Chapter12-"Special Moves: Castling"
"Castling is a special move involving the King and either Rook."
"Castling moves two pieces. First, move the King two squares toward the Rook."
"Then put the Rook on the other side of the King."
"You can castle with either Rook."
"If the King moves toward the nearer Rook (on the King's side of the board),"
"it is called CASTLING KINGSIDE (written O-O)."
"If the King moves toward the other Rook (on the Queen's side of the board),"
"it is called CASTLING QUEENSIDE (written O-O-O)."
"To be legal, the King and Rook must not have moved from their starting squares,"
"the squares between the King and Rook must be unoccupied,"
"the King cannot be in check"
"and the square that the King passes over cannot be under attack.Of course, the King can never be moved INTO check, so the destination can't be under attack either."
"It is usually a good idea to castle early in the game, as it protects the King and gives the Rook a chance to control the center files."
Chapter13-"Special Moves: Promotion"
"When a Pawn reaches the opposite side of the Board.It must be PROMOTED to a Queen, Rook, Bishop, or Knight."
"Normally, you choose to promote your Pawn to a Queen."
"Promoting a pawn to a piece other than a Queen is called UNDERPROMOTION."
"Because of promotion, an opponent's Pawn that is unopposed is a dangerous threat."
"Remember: Only Pawns can be promoted. This makes Pawns more valuable than they seem at first glance.A promotion can instantly change the balance of power in a game."
"By the way: You may promote a Pawn to a Queen even if you already have one (or more) on the board. It is possible (but extremely unlikely) to promote all eight of your Pawns to other pieces."
Chapter14-"Algebraic Notation"
"Algebraic Notation is the generally accepted method of writing down the moves in a chess game."
"It is easy to learn and will increase your enjoyment of chess."
"To describe a move in algebraic notation, start by writing down the letter of the piece that is moving."
"K for a King"
"Q for a Queen"
"R for a Rook"
"B for a Bishop"
"N for a Knight"
"If a Pawn is moving, don't write down anything.”
write down the file (a - h) and rank (1 - 8) of that piece's destination square."
"Castling Kingside is written O-O. Castling Queenside is written as O-O-O:"
"See how this might work for the first few moves of a real game."
"here notation used is d3"
"Sometimes, identical pieces can move to the same square."
"When a promotion occurs, write the letter of the new piece at the end of the move:"
"When a move causes checkmate, write an extra '+' at the end of it:"
Eg:
"Rh7++"
"Now you know how to read and understand chess games recorded with Algebraic Notation. To learn more about chess strategies, check out the Chess Tutor."
Chapter15-“Scoring”
In the game of chess, points don't actually matter. The sole objective of the game is Checkmate. However, some pieces are clearly more powerful than others. Therefore, each piece does have an approximate material point value. Following these values as guidelines will help build your understanding of material advantages.
Before taking the following point values to heart, realize that there are other factors that matter in chess besides pure material advantages. A good example of this is the Queen sacrifice which you can read about at the end of the tutorial.
The generally accepted material chess point values are as follows:
1) King = infinite (Checkmate means game over no matter what)
2) Queen = 9
3) Rook = 5
4) Bishop = 3
5) Knight = 3
6) Pawn = 1
Note that although Bishops and Knights have the same value of 3, there are different factors that can make one significantly more powerful than the other. For example, Bishops thrive in more open games in which there are no Pawns clogging up the middle of the board. This is because they can move up to seven unobstructed spaces. In contrast, the Knight is stronger than the Bishop in closed games. This is because Knights can "jump" over blockaded pieces which the Bishop cannot do
Chapter16-“Three types of draws”
Stalemate is not the only draw that can be achieved in the game of chess, although it is the most well known. The other two types of draws include the fifty-move rule and the three-fold repetition. If you are looking for the win then you want to avoid draws as much as possible and have the game result in a checkmate instead of a draw.
A stalemate is when it is your opponent's turn, but they have no legal moves that they can make. This means that the king is the only piece that can be moved, but it cannot be moved into check. Remember that it is illegal for a king to place himself in check. This results in the draw by way of stalemate. Neither player wins the game.
The fifty move rule is when there are no pawn movements and no captures for fifty consecutive moves. If a pawn move or a capture takes place, then the count resets to zero and begins again. Upon reaching fifty moves either player may claim a draw and again no one wins the game. Typically this happens when both players only have one or two pieces left on the board.
The three-fold repetition says that if the exact same position occurs on the board three times during a game, either player may claim a draw. Sometimes this is done on accident, other times it is forced by placing an opponent in check over and over again. Think of being able to take a picture of the board three different times during a game and the pictures come out identical to each other.
