Questions tagged [chess]
Chess is one of the most popular two-player strategy games. It has survived centuries of strategical analysis and continues to thrive amongst players of all skills and ages.
119
questions
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why can the first pawn move in chess move two spaces?
That is, what is the actual reasson this was written into the rules? I'm not very into chess so pardon me if there's an obvious answer.
- 161
1
vote
1
answer
449
views
Optimal Dimensions for a Checkerboard-style board? [closed]
Let me clarify.
First off: I have a sheet of paper, 8 1/2" by 8 1/2". What are the optimal dimensions (<# of squares> by <# of squares>) of a checkerboard-patterned board that I could print on ...
-1
votes
3
answers
220
views
Postal board games out there besides chess [closed]
I am interested in board games which can be play through a period of time, e.g. one turn per day. The most typical is chess, there are a few websites including www.chess.com. Then recently I been ...
- 101
4
votes
1
answer
419
views
Chesscademy exercise: material part 2 - why doesn't this move result in a 2 point material lead?
I'm trying to re-learn chess with the wonderful Chesscademy site.
This exercise asks me to "make a move that will leave you up two points in total".
As the hint suggests, I've counted up the number ...
- 143
6
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Why would you not move pawn two spaces during first move in chess?
My Question:
It seems like you'd want to make it across the board faster to take control of the board, so...
Why would you not move your pawn TWO spaces (instead of one) during your first moves in ...
- 171
3
votes
3
answers
372
views
Chess: Efficient training for recreational players
What is an efficient way to train one's self at Chess?
I really enjoy playing, perhaps 1-2 times per week. I used to play on an electronic board once per day and at one point I could start to beat it ...
- 139
2
votes
4
answers
24k
views
Chess: Move 2 pawns one space each as first move
When I was young I remember that it was usual to move 2 pawns one space each on your first move, instead of one pawn two spaces. (ie b3 and g3 at the same time). I'm not sure if the 2 pawns had to be ...
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is this game, played with chess board and pieces, but with totally different rules?
Multiple decades ago, I was introduced to a game as described in the title of this question. What I can remember of it is:
The two rooks had different functions. They were distinguished by placing ...
- 101
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is there a human-like chess AI? [closed]
I have yet to find a chess AI that plays like a human opponent at an amateur level. Most AIs seem to play a tactically perfect game but throwing in a really bad move every now and then. Has anyone ...
- 413
12
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Are there restrictions on pawn promotion if two pawns are on the same column?
I was playing white and I had one pawn at a7 and the other at a6. My opponent didn't let me promote the pawn to a Queen stating that when two pawns are in the same column then the pawn doesn't get ...
- 121
3
votes
5
answers
465
views
Periodical chess problems by RSS
Is there somehow I can find an RSS feed of daily chess problems at different difficulties? I like chess and would like to get reminded to practice now and then.
Update: I've found Brian's Daily Chess ...
- 139
6
votes
1
answer
3k
views
On chess what exactly is the "En passant" trick? [duplicate]
I've heard of a trick called "En passant" but what does it mean?
- 55
10
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Is the four move checkmate the fastest way to win a game of chess?
Is the four move check mate (1. e4 e5 2.Qf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5?? 4.Qxf7#) the fastest way to win a game of chess, or is there a quicker way?
- 2,539
16
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What is the appropriate way to snipe a king that castles through check?
In lightning chess matches (matches with time controls of 3 minutes or less on each side), some players play with the rule of "king sniping" - that is, to save time, if the opponent played a move that ...
- 1,095
28
votes
4
answers
9k
views
Was the blind chess match between Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty in the movie Game of Shadows real/plausible?
I saw the movie and was wowed by two things: the blind chess match in which Holmes wins with the move Bishop-Bishop 8, discovered check; and the mental fist fight they have in their minds. It's such a ...
- 469
0
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Can a pawn move to the last line in chess as part of a promotion even if the square is blocked by an opponent's piece?
My reason for asking is I believe the promotion to be instant: As the pawn's toe crosses the line into the square, it transforms into the promotion piece's toe...
Meaning that even though the route ...
