Buy Chess Sets: What Chess Set Suits You?

The game of chess can be fascinating and enthralling. A game of two player chess can take less than an hour or several hours but the time will slip away as you move the pieces of a chess set, so absorbed you can become.

Great masters can play games of astonishing length. In 1989 Ivan Nicolic and Goran Arsovic played a match that comprised 269 moves and lasted more than 20 hours - even then it ended as a draw! The upstart 21-year-old challenger Garry Kasparov faced World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov for the world title in 1984. The individual games did not take much more than was normal but the whole tournament lasted five months with 48 games. Incredibly, after thousands of hours of play and analysis, the tournament was cancelled. The struggle was reconvened six months later and Kasparov went on to become the youngest world champion at twenty-two years old.

Clearly you are unlikely to get involved in such marathon matches but nonetheless there is no reason why your owngames with friends may not be as intense and, indeed, significant to you.

To play a great game of chess, the pieces of a chess set with which you play should be the best quality you can afford. The chosen chess set should reflect the value you place upon it. There is a huge variety of chess sets available: from the standard Staunton chess pieces through to themed chess sets or even a carved chess setmight attract you.

Obviously the quality of a chess set will vary according to the price you are prepared to pay but it would be worth going that little bit further to get a good quality chess set. In any case, a striking ornamental chess set can be a focus for your room and a conversation piece for visitors.

There is something attractive and interesting about the right chess set.

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Chess Basics: Having The Initiative

All games in two player chess begin with White making the first move. Whatever the player using the black pieces of a chess set does, the White player always has the initiative.

But what does this really mean?

In his book on chess basics, the former World Chess Champion, Jose Raul Capablanca (1888 - 1942) explained it this way:

As the pieces are set on the board both sides have the same position and the same amount of material. White, however, has the move, and the move in this case means the initiative, and the initiative, other things being equal, is an advantage.

Now this advantage must be kept as long as possible, and should only be given up if some other advantage, material or positional, is obtained in its place. White, according to the principles already laid down, develops his pieces as fast as possible, but in so doing he also tries to hinder his opponent's development, by applying pressure wherever possible.

He tries first of all to control the centre, and failing this to obtain some positional advantage that will make him feel assured that he will, in turn, be able to withstand his adversary's thrust; and finally, through his superiority of material, once more resume the initiative, which alone can give him the victory.

This last assertion is self-evident, since, in order to win the game, the opposing King must be driver to a position where he is attacked without having any way of escape. Once the pieces have been properly developed the resulting positions may vary in character.

It may be that a direct attack against the King is in order; or that it is a case of improving a position already advantageous; or, finally, that some material can be gained at the cost of relinquishing the initiative for a more or less prolonged period.

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Chess Basics: The Relative Values of Chess Pieces

This interesting description on the value of the pieces of a chess set was written by the great Cuban chess champion Jose Raul Capablanca (1888 - 1942) in his book on the chess basics called, appropriately, "Chess Fundamentals."

It is advisable to give the student an idea of the proper relative value of the pieces. There is no complete and accurate table for all of them, and the only thing to do is to compare the pieces separately.

For all general theoretical purposes the Bishop and the Knight have to be considered as of the same value, though it is my opinion that the Bishop will prove the more valuable piece in most cases; and it is well known that two Bishops are almost always better than two Knights.

The Bishop will be stronger against Pawns than the Knight, and in combination with Pawns will also be stronger against the Rook than the Knight will be.

A Bishop and a Rook are also stronger than a Knight and a Rook, but a Queen and a Knight may be stronger than a Queen and a Bishop.

A Bishop will often be worth more than three Pawns, but a Knight very seldom so, and may even not be worth so much.

A Rook will be worth a Knight and two Pawns, or a Bishop and two Pawns, but, as said before, the Bishop will be a better piece against the Rook.

Two Rooks are slightly stronger than a Queen. They are slightly weaker than two Knights and a Bishop, and a little more so than two Bishops and a Knight. The power of the Knight decreases as the pieces are changed off. The power of the Rook, on the contrary, increases.

The King, a purely defensive piece throughout the middle-game, becomes an offensive piece once all the pieces are off the board, and sometimes even when there are one or two minor pieces left. The handling of the King becomes of paramount importance once the end-game stage is reached.

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Pieces Of a Chess Set: Protect The King

Although in two player chess the King is hardly the most powerful piece (the Queen must surely take that position) he is the most precious. In any chess game rules the KIng is the piece that decides defeat, victory or even stalemate.

