Welcome to my chess page. It is meant specifically  for beginners. It will not teach you how to move pieces, but will teach you a few tricks I can afford to teach. No terms like Dunst opening , King's Pawn opening, Sicilian Defence, Dragon Variation and yada, yada yada, yada will be used but I would call them names which are easier to remember.*

*maybe a few but they are unimportant.

Email me at: [[email protected]]
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Contents:

[Introduction] [Checkers2Chess] [Chinese Chess2Chess] [Basic Tips] [Strategic Positions] [Scholar's Mate] [Fool's Mate] [Arrow Charging] [Queen's Attack] [Super Arrow Charging] [The Charge of the Pawns] [Blackmail] [Tips on "Kamikaze"] [The Winner's Dilemma] [Links] [Play chess by Email]

Introduction:

Chess is a turn based game like capture the flag except it has a mobile flag which is known as the king. It's possibilities are infinity and a single move can turn the tables of the game (So watch out). Unlike most people think, it is NOT a game for gentlemen or such. Cursing and over-emotion can happen anytime in the game, nothing to serious though. Chess requires a pinch of pcychology, development and ultimately, patience(Not so important) and thinking.

If you played other games like checkers or chinese chess, Congratulations, time to adjust and adapt!

PS.Chess can only be mastered through experience. [Back to Top]

Chess? I prefer Checkers:

The problem with most checkers players is as soon as they play chess, they try to eat everything. More experienced players will find these players annoying and may decide to lure their pieces off certain positions, then attack their vulnerable point. So if you are a checkers player, chess is a game of position and control but not eating. This does not mean that you should not eat too much but have a "balanced diet" from each strategic position. Hehe. [Back to Top]
 

What About Chinese Chess, Am I Safe?

Yes, you have got the concept right but in chess, there is no "palace" or "palace guards". So don't confine your king in one place. All pieces can cross the "river" unlike in chess. Most of the pieces in chinese chess have their International Chess counterpart. However (and sadly) there is no "pao" but you have the knight which moves like the "ma" and can jump over pieces in mobility and eating. Luckily, you have the castle or rook which moves like the "ji". Good Luck. [Back to Top]
 

Tips and Game Types for the beginner:

To use this section, I assume you know what is h1h3 and stuff like that. Don't worry if you don't, at least you can use the tips section. Maybe I can help you without using that in certain techniques. I will teach you a few types of games and how to counter them.
 

Basic Tips:

1) If one moves a pawn two steps out, you should usually do the same. Experiment when you can or cannot.

2) Try to move your pieces out in so called "harmony". Therefore, it is important to move the pieces with less mobility out first     like the knight. This can avoid unnecessary moves when you call in for "reinforcements".

3) There are two sides of the board, her majesty's the queen's and his majesty's, the king. Try to equalize the both sides of the board so that you can suddenly attack one flank and switch to another when your opponent defends only one side. On the other hand, you can suddenly defend your position and switch over, allowing you to be flexible.
Note: This flexibility thing can be easily destroyed or misused.

4) Have justice to both defence and offence. When a piece is offending it most of the time cannot retreat if you need it back. So use knights for small early offence and bishop and castle for defence. They usually can come out if you need them to attack or vice versa.

5) Early castling is good for health or is it? Castling when the enemy attacks can severely backfire his or her plan but early castling lets your castle loose to join the fun. The choice is yours.(Please note you cannot castle while in check or "jianged" (Checkmate) to you chinese chess players.

6) Don't be afraid to sacrifice. You have to do it sometimes to avoid losing a good position or prevent checkmate even if it means losing a queen or a castle. The value of a piece might change if the position is changed. Think about it...

7)  Try to get your most powerful pieces out first in contrary to tip #2 for faster control of the board. Suit Yourself.

8) Try to predict your opponent's next move or if possible, next few moves.

9) Avoid moving pawns. They can slow development down unless they are part of your development.

10) Basically, any piece in the center is at the most powerful and can gain acess to many squares.
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Strategic Positions:

These are hard to describe but I'll try my best to...

1) A very interesting place for the knight or horse (As some people call it) is at the enemy's queen's bishop second square.

Conditions: The king has not moved or castled and the Queen has went out to "dinner". No other enemy piece must be controlling that particular square.

Reason: If the conditions are right (They usually are in middle or beginning), it will check the king and the enemy would be forced to move his king, allowing you to take his/her castle.

Counter: Try not to move your queen out too early and castle A.S.A.P

2) King's bishops seem to be the happiest at the queen bishop's 4th square.

Conditions: It must be done early

Reason: Don't you get it? Look which pawn you are treatening? Isn't it nice to get your queen at that pawn? Or if your opponent dares move it, What about his precious knight.

Counter: This usually means that your opponent is trying a Scholar's Mate on you, move your threatened knight out in front of the pawn.

I have alot more but please, I have no time to put all up.
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Scholar's mate:

A checkmate in four moves, how interesting. This is an ultimate weapon against beginners and Copy-Cats. But I can't assure you it would always work. Here is the most common scholar's mate:

1)e2e4,e7e5 King's pawn game. Please note that if an opponent does this it does not necessarily mean that he/she intends to play scholar's mate.

2)f1c4,f8f5 Bishops out.

3)d1h5,something other than g1h3 or g2g3.

4)Qxf7++ Checkmate!!! Black is long gone.

Counter:Instead of e7e5, try e7e6 (French Defence).
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Fool's Mate:

A very, very, very uncommon mate... Checkmate in two moves. Useful weapon against people who eat everything.

