Into Strategy Games? - Then Try The Original (Chess)

Member Name: kenjohn

Product:	Chess
Date:	08/08/01 (175 review reads)
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~ ~ I was introduced to chess, one of the world’s very first “strategy” games, at about the age of thirteen.
My old history master at school was a total fanatic, and started up a chess club for the kids, which was very well attended due mostly to his huge enthusiasm, which was very infectious.
Later, when I showed a high interest in the game, my mother discovered that her chiropodist was an ex-Scottish champion, and organised for me to go to her for lessons one night a week. Miss Gillespie, as she was called, was great, and a lady of the “old school”, and I have many happy childhood memories of tea and crumpets and some highly enjoyable chess games.
I never once managed to beat her, in over three years of trying, and the best I ever achieved was a couple of drawn games, but the fun was in the trying and in the learning. (Lord, how I would have loved to have beaten her just ONCE, though!!)

~ ~ Chess is a board game for two players, and uses a chequered board and a set of specially designed pieces.
Each player takes turns to move the 16 pieces that comprise their set, in an attempt to force their opponent’s most important piece (The King) into a position where it is unable to evade capture, no matter where on the board it moves.
This is called “checkmate”, the term being derived from the ancient Persian “shah” (King) and “mat” (dead).
Chess is also sometimes called the “Royal Game”, because in times past it was almost exclusively the pastime of the upper classes.
It is believed that the game originated in either India or China at around the 6th Century from an even more ancient game, some variants of which still exist today in certain regions, such as Chinese, Japanese, Malay, Burmese, and Korean Chess.

~ ~ There are eight pawns, and two bishops, knights, and rooks. (sometimes called castles because of their shape) Then you have th
e queen, which is the most powerful piece on the board, and second in importance only to the King. (heh, heh, isn’t it always the way, ladies?)
I could go on at this point and give a very long and detailed explanation of all the pieces and the different rules and moves, but in all honesty, if you don’t already play this game this would only serve to confuse you, and be VERY boring, and if you DO already play the game, it would be equally boring as you would know it all already.
If you are really interested in learning more about this game, there are local chess clubs in nearly every area, who are almost sure to have beginner’s classes, or you can buy yourself a good CD tutor, such as “Grandmaster Chess” by Intracorp Entertainment. (about £10)
This CD will not only give you all the basics to get started and to develop your game, but also allow you to play actual games on your PC, and also to set the “level” that you want the computer to play at, beginner, intermediate, or grandmaster.

~ ~ The attraction of this game for me is that, like my beloved golf, it is a game you can play your whole life, and never totally master.
It is also a game where every time you play is that bit different, which requires you to actually THINK, rather than just react.
There are various facets to the game, such as the various different opening moves, what is called the “middle” game, and finally, the “end” game, where you try to finish off your opponent.
To play it well, you must always be about a half a dozen moves ahead of yourself, and be constantly wary of the little schemes and plans of your opponent.
Many times I have been feeling very pleased with myself, and just about at the point of making my ultimate winning move, when suddenly the whole game has gone pear shaped on me due to some piece of outstanding brilliance on the part of my opponent.
Talk about frustrating!!
!!!

~ ~ There are also literally hundreds of good books on the game, and my personal favourites are the ones that give you all the moves from important games between recognised world grandmasters.
I often set up a game and attempt to pit my wits against a champion, and then end up sitting back and simply marvelling at the way in which these people’s minds actually work.

~ ~ These days, with the advent of the Internet, you don’t even need to join a Chess Club in order to enjoy this game, as there are various sites where you can play against another player online. (cyber chess)
My own favourite is the Microsoft Gaming Zone, (http://zone.msn.com) which is free, and where you can drop in at any time of the day or night and pit your wits against another player.
But I give you fair warning. This game can be addictive, so if you suddenly find yourself sleeping a lot less as a consequence of taking it up, then don’t come back blaming me.

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