In the original chess game in ancient India the King was just that, a king or emperor, and above the fighting, which was carried out by the foot soldiers and generals. This once more brings chess game rules into line with military strategy; in any war, if the king is captured then it is all over. This is the case with chess and explains why the King, amongst all the pieces of a chess set, has the most limited manoeuvrability.

The King can move in any direction - horizontally, vertically or diagonally - but only one space at a time. He takes another of the chess pieces by landing on its square. Of course, the King cannot be taken but if he is put into a position where he might have otherwise been taken he is said to be put into 'Check' and he must move out of danger before any other move is made. But he can never move into a square where he would also be similarly threatened.

Of course, there comes a point when the King is in Check in the square he is now in and would be in any other square he could move into. This is then termed 'Checkmate' and the opposing player has won the game. For this reason, players frequently take care to protect their King.

Looking to buy chess sets perfect for your needs or as a gift that will never be forgotten? Visit ChessSetHeaven.com for a range of high quality themed chess sets that will suit you perfectly.

Pieces of A Chess Set: Once A Knight

You may be looking for chess sets to buy and are looking at the various themed chess sets available to buy and you might even consider a nice carved chess set. One of the pieces that that varies very little in design is the Knight (unless you are buying a Winnie the Pooh chess set, of course!).

In the original Indian Chaturanga form of chess, the Knight was shown as a mounted warrior with a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. In all the chess sets since, the Knight has had an equestrian theme with the Medieval chess sets going to town with a nice carved warrior on horseback.

Of course the Knight is unique in the way it moves. It leaps two squares up and one diagonally: it has been said this movement (also pretty well unchanged through the ages) imitates the skittish movement of a horse. This is also the only one of the pieces of a chess set that can leap over other pieces (again, an equestrian characteristic?). It takes another piece by landing on the square occupied by that piece in its final landing.

A Knight can be valuable during a game as it moves in a more unpredictable way than other pieces, although it can be threatened by Pawns if it lands amongst them. It's very erratic movement can be a weakness, as the player needs to understand where it can move next or which of the opponent's pieces threaten the Knight. For this reason many top players rate a Bishop more highly. However, a Knight may be a greater threat to a Queen, as the latter cannot take it so easily.

The movement of the Knight has lead to a mathematical pattern called 'the Knight's Tour.' This tracks the progression of the piece around a chessboard and produces a fascinating trace. Tracking the movement has become a classic challenge to set computer students. Interestingly, this pattern was first identified in India in the ninth Century and the first mathematical procedure was published in 1823.

So there you have it: the Knight is not only of historical interest but mathematical note too. And you just thought the pieces of a chess set were decorative!

Looking to buy chess sets perfect for your needs or as a gift that will never be forgotten? Visit ChessSetHeaven.com for a range of high quality themed chess sets that will suit you perfectly.

Pieces Of A Chess Set: The Diagonal Bishop

Continuing the look at the pieces of a chess set, this time we lean a little more about the Bishop. Sit down to have a game of two player chess and you will see this interesting piece three squares in from each corner.

The Bishop is one of the most confused pieces, as it is known by different names around the world. In the original Indian and Persian chess sets it was represented as an armed attendant sitting on the back of an elephant, indeed, the Arabic name for the piece is 'Al-fil' or 'elephant.'

As elephants in medieval Europe would not be recognised, the piece took on different identities. Many languages depict the Bishop as a 'runner' or 'messenger' ('Laufer' in German and 'Loper' in Dutch, for example) although in Romania the piece is known as 'Nebun' or crazy person.

The piece has changed names in French, originally known as the 'Aufin' (the Archer), which reflects the Arabic name and original character, it is now more known as the 'Fou' or 'fool' or 'jester.' The Spanish still use the Arabic derivation as 'Alfil' and in Russia it is still an elephant ('Slon').

Our description 'Bishop' may come from Scandinavia. The twelfth century Lewis chess set shows a churchman in this position and Iceland has long known the piece as the 'Biskup,' with the same meaning as our word bishop.

The shape of the Bishop has changed too and our modern Bishop tends to date back to the first Staunton chess set of 1849. The different names of the piece interpret its shape. The name Bishop came from the belief the piece wore a mitre but the French saw it as a jester's cap. Interestingly the groove in the top may still be a reference to the tusks of an elephant.

The movement of the Bishop has changed over the years too but the modern piece can only move diagonally. At one stage this was restricted to a few squares but now of course it can move across the whole board: this makes it one of the most valuable of the pieces of a chess set.

