*** Official OcUK Chess Thread ***

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nix
  • Start date Start date
:D

Just beat someone who had taken my Queen, a rook, knight and 3 pawns. I only had one of his pawns but still won within 21 moves.

I didn't even spot the checkmate or plan it. :o
 
I think he/she was too concerned about trying to take my queen. Trying to work out how to post a link to the actual match but getting nowhere.

I'm finding that I am doing OK when I try to get the pieces that aren't pawns (is there a name for these?) out and on to the other side of the board quite quickly, obviously in handy positions. Just makes it a lot harder for the other person as you can whoop arse.

Might be a n00by way of playing but at least I've won a few now!

Edit - can you see this http://www.chess.com/livechess/game.html?id=36633110 ?
 
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sigma said:
I'm finding that I am doing OK when I try to get the pieces that aren't pawns (is there a name for these?) out and on to the other side of the board quite quickly, obviously in handy positions. Just makes it a lot harder for the other person as you can whoop arse.
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They're minor pieces (i.e. Bishops/Knights).

The Modernist school of thought in chess basically advocates allowing your opponent to develop a central pawn mass in the centre which you then undermine with your minor pieces, exchange and ultimately control the centre yourself. However, a word to the wise: don't become dependant on soley minor development or pawn development. Pawns are inherent defenders and likewise, infinitely valuable in an end-game as they can cause your opponent no end of headaches. Having developed pawns always gives you the chance for a pawn-push or minority/majority attack.

Might be a n00by way of playing but at least I've won a few now! Admittedly a lot of the wins are due to time but I think I was winning in most of them anyway.
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Not nooby, but not fantastic either. I did however, see moments of genuine potential in that game. Keep practising, try and recognise patterns and start utlilising tactics such as discovered checks, etc.

Edit - can you see this http://www.chess.com/livechess/game.html?id=36633110 ?
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Yes it works. It was quite painful seeing some of the moves though. Try and pay more attention to your exchanges and piece counting.
 
Nix said:
Yes it works. It was quite painful seeing some of the moves though. Try and pay more attention to your exchanges and piece counting.
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Any tips on what was painful would be great. I seem to be rather one dimensional in that I forget to take into account exactly what is going on, I'm usually all attack, attack, attack, but miss things. Perhaps it's the time constraint? Might try playing the 14 minute version.

Re: the pawns, I try to set them up in /\ formations but they always end up blocking other pieces. Will take on what you have said though.

I can safely say that none of it was planned. I'm making progress though, at least I've won a few lol.
 
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sigma said:
Any tips on what was painful would be great. I seem to be rather one dimensional in that I forget to take into account exactly what is going on, I'm usually all attack, attack, attack, but miss things. Perhaps it's the time constraint? Might try playing the 14 minute version.

I can safely say that none of it was planned. I'm making progress though, at least I've won a few lol.
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Stick to my earlier advice. At the moment, it's all about pattern recognition (play stronger players if you feel up to it) and familiarity of weak/strong squares and common tactics (pins, forks, discovered checks, etc.).

Remember to try and develop quickly without giving up tempo. Aim to control the centre of the board without having to move the same piece twice until - ideally - you've fully developed at least all of your minor pieces. If you can control the centre and activate all pieces, you will be in a very strong position going into the middle game.

For the time being as I've said, just practice. Obviously try and get the most out of your pieces and cause your opponent trouble; aim to grind him down. Chess is often simply a war of attrition. Don't rely on hoping your opponent will make a mistake, take it for granted that he won't. Keep practicing and your intuition and recognition of play will improve. I would recommend playing stronger players though as you're not going to learn anything useful except bad habits from poor players.

If you're interested, click on any game in the game archives from the rest of us and have a look through them.
 
Firstly don't be afraid to think on 10 / 15 min live games... 15 / 20 seconds thinking early game can easily give you an advantage down the line when your position forces your opponent to think... At that point use your opponents time to think of your next move...

Secondly on live chess knowing your opening is KEY.. if you know the right moves to make at the start (assuming your opponent does mostly the right things!) then you are going to save yourself a lot of time and therefore put yourself in a stronger position.

Live / Real Life Tournament chess is just as much about time management as it is about actual piece position.. nothing wrong with wining on time.
 
Clown said:
http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=31763932
This guy has got me on the run.
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I wouldn't say your on the run! Pawn down ok that's not brilliant but in terms of position his knight on d4 is nice but on you have played Nb6 to counter the queen pin he is likely to play Nc2.. Rfe8? or Rad8 perhaps after that.. I guess then maybe Qe3 Qc7? d4 pawn push countered by e4? e4 push threatens g3 (once Qc7)
 
Clown said:
If I was him, I would probably go Nf5 to get the pawn on b7, then pawn rush :(
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So you are thinking..

black Nb6
then...
Nxf5 Qxf5
Qxf5 Rxf5
bxb7

ok so a piece for three pawns..

I guess its then..

black Ra7
be4? Rf8?

I still think here you have a knight, bishop and rock on the queens side.. probably slightly worse position.. but not an instance loss

I think you need your bishop then on c5 will cause him problems.. on the pawn push
 
Well played my first irl games of chess last night for 15+ years and was happy with how it all went (must remember to hit that clock button!).. Anyone who is Ipswich way I can now certainly recommend the local club! (at a pub too... beer and chess was great!)
 
Pneumonic said:
Firstly don't be afraid to think on 10 / 15 min live games... 15 / 20 seconds thinking early game can easily give you an advantage down the line when your position forces your opponent to think... At that point use your opponents time to think of your next move...

Secondly on live chess knowing your opening is KEY.. if you know the right moves to make at the start (assuming your opponent does mostly the right things!) then you are going to save yourself a lot of time and therefore put yourself in a stronger position.

Live / Real Life Tournament chess is just as much about time management as it is about actual piece position.. nothing wrong with wining on time.
Click to expand...

Good advice this.
 
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