Chess

[foxes_rule1978]

Just getting into this; thought I didn’t see a topic for what is a brilliant game. So are there many players here? 

[Zear0]

Used to play properly in my youth but now just play on mobile throughout the day. 

 

How you getting on starting out? 

[leicsmac]

I play a bit on chess.com, think there was a topic for this in gen chat but it's not been touched in a while.

 

Like Zear0 I used to play a lot more seriously but now just online correspondence games. Also splurged on one of the Square Off boards where the pieces move by themselves. Gimmicky but cool.

[spacemunky]

I have the world's best chess set. I know because it said so on the box!

 

I also have Chess Ultra for my Nintendo Switch and PS4.

 

 

[foxes_rule1978]

Yeah I got scholar mated and Martin not beat me; now I’m at 1300 and very consistent 

[An Away Move]

I am addicted. Have played over a 1000 games on Chess.com since Dec 31st when I joined. There's a Leicester City group people can join to play against other teams (as individuals). I am ranked at about 850 now, which is still very much at beginner level. Beat someone ranked 1350 for a Leicester group match which was my greatest win so far!

Edited 18 September 2023 by An Away Move

[fazzyfox]

I'm surprised there's not already a topic, I'll check mate.

[purpleronnie]

59 minutes ago, fazzyfox said:

I'm surprised there's not already a topic, I'll check mate.

[String fellow]

The British Chess Championships were held at De Montfort University back in July.

https://www.britishchesschampionships.co.uk/

 

Personally, I prefer chess problem solving, and somehow manage to qualify for the final every year. Not only do you have to solve conventional mates in x moves and studies, but also be able to solve unorthodox problems such as helpmates in x moves and selfmates in x moves. The Problemist is a very good (but very geeky) publication for anyone interested.

https://www.theproblemist.org/wcbcsc/wcbcsc.pl?type=home

 

The ChessVibes YouTube channel presented by Nelson Lopez is also very good for seeing how to tackle conventional problems - studies mainly. Here's one typical video of his, explaining how to force mate with just a bishop and a knight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHnz4U7qjfk

 

Edited 18 September 2023 by String fellow

[AyewJoking]

Learned when I was 10 and have been playing on chess.com for years.

 

However I'm only slightly above average and just play for fun, not really interested in trying to master the game.

[leicsmac]

TL;DR - played an online game against an Icelandic International Master, played for a draw as Black and nearly got it until one fatal fvckup near the end which has rather ruined my day. Study endgame theory!

 

----------------------

 

Thought it might be a good idea to share a recent game I played here for anyone who might be interested. Icelandic IM David Kjartansson (TheChessKitchen on chess.com, Twitch and some other places) was offering challenges on chess.com and (not knowing anything other than the handle of the player) thought I would play against him. Correspondence format, where each side has up to a day per move. Needless to say when I saw the little "IM" tag next to his handle I rather shat a brick (especially as I was playing Black), but I decided to give it the best I could and look to play for a draw.

 

 

1.e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nf6??

 

(Closed Sicilian, but being blinded by the lights a bit I mess up some on just the second move).

 

3. f4? d5

 

(Thankfully he either takes mercy on me or makes a misstep himself and this is an OK opening now).

 

4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. fxg7 cxd2+ 7. Qxd2 Qxd2+

 

(Going for Scorched Earth approach, less pieces = less complex position = less chance of being outplayed in those positions by a superior player)

8.Bxd2 Bxg7 9. O-O-O Nc6 10. Nf3 Bg4 11. Bb5 Bxf3 12. gxf3 O-O-O 13. Bxc6 bxc6

 

 

(And that's the Scorched Earth done, things roughly equal, now to try and keep it that way.)

