Posts Tagged ‘kids chess blog’
Playing Chess in your mind (Mental Chess) pt.1
Just recently I was asked about playing chess without a chess board; its a really interesting way to play chess. The point is this: if two players can both visualize a chess board and remember each of their moves (which they dictate in chess notation) they can play a full chess game in their heads without ever using a chess board!
I know that for people who dont play chess this sounds insane, and to those that already play chess it may sound like an unattainable challenge. All you readers will be glad to know that there is a way developed of how to learn to start playing chess in your mind.
The goal here is not to take on the whole game right when your starting, but to break it down. One way to do this is to play one of the alternative chess games (chess variants) like pawn wars to practice and train your memory. Once you do this, you can add in more pieces and really exercise your brain. Tomorrow I will write about other methods to train your brain for Mental Chess.
CheckMatesUSA Blog is Back
We’ve been upgrading other parts of the website, but now the blog is back! Check Back everyday for new articles and find out more than you ever imagined about chess.
Also, if you have questions about chess would like us to write an article about something particlar in chess, please let us know.
-George Krasnopolskiy
What is a pawn chain?
Pawn are the first piece that most players learn…but are by no means the simplest. They are a very unique piece for a variety of reasons:
1. They are the only pieces that cannot move backwards.
2. They are the only pieces that attack differently that they moves.
3. They are the only pieces that can be promoted.
Pawns are actually my favorite piece for these and many other reasons, but enough about pawns. Pawn chains are one the first strategies that a chess players learns when dealing with pawns. A pawn chain in when a group of pawns are in a diagonal protecting each other. This is beneficial because the pawns are much harder to attack for your opponent, and easier to defend for you. The pawn at the bottom of the pawn chain the only vulnerable one and therefore you can focus your defenses on him. Later on, more advanced players learn to coordinate their pawn chains with the color of their bishop. Having many pawns chains on the board leads to a closed position and is very powerful for a knight.
Perpetual Check
Have you ever heard the chess term perpetual check and wondered what is was? Like most chess terms it isnt hard to figure out: a perpetual check is a position in which one player is constantly repeated the same series of checks and his/her opponent has no options to do anything else. In a perpetual check position the game ends in a draw. Note that in some chess position the player that is being checked may have a choice to get out of the perpetual check but may leave themselves in a worse position, in which case they will most likely choose to end the game in a draw.
Look at the position below: can you find the correct move to force the perpetual check?
We have just added two new Perpetual Check Chess Practice Puzzle Worksheets to our Online Resource. Give them a try for additional practice.
What does FIDE stand for?
Many of us know that FIDE is the leading world chess organization. But what does FIDE stand for?
FIDE stands for Fédération Internationale des Échecs, which literally translates into World Chess Federation. They are the governing body for most large chess events and create the rules for international competition. They also award players titles such as Grandmaster and International Master.
Skeleton Key Chess Set
This week’s unique chess set has a Halloween theme…being that October is the spookiest of all the months. The Chess set above is the Skeleton Key Chess Set, and for good reason. All of the pieces are keys and there are slots in the board for them to be inserted into with every move.
I was not able to find the artists deeper meaning behind the board; but was able to come up with a quote for this chess set: “Unlock a new possibility with every move.” This super cool chess set was designed by Dave Pickett.
Wobble Chess Set
For a while now I have been sharing cool chess sets, most of which are completely out of reach to the average consumer. This chess set is an exception, and very cool. The Wobble chess set costs around $250 and has a very unique design. All the chess pieces balance perfectly on the squares and wobble into position. I do not have this chess set, but I imagine it would be very neat.
Girls in Chess
Cool Chess Sets- High Octane Chess Set
Every player wants a chess board that is unique to them. People who love Star Wars will get a Star Wars themed chess set, people who like Lego will make a chess set out of Legos, and people who really like building cars will build a car parts themed chess set; which is what this is. Built by Rev Rods, this set is unique because of its use of car parts. You can find a list of which parts were used to build each specific piece as well a more pictures of this cool chess set here.
The World’s Most Expensive Chess Set
I love Chess, and if your reading this blog the assumption that you love chess too. But how much would spend on a nice chess board? Maybe $50, maybe $100, maybe $200. The world’s most expensive chess set is valued at over 9.8 Million Dollars. This is the Jewel Royale Chess Set which was created in Great Britain and commisioned by the Royale Jewel Company.
What makes this the most expensive chess set in the world? Well… its made of gold and platinum, it has diamonds, emeralds, rubies, pearls and sapphires. The king piece weighs 165.2 grams of 18 carat yellow gold and has a spiraling mid-section graced by 73 rubies and 146 diamonds.
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