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Jan-26-06
 | | OhioChessFan: While I find other chessforums interesting, I have been hesitant to open mine. But I'll give it a shot and see if I like it, and if others participate. In opening the forum, I began considering my ignore list, and realized that a bunch of people are on it, and I have no idea why. I just might clear the list and start over. As for the content of the forum, I think there are 2 areas that interest me.
1. I sort of, kind of, maybe, want to begin playing chess. Any input into websites, books, etc, that would help me in that pursuit would be appreciated.
2. The big picture view of computer/human chess, eg, Are the current rules facilitating play fair? Is the dominance of the computers inevitable? Should computers have opening books? I am off now to clear my ignore list, and will see how this goes. |
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| Jan-26-06 | | RolandTesh: <OhioChessFan>
Good luck with your new forum!
I have a suggestion which involves both of your interests -- an easy new way to improve your game which has only become possible in this era of chess engines. Now, some of this goes against instinct, please stay with me for a moment, it really works. First, get yourself an engine (if you don't already have one). It doesn't need to be too strong, in fact it is probably better if it isn't. A free one, like GnuChess (I use MacChess) works fine -- playing around 2000. Just google -- free chess engine --. Whichever engine you use, it needs to allow you to take back moves (made easier if you use the keyboard -- for me I just repeatedly hit "control-z"). Now, just start playing a game -- here's the important part -- using only your instincts. Stop and calculate when you feel like it -- but don't worry too much about winning, yet. Just your instincts. I usually set the engine to respond in 30 seconds, to keep the thought process flowing. You want an engine with a good opening book, which will also try different things, and not just keep repeating the same opening lines. Sometimes I will play a move for the engine if I think it is better, but mostly so as to take the game down a different track. Then, when you reach a postion where you are losing (or you feel like you could have done better) -- then back up the position to the previous Y in the road, and try again. If you still can't find anything satisfactory, then back it up even further. Keep doing this until you eventually win. Here's what happens, which makes this such an effective way to learn. You start to recognize, from all the lines you play, consistent patterns in the engines defense of these branches of the tree. It's when you eventually find a path that causes the engine to attempt something entirely different, that is when you are beginning to see the position(s) holistically, how to thwart what the engine wants to do, and now you are likely starting to win. This is not the only method you should use, but it's easy, fun, fast, and surprisingly effective. Be a move-taker-backer, spot the patterns of defense in all variation, then play the moves that best thwart those patterns. Now you're a Master :-) |
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Jan-26-06
 | | WannaBe: Ladies and Gentlemen!! I give you, ELVIS!! =) |
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Jan-29-06
| | OhioChessFan: I am wondering if Topa's recent tactic of sacing exchanges will work against Hydra. While most people suggest computers are weakest in unbalanced positions, I don't see many attempting it. |
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| Jan-30-06 | | Cogano: Hello <OhioChessFan> and I hope this finds you well. Firstly, congratulations and good luck with your
new forum. Secondly, regarding playing chess, I can see no faults in <RolandTesh>'s approach and reasoning. But I would add that you should get at least a beginners level book on ope-nings, pick one, try to find a good book on it that explains the logic behind it etc., and try your best to play as many games with that opening as
you can, regardless of the result (win, lose or draw). I think both elements are equally impor-tant and necessary: reading on the theory (like the logic of an opening, so as to better understand what it's meant to achieve, its strong points & drawbacks etc.), as well as to play the maximum number of games -- as there can be no substitute to what a person can learn through practice, and the value of that learning. One other thing you may find use-ful, once you pick an opening and start reading about it and applying it, is to
pick a book of games played with that ope-ning that explains and analyzes them
in detail. I can't advise you in that area, especially since some authors/ GM's explain better and more clearly than others. The only person I sort of
know is IMDay on this site (he writes a weekly chess co-lumn for my local paper & I really like the way he explains things). But, this is not to say that I'm recommending him. I've actually never read anything by him yet. I hope
this helps. Good luck just the same. Take very good care and have yourself a
most joyous day, every day. Cheers! |
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| Feb-14-06 | | like a GM: < OhioChessFan> Even if it works now i am sorry to say that in the future machines will probably be able to "think" of these sacs as well. |
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Feb-16-06
| | OhioChessFan: <like a GM> I think most of the gains in computer chess in the last 10 years have been in extending the ply of search, and pruning. Some obvious puzzles that a 1400 player would solve in 10 seconds are still beyond the ability of the computers to solve. They simply don't understand chess. Maybe the algorithms will improve. |
