Chess. And other stuff.

Hey hows it gonig man

2010-12-03T14:34:00.001-08:00

my fighting is style is called "mutakarasu ryu," which is the style of winning with no sword. It's super gay, since that's like everything. Chris Wu wins only with chess, and the opponent always gets reduced to a piece of shit.

2010-02-21T12:46:00.001-08:00

Magnetic Chess

2010-02-20T09:22:00.000-08:00

A Magnetic Chess Set Is A Great Way To Learn How To Play While Traveling

by Walt Peterson

Chess has been played for many generations and predates all other board games. Many areas of the world cosider chess as a test of wits and honor people who can master it. Leaders from all corners of the globe enjoy playing todemonstrate their ability to plan and stradegize. Case in fact, Napolean was known to spend hours playing chess and his chess set can be seen in a museum in North Carolina. Today, chess is being played by more than just the sophisticated.You can find chess games in parks, at school, at parties and even while travelling, with a magnetic chess set.

Becoming more popular are magnetic chess sets that can range from low cost sets to collector quality ones. Low end sets are distributed by major department stores and consrtucted of plastic. They usually come as multi game sets that may also provide checkers and backgammon pieces.

As a beginner, many people choose a low end chess set which could be a magnetic chess set. After your abilities and experience grows, most people step up to a more sophisticated set. Joining a chess club is one way people learn to play. You get to see many different chess sets and soon find one that appeals to you.

Playing outdoors is a favorite place for many people and a magnetic chess set is ideal for this. Another common use is on trips in the car. The small magnets will keep the wind or bumps in the car will not disturb the game. Chess clubs and younger kids usually choose this type of set. The magnets in the bases keep the pieces in place until they are ready to be moved.

There are some specialty shops that can provide a way to purchase specialty sets once the desire to invest in a better set has hit you. There are shops available at retail centers and there are also many sources of specialty chess sets online. There is no end to the type of materials or the styles of the pieces that are obtainable online.

As you grow in the game of chess and want to move up from the travel set, the next step is usually wood.Wood chess pieces also vary in type and quality.Some are artisticaly hand carved and others machine made. The choices of materials used are many if you decide you want something other than wood. Some of these higher end sets are crafted from materials such as pewter, marble, oxo-teak, alabaster and leather.

After you have selected the material used in you chess board and pieces, there is the next choice of style of pieces. Many different styles from various parts of the world have been constructed. The Staunton type chess piece is the standard style used in most tournaments. The name comes from the first grandmaster of chess. You often will see a magnetic chess set in the Staunton style.

There are many styles of chess pieces beyond the Staunton style. Some of the most popular styles are of armies from many different eras. These include Confederate and Union, Revolutionary, Civil War to name a few. These themed chess sets also may be of animals, witches and warlocks, people of the world and just about anything else you might imagine. Even thought these theme chess set may be beautiful fine works of art, you still will have a special place in your heart for that magnetic chess set that you learned from.

About the Author:

BoardChessSet.comis a trusted backgammon Staunton chess dealer where you can find your folding wooden backgammon Staunton chess. They offer many styles of wood Staunton chess and other board games. This and other unique content '' articles are available with free reprint rights.

Articles will come soon

2010-02-17T16:50:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,
I'll remind you high-quality articles will be coming in very soon. Hang in there!

The February tournament was a success. Good job to Vishal Dasari (for beating Brian Wai, that was the best part of the tourney for me), Harsha Nukula, and Shrinu.

~Chris

Josh Waitzkin

2010-01-23T19:02:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,
I just read Josh's book The Art of Learning, and damn, the book had a tone to it unlike any book written by a chess author. Josh kept on talking about meditation, Kung Fu, Tai - Chi and other Asian stuff. Lol, I guess that's what happens when spending half his life learning Asian Martial Arts...

As most of you know, Josh was the main topic of Searching For Bobby Fischer, a pretty epic movie. (The only part I remember though is when Josh playing the homeless guy for $5)

The story was divided into two parts: chess and tai-chi. He somehow manages to connect the two subjects together. Obviously, Josh has another talent besides those two areas of expertise xD

My favorite part was his description of childhood life in Manhattan, where he grew up playing against hustlers (usually not a good group to be involved with when trying to learn good habits). Another good part was talking about his celebrity life ("pretty girls gave me their phone numbers and asked me to sign their stomaches or legs" XD) His psychological description of tournaments really catches it's essence. I could hella relate.