15
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Methods for handicapping chess
My four-and-a-half year old son is learning chess. He's got the moves of the pieces down and understands how to checkmate with two rooks (or rook and queen).
I've read some good suggestions in this ...
- 253
19
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What form of chess was played in seventh-century Arabia?
In Islam, there are a number of reports (of variable grades of authenticity) that the prophet Muhammad either forbade or explicitly disliked the playing of chess. As is known, he was centered in what ...
- 6,682
13
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How can I learn to play chess blindfold?
I'm an intermediate-level amateur chess player. How would I go about learning how to accurately play a complete game of chess, blindfolded? What skills are needed, and how are they practiced?
In ...
- 18.1k
4
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Database of chess games for evaluating ranking systems?
I would like to test my ranking system based on information theory.
I need a database of games with outcomes and ranks of the single players.
Where can I find this?
- 143
13
votes
6
answers
13k
views
What is the best way to learn chess strategy and tactics? [closed]
I am interested in learning chess. I am already familiar with the rules of the game, but I am very weak when it comes to tactics and strategy.
I am afraid that if I just register at chess.com and ...
- 495
19
votes
3
answers
65k
views
Restrictions around promoting a pawn
I have tried to read the Wikipedia article but it is too confusing on what the current accepted standard is.
My questions are:
If a pawn makes it to the last row can they stay as a pawn?
If a pawn ...
- 560
46
votes
8
answers
13k
views
Is pawn promotion to rook or bishop something that is seen in play?
Reading What is the proper Algebraic Notation for a pawn being promoted? made me wonder whether pawn promotion to rook or bishop ever happens. The only time I can think this might happen is when ...
- 9,283
9
votes
2
answers
14k
views
What is the proper Algebraic Notation for a pawn being promoted?
Are you supposed to use an arrow → or not.
Pe8→Q
Pe8Q
Where 'P' is the piece being moved (Pawn) , 'Q' is promotion to (Queen), 'e8' is the file ('e') and rank ('8')?
- 193
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Developing Chess Game After 20 moves
Suppose I start out a chess game in this manner: http://goo.gl/reCxP
From this advantage, I have a few questions:
Which item should I sacrifice so I can gain better ground position?
Should I advance ...
- 819
9
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Chess - Learning to Sacrifice Pieces for the Greater Good
I have trouble with learning what pieces to sacrifice when. Any good examples or playable scenarios on the web to help guide with that? My biggest problem is in the early game, learning what to ...
- 819
12
votes
4
answers
444
views
New idea in Sicilian for white?
I was wondering if someone could explain why this may be bad for white. Engines say white is a 0.5 of a pawn down after this line, but other than stunted development, I do not see a clear way in which ...
- 203
15
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Can a single player have all nine potential queens in one game?
I would like to know whether it is possible to, in a single game, convert all eight pawns of one colour into queens while retaining the original queen.
Presume that we are both playing chess ...
- 1,103
4
votes
1
answer
364
views
Chess (and variations) Endgame Complexity
My understanding is that the game of Go with Japanese Ko rules is, like most such games, EXPTIME-Complete, but that ladders are PSPACE-Complete and that Go endgames have been analyzed independently as ...
- 211
14
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Opening strategies in Chess 960 (Fisher Random Chess)
I had a go at Chess 960 the other day, but whereas I thought I might do better against the computer as it didn't have an opening book, in fact the opposite happened as it quickly found holes in my ...
- 283
5
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Solid openings for Blitz Chess
Is there an accepted repertoire of openings that are solid in Blitz (3-5min per side) Chess? I guess the primary factors should be:
reasonably solid
simple structures
minimal number of tactical traps ...
- 283
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Best way to improve ourselves when playing against a computer
It's often said by world-class Backgammon players that the best way to improve one's play is to analyse one's games with a computer program such as gnubg, JellyFish or Snowie.
gnubg has a "tutor mode"...
- 223
5
votes
4
answers
602
views
What are good resources or techniques to improve one's offence or finishing game?
I'm a moderately skilled chess player; I can beat most casual players and survive quite a while against class A, expert, or master players. Unfortunately, virtually all of my skill is in control of ...
- 153
43
votes
10
answers
16k
views
What techniques should I use to teach my 5-year old to play chess?
