I was told off by Carl for playing 1-minute chess on the internet and given lots of alternatives! I thought I could share these with you so that you’ve got plenty of chess to do this summer while your regular coaching, club and tournaments are on holidays!
First, you can read our December Issue of Knight Times
I don’t recommend it for improving your chess, in fact it probably makes your game worse! When it is too hot to sleep here’s what I get up to…
David’s 1 minute game of chess
Game played at www.chesscube.com – a free chess site where you can play other players live online.
I’ve been playing through some of Petrosian’s games lately on my iphone and have come across some nifty positions. Tigran Petrosian was World Champion from 1963 – 1969 and was renown for being a very defensive player who rarely lost. It was surprising therefore when I came across the following position with Petrosian playing Black a pawn down in a double rook ending. Surely with White’s extra pawn being doubled Petrosian could find a way to draw?
He has just played 1…R-c3. Today’s puzzle is how did the game finish? Did Petrosian gets his draw or did he suffer a rare defeat?
I’ll give you a couple of hints. Firstly, the game does not last very long. Secondly, sometimes it pays to look for an idea rather than just analysing moves.
8/8/2p2R2/7p/5P1k/2rR3P/5PK1/2r5 w KQkq - 0 1 White to play.
It’s not fair! Computers have so many advantages playing against we poor humans.
They never tire. The analyse more moves than us. They analyse deeper than us. They don’t make tactical boo-boos. They don’t get distracted by their opponents eating green apples and banging the clock. It’s a wonder we can ever beat them at all.
The best chance is in the endgame. Sometimes a human can understand what is happening at a glance whereas the silly computer is still analysing every move and perhaps the solution is beyond their move horizon.
Have a look at the following positions for example.
4R3/p1r4p/1p1k1p2/3P2p1/4K1P1/1P6/P6P/8 w KQkq – 0 1 White to play
Black has just played Rc7 and is prepared to ditch his “f” pawn in an effort to get counter-play with his R. My computer says White wins after 1.Re6+ Kd7 2.Rxf6 Rc2 3.Rh6 Rxa2 4.Kf5 Rb2 5.Rxh7+ Kd6 6.Rxa7 Kxd5 7.Rh7 Rxb3 8.Kxg5 etc.
Today’s puzzle, dear human, is is the computer correct, or can you improve on his play?
By Bobby Cheng
Having moved from New Zealand only two years ago, I never thought I would bring Australia a world chess champion title in such a short space of time. However, it has happened: in Kemer, Antalya, Turkey, on 23rd November 2009.
Well done to Robyn from the Sunraysia Chess Club for organising such great media coverage!
Last week was the finals of the Chess Kids National Interschool Championships at Monash University and, as a chess coach, I had the job of going through players’ games after they had finished.
An older boy sauntered up to me holding his scoresheet and asked if I could have a look at his game.
“Sure” I replied. ”It’s not long” he commented as he handed me the scoresheet.
“Did you win?” I asked as I glanced at his scoresheet which indeed showed that the game was only 7 moves long! Read more…
The RJ Shield will be expanding next year through partnerships with clubs in Geelong, Mildura, Ballarat, Melbourne and Frankston.
The first RJ Shield in Mildura has been in the news recently. We hope to see every RJ Shield getting the same coverage in 2010.
The National Interschool Chess Championships isn’t just about the chess. There is the social and fun side to it all as well:
Share this with friends then join play.chesskids.com.au