Overall, it's good. I highly recommend the book to people, as it an enjoyable read and a self-help at the time (Josh talks about what to do under intense pressure). Also, if you like reading about someone beating the shit out of people in Tai-Chi, you'll like this book :P

Bored

2010-01-18T12:48:00.000-08:00

Alright guys, I didn't really feel like posting, but I was bored and didn't really have anything to do... I doubt anyone even comes to this place anymore, because I just don't really feel like trying to maintain the blog. It's so much freaking work.

Some things I want to say...

@Alex: It's cool, alright? Don't make too big a deal about it. :)

@Kevin: Sorry I don't hang out with you guys during lunch anymore, chess club is quite addicting, even if I never play xD

@ anyone else: I really need to either bust my ass working or take a break from chess. Every time I go to a tourney, the competition is so fucking big. Because everyone jumps sections now, it's no big deal when I win, but shocking when I lose. I gotta play up a section now too.

Competitive chess is really like a rat race where you try and solve your mistakes, and you manage to solve them. It becomes OK for a while, then new ones come up. DX

This blog

2010-01-17T14:55:00.001-08:00

For those of you who still come here, this blog will not contain some posts for a while. Just letting you know

Definition of a Rampage

2009-08-21T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hi guys, remember how you guys wanted me to post a game of mine online, but I never did (because I procrastinated?) Well I have a game here I played against good ol' Harsha Nukula, who is in MV right now (if you don't know him but attend chess club regularly, you either: 1) don't go to chess club often or 2) don't pay attention to who's good ;)).

In this game I was white, and I killed him so badly (lol) it was like Tiananmen Square on a chess board. (No offense to Harsha, btw) Enjoy!

Because of my conscience, I will later on post a losing game with me playing Harsha. I mean, he's a good player too, so don't get the wrong idea. Remember, this is a blitz game, so we both didn't play the best moves, just average ones to save time.

To get the best picture of the game, don't just look at the chess boards I provide, but actually take a board and move out the pieces. in the chess notation I have provided. If you don't understand chess notation, leave a comment and I will help you out.

Harsha, if you're reading this, you can put in your thoughts too. Send me an email requesting to be an author, and you can edit too. If this is embarrassing, don't worry, I'll put one of my losing games up ;)

Chris Wu (White) vs. Harsha Nukula (black)

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6

This is commonly referred to as the Petroff or Russian Defense. It has a tendency for drawing.

3.Nxe5 d6

If black plays Nxe4 instead of d6, White can play 4.Qe2! Nf6 5.Nc6+! (a discover check). Black loses the queen. Not a good idea.

4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nf6 position after Nf6

The 5...Nf6 move by Harsha was a bit unusual. Usually what happens is 5... Nxc3 6. dxc3 and White develops, catles queenside, and starts a pawn attack on the kingside.

6.d4 d5

loses a tempo... Don't know what that's about.

7.Be3 Bd6 8.Bd3 0-0 9.Qd2 Ng4
position after 9...Ng4

Black offers to trade the knight for the bishop. Altough bishops are better than knights, I was willing to trade, since once I take with the f-pawn, it opens up files I could use to launch an attack. By the way, all the moves before that were development moves. It's that important ;)

10.0-0-0 Nxe3 11.fxe3 Re8 12.e4

An important point to remember is: if you plan to launch an attack, you must open up as many lines as possible towards the enemy king. Keep in mind I can do this at will, since my king is castled on the opposite side. However, if I castled kingside, it would be wise to hesitate before opening any file, as every file opened weakens your king too. Diagonalls can be opened though :-)

dxe4 13.Nxe4 a6 14.Nxd6 Qxd6 position after 14...Qd6

My knight was blocking the way, and I wanted to get rid of it by exchange. Well now at least Harsha doesn't have two bishops.

15.Rhf1

Taking control of the open file and preparing the attack.

15... Nc6? 16.Ng5

Do you see the double attack?

f5? 17.Bc4+

In this move, I put him in a position where either move pretty much loses. Kh8 loses to the knight fork after Nf7+. Kf8 loses to Nh7+

17... Kf8 18.Nxh7+ position after 18...Nxh7+

Now the mayhem starts, and the real rampage begins.

18...Ke7 19.Qg5+ Kd7 20.Qxf5+ Kd8 21.Qg5+ Ne7 22.Qxg7

After this mini rampage, the kingside is pratically nonexistent.

22...Be6 23.d5 position after 23. d5

As I said, when attacking, it's better to open up files directed towards the enemy king. d5 attempts to open up the file. other than that, it's mainly for building initiative.

23...Bxd5 24.Bxd5 Nxd5 25.Nf6

Black cannot take because of the pin against the queen. Don't want to lose the queen, obviously.