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| Feb-17-06 | | deefree: I have always been fascinated with chess playing programs. I've owned about a dozen different stand alone chess computers and about a half dozen chess programs for PC. Computer chess is a great way to learn in my opinion. A decent program will never let outright blunders slide, while in speed chess people are missing stuff constantly. Anyway, I think the computers diligence in tactics can really teach you to be a better player. Being a chess program geek, I couldn't resist playing the free program on the chess.com site, know as the Little Chessparter or LCP. After a few games where I was cavalier and careless and got my butt stomped, I decided to take matters more seriously. Because the program always plays the same move in any position when out of book, once you win, it's a permanent repeatable win. In this way you can actually "cook" the program. For example, the LCP has 7 responses to 1. d4. (Also after 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3, the LCP plays 2 different moves.) So all together that's 8 possible replies to 1. d4. After a short time I've beaten it in every one of those responses so now I can play 1. d4 and beat it every time! The shortest win was 14 moves and the longest was 59. Further challenges would be to shorten those long wins, i.e. find better lines. All the while you get great practice and learn to be careful not to make tactical blunders. Here is my shortest win against the LCP:
1. d4 Nf6
2. Bg5 e6
3. Nf3 Nc6
4. e3 Bb4+
5. c3 Be7
6. Bd3 O-O
7. Nbd2 d5
8. Ne5 h6
9. h4 hxg5
10. hxg5 Nxe5
11. dxe5 Ne4
12. Qh5 f5
13. g6 Nxd2
14. Qh7#
or
14. Qh8#
Let me know if you have any interest in seeing other games against LCP. As far as programs for PC, I've had a few of the Chessmaster series and a couple from the Fritz series. The Chessmaster is better for Novice, Class D and Class C players while Fritz is better for more advanced players. Both do quite surprisingly well at analysing your games. I find this tool to be wonderful. You can see good alternatives and it is quite satisfying when the program gives you a "!" or "!!" for a move you've played. Imagine, validation from a machine. Either we've completely lost it or we have invented some amazing tools. I tend to think the latter is true while my girlfriend....well, let's just say she isn't as impressed as I am when Fritz gives me a pat on the back. :o) |
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| Feb-17-06 | | deefree: OH by the way I forgot to mention that I'm from Ohio too. I live in Columbus, though I originally came from Cleveland. |
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| Feb-18-06 | | Chess Champ: Hey, when did u guys start private chat forums, originally my idea from 2003, early. How much do they charge? |
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Feb-19-06
| | OhioChessFan: <Chess Champ> it costs you a premium membership. I guess they started the beginning of this year. |
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| Feb-20-06 | | monad: Hello there,
Very daring of you to clear your ignore list -:)
As if a picture of Elvis isn't enough to cheer anybody up, I came to visit because of your comment on today's puzzle game. I too have decided to stick with Monday puzzles only. Better for morale. |
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| Feb-21-06 | | Chess Champ: Hey, this is Elvis from his last concert 1977 I believe? |
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Feb-21-06
| | OhioChessFan: I'll have to research that <Chess Champ> I have a vague memory of an album cover with that pic. |
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Feb-26-06
| | OhioChessFan: Don Knotts died yesterday. How sad. In his honor, a list of my 10 favorite Andy Griffith episodes: 1. Man in a Hurry.
2. Barney and the Choir. That caterwauling tenor!
3. Sermon for Today. WHAT'S your hurry?
4. Citizen's Arrest.
5. The Manicurist. Barbara Eden, oh my.
6. Opie's Charity. Poor Horatio.
7. Barney's Sidecar.
8. Convicts at Large. You're kinda getting to me.
9. The Pickle Story. Love those kerosene cucumbers. 10. Alcohol and Old Lace. Pow Pow Pow!
11. Mr. McBeevee. No, but I believe in Opie. |
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| Feb-27-06 | | RolandTesh: <OhioChessFan>
Nice list, good memories. How many shows are there that have lasted for 40 years in reruns, always on the air somewhere, and it's mostly due to Don Knotts. HIs character Barney Fife is for the ages. Among the titles of your list, is there included the episode where Opie kills a bird, then has to deal with the consequences, raising the baby birds? A brilliant aspect of the Andy Griffith Show (other than the catchy whistling tune) was their ability to switch back and forth between serious issues and slap-stick. RIP Don Knotts. Here's a trivia question for you -- What relation were Andy and Barney? (It was mentioned in only one episode.) |
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Feb-27-06
| | OhioChessFan: <RolandTesh> that episode is called Opie the Birdman. It really doesn't work for me, though many people would rate it #1. Andy and Barney are cousins. If I think about it, I can tell you exactly how they were cousins, but at work now and looking over my shoulder. ;) Hint: Aunt Bee is not Barney's aunt. |
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Feb-27-06
| | OhioChessFan: I worked it out in my mind. Aunt Bee is not Barney's aunt, so that strongly indicates she is Andy's father's sister. Unless her parents were coincidentally named Taylor. Barney several times comments that Andy doesn't know a person on his (Barney's) mother's side of the family. I gather then that Andy's mother and Barney's father are brother and sister. |
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Feb-27-06
| | OhioChessFan: Elvis and Andy
Now being from the south,
I never had a doubt
What kind of girl I want.
