By Muna wa Wanjiru
Regardless of whether you need a chess set for professional playing or you simply want it for your own pleasure, the choice can very demanding if you want to buy a quality product. There are several coordinates on which to judge whether chess sets are worth the price: quality, material, theme and size. Regular chess sets are pre-selected, meaning that the pieces and the chessboard are already coupled together in the set when you go to purchase it. Or there is another possibility here: that you get to pick the pieces individually and the matching chessboard in order to create personalized chess sets.
If classical chess sets may seem a little bit dull to you, there are always theme chess sets to choose from; such models work great for children as they stimulate imagination and make the game even more entertaining and challenging. Mythological figures for pieces would work great for the matter or if you buy the gift for someone older you could choose from historical representations of various warlike nations in the history. There are even chess sets with the Civil War figures represented on the chessboard; so, you'll stimulate your child's intelligence and also give him / her a history lesson as well.
In terms of quality materials used in the manufacturing of chess sets, wood items are the most appreciated. In the top of the list we need to mention the chess sets made of mahogany as being the most exquisite, but also the most expensive ones too, being closely followed by ebony and rosewood items. As for boards, the preference goes for those made of quality materials, since not only do they look great but they also meet high quality standards too. Furthermore, personalized chess sets are usually ordered by chess clubs and institutions that organize competitions on a regional, national or even international level.
It is not uncommon to come across chess sets that use mix materials for pieces and boards: for instance wood matches with metal pieces as well, without the least unaesthetic risk. Leatherette boards can be matched with metal pieces in some more special chess sets as well. Moreover, the material is not the only one to influence the price of chess sets; size also has an important word to say; the standard way of determining the diameter of the board is by multiplying the size of the king by 1.33. Sometimes, chessboards may be a bit larger but the dimension is never set below this value.
2008/05/10
2008/05/09
A Chess Set Glass Distinguishes Itself By Creating A More Classy Picture
By Muna wa Wanjiru
The materials and the design of chess sets vary from the most simple and modest ones to very elaborate and sophisticated others, and we can also imagine that the price climbs up accordingly. There is a huge cost difference from the cardboard and plastic chest set you can buy in toy shops to the chess set glass made that could be found in special stores or ordered on the Internet.
With the usage of glass for the manufacturing of chess sets, once again we have the proof of what a versatile material glass is. It adds up to the quality and the design of the game items, even allowing for artistic decorations; such exquisite elements can only be to the liking of a big chess fan or collector.
Some designers had very interesting, yet unusual, ideas; this is the case of the chess set glass made that is used for shots drinking. All the pieces consist of glasses of various sizes half-filled with alcohol; all the rules of chess are applicable here as well, with the additional one that every time you capture an opponent’s piece you have to drink its content.
You may choose the color of such a chess set glass made and offer it as an excellent and funny gift to someone who loves chess. It is both an original and very interesting way of congratulating a friend of a dear one in your family: father, brother and so on.
Furthermore, if you search the market for an even more special chess set glass made, bright colored ones may easily get your attention. There are models designed in the rainbow colors, the only difference in the players' pieces is that some are made of clear glass and others of frosted glass.
It is not uncommon to use a chess set glass made as a decorative object as well; the most exquisite models in the field are actually true masterpieces of ingenuity and execution. There are even auctions where some of the oldest and most valuable glass chess sets are sold for impressive sums of money only to be kept on display afterwards.
Consequently, we could definitely say that a chess set glass made distinguishes itself by creating a more classy picture than any other regular items in the categories. The chessboard is usually made of glass too, and the most popular model is the one with clear and frosted squares that is also transparent enough to let the light go through. The aesthetic effect is really amazing!
The materials and the design of chess sets vary from the most simple and modest ones to very elaborate and sophisticated others, and we can also imagine that the price climbs up accordingly. There is a huge cost difference from the cardboard and plastic chest set you can buy in toy shops to the chess set glass made that could be found in special stores or ordered on the Internet.