25...c6 (don't know what this is for) 26.Nxe8 Kxe8 27.Rde1+ (building momentum) Kd8? ( a knight move would be better, but nothing can save black now) 28.Rf8+

Black has to give up the queen now to avoid being checkmated.

Qxf8 29.Qxf8+ Kc7 30.Qxa8 Black resigns 1-0 Ending Position

So that was the game, hoped you liked it. Notice throughout the game I kept on putting pressure on the position and never let go of the initiative. Once you continue a major attack, it's probably best to bet everything on it. Otherwise the initiative would just fizzle out (like Hitler's strategy).

Monta Vista Tournament

2009-08-19T12:25:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, sorry about the procrastination, I guess I didn't really get to do it... shit. A lot of things came up unexpected.... like that last minute summer camp... and the flooring in my house.. but you probably don't want to listen to my excuses.

Right now, I'm going through a chess phrase where I can't seem to beat people anymore. I'm just going to have to Study like mad and stop playing those 1 MINUTE GAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, the chess club at monta vista will be holding a tournament either in september or january. There are two sections: reserve and open. The reserve section are for people under, say, 1600 skill level. The open section are for anyone. There's more prize money in the open section, but you will be competing will people just as good and better than me ;)

New Tournament

2009-07-12T17:29:00.000-07:00

hey guys, sorry about the lack of posting... But I just got a notification from the USCF (United States Chess Federation) that my tourney club thing will come very soon!

now all I need are dates for the tournament. Weekdays allowed.

I haven't decided on a located yet. I was thinking about the church, but thinking about it, it seems like that isn't such a good idea...

Probably the Light-of Knowledge next to Home depot in Cupertino will do.... but no plans yet...

Suggestions Welcome!

Sick

2009-06-19T18:44:00.001-07:00

Hey guys, sorry I haven't been posting anything... I've been hit with like 3 fevers in a row. The doc doesn't even know what's causing it. I tell ya, fever + allergy + headache is not a good combination. Anyway, just posting to let u know why I haven't been posting.

blacknight23(1335) vs Chicken(674)

2009-06-09T20:55:00.000-07:00

Here is a chess game I (Alex) played with Kevin on chess.com. Kevin takes no time to think; and also he believes that book lines are stupid because "if you play an opening that is pre-written, then you are basically just playing someone else's game." Well let me tell you, "Chicken," why that is not true. The reason why a lot of people play d4 and not Nh3 is because Nh3 sucks. Remember back in 3rd grade, when that old beard guy with glasses that have super-small lenses said, "The opening is played to control the centre." I believe that Chris Wu has already written a post about unorthodox openings; ask him about openings and I'm sure he will go on and on about how buddies misplace their pals.
Anyways, I have only played 3 games on chess.com, and they were all with Kevin. Sadly I have won on all accounts. The reason for this post is mostly to practice over-analysis so I can become a good chess player like Chris Wu. (No, I just feel like posting something and this is the only thing on my mind that is chess-related.) Also it is to illustrate the point that Kevin is a good chess player if he takes the time to think; hence his knack at chess puzzles, yet his utter failure at the game itself. Playing chess is not about doing intimidating moves, psychological ploys, or schmancy notions, none to go further about winning the game. I know the playing blitz would be the complete opposite. I recommend the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer. It is like a sports movie, just as inspiring, and it has some stuff about what I just said.
I played as white, and I started with the king's pawn.
1. e4 e5
As a side note, I have read a few works on chess, and I have been able in simple situations to do without a board. Knowing notation is good practice because one can easily discuss chess with others and remember openings and such. On the other hand, Chris can just teach me how to post pictures of the game positions. Never mind my original plea, for I've figured it out myself. Bear with me for a moment.
2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 I think this opening is called the Vienna. A typical response might be something along the lines of 3... d5, but instead Kevin chooses
3... d6? This is clearly not a good response because Kevin missed a good opportunity to attack. This is what could have happened.
3... d5 4. d3 exf4! 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Nxd5 Qxd5 7. Bxf4 Bd6 8. Bxd6 Qxd6
Something like that. There Kevin would have a clearly advantageous position. (Not really. Please read Chris's comment.) Moving along...
4. Nf3 exf4 5. Bc4 g5? 6. Nxg5 Rg8?? Here is where the game starts to go downhill for Kevin. I know this is advice for newbies, but some of us still play like newbies. All of us do to Chris. I am not saying I am not a newbie either. Think moves through before playing them, and try to predict how an opponent might respond.
7. Bxf7+! Ke7 8. Bxg8 Bh6?? The last loss Kevin didn't worry about, for he says "rooks are nothing" in every game where he loses a rook near the beginning, which is almost every game. I could try to win a free bishop here with Nf7 forking queen and bishop, but I decide to go for the mate. I am not Chris, and I can at most only look about 5 moves into the game, but in this position it is clear that something can be done to end the game.
9. Nd5+ Ke8? 10. Nf7!! I feel bad calling my move excellent. I guess this is just to put Kevin's gameplay in comparison. Kevin's queen is trapped, and it was all because he cramped up his position early in the game.
10... Qd7 11. Nxf6+ Kf8 From here I felt like I had enough material to do whatever I want and time providing later on write an over-analytical report like Chris Wu does. I wanted to attack even further, but I felt the need to keep Kevin's queen trapped.
12. Qh5 Qe6 13. Qxh6+ Ke7 14. Nd5+ Ke8 15. Nxc7+ Kd7 16. Qxe6+ Kxc7 17. Qxd6#
The moral of this story is that chess is a thinking game. Enough said.
I'm sorry if you feel offended Kevin. Say so and I'll take off the ratings and the question marks and post a game where you almost win but you have to go eat dinner.

