How to Play Chess: The Beginning.

The question might be asked at the very beginning: What characteristics of chess play should the student desiring to improve view the elements of space, time, and force thereby formulating a personal agenda aimed at a system to apply in each game regardless of positions arising from initial and subsequent moves by both sides? I have found that books on chess play often fall short of their aim or purpose largely because they deal with positions and how to handle illustrative problems but do not answer the question of how the position evolved in the first place. They often stress strategies and tactical motifs but little about the most important feature of chess in my opinion, “The Chessboard” of 64 squares, various squares within the board such as center, central complex, wing files a/b and g/h. The terrain in chess is composed of two battlefields initially: the midpoint at which two rectangles are formed being the home field and the enemy territory. Thus, any inroads pressuring squares in enemy territory must be regarded as part of the attack to either restrict or hinder enemy planning. There are a number of features the student should examine about the structure of the board and relationship with pieces and pawns. Once such a study of the board is complete, the student will be better prepared to understand the elements of chess strategy, various pawn structures, importance of outposts, semi-open and open files, value of the “bishop pair” and how restriction of piece movement and King limited mobility lead to prospects for spatial freedom and success or failure as the conditions materialize on the board.

Let us look at the board with all the units in their starting position. Notice that the f2/f7 squares are only protected by the Kings; the c2/c7 squares only by the Queens. In both cases, these squares initially are guarded by the two most important pieces, the Kings needing defense against mate and the Queens being the most powerful of the individual units. So what does this observation suggest concerning the initial plans that make up “the opening”? Give it some thought. I might suggest that some opening moves are played to pressure those squares either in the opening itself or later in the middlegame and/or endgame.

Providing helpful study habits will increase your skill. There is no better way to improve than to study games from books, preferrably those having notes and analysis. Game collections of the famous players past and present makes learning chess both enjoyable as well as instructive. But how to do so. My own plan was to cover with a 3by5 card the score, exposing only the last moves played and trying to decide what both players were trying to achieve in reaching the position at hand; then going on to see if my own choice matched that of the player. In effect, I would be playing both sides of the board in that manner. In doing so you will get the feel for chess strategies more quickly because you took the time to study the elements of the board; as those games develop a better sense of what goes on in the battle is made clearer from this board arrangement and analysis.

Here, my theory of square count is worth mentioning. It is the added up squares attacked in enemy territory by forces for both sides. A comparison often suggests a spatial edge for the side with the highest count and the need for the other to decide how and when to devise a plan to increase his own square count. It is a great method also to locate good squares for your pieces, considering same for the opponent, and where defensive considerations must be weighed regarding territorial weaknesses (weak squares). Of course the opponent’s weak squares should become objects for attack or at least pressure or restrictive movement.

 All of the above thoughts and suggestions make sense of how to play chess with a plan from move 1. Naturally there are many factors that go into playing with a plan. Just what is a plan? A plan can be short-range or long-range in nature. The latter is best described as kind of being “stubborn” in pursuit of a long term strategy that often involves an attack on the enemy king position. It might also be nothing more than dominating and controlling an open file toward securing an endgame win, or blockade of playable moves that force the enemy to make concessions in the position due to the need to move!

Chess is one move at a time; each side plays a half move and if the response is not well founded, can be one nail in the coffin of the opponent.  We are all appreciative of “book” being previously thought out moves that become standard play making up an opening. But often there are different ideas that can be played in a position which are called “alternative moves.” One must never assume that if a player plays a move you have not seen before that it is a mistake. You must examine carefully such a turn of events; how does it fit in the opening being played? Such moves may not be good or bad. But they may reflect some form of weakness in position or in either short or long term weak from the point that some advantage, even if slight, can be hit upon with such examination.

Chessic Humor

Hello again, I have gone back to my files and dug up some humor for chess buddies. Invite your friends to join in this adventure as we walk together down the historical road of chess adventure.

While I write features with spirit feedings so-to-speak for my readers of various age groups, I thought I would throw into the heap a little humor, tidbits of interesting facts and observations enough to tickle the ribs.

Chess ego is a very peculiar state of mind. Every student dreams of generalship with the grandmaster logo attached to their name. Elderly players most likely at some time in their lives played what to them was “the game of the century.” Strong players have bragging rights to boast their mettle and astuteness demonstrating skill and technique. The gambiteer delights in punishing opponents with dazzling attacks or giving pawn, knight or even queen odds. Losing such games does not hurt the ego of the gambiteer.

Paul Morphy offered Knight odds to any takers when he returned to the UsA from Europe. He visited Cuba and won many brilliant games playing without his Queen’s Knight.

Harrwitz wrote a book publishing only Morphy losses. It wasn’t a very big book but a lesson to learn because Morphy took revenge on Harrwitz by crushing him in match.

The rivals for determining the lst official World Championship title both rose to acknowledge a toast to the champion of the world to be. Who were these two egocentric giants of the chessboard? It did happen. Both Steinitz and Zukertort rose on that occasion. It must have brough great humor to the attendees. Admirers tossed aside the victories of Steinitz over Zukertort with the quip: Steinitz never really beat Zukertort because at the time he was not yet Zukertort; he won again when Zukertort was no longer Zukertort!

David Janowski was one of the greatest at demonstrating his exuberance for gambling. After a crushing defeat by Frank Marshall, he immediately offered Marshall the odds of a Knight!

Alekhine really enjoyed playing Bogolyubov. Besides being a great world champion, he was also quite a humorous storyteller. When asked for an impromptu speech, he told this little story. “Last night I had a dream that I died and was off to heaven. As I neared the portals, St. Peter, asking my name, hailed me. I am Alekhine, World Chess Champion. St. Peter said he was sorry but there was no room in heaven for chessplayers. My spirit was dejected. Before leaving the pearly gate, I took one last look and espied none other than my good friend Bogolyubov. Quickly I drew this to St. Peter’s attention telling him that Bogolyubov was a chessplayer. St. Peter sadly shook his head, smiled and said: “He only thinks he is a chessplayer!”

Chess tournaments can be remembered for more than just the entrants, the games, and final standings. The great Hastings Tournament of 1895 foretold the collapse of the British chess empire as their aging stars, Bird, Burn, Blackburne, Gunsberg and Mason were fast fading from the chess scene. Another great tournament held in Ostend 1907, saw the introduction of the title Grandmaster. O. Bernstein and Rubinstein both shared the lst prize. The Donner Memorial Tournament of 1994 held in Amsterdam, Holland saw disrespect by a reporter covering the event and being ignorant totally about the subject he was sent to cover. He called the older players the ‘Old Geezers’ group.

World Champions only exist by virtue of those people who never held the title. Chess on the highest level is not only a boardgame; it is much more. It is part of human civilization. Both Lasker and Euwe have described chess mainly as a fight or struggle. Also, it is interesting to study how people think during a game. I think I have contributed to chess science by creating my time graphs. I am proud of the fact that I am not known for fights off the chessboard but only on it.–David Bronstein.

Oddly enough there have been numerous poems published about chess. For you poetic chessnuts, (are you in a composing mood?) consider…

Philosophical understanding after all: “He can’t be dumb it is safe to guess, because he loves and plays good chess.”

Postal chess improves your mind, winning is so much fun! He’s in a subtle trap I set, the game’s as good as won. With eager eyes I scan the mail, but to my great surprise, I find that word upon his card is “Mate” and not “Resign.”