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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBTFwPRbR-0 <3 Bent and 1981 BBC broadcast styles E - have another http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycSV9ltbFtc BIGFOOT PEE BED fucked around with this message at Jun 28, 2012 around 21:59 |
| # ? Jun 28, 2012 21:31 |
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| # ? May 23, 2013 07:45 |
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I've been away from chess for a very long time. I now work long hours and don't do anything during them. Figured I would take chess back up. Any suggestions on where I should start? Play the computer? Play people online? Keep in mind, I'm probably not very good. I haven't played in years.
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| # ? Jun 28, 2012 23:46 |
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Playing against people is always the best in my opinion. It's more fun for most people, though of course YMMV. And really what's the point playing primarily against computers if your goal is to learn to play against people? Sooner or later you have to learn to deal with the unsound technique of players at your level (for instance, the crude Queen rampages or Scholar's Mate attempts of total beginners) or else you're just going to have an obnoxious culture shock when you finally do play a human opponent. Nothing wrong with playing computers to keep you sharp and honest, but as long as you don't get in the habit of laying unsound cheap traps it shouldn't be a huge problem. (On that topic remember: always assume your opponent can see everything you see, unless you're losing badly and a cheap shot is your only hope. Your goal isn't to beat this one guy: it's to improve as a player, which means learning to play moves that would beat someone at your skill level or higher. If you abandon that philosophy when it's crunch time, what will you do when you reach a similar position against a better player?) You can play correspondence lots of places if you don't want to worry about time controls at work, though of course at some point you'll have to play timed games if you want to get better at playing timed games. McNerd fucked around with this message at Jun 29, 2012 around 00:33 |
| # ? Jun 29, 2012 00:19 |
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Who has two thumbs and is (probably) the top-rated Canadian on the planet? <=== This guy. FIDE finally posted their inaugural blitz ratings and I am so undeservedly happy.
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| # ? Jun 30, 2012 18:18 |
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Hand Knit posted:Who has two thumbs and is (probably) the top-rated Canadian on the planet? Only ICC's blitz rating matters.
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| # ? Jun 30, 2012 21:05 |
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This game owns. My bishops just don't give a gently caress.
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| # ? Jun 30, 2012 22:28 |
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Hand Knit posted:Who has two thumbs and is (probably) the top-rated Canadian on the planet? awesome... congrats!
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| # ? Jun 30, 2012 22:30 |
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Help! I finally updated my MacOS to Lion and it murdered Sigma. Does anybody have any advice on what database/pgn viewer I can use now (and will access my old saves)?
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| # ? Jul 1, 2012 02:58 |
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Hand Knit posted:Help! I finally updated my MacOS to Lion and it murdered Sigma. Does anybody have any advice on what database/pgn viewer I can use now (and will access my old saves)? Jose?
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| # ? Jul 1, 2012 03:24 |
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gret posted:Jose? I tried that today, but I couldn't get it to open the old Sigma saves. Is there a way to convert them?
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| # ? Jul 1, 2012 03:26 |
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Hand Knit posted:I tried that today, but I couldn't get it to open the old Sigma saves. Is there a way to convert them? Doubtful. The Sigma files are probably proprietary files? Your only bet is getting ahold of an un-upgraded Mac and converting them to pgn files. The state of Mac chess software is pretty shameful.
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| # ? Jul 1, 2012 03:44 |
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Hand Knit posted:Help! I finally updated my MacOS to Lion and it murdered Sigma. Does anybody have any advice on what database/pgn viewer I can use now (and will access my old saves)? If you are able to get information on the sigma file format is constructed (maybe e-mail the creator at ole@sigmachess.com ?) I'd be more than happy to write a translation program.
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| # ? Jul 1, 2012 19:10 |
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Titan Coeus posted:If you are able to get information on the sigma file format is constructed (maybe e-mail the creator at ole@sigmachess.com ?) I'd be more than happy to write a translation program. In simple terms, what would I need to get you?
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| # ? Jul 3, 2012 02:31 |
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I'm trying, after many years, to get back to playing chess, instead of just following the super GM tournaments and occasionally looking over a game collection. Unfortunately, this means I need at least a little knowledge of opening theory, and I'm having trouble finding a reply I like to 1. d4. A little information about me, in case it helps. When I stopped playing, in ancient times, I was a 1725 USCF. If I face a player of equal rating, I can expect my ability to memorize lines and my tactics, particularly deep calculation, to be worse (I'm working on them, but it is, and always has been, an uphill battle). On the other hand, I'm usually a better positional player and in the endgame. I know a theoretician would say the best option is the Nimzo/Queen's Indian pair. I'm shy of that for two reasons. The smaller one is the amount of theory. It’s only a small problem because at least it's not the type of theory where you play one second best move and lose, and I’m not expecting to give up chess any time soon, so I’ll learn the basics eventually. The bigger problem is how slippery the pawn structures are. I know GMs love the flexibility, but it's easy for me to find myself in a position where I have no idea what to do. Any suggestions?