Russian Endgame Tactic Training Puzzle

2009-06-06T20:38:00.000-07:00

Here's another puzzle from the Russian Manual (lol). Free coke in it if you do it correctly. First person to post the correct series of moves gets the coke :-)

It's white to move. (Hint: It's move than 2 moves.) You're supposed to turn a clear advantage to a winning advantage (There's a difference).

Free Coke and respect for anyone who solves it. Lol

Hey guys, let's see if you can figure this puzzle out

2009-06-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, here's a pretty hard puzzle. I got it out of a Russian chess thing, and Russians don't joke around when it comes to puzzles.
I took some time to figure this one out. It's pretty hard:

It's white to move. And he's going to get an advantage in 3-4 moves. If you solve this one, you're definitely rated at least 1500 USCF. (To give you an idea, I'm 1850 USCF, and the next best player in the school is probably Bowen, who has a rating of maybe 1300)

Post a comment if you got it :-) Or vote to see which first move is the correct one.

Un-orthodox Openings: Worth a Try or Simply Bullshit?

2009-05-28T19:10:00.000-07:00

Recently, at the chess club, I've seen a bunch of people (who are actually not too bad) playing unorthodox openings. (e.g. Kevin lol). The moves they play are highly unorthodox, and it is a highly dubious habit to have. First off, what they don't realize is that the first move or set of moves they play affect the course or the rest of their game. For example, I've seen many people play the move featured below:

Now, I actually have met decent opponents who have played this move (above), but that probably shouldn't encourage your playing style. In the equivalent of boxing, playing this move is like tripping just as the round starts.

First off, this move leaves an unprotected target for white to attack immediately, and it doesn't take control of the center. Taking control of the center is advantageous because it gives a space advantage to you. This is highly beneficial for future plans, and it offers greater mobility for piece coordination. Future attacks also benefit since more space = more attacking chances (generally)

If you are playing an opponent who plays the polish (that's the name of the starter move above), respond with e5! (the king's pawn two squares forward). This simultaneously attacks the b-pawn and takes control of the center. You're already off to a better start.

This is another crappy move that I've seen people play at chess club (above). This opening is called the grob, but I prefer o refer to it as the Trash Opening. Two words that summarize this starter: It sucks.

Not only does this move weaken the kingside, is also opens up diagonals that weaken its, and it doesn't take control of the center. Here, playing d5! (queen's pawn two squares forward) would be killer. You're better already.

In the equivalent of boxing, this move is similar to punching yourself right before the round starts.

Finally, I've seen some people play this move (above). While this move doesn't create any serious weaknesses for white and is a solid foundation, it is too passive! The reason why white is better is because white has an extra move. That means an extra move, in an attack, or an endgame, which can prove extremely crucial.

In the equivalent of boxing, this move is like not throwing a punch in the first 40 seconds of the round.

All the moves featured above have strengths, too. Playing these openings still do provide unique attacking and tactical chances to seize the initiative in unusual ways. It sometimes creates a more interesting game. But in no way do these moves provide enough compensation for the losses.

This is just my opinion. Please put a comment about your own opinion below.

2009-05-27T19:09:00.000-07:00

Hi guys, it's Matt.
I love chess how about you?

