Chess: the game of the genius (Chess)

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	Chess
Date:	18/06/09 (28 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: intelligent

Disadvantages: hard to learn

Chess is one of those games that you inevitably get exposed to at school. It's a very daunting game for the newcomer, because there is so much to learn before you can play.

Chess is a game for two players, played on a board made up of 64 white and black squares. Each player has a range of pieces, each of which can move around the board in different ways. The aim of the game is to checkmate your opponent's king, meaning you have it in a position where it cannot move without being in a position where it will be taken by another piece.

This is an excellent game, because you can play it on so many levels. The first level is just learning how to move, and taking as many of your opponent's pieces as you can. After this, you move into the more tactical play where you try and lure your opponent into making a move by putting something in their way which they take. When they take it, they then expose themselves to being taken. These two facets of the game are all you really do for the first dozen or so times.

The next level is where your sole aim is to get your opponent into check-mate, and you respond to their moves by planning your own assault. Your aim is not to take their pieces, but to trap their king.

The annoying thing is you very rarely play someone on your level, so you either get hammered or they do.

The other annoying thing is there are just too many pieces to lose (32), and after a year or so you end up substituting pieces with pennies or blu-tak!

You can pick up cheap sets for around £5, but I once paid £300 on the lord of the rings collectable edition, which just goes to show you can take this game as far as you like.

All in all, a difficult but ultimately enjoyable and intelligent game.

Summary: do it