Chess - Part One


It's just a game. Been around for a few... oh... dozen centuries? Give or take a couple? Chess has evolved greatly within the last century. Beyond having sponsored events, it has incorporated rankings for players. Long gone are the days of the social interaction (or really lack thereof) over a chessboard. The players really don't talk all that much unless trying to play a psychological game to boot. Now we have online matches, tourneys, rankings... interactive game play against computer or multitudes of players.

Just looking today, saw a myriad of chess engines. The only chess program I'd really gotten into that much was the WinChess for Windows 3.1. Yeah, an antique. That includes me too, I guess. Used to have one of those electronic chess boards when I could actually afford to dole out $100+ dollares. Not a typo on the word "dollares" or the amount.

Now they have computer chess engine tourneys. I guess they are playing for the vanity of who can program the most competitive alogrithms. After Garry Kasparov lost to Big Blue, it's been downhill since. Unless you see them as the opportunity to play against largely competitive tools to use to hone those chess skills because they ARE harder to beat.

Back when I was knee-high, had a coverless issue of some book by Fred Reinfeld. I think the copyright was around 1909. Anyway... it had gotten me interested. Since then there have been very few books that really, really proved of any value to improving my game. Until finding one that talked about certain types of moves with illustrations. A forking attack or check; by more than just the worrisome knight. Double or discovery checks. Pinned pieces. Doubled-pawns, reasons for en passant and promotion on the 8th rank. How soon to castle. And yeah, I had to have it drawn out for me. Even had to play through the game-moves.

Today finds me not really much better at the game. The ability to see ahead more than a move are two really seems beyond my ken. And a lot of my games, I seem to either have it going on or never able to get it in gear. But it is still a wonderful game to use for mind candy and some quiet contemplation.