Learn Chess Quickly

So you want to learn how to play chess. Chess is a great game. I myself have enjoyed Chess for about seventeen years. It is a game of planning and thought. In time you will be able to anticipate your opponents next move. Maybe even next two or three moves.

Chess has a rich and long history. Chess is the oldest skill game in the world. Chess however, is more than just skill. Just look at the way a chessboard is set up, next learn about the different pieces and how they are used, you will probably notice strong militaristic similarities. The set up is reminiscent of battle field strategy on maps.

Noone can say for sure where Chess originally started. We do know Chess has been played for centuries in countries such as China, India, and Persia. In the eighth century, the Moors invaded Persia. During this time The Moors learned to play Chess. Later when The Moors invaded Spain, they brought Chess with them. Right away the Spanish were playing Chess, and from there it quickly spread throughout Europe.

The names for Chess pieces that we know today originated in Europe. Translating from Persian probably proved to be a tough task for Europeans at the time, hence the names we have today. Today's names aren't very modern, however, a thousand years ago they were an accurate representation of the way people lived in social classifications.

Pawns represent the commoners or pheasants. That's why this is the piece a player has the most of. They were expendable. In the medieval times, serfs(pheasants or commoners) were considered the property of landowners. Life was excruciatingly tough for this class during the medieval times. They were usually worked very hard and died very poor and young. Often they were traded, used as a decoy, sometimes they were even sacrificed so a landowner could escape.

Pawns, who represent the aforementioned commoners, can move forward only. Two spaces on their first move and only one space there after. Once a Pawn reaches the last square of enemy territory it can be traded for a more valuable piece.

The castle piece, commonly known as the Rook, is considered a safe haven or home. The logic behind this being castles were usually were home was made, or were you could at least be safe. In the game of chess each player has two Rooks, one on each end of the board. Rooks can move as many squares as a player would like but, only horizontally, forward or backward, never diagonally.

Next is the oftenly horse head shaped piece called a Knight. This piece would represent army personnel. As with all soldiers their job is to protect persons of a higher rank or importance. Like the Rooks, you have two Knights on the back line behind the front row of pawns. They are second from the end next to the Rooks. Knights are more important than Pawns, but not as important as Bishops, Queens, or Kings. Obviously they're job, just like the Pawns, is the protection of the more important pieces. Knights can only move in the shape of an "L", for a total of 3 squares as long as it's not moved diagonally.

Our next piece is the Bishop, and you can probably guess, this piece represents the church. Religion played a large part in every person's life in medieval times. The church was also a rich and mighty force. So it should be no surprise that a piece that represented religion found its way into the game. Bishop was the name for a higher ranking priest in the Catholic church. And like Rooks and Knights you have two of these as well. They are positioned on the next squares available from the end on either side of the King and Queen. Bishops can only move diagonally as many spaces as they like.

With only two pieces left we will discuss the royalty next. The Queen is the only female piece. The Queen is the most powerful piece, big surprise huh?. Each player only has one Queen. The King was often guided by his Queen's advice. A King could have multiple wives on the side or even imprison them with the approval of the church, he didn't need the Queen's approval either. The stories of a Queen working against or for her King are well noted throughout history in the medieval times, often a Queen carried more power than the King.

Last but not least, we have the King. The King is the tallest piece on the board. Obviously the piece your opposing player wants to capture. Capturing the King is how the game is won. In medieval times, surrendering the King signified the loss of a kingdom. The king is the most important, but not the most powerful piece in chess. If you do not protect your King, you lose the game.

So next time you set up a chessboard, think of chess as a medieval history lesson. The pieces on the board represent a way of life that no longer exists, and the real life drama that occurred in medieval time is now merely a game.

Are you tired of losing? Did you know a few simple changes will drastically improve your game? Don't lose the games you should be winning! Afterall, all you have to lose is another chess match! Learn today and curb your losing way! http://learnchessquickly.blogspot.com
Avid Chess Player
Carson E. Koziol

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3D Chess Games

From ancient times chess has been considered a game fit for kings, it is an amazing board game that has earned acknowledgment and is still popular among a large group of people. There is good news for chess lovers who can?t find a partner -- thanks to computer technology and 3D Chess games.

These 3D chess games are brilliantly designed with marvelous 3D effects turning a game into an enthralling sight. The beautifully carved chess pieces that are enlivened by reflections on a lacquered board, give a different feel to tactics based games. The game is enabled with features, which allow the players to change the colors of its chess army. Learners find a 3D chess game very useful, as it supplies tips and highlighted possible and impossible moves. The 3D chess game is enabled with an original chess algorithm, and draws upon a huge game archive, which helps it adjust the tactics and decide the best move. The 3D game is also enhanced with functions, where the player can complicate the game, setting the time limit per move and even a limit for the whole game. The other features include an opportunity to change the game skin, to keep a correct game notation and visualize the pieces removed from the game.