Verbal Ploy to Always Get White (100%, but can only be used on the same person once)

2009-05-27T17:35:00.000-07:00

Again, we start with the assumptiont that White is the better color to play. My friend Chris Wu once explained that it's like having "an extra move."
Once again, we utilize the idea of the "which hand" principle as the color selector. In my previous post, I detailed what we call the "perfect" version, in which the other player is seemingly in control of the situation, though it is not sure-fire. This version is 100% (exceptions made for people who are absolute idiots)
You start off by giving two pieces of opposing color (most commonly pawns) to the other player. You explain to him exactly what you want him to do. You tell him to mix the pieces behind his back, and then bring them out, hidden in his fists, arms stretched out. You explain that this is just "a practice round, to teach him how the system works" You then make a random guess, it doesn't matter which hand you pick. Whatever you pick NOTE THE POSITION WHITE TOOK IN THE PRACTICE ROUND. Then, you tell him to do it again, but this time "For real." The exact script you say is carefully structured. See if you can spot the suggestion: "Fantastic. Yeah, that's just the way you're supposed to do it. Now we're going to do it for real- hands go back behind the back, obviously don't go for the same arrangement, but mix them around, hands back out. I want you to note that it is particularly important for your hands to be closed tightly, otherwhise someone might be able to perhaps see the positions of the colors. By the way... do you have a favorite color?"
Aha! You're actually giving your opponent a command. "Mix them around behind your back- obviously don't go for the same arrangement as last time." This command registers subconciously, and rarely do people have time to figure out that there are ONLY TWO possible arrangements. As you have seen his first arrangement, you know what his second will be. The rest of it is a barrage of information to wash out your command, and is especially important so that he forgets that you have given a command to him. The statements are specially structured. The second statement "Mix it around," is important. You are specifically telling him to "mix it around" only once, though his mind does not percieve the command. The next statement about not being able to see through the hands should be emphasized over everything else. The statement has no subtle meaning, and when recalled later on, will be the highlight of the script. The skullduggery will not be recalled.
The final statement is an "out" in the 1 in 100 chance this fails. (Yes, I guess I lied about this being 100%). If he perchance says his favorite color is "Black," and you pick black, just say: (rather hesitantly) "I like black too, but... since you're my guest, I'll let you have it."
This rather contradicts the whole "random" process, but I doubt anyone will care. Everybody's happy.

Psychological Technique to Give a Player an Instant Advantage in a Casual Game

2009-05-27T16:53:00.000-07:00

It is commonly assumed (at least my good friend "Chris Wu" tells me) that White is the better color to play. The question is, how does one get white on the majority of games played?

The first thing we must do to analyze this dilemma is to consider how colors are chosen in casual games. The first and foremost strategy used is to play a game of "which hand." A white pawn and a black pawn are placed one in each hand, and the hands are mixed around behind the back of one players. The other player then selects a hand, and whichever pawn is selected is the color that player plays.

At first glance, this seems like a fair 50/50 way of chosing a color. It is... but only if neither player knows how to manipulate the game.

How do we manipulate the game? The first thing that must be done, is that YOU must be the one who gets to mix the pieces. If you can remember which piece gos in which hand, you get the instant advantage.

How so, you might ask? We merely have to place the Black piece (the piece that we want the opponent to choose, and thus play black) in our LEFT hand. This will only work if the two players are facing each other.

To the "chosing party," this desicion is nonchalant. Not much effort is placed into this decision, since he/she believes that you do not know the positions of the black and white pieces. His/her subconcious mind interprets the game as being 50/50, with any action resulting in a random result. They will go for the easier and more natural motion of tapping with their RIGHT hand. (Most probably works if they are right handed). Their Right hand will easily be able to touch your LEFT hand, in which you have placed the black piece. Instant advantage.

On a side note, on of the subtleties used with this particular method is to angle your body slightly. If they are 12 0'clock, turn your body to face 1 o'clock. This will position your left hand closer to them, and your left hand farther. Again, their subconcious mind interprets the easier action to be to select your left hand. Yes, this sounds ridiculous, but the method actually works.

Just an introduction

2009-05-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm Chris, and this is an introduction on what you can blog on this site. Anything is tolerated, as long as it relates to chess or to upcoming Cupertino chess tournaments.

In my opinion, recent tourneys (tournaments) have gotten ridiculously high entry fees for the hobbyist and the competitor. I just received my TD certificate (yay!) and can now run USCF rated tournaments. The Entry fees would be low, and it would give you a chance to participate in a real tournament environment. I hope to provide these tourneys throughout the summer and maybe even throughout the freshmen year.

Tell me if you want to blog on this. I'll add you :-)