As with most other pieces, the Bishop cannot jump over another piece or change direction in a move and takes an opponents piece by landing on the square occupied by the victim.

So next time you settle down with your new themed chess set, you might reflect on this, one of the most interesting pieces of a chess set.

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Pieces Of A Chess Set: The Rook

When you start playing the noble game of chess and learn the chess basics, one of the pieces of a chess set that will first draw your eye is the 'Castle,' more correctly termed the 'Rook.'

 

The word Rook may at first seem an odd name for this piece, which is indeed shaped like the turret of a castle - so the word castle seems more appropriate. However the name Rook comes from the Arab name for it, which is 'Rukhkh' and the ancient Persian name was similar: 'Rukh.'

 

Rooks are almost as valuable as the Queen as they can move quickly around the board and surprise an inattentive opponent. They move up and across the board (but only one direction per move) using both the Ranks and Files but cannot move diagonally. The Rook however cannot jump over other pieces in the way a Knight can.

 

Other pieces are taken by the Rook landing on the victim's square.

 

Of course at the start of the game all the valuable pieces of a chess set are hemmed in by the Pawns but, once these are moved forward, the Rooks and other pieces are let loose.

 

The Rook is often the most likely piece to put a King into check; in fact, two Rooks working together and trapping the King in a corner is probably the classic way (and one of the simplest ways) to ensure checkmate.

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Pieces Of A Chess Set: The Power Of The Queen

Perhaps the most powerful of the pieces of a chess set is the Queen. The King is important to the success of the game and should always be defended but the Queen is the most maneuverable and fastest moving piece on the board.

 

She is so powerful that of all the pieces of a chess set the Queen is the only one to move in any direction. She can move any number of squares forward, backwards and diagonally. She can use any of the Files, Ranks or Diagonals; the only restriction the Queen faces is that she cannot move like the Knight or jump over another piece. Her way must be clear every time.

 

It follows of course that the Queen can also take any other piece in her path. The piece is then removed and the Queen replaces the piece by sitting on the square it formerly occupied. She can then set off in any direction on the next turn.

 

Obviously it also makes sense that one of the chess basics is to protect your Queen. As the most useful piece on the board her loss would be one of the most devastating. 

 

At the start of a game of chess each player starts with one Queen but, if a pawn makes it clear across the board, it can then be promoted to another piece and it would be unwise to exchange it for anything less significant that another Queen. The player then has two Queens, which increases the domination of the board considerably.

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Chess Set Pieces: The Role Of The Pawn

The game of chess, and the chess set pieces, can be back 1500 years or more and the earlier form of chess was effectively a game of war. The chess set pieces all represented warriors and their commanders - none more so than the pawn.

 

The pawn of course is the most numerous of the chess set pieces. It represents the foot soldier, the cannon fodder if you like. In any game of chess the pawns have to be moved first. In any battle, the foot soldiers have to be used if you want to capture the opponent's King or ruler.

 

When you are playing a game with your best chess set, you must also move the pawns in order to move the more valuable pieces behind. To not move the pawns would hold the other chess set pieces in position. Pawns always move forward, not back, at one square at a time unless it is the first move when the pawn can move two squares.

 

A pawn only stays in the 'file' (the line of squares leading away from the player) it starts in unless it takes one of the opposing chess pieces when it moves diagonally.

 

Each pawn is given a name depending on the chess piece behind. For example, the pawn starting in front of the King is called the 'King Pawn.'

 

Of course it is easy for a pawn to get into a stalemate simply by moving up until it faces the opposing pawn. As neither can move forward they have to wait until one of them is taken by another piece.

 

The goal of any pawn is to reach the far side of the board when this piece can be upgraded to any other piece on the board. Most people of course change it into a Queen as this is the most powerful and versatile piece on the board.

Looking to find the best chess set for your needs or as a gift that will never be forgotten? Visit ChessSetHeaven.com for a range of high quality themed chess sets that will suit you perfectly.

Buy Chess Sets: The Chess Board

So you have found a good chess store online and have bought your chess set pieces - perhaps a good quality carved chess set. Now you come to play a game of chess and are faced with the chessboard.

 

At first sight the chessboard is simply a type of chequer board (or checker board) identical to that used by the game of Draughts (or Checkers). There are 64 squares set up in eight rows horizontally and eight vertically.

 

As with the chess set pieces, there is more to the board than you initially see. The lines of squares running away from you (front to back) are know as the 'files' and those that run right to left are the 'ranks.'

