The Everything Chess Basics Book (56 page)

• New In Chess (
www.newinchess.com
)

•
Chess Monthly
Magazine (
www.chess.co.uk
)

• This Week in Chess (
www.chesscenter.com/twic/twic.html
)

• Europe Échecs (
www.europe-echecs.com
)

• World Chess Hall of Fame and Sidney Samole Museum

(
www.worldchesshalloffame.com
)

• ChessBase (
www.chessbase.com
) >)

• ChessCafe (
www.chesscafe.com
)

Each online server should have a step-by-step guide on how to start your own computer account, how to manage and maintain it, and what policies to adhere to. You can also download most popular chess engines and learn about other computers playing online.

If you are looking to play casual chess online, it’s best to go to one of the general game sites. However, if you are looking for hardcore chess, you’ll want to check out specific chess gaming sites such as USCL (U.S. Chess Live) or the ICC (Internet Chess Club). They run tournaments and many other feature events, and are populated with many strong and famous players.

Additionally, you should be able to find and play in tournaments, view others’ games, visit with top-rated players on special events and online talks, and view your standings. Most online servers also have chess experts who are willing to devote their time and effort to help beginning chess players to improve their game.

Some Features

Diagrams, commentary on games, news, politics, and more are included on many sites. In addition, you can also see live coverage of many scholastic and national and international championships. In many cases you can see the games as they are being played and you may also be able to hear a grandmaster commentary on the play-by-play. Also, each week interesting articles, interviews, chess problems, and all of the games of significant tournaments are published and posted to various sites.

Internet chess clubs are also a great way to get information about chess books and equipment. If you can’t decide which book to purchase or which computer chess game is better for your kid, then you can read more about the product online, or you can ask the experts.

Types of Events

Many people are familiar with the famous game played by Garry Kasparov against the world. This was an online chess game held in 1999. Microsoft sponsored the event, Kasparov had White, and his opponent (the world) had Black. Anyone could go to the Web site and register a single vote for a chess move. Whichever move won the vote would be played against Kasparov. Each side had one day to play a move.

Kasparov had a rough time with this game. There were several professional chess players who offered their advice to the world, so the move that won turned out to be quite good. Kasparov was surprised out of the opening and so the game became a real fight. In fact, the world could have drawn an endgame, but there was disagreement over which move to play, and the wrong move won.

Appendix A
Glossary

adjust:
A player, when it is his turn to move, may adjust (slide a chessman to the center of the square) pieces by first announcing “
j’adoube
” or “I adjust.”

attack:
Various ways to try breaking down your opponent’s defense.

back rank mate:
This is a mate that occurs on any row (rank or file) at the edge of the board.

battery:
Any two long-range pieces of the same color lined up along one line of attack.

Black:
The dark pieces are referred to as Black in chess, regardless of their actual color.

blindfolded chess:
A game of chess that is played by one or both opponents without the sight of a board and pieces.

bishop:
A piece that moves on diagonals, any number of squares, and starts out next to the king and queen. Each player gets two: one that travels on light-square diagonals, and one that travels on dark-square diagonals.

capture:
A pawn or piece may be captured (taken) when an opponent’s piece may legally move to the square the pawn or piece occupies.

castling:
A player moves the king two squares to the right or left toward one of his rooks. The rook is then moved to the opposite side of the king and placed on the adjacent square. Neither piece may have moved before, and the king may not castle into, out of, or through check.

center:
It is important to fight for control of the center of the board. Central development allows for greater mobility and space for the pieces.

check:
A move that places the king under attack is a
check
.

checkmate:
When the king is under attack and there is no legal way to get the king out of check, it is called
checkmate
.

chessboard:
A checkered board with sixty-four squares in an eight-by-eight arrangement.

chess clock:
A device with two clocks connected to keep track of each individual’s time during a chess game.

chess computer:
A computer dedicated solely to playing chess.

chess etiquette:
The rules of conduct that govern chess play. These rules of conduct are good manners, but also laws of chess.

combination:
A series of moves combining tactical weapons to gain an advantage.