With the usage of glass for the manufacturing of chess sets, once again we have the proof of what a versatile material glass is. It adds up to the quality and the design of the game items, even allowing for artistic decorations; such exquisite elements can only be to the liking of a big chess fan or collector.
Some designers had very interesting, yet unusual, ideas; this is the case of the chess set glass made that is used for shots drinking. All the pieces consist of glasses of various sizes half-filled with alcohol; all the rules of chess are applicable here as well, with the additional one that every time you capture an opponent’s piece you have to drink its content.
You may choose the color of such a chess set glass made and offer it as an excellent and funny gift to someone who loves chess. It is both an original and very interesting way of congratulating a friend of a dear one in your family: father, brother and so on.
Furthermore, if you search the market for an even more special chess set glass made, bright colored ones may easily get your attention. There are models designed in the rainbow colors, the only difference in the players' pieces is that some are made of clear glass and others of frosted glass.
It is not uncommon to use a chess set glass made as a decorative object as well; the most exquisite models in the field are actually true masterpieces of ingenuity and execution. There are even auctions where some of the oldest and most valuable glass chess sets are sold for impressive sums of money only to be kept on display afterwards.
Consequently, we could definitely say that a chess set glass made distinguishes itself by creating a more classy picture than any other regular items in the categories. The chessboard is usually made of glass too, and the most popular model is the one with clear and frosted squares that is also transparent enough to let the light go through. The aesthetic effect is really amazing!
2008/05/08
Chess Rules Are Usually Discovered In Practice And Get More Complex With Experience
By Muna wa Wanjiru
Regardless of whether you play traditional chess or an advanced interactive online variant, you'll still have to do with the same validity of chess rules that remain unchanged no matter the circumstances. This very general character of the chess rules makes them so appealing all over the world; there is actually no limitation in terms of strategy or approach to the game as long as the function of the pieces is respected. Besides the chess rules that any beginner has to learn, there are some more complex principles that need to be followed by anyone who wants to be competitive, such truths are usually discovered in practice and they get more complex with experience.
Let's consider for a moment the chess rules that apply to the pawns; they can be moved ahead one square at a time and diagonally when you capture one of the opponent's pieces. Pawns make the first line of defense and are usually given a very low value in chess economy; the main issue rises when you want to defend your pawns against the opponent's attacks. Chess rules allow you all sorts of captures using pawns, but what may seem like a good move at the time could afterwards end in isolated pieces on the board which are very difficult to defend altogether.
One very unpleasant situation occurs when you get two pawns in a vertical line, they are actually two pieces that can hardly be used independently; this is usually known as doubling, and it is among the most frequent mistakes beginners do. Chess rules allow a very rewarding level of freedom in piece movement, and you should develop attacks and capture the adverse troops by means of more powerful primary pieces than pawns. The latter should create the defense wall and not be used as a way to breach your enemy's protection.
The unwritten chess rules include one concerning the promoting role a pawn can play; the main question that arises here is: when should one try to capture that pawn? Typically players will wait until there is no risk in eliminating the potential threat of a pawn. A good idea here is to try and create a good defensive position that allows the capturing of the promoted piece with the lowest risk level. Carefully planning every move is probably the best solution for winning a chess game, and a good anticipation capacity comes with intense practice.
Regardless of whether you play traditional chess or an advanced interactive online variant, you'll still have to do with the same validity of chess rules that remain unchanged no matter the circumstances. This very general character of the chess rules makes them so appealing all over the world; there is actually no limitation in terms of strategy or approach to the game as long as the function of the pieces is respected. Besides the chess rules that any beginner has to learn, there are some more complex principles that need to be followed by anyone who wants to be competitive, such truths are usually discovered in practice and they get more complex with experience.
Let's consider for a moment the chess rules that apply to the pawns; they can be moved ahead one square at a time and diagonally when you capture one of the opponent's pieces. Pawns make the first line of defense and are usually given a very low value in chess economy; the main issue rises when you want to defend your pawns against the opponent's attacks. Chess rules allow you all sorts of captures using pawns, but what may seem like a good move at the time could afterwards end in isolated pieces on the board which are very difficult to defend altogether.