 

Already we have found the historical background to the game of chess as the terms  'rank' and 'file' are military terms used to describe the lines of troops matching. The term 'rank and file' is also used to denote members of political or trade union organisations, as an extension of the military usage.

 

Not only are the up and down rows of squares labeled but the diagonal rows of squares across the board are also know - as, er, 'diagonals.'

 

Generally a chessboard uses squares of contrasting light and dark colours. These can vary considerably, depending on the materials used to construct the board but a best chess set would be made from wood or leather and these generally use darker and lighter sheds of brown.

 

Each square tends to be between 2 to 2.5 inches (50 to 65 millimetres) in width and length: that is to say, 1.25 to 1.3 times the size of the base of the King.

 

Before starting to set up your chess set pieces, always ensure the board is orientated so each player has a white square in the right-hand corner.

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Buy A Chess Set: Historical View of Chess - Chess, the game of kings

Chess, the game of kings, has its origins appropriately shrouded in mystery.

The chess board and it's pieces are indicative of medieval life. The six different chess pieces on the board represent a cross section of medieval life with its many ceremonies, grandeur, and wars. The castle piece on a chess board is the home, or the refuge, just as it was a home in medieval times. The pawns on the chess board represent serfs, or laborers. The is a bishop in the game of chess, who represents the church. The king is the tallest piece on the board, and is as well defended on the chessboard as in medieval life. The king is the most important, but not the most powerful piece in chess.

The squares on the chess board were all the same color until the 13th century. This afforded the players the illusion that the chessmen were floating across the board. Europe was ultimately responsible for chess' move to a checkered board.

The laws of chess and the rules governing movements of the pieces have been standard since the sixth century. It was during the 8th century in India, considered the birthplace of Chess that the game evolved to sixteen pieces on a side. In the eighth century, the Moors invaded Persia and, as the two cultures intertwined, chess became popular with the Moorish soldiers. The Muslim world, on the threshold of its greatest scientific and cultural accomplishments, welcomed chess with unbounded delight. As the Muslims expanded their empire, in the seventh through eleventh centuries, again, chess traveled with them.

When the Moors later invaded Spain, the soldiers brought the game of chess with them. The Spanish were soon also playing chess, and from there, it quickly (in historical terms) spread throughout all of Europe.

About the middle of the 15th century, the French made the single most profound change in the evolution of the game of Chess, two hundred years after Arab conquerors brought chess to southern Europe, a chess queen appear on the board. In the 16th and 17th centuries the evolution of chess took a quantum leap; the queen became the most powerful piece on the board. The queen, the only piece to represent a woman in the game of chess held a powerful yet precarious position.

From 1600-1850, it was believed that chess originated from Persia. but evidence clearly shows that chess did originate in India, rather than China or Persia as some have claimed. So by the eighteenth century chess had completely broken away from its medieval inheritance.

Since the late eighteenth century the popularity chess has increased dramatically, especially with the introduction of matches and tournaments. The current rules of chess were finalized in the early 19th century, except for the exact conditions for a draw and today it thrives as an intellectual game.

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Chess Set Pieces: Opening Moves Part 2

Continuing on from the last post, here are some more pointers on how to use your chess set pieces to best advantage in the first moves:

A double move by either of the centre-pawns will have an advantageous effect for the three following reasons:

1. This double step (1 P-K4, or P-Q4) challenges the enemy forces (or chess set pieces) without taking undue risks, as the pawn remains within the line of demarcation (beyond which lies the fifth rank).

2. A central square is occupied and, if on the second move or soon after, the neighbouring pawn also advances to the fourth, we see the centre occupied!

3. A double step on the first move by the central pawn provides a free field for yet another piece, the other Bishop, as soon as the other centre-pawn shall have moved.

If we have to choose between the two opening moves: 1 P-K4, and 1 P-Q4, we must admit that 1 P-K4, is the more straightforward of the two, especially for the following two reasons:

1.    As a matter of arithmetic, this move frees four squares for the Queen (namely K2, KB3, KKt4 and KR5), instead of two in the case of the Queen's pawn (namely Q2 and Q3).

2.    Positionally, the move accelerates the development of the K side chess set pieces to bring about castling, which is technically more rapid of execution on the K side, as only two pieces have to move (Kt and B) instead of three chess set pieces on the Q side.

On the other hand, 1 P-Q4, can be considered to be more solid, which assertion is based on the fact that at Q4 the pawn is already protected (by the Queen), whereas at K4 the pawn is entirely unprotected, which may become a cause of trouble.