Many different companies have come up with innovative games. These 3D chess games are compatible with any Intel or AMD based computer processes, with a 200MHz processor. A 3D graphic card will enable the 3D chess to take and additional advantage of offering the latest DirectX technologies, including realistic shading, lighting and anti-analyzing graphics. These latest 3D chess games are also feature high-resolution graphics up to 1600x1200 at 32-bit color along with 4x Anti-Aliasing for images that are sharp and smooth. The spectacularly crafted breathtaking 3D graphics can be viewed from any angle, and can also be zoomed.

Playing a 3D chess game is a splendid experience for the players, the game is exclusively designed for players who are masters in both chess combination and chess ambience.

Chess Game provides detailed information on Chess Game, Free Chess Game, Online Chess Games, Free Chess Game Downloads and more. Chess Game is affiliated with Glass Chess Sets.

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Free PDA Chess Games

If you want to play the full version PDA or pocket PC chess games free, there is a world of freeware downloads waiting for you. Most freeware sites offer downloads that are compatible with all the major brands of PDAs (personal digital assistants). Free version PDA chess game downloads are simple and fast. Demo versions of PDA chess games can also be downloaded from the Internet. Players need to register the downloaded demo version in order to get full access.

Free smart phone or PDA chess games are perfect for travelers, regardless of age. They can make the journey enjoyable and constructive. The games provide the full range of levels, including beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. They have degrees of complexity and excellent graphics. The rules and chess pieces of PDA chess games are the same as that of conventional chess.

PDA chess games give top class strength and features to hand sets. They offer a chess engine to learn and analyze the game. PDA chess software provides many features for beginners to learn and improve their game. The game has facilities to point out mistakes and give hints. Most PDA chess software can be interfaced with desktop software. Hence this software may be used on both computers and handsets.

PDA chess programs run fast with full features on pocket PCs. The performance of chess software varies, depending on the processor speed and the PDA operating system version. Hence the user must check the product for satisfactory operation on the pocket PC before purchase. Almost all computer chess game manufacturers offer PDA chess games.

In short, if you want to play the full version of your favorite chess game, you can do it with your PDA, conveniently and privately. Free downloads of pocket PC chess games are one of the best uses for your palm pilot. Rather than paying notice to what is going on around you, spend your time enjoying the free PDA chess.

Chess Game provides detailed information on Chess Game, Free Chess Game, Online Chess Games, Free Chess Game Downloads and more. Chess Game is affiliated with Glass Chess Sets.

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Basic Chess Tactics to Improve Your Game

Chess game is all about creative strategies and good tactics above all. Both of the players command an army of 16 chess pieces each. Each player maneuvers the 16 pieces to carry out an attack, defense, and counterattack. Coming up with tactics and strategies to improve your game is very important especially when your goal is to win.

When the game begins, do not hold back your pieces nor think of saving them in the end. You need to aggressively get them out providing that you are keeping in mind the reason of that movement you did. As the game progresses, keep on advancing your pieces to reach your goal such as cornering your opponent's king or queen or performing a checkmate which will end the game making you win it. There are few tactics that can help you improve your game of chess. So, move on reading below if you want to know them.

The first basic tactic is planning. Every step you will take needs proper planning. Planning every movement of your pieces will help you stay on track and improve your chess game. Each of your pieces must work together as a team and you as their coach so that their strengths can support one another.

Next basic tactic is by knowing each piece's worth. You should always consider the value of your pieces that you are sacrificing or giving up to your opponent. Remember that the player who has the most number of great value pieces has the most significant advantages to win too.

Another one is that you should always consider and think carefully your opponent's move. Their strategy will somehow be revealed to you base on his or her movement. You need to think carefully why your opponent move his or pieces that way. In this way, you can know and anticipate his or her next move.

You should also develop and advance well in a fast manner. Your pieces should always be ready for action. In this way, they can be able to control the course of the game quickly. You need your pieces to be positioned strategically as soon as possible so that you could execute your plan quickly before your opponent.

At all times, you should always look out for your king. You need to always keep your king safe. The game's objective is to capture or checkmate your opponent's king. So if your king is captured, you lost the game. Make the best possible movement available for your pieces too. You should always keep in mind that whatever movement you will execute, can help you improve your position in the game and will not endanger valuable pieces as well.

Be very extra alert, no matter what. Never relax even though you have strategically positioned your pieces. Keep yourself calm when presented by unexpectedly hard problem. Observe and study your opponent's movements and threat so you can anticipate his or her next move.