One very unpleasant situation occurs when you get two pawns in a vertical line, they are actually two pieces that can hardly be used independently; this is usually known as doubling, and it is among the most frequent mistakes beginners do. Chess rules allow a very rewarding level of freedom in piece movement, and you should develop attacks and capture the adverse troops by means of more powerful primary pieces than pawns. The latter should create the defense wall and not be used as a way to breach your enemy's protection.
The unwritten chess rules include one concerning the promoting role a pawn can play; the main question that arises here is: when should one try to capture that pawn? Typically players will wait until there is no risk in eliminating the potential threat of a pawn. A good idea here is to try and create a good defensive position that allows the capturing of the promoted piece with the lowest risk level. Carefully planning every move is probably the best solution for winning a chess game, and a good anticipation capacity comes with intense practice.
2008/05/07
How Safe And Advisable Is It To Memorize Chess Openings?
By Muna wa Wanjiru
The practice of memorizing chess openings is well-known particularly in the case of beginners who make efforts to improve tactics by experiencing new moves. But how safe and advisable is it to memorize chess openings? This could definitely be a waste of time since the main mistake is to focus on the pattern you have developed and ignore the rest of the board. For instance, many pieces could remain unavailable if you use an opening that doesn't involve crucial elements in the battle. Unfortunately, there is even a tendency to repeat the same chess openings and make the same mistake, and the best advice here is to keep an open eye on game behavior as such.
There are certain general coordinates that have to be applied for all chess openings regardless of how many different moves you may learn. A rule of the thumb says that you have to move every piece at least once, before you get to move one twice; it is actually unacceptable that you get to the middle game moves without having involved the rooks in the game. Sometimes, one doesn't need to actually be familiar with all the theories and trends in the field, common sense reasoning and perception of the chess openings could actually be enough for a high quality game.
Self-criticism and close analysis of the game quality and chess openings should be part of a player's routine; if you were to repeat the game experience in the same conditions, which moves would be different? This is really the capital question for successful chess playing since it saves you from making the same tactical mistakes again. Successful chess openings are those that make use of all the primary pieces before reaching the middle-of-the-game phase. Without the proper development of your “soldiers”, there is little chance of getting considerable tactical advantages. Hence, don't leave any important piece sitting safely in the back ranks!
In order to ensure a high game quality, chess openings need to be innovative and to gain the player some advantages over the opponent. A conservative style will reverse the situation enabling the other player to dominate the game and set a defensive game evolution for you. Chess openings should involve developing king defense, and this needs to take less than fifteen moves as a general rule. Therefore, don't act on the queen's side, but on that of the king, and advance all pieces in battle positions that allow further possibilities to enter the adverse half of the board. In order to win, chess openings need to bring the opportunity to gain advantages before the opponent does the same.
The practice of memorizing chess openings is well-known particularly in the case of beginners who make efforts to improve tactics by experiencing new moves. But how safe and advisable is it to memorize chess openings? This could definitely be a waste of time since the main mistake is to focus on the pattern you have developed and ignore the rest of the board. For instance, many pieces could remain unavailable if you use an opening that doesn't involve crucial elements in the battle. Unfortunately, there is even a tendency to repeat the same chess openings and make the same mistake, and the best advice here is to keep an open eye on game behavior as such.
There are certain general coordinates that have to be applied for all chess openings regardless of how many different moves you may learn. A rule of the thumb says that you have to move every piece at least once, before you get to move one twice; it is actually unacceptable that you get to the middle game moves without having involved the rooks in the game. Sometimes, one doesn't need to actually be familiar with all the theories and trends in the field, common sense reasoning and perception of the chess openings could actually be enough for a high quality game.