14.Be3 Bd4 15. Rhe1 Bxe3+ 16. Rxe3 Rxd1+ 17. Kxd1 Kd7 18. Ra3 Ra8 19. Ra5 Kd6
20.Kd2 f5 21. Kc3 h5 22. Kc4 e6 23. Ra3 h4 24. Rd3+ Kc7 25. Kxc5 Rb8 26. b4 a5
27.c3 axb4 28. cxb4 Ra8 29. a3 h3 30. Kc4 Rg8 31. Rd2 Rg2 32. Kd3 Kb6 33. a4
Rg1 34. Re2 Ra1 35. a5+ Kb5 36. Rxe6 Kxb4 37. Rxc6 Rxa5

 

(Trading down pawns gradually, hoping to get to a drawn Rook and Pawn v Rook endgame.)

 

38. Rh6 Kc5 39. Rxh3 Ra3+ 40. Ke2 Ra2+ 41. Ke3 Kd6 42. Rh6+ Ke7 43. h4 Kf7 44. h5 Rh2 45. Kd4 Kg7 46.
Rg6+ Kf7 47. Ra6 Rxh5 48. Ke5 Rh3 49. Ra3 Kg6 50. Rb3 Rg3 51. Rb6+ Kf7 52. Kxf5
Rxf3 53. Rb7+ Kf8 54. Ke5 Re3+ 55. Kf6

 

 

(Now at the Rook and pawn v Rook endgame, this is theoretically drawn but I have to not put a foot wrong to draw it.)

 

55....Kg8 56. f5 Rg3 57. Rb8+ Kh7 58. Kf7 Rg7+
59. Ke6 Ra7 60. Re8 Ra6+ 61. Kf7 Ra7+ 62. Re7 Ra8 63. f6 Ra1 64. Kf8+ Kg6 65. f7
Ra8+???

 

 

 

(What. The. Fvck. Were. You. Thinking. Mac. Actually, you weren't thinking. 65. Kf6 draws reasonably easily and the end of the drawing sequence is only a couple of moves away. As it is, he now has multiple ways to pick me off.)

 

66. Re8 Ra7 67. Re6+ Kf5 68. Rb6 Ra8+ 69. Kg7 Ra7 70. Kg8 1-0

 

 

(No way to stop the pawn from promoting, so I will have to give up my Rook and the game is hopeless from there.)

 

I suppose I should be happy that I lasted that long against someone that damn good, but it pains me to know that I pissed away a drawn position when it was nearly all over after doing a lot of the hard work. Learning experience too is to read some more theory: was relying a lot on instinctual moves when it got to the endgame whereas a truly good player would know exactly what position to aim for in such an endgame having read about it and so know what to do several moves in advance.

 

Ah well.

[Golden Fox]

I played competitively a bit in the 90s - in the Leicestershire leagues. I started in Div 6, then went to the 1st team and played in Div 4, then 3, then 2 then captaining the team in Division 1 and holding my own - albeit on the lower boards, but it was quite a journey! Played a few times for Leicestershire at various levels. (also played at University - captaining the 2nd team to a promotion.) I was a good player, but being in clubs with where other players were on top boards in division 1 - I was always aware of being a step below them. 

 

But since starting work, that was it other than the odd game Like most things, its time and finding people to play against & have never found anyone in the workplace that will give me a decent game. Have never really got into playing computers or online - would prefer to play across the board from someone rather than looking at a screen, and that limits options.

 

Still - one evening this week, I'll have a run through your game @leicsmac - I usually play the Sicilian as black and IM is a very good standard to be competing against, so will enjoy that.

[leicsmac]

2 hours ago, Golden Fox said:

I played competitively a bit in the 90s - in the Leicestershire leagues. I started in Div 6, then went to the 1st team and played in Div 4, then 3, then 2 then captaining the team in Division 1 and holding my own - albeit on the lower boards, but it was quite a journey! Played a few times for Leicestershire at various levels. (also played at University - captaining the 2nd team to a promotion.) I was a good player, but being in clubs with where other players were on top boards in division 1 - I was always aware of being a step below them. 

 

But since starting work, that was it other than the odd game Like most things, its time and finding people to play against & have never found anyone in the workplace that will give me a decent game. Have never really got into playing computers or online - would prefer to play across the board from someone rather than looking at a screen, and that limits options.