1)f1f4,e7e5

2)f4xe5,d8d4++ Checkmate!!! bye,bye white.
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Arrow Charging:

This kind of game is only good against beginners who are somehow, unsure of when to sacrifice.

Objective: Diagonal defence using pawns. Dislodge arrow charger's defence and break-in.

Warning: Do not use against experienced players.

Arrow Charging .(Note that the moves displayed are only for the arrow charger.):

1)e2e4,Whatever. 2)d2d3 or f2f3, Their own moves. 3)See two. 4)c1c3,Depends. These moves can be done in any order. The same formation can be used at the Queen's side.
Note how powerful the defence is. Beginners will try to touch the bottom pawns and surpass the upper ones.

Counter: Try to force the bishop out of position first. Then use your own pawns as sacrifice to dislodge your opponents pawns. Once their defence is down, attack,attack and attack. The most powerful weapon against an arrow charge is the knights, the bishop which is different from the colour his pawns are controlling.
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Queen's Attack:

This is a powerful attack if done right and if you do not make a mistake. This attack opposes the tip a gave you about harmony. It can be avoided early using the French Defence or late counter, trapping the queen. It can be used against almost every kind of player.

Objective: Getting the queen behind enemy lines. The opponent's objective is to trap the queen, fast.

Queen's Attack:

1)e2e4,e7e5.King's Pawn Game 2)d1h5,g7g6 3)Qxe5+ ,g1e2 4)Qxh8 and so on...
The Queen is now behind enemy lines. Now the enemy cannot move his bishop making it safe for you to thread in its path. After getting into that position, try to get your bishop to help over...

Counter: There are two counters. The French defence and Queen Trapping. French Defence: Instead of e7e5, use e7e6. Queen Trapping: Instead of moving g7g6, move c7c6 first then only move g7g6. This can ultimately trap the queen and develop at the same time. Tata ...
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Super Arrow Charging:

This little thing can only be done by one player. Whoever that player is, he or she better be careful. A glitch can turn the tide of battle (and when that happens, DRAT). There are two types of super arrow charging. French Defence type, and Queen side.

Objective: Defend your king while "squashing" your enemy in.

Super Arrow Charging (French Defence):
1)e2e4,e7e6 2)e4e5,b8b6 This denies the queen pawn out so.. 3)f2f4,f8c5 now the bishop is threatening your knight, but who cares? There always is such a thing as a castle. Anyway that bishop is getting pesky so... 4)c2c3,d8h4+ checked you did (s)he? Well check= free move else, check=E.free move. This time it is else. 5)g2g3,either h4d8 or h4e7. That bishop is quite a bother is it? 6)c2c3,??? and so on... Now both sides are quite squashed in, Are they? now wait for the enemy to bust in. When (s)he does, (s)he'll be half dead unless your opponent is real good at crushing arrow charges.

Counter: Same way as regular arrow charges, with a higher cost.

Super Arrow Charging (Queen's Side):
1)e2e4,e7e5 2)d2d4,b8c6 refused offer 3)d4d5,??? 4)b2b3,??? 5)c2c4,???...

Counter: As soon f3 is moved, check your enemy with a queen. Get your king's bishop out to any square that threatens. Go play as if as it is attack, attack and attack.
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Blackmail:

Well, I have too many moves for white. Hmm, may be you are right... Time for blackmail! This is quite damaging if you are careful and use it nicely, so there...

Objective: Get the queen out A.S.A.P snd cause havoc!

Blackmail:
1)e2e4,d7d5 my..my..the pawn looks tempting or is it...? 2)e4e5,e7e6 maybe not...hey, white is trying super arrow charging!!!
3)d8h4,g2g3 4)h4e4+,d1e2 5)Qxh1...

Counter: Instead of e4e5,try b1c3
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The Charge of the Pawns:

Ever wonder what those measly pieces called pawns are for? Here is the answer:

Objective: Cause as much problems as possible with your pawns.

The Charge of the pawns:
1)e2e5,d7d5 2)d2d4,e7e6 3) b7c3,f2f4...
 

Tips on Kamikaze:

What is a kamikaze? It is something like suicide except it will do harm to your enemy. Let's say for example: Crashing your plane into an enemy ship like what the Japanese once did.

But what is kamikaze for chess? Simple, it is sacrificing a piece by eating an enemy's piece when necessary. Here are a few basic tips for kamikaze.

1) Do not play kamikaze unless necessary. Don't tell me you don't know that? Remember, losing one piece is losing a sixteenth from your army.

2) Kamikaze when you can take more pieces from your opponent than he can from you. Weaken his forces up.

3) Kamikaze is fun when you have to do it for a checkmate.

4)Uh...

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The Winner's Dillema:

This is only for your entertainment. What is the winner's dillemma? It is whether to torture the loser to prolong his shame or to give him a fast death, therefore getting honor in checkmating in as few moves as possible. Well, if he chooses to torture, the tables may suddenly turn and the tide of battle may crush him. If he chooses to be quick, he will not enjoy the pleasure of torturing you on the chess board (and having the game longer for himself that is). Would you want to torture or not? The choice is yours...
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Links:

This would I'm certainly saad to say, you will be leaving. Well I hoped I did amuse you, and not confuse you. Email me if you want to see your site here or if you are lazy to learn HTML, I would welcome a trick meant for beginners from you. So long,

The Exeter's Chess Club - If you are out of beginner's stage, go there, bye...
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Email Chess:

Right, so you want to play chess? Join this list by clicking here . In case you are wondering how they do it, It's like h2h3 or something. I can't assure you the people listed down here (especially me) would reply or accept.

Oedius- I'm okay, at least I think I am... Maybe that's because I'm sick of my classmates who always plays the same style.
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