Self-criticism and close analysis of the game quality and chess openings should be part of a player's routine; if you were to repeat the game experience in the same conditions, which moves would be different? This is really the capital question for successful chess playing since it saves you from making the same tactical mistakes again. Successful chess openings are those that make use of all the primary pieces before reaching the middle-of-the-game phase. Without the proper development of your “soldiers”, there is little chance of getting considerable tactical advantages. Hence, don't leave any important piece sitting safely in the back ranks!
In order to ensure a high game quality, chess openings need to be innovative and to gain the player some advantages over the opponent. A conservative style will reverse the situation enabling the other player to dominate the game and set a defensive game evolution for you. Chess openings should involve developing king defense, and this needs to take less than fifteen moves as a general rule. Therefore, don't act on the queen's side, but on that of the king, and advance all pieces in battle positions that allow further possibilities to enter the adverse half of the board. In order to win, chess openings need to bring the opportunity to gain advantages before the opponent does the same.
2008/05/06
All The Chess Pieces Create A Complex Puzzle That You Design
By Muna wa Wanjiru
Players who achieve the most impressive results know that chess pieces work in a specific relationship, they rely on each other for protection and only together they can bring victory. Chess pieces are like troops, they go where you command and the victory or the failure depends on your skills and ability to coordinate and build strategies. From the very simple paws to the harmless, yet most important king, all the chess pieces create a complex puzzle that you design. The very basic organization principle is a pyramidal one: the king is the center of the game and its weak spot too: get the king and the game is over!
The pawns make the first line of defense, they are the chess pieces primarily used in the opening of the game when the players are trying to create a defense as strong as possible for the king, an action which is basically known as castling. Pawns are essential during the first part of the game when the main defense or offense is settled; however, don't rely exclusively on pawns for the protection of the king as they are chess pieces with limited functions on the board and they can be easily eliminated. Most books, Internet sites or chess manuals recommend that pawns in combination with rooks and bishops be used in the immediate vicinity of the king.
The queen is probably the most valuable of the active chess pieces, it is both powerful and easy to move on the board; hence, it is widely used for both offense and defense depending on the strategy you imagine. There are players who create treacherous situations using their queen in association with some other chess pieces so that the opponent be tempted to eliminate this top element, while exposing one of their own strategic pieces. Therefore, always check well before making any move against a queen, you've got to be sure that it is defenseless or that the sacrifice you make is worth it.
A very special position among the chess pieces is also occupied by rooks that play a distinguished role in the castling move together with the king. They are considered very influential pieces in the battle to checkmate, being just as useful for attack as they are for defense. The main goal one may achieve with the help of this piece is that of having control over a wide range of squares related perpendicularly or horizontally to the rook. Together with the knights and the bishops, the rooks remain top pieces in the chess challenge.
Players who achieve the most impressive results know that chess pieces work in a specific relationship, they rely on each other for protection and only together they can bring victory. Chess pieces are like troops, they go where you command and the victory or the failure depends on your skills and ability to coordinate and build strategies. From the very simple paws to the harmless, yet most important king, all the chess pieces create a complex puzzle that you design. The very basic organization principle is a pyramidal one: the king is the center of the game and its weak spot too: get the king and the game is over!
The pawns make the first line of defense, they are the chess pieces primarily used in the opening of the game when the players are trying to create a defense as strong as possible for the king, an action which is basically known as castling. Pawns are essential during the first part of the game when the main defense or offense is settled; however, don't rely exclusively on pawns for the protection of the king as they are chess pieces with limited functions on the board and they can be easily eliminated. Most books, Internet sites or chess manuals recommend that pawns in combination with rooks and bishops be used in the immediate vicinity of the king.
The queen is probably the most valuable of the active chess pieces, it is both powerful and easy to move on the board; hence, it is widely used for both offense and defense depending on the strategy you imagine. There are players who create treacherous situations using their queen in association with some other chess pieces so that the opponent be tempted to eliminate this top element, while exposing one of their own strategic pieces. Therefore, always check well before making any move against a queen, you've got to be sure that it is defenseless or that the sacrifice you make is worth it.