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| # ? Jul 3, 2012 18:32 |
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The Queen's Indian is really unpopular right now, for what it's worth. Much more "in" right now is the Bogo Indian (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+). I'm a fan of it myself, as I find the variations where black plays for a quick e5 to be very solid. The one catch is that you will have to find an alternative, QGDish structure if white plays 4.Nbd2. As for a Nimzo, you can play it very solidly if you want to. The only way that white can force a semi-open position, 4.a3, is utterly harmless. If you're willing to sharpen up the position, I'd recommend a Gruenfeld. The trade-off in your favour is that you can play it fairly linearly, and you're very unlikely to run into any deep/sharp prep on the other end. Hand Knit fucked around with this message at Jul 3, 2012 around 19:03 |
| # ? Jul 3, 2012 19:00 |
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Hand Knit posted:The Queen's Indian is really unpopular right now, for what it's worth. Much more "in" right now is the Bogo Indian (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+). I'm a fan of it myself, as I find the variations where black plays for a quick e5 to be very solid. The one catch is that you will have to find an alternative, QGDish structure if white plays 4.Nbd2. The first opening I ever understood how to handle was the Grunfeld, but I thought it was now analyzed to move 30, and in sharp positions, so you'd better know those 30 moves. Was I misinformed? What's wrong with the QID? Too drawish?
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| # ? Jul 3, 2012 19:40 |
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BurningStone posted:The first opening I ever understood how to handle was the Grunfeld, but I thought it was now analyzed to move 30, and in sharp positions, so you'd better know those 30 moves. Was I misinformed? If you're playing in the 16-1900 slot then how much Gruenfeld prep 2700s have really isn't relevant. It's also not a common opening at that level, so even people who know theory will likely not know how to handle it. Also there's nothing wrong with the QGD per se, it's just that it engenders a radically different structure from the way I like to play the Bogo. You have an e6-d5-c6-b6 structure instead of e5-c6-b7 with an open d-file. They play very differently.
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| # ? Jul 3, 2012 19:58 |
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So I just started a job as chess coordinator for a small Caribbean island and I am spending most of my time playing with kids who are absolute beginners. I have been playing on and off for most of my life and I don't recall exactly how I learned the game and I could use advice regarding instructive exercises. Currently, I either have them play with only pawns and one other piece or Ill let the class work together as a group and try and checkmate my king with a couple of pieces. The kids do ok replaying the demonstrated ideas like pins and cutting off the king after some practice but when they play it all goes out the window for checking the king as often as possible. I am just curious if there are some teaching techniques I might be overlooking.
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| # ? Jul 4, 2012 22:29 |
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Hand Knit posted:In simple terms, what would I need to get you? I sent an e-mail to the guy who develops Sigma, I'll let you know if I get any information. In the mean time could you send me a couple sample games so I can start poking around the format? I sent you a PM with my e-mail.
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| # ? Jul 5, 2012 00:43 |
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Loki2099 posted:So I just started a job as chess coordinator for a small Caribbean island and I am spending most of my time playing with kids who are absolute beginners. I have been playing on and off for most of my life and I don't recall exactly how I learned the game and I could use advice regarding instructive exercises. Currently, I either have them play with only pawns and one other piece or Ill let the class work together as a group and try and checkmate my king with a couple of pieces. The kids do ok replaying the demonstrated ideas like pins and cutting off the king after some practice but when they play it all goes out the window for checking the king as often as possible. I am just curious if there are some teaching techniques I might be overlooking. Are you looking for specific lesson plans or teaching strategies? I can help with both, although more the former.
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| # ? Jul 5, 2012 03:26 |
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Im curious what chess sets you all use. I'm looking for a nice set and board, I do prefer the pieces to have quite a bit of weight to them. I don't care about having a folding board. This: http://www.uscfsales.com/product_p/clubcombo.htm Has caught my eye but not sure to go with the Ebonized or the Natural/Rosewood. Any suggestions? Thank you.
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| # ? Jul 5, 2012 04:09 |
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That's a really nice set. I'm going to assume you plan to display it more than use it, since it would be a real shame to scratch up. For play, I go with the bog standard plastic staunton set. Non-weighted pieces because (1) they're cheaper and (2) I may or may not have once torn my shoulder while sitting poorly and blitzing with double-weighted pieces. I also have about a half-dozen display boards in places I don't always remember. There's an oversized wood one from a birthday, a star wars one from my uncle, a copper(?) one from Greece, and then a blue/green jadeite one from Rosebank market in Johannesburg. And maybe a couple others, too.
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| # ? Jul 5, 2012 04:24 |
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Hand Knit, I do plan on playing it more than having it solely for display. I know what you mean about it being scratched up, but that doesn't bother me. $100 dollars is the max I would spend on a chess set, some of those sets for $9K are just insane. I like the plastic set you linked, not a bad price at all. The only other set I own, outside of the Staunton ones, is a Lord of the Rings set, which is terrible.