 

Still - one evening this week, I'll have a run through your game @leicsmac - I usually play the Sicilian as black and IM is a very good standard to be competing against, so will enjoy that.

That's interesting to hear about - thank you. I also captained the University team in the Leicestershire league, though we were very much lower division.

 

I get you in that actually mulling over the pieces on a physical board is much better, but it does seem to be tricky these days so for me online with a board set up to "view" the position is the best I can do for myself.

 

I would appreciate any feedback on the game I've put up there by a fellow player - like you I tend to go for the Sicilian as Black (usually Najdorf so this guy playing the Closed kinda threw me).

 

 

Edited 18 December 2023 by leicsmac

[leicsmac]

On 17/12/2023 at 17:18, leicsmac said:

TL;DR - played an online game against an Icelandic International Master, played for a draw as Black and nearly got it until one fatal fvckup near the end which has rather ruined my day. Study endgame theory!

 

----------------------

 

Thought it might be a good idea to share a recent game I played here for anyone who might be interested. Icelandic IM David Kjartansson (TheChessKitchen on chess.com, Twitch and some other places) was offering challenges on chess.com and (not knowing anything other than the handle of the player) thought I would play against him. Correspondence format, where each side has up to a day per move. Needless to say when I saw the little "IM" tag next to his handle I rather shat a brick (especially as I was playing Black), but I decided to give it the best I could and look to play for a draw.

 

 

1.e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nf6??

 

(Closed Sicilian, but being blinded by the lights a bit I mess up some on just the second move).

 

3. f4? d5

 

(Thankfully he either takes mercy on me or makes a misstep himself and this is an OK opening now).

 

4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. fxg7 cxd2+ 7. Qxd2 Qxd2+

 

(Going for Scorched Earth approach, less pieces = less complex position = less chance of being outplayed in those positions by a superior player)

8.Bxd2 Bxg7 9. O-O-O Nc6 10. Nf3 Bg4 11. Bb5 Bxf3 12. gxf3 O-O-O 13. Bxc6 bxc6

 

 

(And that's the Scorched Earth done, things roughly equal, now to try and keep it that way.)

14.Be3 Bd4 15. Rhe1 Bxe3+ 16. Rxe3 Rxd1+ 17. Kxd1 Kd7 18. Ra3 Ra8 19. Ra5 Kd6
20.Kd2 f5 21. Kc3 h5 22. Kc4 e6 23. Ra3 h4 24. Rd3+ Kc7 25. Kxc5 Rb8 26. b4 a5
27.c3 axb4 28. cxb4 Ra8 29. a3 h3 30. Kc4 Rg8 31. Rd2 Rg2 32. Kd3 Kb6 33. a4
Rg1 34. Re2 Ra1 35. a5+ Kb5 36. Rxe6 Kxb4 37. Rxc6 Rxa5

 

(Trading down pawns gradually, hoping to get to a drawn Rook and Pawn v Rook endgame.)

 

38. Rh6 Kc5 39. Rxh3 Ra3+ 40. Ke2 Ra2+ 41. Ke3 Kd6 42. Rh6+ Ke7 43. h4 Kf7 44. h5 Rh2 45. Kd4 Kg7 46.
Rg6+ Kf7 47. Ra6 Rxh5 48. Ke5 Rh3 49. Ra3 Kg6 50. Rb3 Rg3 51. Rb6+ Kf7 52. Kxf5
Rxf3 53. Rb7+ Kf8 54. Ke5 Re3+ 55. Kf6

 

 

(Now at the Rook and pawn v Rook endgame, this is theoretically drawn but I have to not put a foot wrong to draw it.)

 

55....Kg8 56. f5 Rg3 57. Rb8+ Kh7 58. Kf7 Rg7+
59. Ke6 Ra7 60. Re8 Ra6+ 61. Kf7 Ra7+ 62. Re7 Ra8 63. f6 Ra1 64. Kf8+ Kg6 65. f7
Ra8+???