Try to avoid these draws so that you are able to come away with an official win. Avoid these by watching out for them and being sure to look for every opportunity to place your opponent in checkmate.
Chapter 17
10 great tips from the grand masters.
1.Central 4 square domination
1.It is very important in any game of chess to focus on a number of concepts that are proven to be effective. One of these concepts is to control the center of the board.
2.When you control the center of the board that you are able to mount a variety of attacks as well as maintain a solid defensive structure. If you have an advantage in the center of the board you have a strong advantage in the game itself and a higher chance of winning.
3.There are some ideas that a chess player should follow to help maintain domination of the center of the board. First is to not allow your knights to be forced out of the center of the board by your opponent's advancing pawns.
4.Understand that if your knights are limited by the edge of the board or by the back rank on the board, they are rendered much less effective than when they are helping to control the middle of the board where they are a viable threat.
5.Do your best to control the center 4 squares of the board and you will drastically improve your odds of winning.
2. Develop Your Pieces
1.When playing a game of chess it is important to develop all of your primary pieces early on in the game. If you have primary pieces that are still sitting on the back rank by the time you reach the middle game, then you have given your opponent an advantage in the game.
2. All pieces need to be developed in order for you to have the tactical advantage in the game. Often times a player will leave a rook sitting on the back rank doing absolutely nothing. If you find yourself doing this, then you need to change.
3. A rook is a very valuable piece and leaving it sitting safely tucked in the back rank is creating a situations where you are basically giving your opponent a one piece advantage.
4.A general rule of thumb is to move each piece once before moving any piece twice. This may seem very difficult to achieve in game play, but it does provide a great advantage to you if you are able to carry out this strategy.
5.If you are able to safely develop all of your pieces early on in the game you will definitely have a lead in tempo over your opponent.
6. Do not forget to develop your king by castling. Generally this is done on the king's side, not the queen's side. This is also usually done during the opening, or within the first fifteen moves of the game.
3.Always be alert.
1.There is a tendency for people to relax once they have reached a good position or to give up hope if their position is very bad. These attitudes are natural, but both lead to bad results.
2.Many players---even world champions---have achieved winning positions, only to lose because they relaxed too soon. Even the best position won't win by itself; you have to give it some help! In almost any position, the "losing" player will still be able to make threats. The "winning" player has to be alert enough to prevent these positions.
3.Advice: If you have a better position, watch out! One careless move could throw away your hard-won advantage. Even as you're carrying out your winning plans, you must watch out for your opponent's threats.
4.Conversely, if you have a worse position, don't give up! Keep making strong moves, and try to complicate the position as much as possible. If your opponent slips, you may get the chance to make a comeback. Remember: Where there's life, there's hope.
4. Keep your king safe.
1.It's generally a good idea to place your king in a safe place by castling early in the game. Once you've castled, you should be very careful about advancing the pawns near your king. They are like bodyguards; the farther away they go, the easier it is for your opponent's pieces to get close to your king.
2.Try to force your opponent to move the pawns near his king.
5.Look at your opponent's move!
1.Every time your opponent makes a move, you should stop and think: Why was that move chosen? Is a piece in danger? Are there any other threats I should watch out for? What sort of plan does my opponent have in mind?
2.Only by defending against your opponent's threats will you be able to successfully carry out your own strategies. Once you figure out what your opponent is attempting to do, you can play to nip those plans in the bud.
6.Chess Bluffing
1. Many opponents will attempt to place pieces in an open space on your side of the board with no real intent of sacrificing the piece.
2. This is particularly true towards the beginning of the game when your opponent is trying to feel you out. An opponent may run a bishop or knight out to your side of the board as an attempt to establish an offensive front.
3.If you ignore this piece and allow it to sit out there while executing your own plan, then you are giving your opponent an advantage.
4. Find out if your opponent is simply bluffing and trying to feel you out. Many times if you challenge this piece, your opponent will retreat quickly instead of standing to fight. They are trying to see if you are an aggressor or a protector of your pieces.
7.Zwischenzug
1.The German word zwischenzug means intermediate move and it is a common tactic that occurs in almost every game of chess.
2. Picture your opponent making a move that directly threatens one of your pieces. After you opponent has done this you are able to follow up with the zwischenzug tactic.
3. When this tactic is used in the game of chess you will make a move that poses an even more devastating threat, instead of countering a direct threat, which the opponent expected you to do.
4. Often the move that you made will be a direct attack against the opponent's queen or the king. The opponent is forced to counter that threat against his or her queen or king first and this will ideally change the situation to his or her disadvantage.