A very special position among the chess pieces is also occupied by rooks that play a distinguished role in the castling move together with the king. They are considered very influential pieces in the battle to checkmate, being just as useful for attack as they are for defense. The main goal one may achieve with the help of this piece is that of having control over a wide range of squares related perpendicularly or horizontally to the rook. Together with the knights and the bishops, the rooks remain top pieces in the chess challenge.
2008/05/05
How You Can Produce The Best Chess Moves
By Muna wa Wanjiru
People who share chess as a hobby very often realize that there are not just good chess moves, since sometimes the only acceptable is the best move. This means that practice and dedication to this sport of the mind make one avoid jumping to take a move, even when he or she sees it as an advantageous one. Chess players have the great gift of being anticipative and able to think way ahead; after the change of the piece position, they can see a whole series of possible chess moves depending on the decision of the opponent. Thus, we could say that each player develops several possible strategies that he or she chooses from afterwards.
Many manuals mention the general tendency specific to beginners to choose the most direct path and the easiest for them: that of making chess moves to eliminate the opponent's pieces. As one advances on the path to learning more about this game, she or he will be surprised that the true beauty and mastery of the game lies in the possibility of checkmate in two chess moves. Presently, you can find a variety of sites, books and even special software to help you improve tactical chess moves and choose the best option, instead of the easiest one.
Practicing chess moves requires time and patience until it becomes part of the way the player actually thinks and plans the game ahead. There are two major coordinates that influence the choice of chess moves: attack and defense; both are equally important, and more inexperienced players need to find out how to maintain a certain balance between the two. From a certain perspective, you should imagine chess moves as the real battle attempts to defend the castle – represented by the king under the circumstances. Launching an offensive against the opponent pieces needs more that bravery.
Whether you choose offensive or defensive chess moves, it's important to maintain a balanced type of game, since the offensive strategy is good to apply only when you keep your king well protected too. Or you may simply wait for the other player to launch the attack and then spot the flaws in his or her chess moves that could actually help you win. Let the other make the mistakes! Don't be surprised to find out from most books and chess materials that the chess moves most likely to lead you to victory are the defensive ones since a direct attack has many flaws the other may spot and use for his or her advantage. Good luck!
People who share chess as a hobby very often realize that there are not just good chess moves, since sometimes the only acceptable is the best move. This means that practice and dedication to this sport of the mind make one avoid jumping to take a move, even when he or she sees it as an advantageous one. Chess players have the great gift of being anticipative and able to think way ahead; after the change of the piece position, they can see a whole series of possible chess moves depending on the decision of the opponent. Thus, we could say that each player develops several possible strategies that he or she chooses from afterwards.
Many manuals mention the general tendency specific to beginners to choose the most direct path and the easiest for them: that of making chess moves to eliminate the opponent's pieces. As one advances on the path to learning more about this game, she or he will be surprised that the true beauty and mastery of the game lies in the possibility of checkmate in two chess moves. Presently, you can find a variety of sites, books and even special software to help you improve tactical chess moves and choose the best option, instead of the easiest one.
Practicing chess moves requires time and patience until it becomes part of the way the player actually thinks and plans the game ahead. There are two major coordinates that influence the choice of chess moves: attack and defense; both are equally important, and more inexperienced players need to find out how to maintain a certain balance between the two. From a certain perspective, you should imagine chess moves as the real battle attempts to defend the castle – represented by the king under the circumstances. Launching an offensive against the opponent pieces needs more that bravery.
Whether you choose offensive or defensive chess moves, it's important to maintain a balanced type of game, since the offensive strategy is good to apply only when you keep your king well protected too. Or you may simply wait for the other player to launch the attack and then spot the flaws in his or her chess moves that could actually help you win. Let the other make the mistakes! Don't be surprised to find out from most books and chess materials that the chess moves most likely to lead you to victory are the defensive ones since a direct attack has many flaws the other may spot and use for his or her advantage. Good luck!