 

 

 

(What. The. Fvck. Were. You. Thinking. Mac. Actually, you weren't thinking. 65. Kf6 draws reasonably easily and the end of the drawing sequence is only a couple of moves away. As it is, he now has multiple ways to pick me off.)

 

66. Re8 Ra7 67. Re6+ Kf5 68. Rb6 Ra8+ 69. Kg7 Ra7 70. Kg8 1-0

 

 

(No way to stop the pawn from promoting, so I will have to give up my Rook and the game is hopeless from there.)

 

I suppose I should be happy that I lasted that long against someone that damn good, but it pains me to know that I pissed away a drawn position when it was nearly all over after doing a lot of the hard work. Learning experience too is to read some more theory: was relying a lot on instinctual moves when it got to the endgame whereas a truly good player would know exactly what position to aim for in such an endgame having read about it and so know what to do several moves in advance.

 

Ah well.

Had a rematch against this guy immediately after this game finished, this time playing White.

 

This time, I did draw!

 

If anyone wants me to put the game on here I will, but only on request because I don't want to clog the thread.

[foxes_rule1978]

Has my best game and made this great move : 

 

 

[foxes_rule1978]

Takes time to get good, but wow I’m impressed I saw that beauty 

[Benguin]

So satisfying seeing the double exclamation!! Even better when my opponent had me most of the game

[leicsmac]

7 minutes ago, Benguin said:

So satisfying seeing the double exclamation!! Even better when my opponent had me most of the game

That Knight tucked away in the corner proving critical, as well as the White Bishop and Knight being horribly underdeveloped while your pieces are cooperating nicely.

 

Nice combo, looks like it was a very open game.

[Benguin]

4 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

That Knight tucked away in the corner proving critical, as well as the White Bishop and Knight being horribly underdeveloped while your pieces are cooperating nicely.

 

Nice combo, looks like it was a very open game.

Yeah got a nice fork on the King and rook - before I spotted the checkmate combo with queen and bishop. 
 

They played really aggressively with their queen and I made a few mistakes early on so was a satisfying end. 

[leicsmac]

3 minutes ago, Benguin said:

Yeah got a nice fork on the King and rook - before I spotted the checkmate combo with queen and bishop. 
 

They played really aggressively with their queen and I made a few mistakes early on so was a satisfying end. 

The f2 and c2 squares are such a weakness for White until it's shored up, glad you were able to exploit them overlooking that in favour of their Queen attack (with what looks like no supporting cast) to the full.

Edited 9 August 2024 by leicsmac

[Babylon]

Used to play in my youth, had an actual chess board that you played against (never liked computer versions). But not really touched it for 25 years or more. Problem was I was the only person I knew who could play, always a bit of a problem pre internet 

[The Bear]

I watch a lot of chess content and mainly play puzzles on chess.com (rated 2000 at those). Online rating is around 1100 but I very rarely play games unless it's against friends. I reckon I could get to 1300-1400 if I actually played a bit more. My knowledge of openings is very poor. Bit of Caro-Kann, Vienna Gambit and Italian/Spanish. 

 

Tactics is my strong point due to the regular puzzles. 

[ithuriel]

Learnt it from a book in the library when at school, made a board and pieces from paper and taught my siblings to play, then in my first job I used to play my boss during lunch breaks but not played in 25 odd years now.

[foxes_rule1978]

Magnus Carlsen confirming his superiority over anyone else, rinsed Alireza in the final…   
 

 

[The Bear]

Yes I watched parts of the match on the YouTube stream. I saw it when Alireza went 2.5 to 1.5 up in 5+1 but then switched off. When I came back to it an hour later Magnus had a 7 point lead and Alireza hadn't won a match since the last game of 5+1 that I watched. 

 

After that it was just brutal and Magnus just smashed him. The 1+1 Bullet was irrelevant by then and Alireza was completely dejected and lost game after game, which is the main reason why Magnus won with a record score. 

 

Hikaru vs Magnus would have been a better final as he doesn't choke against Magnus nowadays like he used to.