I'd pick a Georgia peach,
Or a Mississippi queen,
Or a Dallas debutante.
But I met a little blonde from above and beyond
The Mason/Dixon line.
Now she ain't a Dixie dumplin'.
But let me tell you something,
Lord she more than qualifies.
She likes Elvis, she likes Andy.
She's just as pretty as can be.
She's the number one fan of
Both Graceland and Mayberry RFD.
She ain't a southern belle,
But it's hard to tell.
She's got every quality.
She likes Elvis, she likes Andy
So she's fine and dandy with me.
I took her home for Christmas,
To try some southern dishes
My mama's famous for.
But mama threw a fit,
Cuz she wouldn't eat her grits.
It was looking like the civil war.
I was hoping like the devil,
They would meet up in the middle,
But neither one would budge.
Then I heard them in the kitchen,
A-laughing and a-giggling,
"A-hunka-hunka burning love".
She likes Elvis, she likes Andy.
She's just as pretty as can be.
She's the number one fan of
Both Graceland and Mayberry RFD.
She ain't a southern belle,
But it's hard to tell.
She's got every quality.
She likes Elvis, she likes Andy,
So she's fine and dandy with me.
No she ain't a southern belle,
But it's hard to tell.
She's got every quality.
She likes Elvis, she likes Andy.
So she's fine and dandy with me.
She likes Elvis, she likes Andy,
So she's fine and dandy with me.
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| Feb-27-06 | | jackmandoo: I just read your profile. There really is something about playing over classics. I love to do it myself. I enjoy playing over games just as much as making one myself. I think that it's kind of a way to find similarities between ourselves and from people generations ago. I always get a tingling feeling up my back when I see the first pawn thrust of a kingside attack from a 19th century classic. Those crazy 19th century guys! Brilliant but not quite sound some of them. But you gotta love em. |
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| Mar-01-06 | | kevin86: Yesterday,you asked me a question on my forum-I'll answer it here as well: Marshall's gold piece story was told by Marshall,himself. I'm hoping that it was true,but really believe it to be in the same category of Ruth's called shot,legend. |
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| Mar-01-06 | | JustAFish: Just wanted to let you know that I, too, am from Ohio. Columbus, in fact. I play most of my OTB games as part of the "central chess club" run by Lou Friscoe. Wednesday nights, 7:30 p.m. at the Selesian center downtown. C'mon down! We also play occasional weekend, one day, tournaments at the North Market- a good place to play because there is food in abundance. Tuesday nights at Cafe Keroac just north of campus on High street also has informal chess get togethers. The games there are unrated and the opposition not as strong, usually. The first monday of the month the Central Chess Club plays a quick rated tournament at a Coffee shop in Clintonville, the name of which escapes me right now. The Bishops' Chess Club, affiliated with Ohio Weslyean University, has one day "mini-swisses" (3 games) in March and October. These are well attended. |
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| Mar-13-06 | | RonB52734: You guys should make the drive to the Pittsburgh Chess Club for one of our Saturday tournaments. If you think that's ever in the cards, I'll do what I can to get some PCC members to come to Columbus and return the favor. We're already trying to arrange a "backyard brawl" with the Morgantown (WVa) club. I think this would be a nice tradition. |
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| Mar-15-06 | | Cogano: Hello again <Ron> & I sincerely hope this finds you well. I wholeheartedly agree. It'd go a long way towards popularizing the game that much more still while also strengthening the bonds & relations of the various clubs & chess playing people. For a person like me, the only drawback is that clubs are too expensive for me to join (at least not the ones I know of in Toronto) & so I wouldn't be able to participate in such events. But it would be great to arrange something along similar lines between Ontario & the North-Eastern & North-Central States. As it happens, we have more relations & interactions with them than
we do with our fellow provinces. So this isn't such a big leap or such an outlandish idea as it may sound! Just the same (though I'm not a club member & may not be for some time to come) I fully second & support your proposition. It is a great one. Good of
you to make it & it doesn't surprise me
either, considering how you already give of yourself & your time! :) Take very good care & have a great day. Cheers mate! :) |
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Mar-27-06
| | OhioChessFan: Can anyone give a link to the instructions for posting positions? I want to try posting a few problems that have caught my fancy through the years. |
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