In addition to the above mentioned tactics, controlling the four centermost spaces is also very useful especially when moving and capturing the most pieces. You can have a better control of the game by doing this.

So, happy playing of chess and enjoy your every movement.

Everything you want to know about Chess can be found at chess blog including chess tactics and chess strategies.

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How to Improve Your Chess

If you want to improve your chess, be aware that there are no secret Russian training methods variations or openings that will help you to win more games. There is no magic formula for improvement. It is just a lot of hard work. This is probably not what you want to hear.

If you like to improve seriously, you should play mainline openings that are reputable and respected. Once learned you can use this knowledge well for years to come, you just have to keep up to date on the theory of those. Play what the grandmasters play as they don't play bad opening stuff.

After all they play for money, Elo rating points and prestige. If you play some bad lines, dubious gambits and other weak stuff, this will not be beneficial for you in the long run.

A lot of players think, that they are "attacking players" and sacrifice a pawn right away in the opening, playing a dubious gambit. But after that they spend the rest of the game trying to justify the loss of this pawn, because they don't know how to keep the initiative and their compensation they might have had, just deteriorates and then they lose the endgame having a pawn less and have to resign.

Many dubious openings can't be refuted outright, but there are reasons why they are not played by grandmasters.

Ordinary players will try to refute unusual and dubious-looking opening setups, but grandmasters will just play good, strong chess as always and accumulate just slight advantages and after that, they win with their superior technique.

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Blindfold Chess

A chess player plays chess at the same time (simultaneous) against many other chess players but has no sight of the chess boards. He can't look at the chess positions as he is blindfolded and he is being told the moves by another person. This forces the player to keep an accurate mental image of each chess position on all boards at the same time.

The blindfolded player is usually a chess grandmaster and his opponents are local amateur chess players from chess clubs. Today any strong chess player can at least play one game blindfolded.

Buzzecca played 1266 blindfold chess against 2 strong players in Florentine.
In the 18th century François-André Danican Philidor played blindfold against three players.
In the 19th century the american chess genius Paul Morphy played 8 blindfold games at the same time.
Others followed like Louis Paulsen, Joseph Henry Blackburne and Johannes Zukertort.

In the 20th century the number of games increased. Harry Nelson Pillsbury (20 games), Richard Réti, Gyula Breyer, Alexander Aljechin (26 games) and Miguel Najdorf (40 games) gave blindfold exhibitions.

The highest number of blindfold games were played 1961 by George Koltanowski who played blindfolded 56 chess players at the same time . He won 50 games and 6 were drawn, but his opponents were beginners.

János Flesch gave a blindfold exhibition on 17. October 1960 in Budapest. He played 52 opponents. (31 wins, 3 losses, 18 draws). 1930 blindfold exhibitions were considered as harmful for mental health and were officially banned in the USSR.

It is known that after the blindfold exhibition, the chess positions of all games still rest in the grandmasters mind for some hours or even days. This is quite uncomfortable. It is sensible to refrain from playing too many blindfold games to avoid mental disorders as this requires tremendous visualization abilities which put a lot of strain on the mind.

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Luxury Chess Sets

There no better way to show your appreciation for that chess player in your life than to get them a beautiful luxury chess set. These luxury games are just the thing for that player who would like to enjoy his or her favorite game in a whole new light. Chess lovers both young and old will certainly applaud the gesture, because these sets are a sight to behold. What makes these sets so special? Well, let's take a look at some of the options you have available to you when choosing one of these lovely sets and find out for ourselves.

Perhaps the most intriguing thing about choosing a luxury set is just the sheer number of materials that you can choose from. One of the materials that you may want to consider is marble. Marble sets have a very polished and stylish look to them, and gazing at the swirl of the colors in the marble can be mesmerizing. Another type of material that you may choose is alabaster. Alabaster also looks just as nice as the marble finish and has a beautiful shine when the light hits it also. Glass is a very clean and beautiful material to use as well, and the different shades of the glass that is used provides a very different look. All of these are excellent choices for materials for chess sets, and they all offer a different spin on the standard game of chess that players are accustomed to.

Luxury chess sets can also come in different varieties of metals such as brass and steel. Besides all of the different materials that may be involved, there are other things that can factor into making these sets stand out from the rest. The shapes and sizes of the pieces can also be very unique. If you are looking for a certain theme for your chess experience, you may very well be able to find it. Different themes ranging from movies, television shows, and even real life battle scenes can be incorporated into these very unique sets. Whichever type of theme you are looking for, odds are there is one that will perfectly suit you or that special chess player in your life.

Staunton luxury chess sets make the ideal gift for the chess fan! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lindy_Smart