(from A Breviary Of Chess by S. Tartakower 1937)

So no matter where you buy a chess set or you are simply playing with your best chess set at home, taking care with you opening moves can make all the difference.

Looking to find the best chess set for your needs or as a gift that will never be forgotten? Visit ChessSetHeaven.com for a range of high quality themed chess sets that will suit you perfectly.

Best Chess Set: The Opening Moves

Have you ever sat in front of your chess set pieces with no idea how to start your game against an opponent?

No matter if you are using a cheap chess set pieces or your best chess set if you can't the best way to start a game you will somehow find the experience a disappointment.

Here are the first of some tips from 'A Breviary Of Chess' by S.Tartakower written in 1937.

It will be seen that in the original position the pieces, with the exception of the Knights, are unable to move. In order to make the deployment of the forces possible, it will be necessary to move one of the eight pawns.

Even a player who is doubtful about the wisdom of occupying the centre, will recognize that only the King's pawn and the Queen's pawn, by their slightest move, open a way to four pieces (namely King, Queen, one Bishop and one Knight), whereas a first move by any other pawn only allows one piece to move!

Although we already know that the Queen must not at first be mobilized without necessity, and the King even less so- he must be protected and not taken for a stroll - there are enough reasons left why an initial move either by the KP or the QP must be considered the best.

(To be continued)

Chess Sets Online: What Is The Attraction To Playing Chess?

 
By John Skelly

 

The best way to pinpoint the reasons why playing chess games is one of the favorite pastimes of people is by looking into the characteristics of the game itself. Those characteristics will account for why people like to play this game.

 

First of all, the element that makes playing chess games different from most other games is that it is not a game of chance. The element of chance is still in it, but greatly reduced and chance will only figure in it because it is impossible to predict what the opponents move will be. That is why even in computer versions of the game, a well programmed robot will not always come out winning the game.

 

However, deliberately planned moves characterize how players play chess games. The need to coordinate one's moves with the position of the pieces on the board is paramount for success. The role of the mind in this game outweighs the role of chance, unlike other games where the results are mostly left to the roll of dice.

 

Secondly, because it is not a game of chance, the player controls his own destiny. It will only be through being unaware of options open to the opponent that one can lose the game.

 

You need great mental focus to play chess games. The kind of focus, moreover, is involved with the entire board. Gathering all the data retrieved by the eyes and consolidating their implications is important for winning the game. And this has to be done constantly in the course of the game.

 

Excellent power of memory retention are also advantageous for chess games to be won. The capacity to create and store different approaches to the play and to apply one approach when needed is necessary in chess.

 

The willingness to face challenges and to persist in spite of setbacks towards the end of winning the game is an essential psychological attribute in chess playing.

 

From all those characteristics we know that chess is attractive to people who do not like games of chance. Chess is not a game for gamblers or roulette aficionados. Chess offers a respite from the seemingly random way life proceeds. Lots of professionals and businessmen resort to a game of chess in the evening to get back the sense of logics in their lives. At the same time, because chess involves a lot of intuitive reasoning, people sometimes play it to gain inspiration for solving real-life problems.

 

People who like games that give them a great amount of control like playing chess. These will be people with realistic mind-sets. Included in this group will be professionals and businessmen who, even during their leisure time like to hone their logical powers. Playing chess is also one way of getting logic back into the thinking process. Sometimes the helter-skelter of modern life bounces the mind of the right track. Chess is one way to get back on the tracks.

 

People who like taking responsibility for their actions love to play chess games. The game is all about being responsible for your actions. At the same time, this implies that all moves should be well thought of. In this group you will have those who like managing and running things. Playing chess is one good way to improve their insight into issues. Not a few people derive inspiration for real solutions to real problems as they play chess.

 

People who want to hone their memory rentention are also motivated to play the game

 

Finally, young people who like mental challenge in their games, who are not easily discouraged and who know how to persist in attaining their goals, also play chess a lot.

 

About the Author:
John Skelly is an avid chess player and loves to not only play the game but talk about it with others. He particularly enjoys writing about the intricacies and dynamics of chess. He invites everyone to find out more about Quality-Chess.net and to play chess as often as they can.


 

Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com

 

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Chess Store: Gary Kasparov

One of the greatest chess players to pick up chess set pieces, certainly in modern times, has been Gary Kasparov.

 

Like everyone who has lives through the last years of the USSR, Kasparov has seen major changes but in many ways he has been a catalyst for some of them.