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| # ? Jul 5, 2012 07:59 |
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The World Rapids just finished. Sergei Karjakin finished clear first at +8, with Carlsen second at +6. It was tight up until the end, when Carlsen lost to Grischuk and Ivanchuk. The full list of games is here. The most instructive one I've found so far is Tkachiev's win over Topalov, which shows the value of the outside passed pawn in the knight endgame.
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| # ? Jul 8, 2012 18:46 |
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Round 1 Dortmund starts tomorrow. It's not exactly an a-list tournament but Kramnik, Karjakin, and Caruana are there. Here is the schedule from the site, formatted in a way that I do not understand: 
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| # ? Jul 13, 2012 03:07 |
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Caruana and Karjakin win Dortmund, but Kramnik just put up probably the best game of the tournament. Black just played Re8??. Now White to move and win. Click the picture for a link to the full game.
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| # ? Jul 22, 2012 15:38 |
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White's got so many nice candidate moves it's hard to sort them all out.
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| # ? Jul 22, 2012 18:14 |
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I couldn't calculate it all out, but Bxf7+ looked winning and turned out to be right, so I'll count that as a correct answer!
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| # ? Jul 22, 2012 18:25 |
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Yeah the continuation is pretty long but that move popped out almost immediately.
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| # ? Jul 22, 2012 21:46 |
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OrangeKing posted:I couldn't calculate it all out, but Bxf7+ looked winning and turned out to be right, so I'll count that as a correct answer! Did you at least look at Qh4+ :/ Anyway, Biel is starting now. It's a double-RR with a roster of Carlsen, Nakamura, Morozevich, Giri, Hao, and Bacrot (wtf?). You can follow along with the usual suspects.
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| # ? Jul 23, 2012 12:46 |
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Big News in Biel today: Alexander Morozevich was hospitalized, forcing him to withdraw from the tournament. He had apparently been doing poorly all tournament which makes sense to me as his first two games seemed suspicious. His game against Carlsen for today is technically 'not played' as of right now and I believe the plan is to find a replacement to finish the tournament. Also from today: Top American Hikaru Nakamura was facing top Chinese Wang Hao. Naka seemed to be doing very well until the following happened:  27.Rxd5!! Qxd5 28.Bxe6! fxe6 29.f7+ Kd8? (Ke7 +/=) 30.Nxe6+ Kc8 31.f8=Q+ Rxf8 32.Rxf8+ +/-
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| # ? Jul 25, 2012 18:33 |
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Three point system is rubbish. Carlsen beat Wang Hao both times they played.
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| # ? Aug 3, 2012 21:01 |
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singe posted:Three point system is rubbish. Carlsen beat Wang Hao both times they played. Hao had possibly the least convincing tournament win I've ever seen - He was largely outplayed in both his wins against Nakamura and his second win against Giri was a gift. However, this is why the three-point system is in place: to encourage action and not let Carlsen win with yet another +2 =7.
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| # ? Aug 3, 2012 21:09 |
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Hand Knit posted:Did you at least look at Qh4+ :/ Oh, of course - I saw enough to be pretty sure it was winning, but didn't see it through to the mate, is all I meant. singe posted:Three point system is rubbish. Carlsen beat Wang Hao both times they played. You can do this and lose in the traditional scoring system too, so that doesn't seem like much of a reason to hate 3-1-0.
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| # ? Aug 3, 2012 21:14 |
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OrangeKing posted:You can do this and lose in the traditional scoring system too, so that doesn't seem like much of a reason to hate 3-1-0. In favour of the 3-1-0 system, the Russian Superfinals just showed it is possible to suck harder than the Anand-Gelfand match:  The games are about as exciting as you'd expect.
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| # ? Aug 12, 2012 23:28 |
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I think a 2½-1-0 system would be best IMO for reasons I am too lazy to get into at the moment. Anyway, Canadian Kevin Spraggett, most famous for his unorthodox double bishop sacrifice game, droppin' bombs on the Sicilian Dragon: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1676237 This is the famous double bishop sacrifice game: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1274898
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| # ? Aug 14, 2012 14:15 |
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And here I was thinking he was most famous for his blog that showcases both his analysis and prodigious photoshop skills. Live and learn, I guess.
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| # ? Aug 14, 2012 14:40 |
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Garry Kasparov has been arrested at a Pussy Riot protest. He was allegedly beaten after biting a cop. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/ne...-protest-363687 quote:Garry Kasparov was among the more than 30 people arrested at a protest in Moscow over the guilty verdict handed down to three members of the punk band Pussy Riot.
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| # ? Aug 17, 2012 16:03 |
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Chess Olympiad is about to start. Team lists can be found here. I assume the one most of you will be interested in is this one:code:Central site with a live stream is here. Hand Knit fucked around with this message at Aug 28, 2012 around 12:43 |
| # ? Aug 28, 2012 12:37 |
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| # ? May 23, 2013 07:45 |
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USA just took down Russia, who were at the top of the standings, in today's round of the Chess Olympiads. USA! USA! USA! 
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| # ? Sep 6, 2012 17:17 |
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