The other night while playing checkers with my 5 year old, he told me that he wanted to make up a game using the checkerboard which had different pieces that could do different things. I told him that ...
- 685
12
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Chess variant that allows humans to be competitive vs computers
It seems that computers can beat the majority of chess players out there, and at the current rate in which distributed computing is going, it seems like the #1 chess player out there will be computers ...
- 223
1
vote
4
answers
6k
views
How Can I Identify How To Beat My Computer At Chess? [closed]
This is an embarrassing question to have to ask, but here goes. Recently I've gotten a new Mac laptop which has a chess program on it. I'm not a chess expert by any means: I can beat casual players ...
- 40.9k
17
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How are numerical chess rankings calculated for different ranking systems?
I know there are several different ranking systems for chess, but how do they work in general? How exactly do they approximate your skill and how you will fare against other players? How can I figure ...
- 21.2k
3
votes
6
answers
4k
views
Go, MahJong, and Chess. Together? [closed]
Do you think these games have enough in common to start a serious, competitive club focusing around them? There's definitely enough between Go and Chess, but what about MahJong? I know there is plenty ...
- 475
13
votes
3
answers
9k
views
What is the repeated move stalemate?
I've heard of a rule where if the same move sequence is repeated 3 times (6 moves total) the game ends in a stale mate.
Is this a de facto rule or a convention adopted outside the formal rules?
- 4,825
16
votes
4
answers
62k
views
What are the standard time settings in chess
What are some of the most popular time limits for chess games? I'm looking for those used today as well as historically.
- 181
19
votes
4
answers
56k
views
Can a king capture an opposing queen?
A Beginner's Scenario: I castle kingside prior to ever being in check. Then, my son positions his queen and on a subsequent turn, takes out the middle pawn of three (see diagram below), thus exposing ...
- 193
11
votes
4
answers
1k
views
In Chess, Why Does Black Sometimes Play "Cramped" Openings?
I'm referring to openings such as d6 (Pirc Defense) or e6 (French Defense) in answer to say, e4. These openings often make it more difficult to develop pieces than say, c5 or e5. In particular, the ...
- 21.8k
11
votes
4
answers
3k
views
In chess, when is it appropriate to resign?
I know I should not resign after losing the exchange, or a piece, and probably not even if I lose a Rook. But how about if I lose a Queen for a Knight? Would it be expected of a player to keep ...
- 1,123
5
votes
1
answer
312
views
Where can I find Bobby Fischer's debut game?
Once I saw the game in an encyclopedia, and I remember being impressed. Now, I'd like to find it again. Is there some inventory of famous games I can find it in?
- 1,123
5
votes
4
answers
737
views
Is there a variant of chess such that in the starting position Bishops and Knights are switched?
White's back row would look like this: RBNQKNBR and Black's would undergo an equivalent change.
Where can I learn more about this variant/play this variant with someone experienced?
- 1,123
10
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Are there any reputable chess openings which begin a4, b4, g4, or h4?
I have heard of 1 b3 and 1 g3, but never any of those in the question title. Is this because they do not work in practical play?
I've tried 1. g4 d5 2. h3 e5 3. d4 Nc6 etc. with a good chance of a ...
- 1,123
4
votes
1
answer
550
views
How far can a knight travel without visiting the same square twice?
How many Knight moves is it possible to execute on an empty chess board before the Knight lands on a square it has already landed on in its previous moves? The most I've ever been able to land on was ...
- 1,123
10
votes
7
answers
5k
views
Does anyone use the P-K4 type of chess notation anymore?
I have several chess books, all of which use the P-K4 type of notation rather than the e4 type. I am still more used to the older form, since those books were my first introduction to chess ...
- 1,123
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
In chess, why is 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 rarely visited?
This opening begins by copying the Ruy Lopez/Morphy Defense for the first three moves, but White branches off with 4 Bxc6. I've read that 4 ... dxc6 5 Nxe5 Qd4 is effective for Black to recover his ...
- 1,123
7
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is there a way to point chess moves?
I know there are points for each chess piece, but is there a way to - imprecisely, for sure - measure/point chess moves?
- 345