5.Just as easily as you can use this tactic, so can your opponent's. Because this is a common, well-known tactic you should always watch out for a zwischenzug. Do not assume that the opponent has to counter your threats immediately, no matter how great they may appear in your eyes.
6. It is good practice to always check whether your opponent has a check or a move that can threaten your queen. Conversely, anticipate your opponent's threats and plan a surprising. Zwischenzug.
7.Try to use this tactic when it appears to work to your advantage and guard your pieces against it, particularly guard your queen and king against the zwischenzug. This tactic is all about forcing your opponent into making tough decisions.
8.Your opponent has to ask themselves for example "do I take his knight with my bishop, or guard or move my queen?" these types of situations generally will provide you with a tempo advantage as your opponent retreats.
8.Do Not Fret
1.If you find yourself in a game where you are trailing a two or three or even four pawns behind there is no reason to worry too much. The number of pawns that you have as compared to your opponent is not as important as how your pawns are situated.
2. It is important to think ahead a few moves when playing chess and to look at how the various scenarios of the next few moves may play out. Once you have carefully considered your options, try to keep your pawns grouped together.
3.Having one island of pawns, or one connected group of pawns, is much more significant than having the most pawns.
4. Consider a player who has more pawns, but has possibly three different islands of two pawns each. This player is not as strong in his pawn defense as one who is able to keep four or five pawns in one single island. The defensive capabilities of pawns are well known.
5.Take care in your opening strategy and your middle game so that you do not create multiple small islands of pawns for yourself
9.Other general tips
- Don't castle if it brings your King into greater danger from attack in your chess game.
- After castling, keep a good pawn formation around your King.
- If you only have one Bishop, put your pawns on its opposite color in your chess game.(very important)
- Trade pawns pieces when ahead in material or when under attack.
- If cramped, free your game by exchanging material in your chess game.
- If your opponent is cramped, don't let him get any freeing exchanges.
- Study openings you are comfortable with. in your chess game.
- Play over entire games, not just the opening.
- Blitz chess is helpful in recognizing chess patterns. Play often.
- Study annotated games and try to guess each move in your chess game.
- Stick with just a few openings with White, and a few openings with Black.
- Record your games and go over them, especially the games you lost.
- Show your games to higher rated opponents and get feedback from them.
- Use chess computers and databases to help you study and play more.
- Everyone blunders. The champions just blunder less often in their chess game.
- When it is not your move, look for tactics and combinations.
- Try to double Rooks or double Rook and Queen on open files in your chess game.
- Always ask yourself, "Does my next move overlook something simple?"
- Don't make your own plans without the exclusion of the opponent's threats
- Watch out for captures by retreat of an opponent's piece in your chess game.
- Do not focus on one sector of the board. View the whole board.
- Write down your move first before making that move - it helps avoid blunders.
- Try to solve chess puzzles with diagrams from books and magazines.
- It is less likely that an opponent is prepared for off-beat openings.
- Recognize transposition of moves from main-line play in your chess game.
- Watch your time and avoid time trouble in your chess game.
- Bishops are worth more than Knights except when they are pinned in.
- A Knight works better with a Bishop than another Knight in your chess game.
- It is usually a good idea to trade down into a pawn up endgame.
- Have confidence in your chess game.
- Play in as many rated events as you can.
- Try not to look at your opponent's rating until after the game.
- Always play for a win in your chess game.
10.Etiquette
There are some official and unofficial rules of etiquette in the game of chess. The general theme of chess etiquette is to be a good sport and to be respectful. Some of the more common official rules of etiquette are as follows:
• Every game must begin and end with the players shaking hands.
• Between the two handshakes, no talking is permitted. "Check" need not be said. Players are responsible for noticing where all of the pieces on the board are located, and what threats are pending.
• Never do anything to distract any other player in the tournament, especially your opponent.
• Always use the "touch move" rule.
• If an illegal move is made, the tournament director should be summoned. In a tournament using a "Sudden Death" time control, the other player receives an extra two minutes when one player makes an illegal move.
• Never gloat over a victory, or become despondent or hostile following a defeat. It is always best to analyze the game with your opponent, after the game ends, and in a different room from where you played. Leave the playing room quietly when you finish so as not to distract the other people who are still playing.
• Never comment on a game that is in progress, whether the game is yours or one that you are just watching.
• The tournament director has the authority to punish breaches of etiquette, and may add or subtract time as a sanction. In extreme cases, players may be forfeited for violating the rules and spectators may be banned from the site.
These rules of etiquette generally apply to tournaments, but it is always a good idea to follow these. Being a good sport in chess and having fun generally makes for a better chess player.
Copyright 2007,all rights reserved…….
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