishop, especially at the end games where there will be more empty squares and less number of pieces.
In the end game, if you have one bishop and two or three pawns left in the board, it is often proper to keep your pawns on squares of a different color to those on which your bishop travels, as the bishop can prevent the opposing King from approaching the pawns.
The above mentioned are some of the ideas that one need to have in mind for effectively using the two bishops bestowed to him. Practising the game with these points in mind will ensure a speedy path towards expertise in the game.
If you are passionate about the game and wish to learn the game at a relatively quicker time, then it is better that you take recourse to the technological advancement in the form of computers and the Internet. Using the computer and the Internet, you can play the game and practise more as and when you feel like playing a game, without searching for a partner. Online Chess is, beyond doubt, a boon for players in their early stages.
If driven by passion, you can find partners round the clock in virtual chess rooms in online chess websites. You choose the partner and can start playing instantly, whether it is 12 noon at midnight or 5 am in the morning.
Middle game tactics: Mere control over d5 square will not ensure success
In our series of articles on middle game strategy, we have been discussing about the isolated queen pawn and the importance of the two central squares – d4 and d5 – to have effective control over the game.
The d5 square which a black pawn usually occupies in an isolated queen pawn structure in some of the openings and the square before the d5 square, the d4 square, if effectively controlled, can provide immense opportunities for either of the pieces to gain a hold on the game and dictate the terms. It is not the prerogative of the black pieces to have advantage of controlling the important d4 and d5 squares. The same principle applies to white pieces as well, but the key or very important point, is that the central squares of d4 and d5 should be used effectively. Not only one should have effective control over the pieces, but at the same time, take care to develop the other pieces such that they revolve around the important d4 and d5 squares, so that a firm grip on the game can be had. If, as a novice or a skilled chess player, you were to presume that mere control or occupation of the central squares of d4 and d5 would be a passport to success, then you need to have a rethink again. Mere possession or control over the central squares will not ensure success, but, to the contrary, it might be a hindrance to your prospects.
This point is explained in the following game, played between two grandmasters, where control over the d5 square by black without any development of other squares had ultimately led to his loss of the game.
A cursory look at the position indicates that the vital d5 square is occupied by black’s Knight and with the support from the knight at f6, black has firm control over the d5 square. On the other hand, white’s isolated queen pawn is located at d4. Using the d4 square effectively, white has posted its knight at c5.
The game continued as follows :
18. Ne5 …… White now uses the d4 pawn to support its other knight
18. …. Qb6
19. Qf3 Rf8
20. g4 Qd8
21. g5 Ne8 Black is clearly giving back the control it had on d5
square, and steadily falling in to the hands of White
22. h4 g6
The position after 22 moves is given hereunder:
White continues to exert pressure and develop the pieces effectively, exploiting the inability of black to effectively deploy the pieces and use the d5 square. You may also recall that the square in front of the d5 square has unique properties. White effectively uses this point to his advantage as his pawn at d4 is providing able support to the two knights at c5 and e5.
The game continued as follows:
23. g6 h6
24. Nf7 Rxf7
25. gxf7 Kxf7+
26. Nxe6 Bxe6
27. Rxe6 Kxe6
28. Qe4+ Kf7
29. Bxd5+ 1-0
Black’s inability to exploit the control of the d5 square to his advantage by not developing his other pieces and white’s advantage of occupying the d4 square is better explained in this game. The isolated queen pawn as well as control of the vital squares d4 and d5 in the middle game is very important to have an upper hand over the opponent.
Endings With several Pawns
Calculating the positions when there is only one pawn and king vs king is quite easy, but it will get more complicated to know if your king is able to stop a pawn before it queens if there are more pawns in the game. The attacking side must try to block the way of the king and will do very good if he can use its own pieces to do so. For example in the below game there is a way for the black pawn to promote to queen.
l.Ke5
Looks like white can stop the passed pawn because, after all, the king is within the square. However, Black has a way to trick and block the White king’s path. Then:
1…. c3! 2. dxc3 a4 3. Kd4 a3
After that series of moves, the board will look like the below:
Too bad for the white player, the black pawn will queen for sure. This is where the importance of blocking the way is noticed. The more you can block the way for the king, the easier for you to move your pieces. Of course it is easier to block the way with its own pieces as it is not able to capture them.
There are also some rules for you to win a pawn up. If the defending king plays efficiently, the game will end up in a draw, unless the pawn is a rook’s pawn. To avoid this, the attacking player must bear in mind 3 techniques:
1: If you can choose, you must move the king in front of your own pawn, once you have done it you will win the game as it is impossible for the enemy king to block the way to your king.
2: If you got your king in front of your pawn (no matter if it is directly in front or diagonally) you always win unless the defending king has opposition. To have opposition means to stand in the path of the other king with just one square of difference and it is the counterpart’s turn to move. This position is called direct or close opposition
3; If you got your king on the sixth rank and you are in front of your pawn, there is no opposition possible and you will win the game no matter who is going to move next. It is wise to try to get to this position if you are the attacking player and to avoid it if you are the defending player.
Chess – A Good Tool to Develop Our Children’s Minds
One of the most mighty educational tools available to beef up a child’s mind is Chess. Learning how to play chess is really easy. It is as easy as a six or seven year old can follow its basic rules. Even younger kids aged four or five can also play. A child can become more proficient if he starts learning chess at an early stage as if learning a language or music.
However, learning chess can increase the concentration, patience, and perseverance, develop the creativity, intuition, memory, most importantly, the capacity to analyze and deduce a whole of general principles, in learning how to make difficult decisions and to solve problems with flexibility.
Concentration, patience, and perseverance:
Playing chess requires well intense of concentration. Some of the best players of the world can unquestionably seem inattentive, sometimes upwards jumping between the movements to go around. A more attentive aspect, however, indicates that the majority of these players are really in the major concentration, being based on the visual recall extremely to envisage and calculate even they are starting from their play. For young people who are inexperienced, chess teaches the rewards of the concentration as well as provides immediate penalties for faults. Few tools of teaching provide such a fast feedback. A slip in the concentration can direct to a simple mistake, perhaps even finishing the play. For young players of chess who are focused, patient and persistent will maintain the results regular. For younger kids, the characteristics which are valuable are doing well at school at school and especially in examinations at school.
Analysis, Logic, and Problem Solving
The play of chess comprises a combination of the aptitudes. A study in 1973-74 in Zaire by Dr. Albert Frank noted that the good players of chess who are teenagers (16-18 years) had numerical, administrative-directional, and the capacities of writings. Dr. Robert Ferguson, note that “this find tends to prove that the capacity in the chess is not due to the presence of an individual of only one or two capacities but a great number of aptitudes all function together in the Chess. The study of Frank found that more significantly learning chess, even while teenagers, improves the reinforcement of numerical and verbal aptitudes. This is found in majority of the students (not only strong players) who took with a course of chess during two hours each week during one school year.
Playing chess is not only good to develop the skills in gifted children but also benefits the average and below average children. If offline is a time issue play online chess it helps as well.