2008/05/04
Tips For Making The Best Chess Games Ever But Avoid Judgment Errors
By Muna wa Wanjiru
The success of chess games relies on the strategies you are able to develop starting from some principles that are applied on a more or less regular basis. Here are some tips for making the best chess games ever on the condition that you also avoid judgment errors. The most important element to start with is the king, and in the opening part of the game players usually feel compelled to castle in order to create a good defense. However, what you need to keep in mind about the castling is that sometimes this move actually exposes your king to even more danger from attack than otherwise. Pawns are not reliable to build solid defenses, and the use of more powerful pieces in the king's proximity is more advisable.
In most chess games protection relies on pawn formations, they are the first to be sacrificed in a battle and they can be moved ahead in attack as well. Sometimes, exchanges with your opponent may be possible, however, it is essential that you don't rely on them unless you get some advantage out of it, like freeing some of your pieces for instance from a very cramped situation. Most people who want to improve their chess games study openings beforehand and even memorize them; though, this may seem like a good idea for a beginner it is definitely a no-no for a pro.
Knowing all sorts of beginnings can definitely help one develop all sorts of strategies, without feeling limited or trapped within a certain scheme. The study of professional chess games enable beginners to feel comfortable with personal approaches, and once the patterns are created, the mind can freely adopt and adjust along the way, as the confrontation progresses. For those interested in practicing chess games, it is a good exercise to use special computer software that shows one the errors and the successful strategies one makes. Thorough analyses of the moves enable one to avoid making the same erroneous judgment twice.
Tactics and combinations are in a continuous progress during all chess games; when it is not your turn to move, you should try to anticipate the possible advantages or disadvantages of an attack or defense for each of your pieces. The way you pair your troops together is relevant for the chances of success or failure you may have; for instance a knight is always best used in combination with a bishop, and not with the other knight as you may suspect. Then, the queen is probably the only piece with a huge level of autonomy on the chess board, it can be the leader in a fierce attack or the basis of a successful defense, it's entirely up to you!
The success of chess games relies on the strategies you are able to develop starting from some principles that are applied on a more or less regular basis. Here are some tips for making the best chess games ever on the condition that you also avoid judgment errors. The most important element to start with is the king, and in the opening part of the game players usually feel compelled to castle in order to create a good defense. However, what you need to keep in mind about the castling is that sometimes this move actually exposes your king to even more danger from attack than otherwise. Pawns are not reliable to build solid defenses, and the use of more powerful pieces in the king's proximity is more advisable.
In most chess games protection relies on pawn formations, they are the first to be sacrificed in a battle and they can be moved ahead in attack as well. Sometimes, exchanges with your opponent may be possible, however, it is essential that you don't rely on them unless you get some advantage out of it, like freeing some of your pieces for instance from a very cramped situation. Most people who want to improve their chess games study openings beforehand and even memorize them; though, this may seem like a good idea for a beginner it is definitely a no-no for a pro.
Knowing all sorts of beginnings can definitely help one develop all sorts of strategies, without feeling limited or trapped within a certain scheme. The study of professional chess games enable beginners to feel comfortable with personal approaches, and once the patterns are created, the mind can freely adopt and adjust along the way, as the confrontation progresses. For those interested in practicing chess games, it is a good exercise to use special computer software that shows one the errors and the successful strategies one makes. Thorough analyses of the moves enable one to avoid making the same erroneous judgment twice.
Tactics and combinations are in a continuous progress during all chess games; when it is not your turn to move, you should try to anticipate the possible advantages or disadvantages of an attack or defense for each of your pieces. The way you pair your troops together is relevant for the chances of success or failure you may have; for instance a knight is always best used in combination with a bishop, and not with the other knight as you may suspect. Then, the queen is probably the only piece with a huge level of autonomy on the chess board, it can be the leader in a fierce attack or the basis of a successful defense, it's entirely up to you!
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