One of my favorite games from Vishy. I hope Silverlight Chess works for everyone. In the past we have had issues with Linux users but from what Martin told me this version is supported by Linux. So enjoy the great game.
Tag Archives: chess games
Chess tips: Essential tips for beginners to control middle game
Filed under Guest Posts
Tagged as beginner chess, Beginner Chess Tips, ches tips, chess, chess games, chess middle game, middle game chess, middle game chess tips, middle game strategy
Tagged as beginner chess, Beginner Chess Tips, ches tips, chess, chess games, chess middle game, middle game chess, middle game chess tips, middle game strategy
Guest Post by Paul
The most interesting and challenging part in the fascinating game of chess is the middle game. It is this part of the game that would witness the real battle between the minds of two players of same capability. Ironically, it is this part of the game for which there is not much literature or straight-forward short-cut formula that one can adopt. With constant practice, however, one can gain experience and expertise in the middle game strategies. Using online chess or playing chess using the computer and the Internet in online chess websites is one of the best ways to learn the game and also gain expertise in a relatively quicker time.
What is the middle game? Where it starts and where it ends? There is no concise answer for these questions. One can say that the middle game starts when the opening game ends and the middle game ends when the end game starts. This seems to be vague, but, in most cases, it is sadly true because there is very thin line of difference and there is not much clarity.
Typically, the opening game should come to an end in less than 12 moves by which a player is reasonably expected to have developed his pieces and taken positions. But that seldom happens in the game and there is no set rigid rule that signals the beginning of the middle game.
The middle game is the real battlefield in the game where one is expected to use all his knowledge and thinking capability to the maximum extent. It is a minefield full of tactics and strategies.
To have a better and challenging middle game, it is imperative that you have a good opening game where the major pieces are well developed, the king is in a safe and secure place, and there is enough scope for free movement of the pieces. If there is some inherent weakness in the opening game, then it is unlikely that you can have better control over the middle game.
I would like to share with you some of the tips that would be of help to you in approaching the game with confidence.
In majority of cases, the opening game follows some of the time-tested and proven opening theories or opening variations such as French Defense, Roy Lopez opening, King’s gambit, Caro-Kann etc., Many people would have memorized the first few moves of each variation and can move the pieces to appropriate square, with no second thought, in a flash. But this can be followed only for the opening part. Once you enter into the middle game stage, you should start thinking a bit more deeply and concentrate more on the positional advantages of the various pieces.
You need to think not about the materials on hand, but also the positional advantages of the pieces. For example, if you have your queen side bishop at c1 and the king pawn in e2 moved to e3. If there is also a pawn at b2, then your white bishop is cramped as it can move only to d2 square and nothing more can it do. Thus not just the material but also the position of the pieces and their merits and drawbacks relative to the position should be assessed and analyzed, so that you can chalk out your plans well.
Before zeroing on a particular move, you should, for a split second, place yourself in opponent’s shoes and see what type of response can he give to your moves. This analysis and consequences of the opponent’s response should also be analyzed and then proceed with your decided move.
You should also use the analytical ability and foresight for planning your next 2 or 3 moves. Having planned for the next couple of moves, you can proceed further in the middle game with confidence. However, you should always bear in mind that a plan should not be a rigid one. The success or failure of your next planned move is dependent not on your plan but mainly on the response from the opponent’s move in his turn. If he foils your plan or makes a counter attack, you have no other option but to put your present plan to the back-burner and start working on a new plan. This does not mean that you should cease from planning your moves. By careful planning, you will get a better perspective of the game, which is essential for deploying tactics and strategies.
Chess Tactics: Relevance of all-round play in chess
Filed under Chess tactics
Tagged as chess games, chess strategies, Chess Strategy, chess tactic, Chess tactics, chess tips
Tagged as chess games, chess strategies, Chess Strategy, chess tactic, Chess tactics, chess tips
The game of chess calls for shrewd analytical skills of positions coupled with calculations to gain control over the game. It is essential that good positional play should be entwined with calculations of moves and deployment of effective tactics assessing the overall position in the board. Having good control over the board positionally will not guarantee you any success over the opponent as long as you do not entwine the tactics effectively to gain control over the board. It is in this context that one should strive to be a good allround player instead of concentrating either only on his tactical skills or in positional factors.
In the following example, you will notice that having good positions will not lead to success as one silly error caused without giving importance to the opponent’s pieces, and due to paucity of time, ended up in losing the game from the winning position.
This is the position after 27 moves. It is the turn of the white to move now.
White is a good player in positional chess and now, a cursory look at the board indicates that white has an extra pawn than black. The game proceeded as follows :
28. Rc1 h6
29. Rc8+ Kh7
30. Rc4 Qe5
31. Rf4 Qc4
White, using his skills on positional chess has been making satisfactory progress. The position after 31 moves is given hereunder:
Not only is the white rook at f4 supporting the pawn at f2, the queen in b3 is threatening the black pawns at e6 and f7 and blocking their movement.
32. Kh2 ….. Another good move from White in an attempt to develop his pawns with King’s assistance.
32. ….. Kg7
33. Rg4+ Kh7
34. Rf4 Kg7
35. Qb4 Qc2
36. Kg2 e5
37. Rg4+ ……. This is a wrong move from White that has exposed the pawn at f2.
37. …… Kg6 Black tries to capitalize on the wrong move by White. He could have moved the King to h7 but instead preferred this move.
38. Qxb6+ ……. White continues to attack with fervor considering the fact that time is running out, and Black tried to confuse the confused white by moving the king to the “f” file.
38. ……. Kh5
This is the position at the board at the end of 38 moves.
39. e4+ …… This is the blunder on the part of White. He did not assess the winning position correctly and out of confusion and time constraint, deprived himself of a winning move in Kh3 and by calling check on Black, exposed the white rook at g4, and literally threw the game.
39. …… Kxg4
40. Qe3 Rd3
41. Qxh6 Rxg3 After this White resigned accepting defeat.
This is a clear example of how confusion caused by the opponent and paucity of time can change the whole advantage into a loss.
For any aspiring chess player to grow up the ladder and achieve success, he or she should develop as a complete player having allround skills and not relying on any particular skill as positional play or tactical player. Positional analysis and calculation of the moves and counter moves are very essential for the deployment of a good successful chess strategy or an effective chess tactics.