 

Born in 1963 in Azerbaijan, he started playing as early as in 1968 at the age of 5 years old. He went on to be the Soviet Junior Champion in 1976 and 1977 and World Junior Champion in 1980. Kasparov finally made it to be World Champion in 1985 (the youngest player ever to do so) and continued to dominate the world championships until 2000. He remained the world's number one player until 2006.

 

His matches against Anatoly Karpov made world news and raised the game of chess to widespread popularity.

 

In 1996, Kasparov played IBM's Deep Blue computer and the challenge was abandoned at one match each. This has to be considered in the light of the computers ability to analyze 50 billion moves of chess set pieces in three minutes: in this way you get some idea of Kasparov's abilities.

 

Away from the chessboard, Gary Kasparov has always been a leader of the anti-Communist movement, despite many threats to his life. In recent years he has appeared on television, both on advertisements and talk shows, writes for the Wall Street Journal, has authored several books on chess and it's lessons and is now a popular public speaker.

 

In 2005, Kasparov retired from using chess set pieces competitively and has now thrown himself into charity and political work. He is passionate about embedding true democracy into Russian society.

 

Find out more about this fascinating man on his website Kasparov.com.

 

Discover the best chess set for your game on ChessSetHeaven.com. 

Chess Sets Online: History And Some Interesting Facts About Chess

By Cody Watson, http://ezinemark.com/u/cody-watson/30066187/

Chess is the abbreviated term of Chariot Horses Elephant Soldiers Save. Though the game has been played on for such a long time, the traditional pieces have remained unchanged right from the sixth century. Ultimately, the king, queen, bishop, rook, knight, and the pawn still remain in the game! However, players over the years have brought about a few changes to increase the pace of the game. For instance, the First Move Order (FMO) wherein the pawn moves two steps (instead of one) has been a welcome change for the game. However, the origin of chess is quite unclear.

Printings in David Li’s book, “Genealogy of Chess” indicates that chess was formulated in China in the 2nd century B.C. Nevertheless, there are acceptable indications in literatures that chess was being played in the 7th century. An Old Persian poem mentions that chess was first played in India before being migrated over to Persia during the period of King Chosroe-I Annshiravan in the 6th century. The Persian book penned during the sixth century has also mentioned in detail about some of the popular chess terminologies and the pieces that are identical to the ones being used today. The world-famous Forbes in its edition, Forbes, History of Chess, 1860 has mentioned that chess was invented about 4000-5000 years ago by the wife of King Ravana in Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

Moving away from history, today Chess has gained an International appeal as it is evident from the fact that it is being played by 149 countries registered in FIDE (Federation International e des Echecs), the world chess federation.

For ardent lovers of the game, I have compiled a few interesting facts about chess that you probably didn’t know about.

You would have played some long chess games in your career but how long were they? 50, 60 moves? Don’t be surprised if I say the longest recorded game of chess was played between I.Nikolic and Arsovi in Belgrade in 1989. The match that tamely ended in a draw lasted for about 269 moves! And theoretically a chess game can be played in as many as 5949 moves.

The word “Checkmate” is originally derived from the Persian phrase "Shah Mat," which means “the King is dead”. Over the years, chess experts have programmed the computer’s memory with a lot of theories and variations. With regard to this, ‘Deep thought’ was the name given to the first ever computer to beat a grandmaster in 1988 in California.

Gary Kasparov, one of the greatest legends in the history of the game, rewrote record books when he became the youngest world champion at the age of 22. However, this stupendous record was later surpassed by Russia’s Ponomariov and Maia Chiburdanidze (women’s champion).

The folding chessboard that is commonly used in all the tournaments was first contrived by a priest who didn’t quite like the hard woody chessboard. Whatever the reason might have been, let us give a thumps up to the priest for his innovative idea! The folding chessboard is so easy to carry; and good enough to keep chess players puzzling for moves even while travelling.

Chess is exciting, skill-demanding, and challenging. Even a minor lapse of concentration will cost you the game. Generally, chess players are brilliant and have sharp memory than others. It is one game that doesn’t involve physical activities. People in any age groups can play chess. There are still men well over 50 playing at the top-most level. Chess would be one of the best games to teach your kids. These days, there are so many websites on which chess is being played online. You may log in to the online sites using any of the Fastest Internet connection and start playing.

About the Author:
Cody is a freelance writer and blogger. He writes on all categories including entertainment, technology, health, sports and games. He is an amateur chess player. He spends his free time playing chess with one of the Fastest Internet connections he has availed recently.

Articles Source: History And Some Interesting Facts About Chess


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