I stink at chess?

[coolred]

I used to play every once in a while a few years ago and just recentlly I started playing on yahoo games. Also just today I bought virtual kasparov for the GBA. It's a pretty neat game with decent tutorials, but I am having difficulty beating the computer. I was never able to work the game in my head. I could usually only go 1 or 2 moves ahead, but then they usually do something i don't expect and that crews up my plan, then I have hards times coming up with another. What can i do? I know, practice, practice, practice, but what else

 

[yakko]

What can i do? I know, practice, practice, practice, but what else

Practice somemore.

 

[freebee]

Chess aint about practice in the traditional sense. Because playing without understanding is no good.

You should get chess lessons where you will be exposed to certain types of positioning, learn about the way in which pieces interact, and how to play certain situations.

Or you could just play bughouse.

 

[freebee]

Actually don't play bughouse....it will ruin your chess skills. Supposedly.

 

[lawaris]

actually it's not your fault .... yahoo games suck !
The interface is awful and at least that makes a huge difference to me.

Trychess.net .... nice interface , more players , can play computers too.....and sometimes GM's too come there.

My nick is Indian_Magic there

LMK if u want to know more.

There is a free java version
A free windows version - which I use
And a paid version

 

[911paramedic]

Winning Chess Tactics, or Winning Chess Strategies by Seirawan Silman. Pretty good books, simple to read with lots of pictures, not the annotated books that make your head hurt.

 

[lawaris]

Originally posted by: freebee
Actually don't play bughouse....it will ruin your chess skills. Supposedly.

yeah I never play that ..... but crazyhouse is fun

 

[apoppin]

There are tons of good chess primers and intermediate books available that teach strategy.

I have Chessmaster 8000 and I can only hold the program to a draw (sometimes) when I play at it's highest skill level. I never beat it.

 

[DioCassius]

You also shouldn't play a computer if you want to be good. Computers play totally different from humans, so being good against computers is different from good against humans. You can attack and attack and attack a computer, and it will defend, defend, defend. A human usually will crumple under the pressure. So computers will make you play too conservative (since the attacks will usually fail). Playing online against real people is better. The best is at USCF sponsered tournaments.

 

[chickendinner]

Play against very young or vastly unintelligent person. That way you will kick ass.

 

[Ne0]

I'm ok in chess, after about 100 games at yahoo I have a 1900 rating. I have Chessmaster 8000 also, and I never beat it on my main machine ( I can only get draws). But on my fairly slow laptop, I can beat Chessmaster 8000. I remember bughouse, it was real fun as a little kid but yeah - it ruins your game.

 

[apoppin]

You also shouldn't play a computer if you want to be good.

Who wants to be "good"?

I had a rating of over 2100 a long time ago and I spent more time studying and playing chess than I do on this forum and on computers and computer gaming combined. It is very addictive.

It is very convenient to just play a machine and it never complains when you take back a move (to practice of course). I am a positional player, anyway. Some day - when I am really old - I might join a chess club again.

 

[DioCassius]

Well, I would consider 2100 better than "good". I'm only down at 1700. But I was really thinking about someone who is just learning. Although I bet you're right - for positional practice, computers can be a good opponent. You'll learn not to fall into any tactical traps, etc., while winning by superior position.

 

[apoppin]

Just curious . . . is Chessmaster 8000 the best chess program for home PCs?

BTW, I learned to 'give up' when I see that the program has an advantage - it will just grind you down mercilessly to its winning endgame. However, I am also having problems turning MY advantages into a win over it . . . I guess I just need more practice (and a study of the latest theory wouldn't hurt either).

 

[lawaris]

I was about 1950 till I got drunk

 

[Ne0]

Just curious . . . is Chessmaster 8000 the best chess program for home PCs?

No, I think Fritz 6 is better. I remember somewhere online there's a review Chessmaster 8000 was pit up against Fritz 6 on the exact same spec (1.2 ghz I think) machine. Fritz 6 won 5/ Chessmaster won 1/ 6 games were drawn. Chessmaster was analyzing only 20 million moves after two minutes with TheKing and Fritz 6 was analyzing a bit over 100 million (5 times as much) during the same time frame. Fritz 7 is out and its supposed to be much improved over 6, so I would expect Fritz 7 to be the best now. Even though Chessmaster 9000 will be released very soon.

 

[apoppin]

Thanks . . . not that I need a stronger opponent.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Power walking is far healthier than chess any day.

 

[absolutiza]

do that 3-move chekcmate trick. i usually just do that and if it gets countered, i quit.. haha

 

[Rand]

Just curious . . . is Chessmaster 8000 the best chess program for home PCs?

That or Fritz 6. Fritz is probably a bit more intelligent but ChessMaster has many more options. tutorials and different personalities to play against . If you just want to face the strongest opponent you ca then I'd go with Fritz 6. Otherwise Chessmaster 8000 is the best IMHO.

I have Chessmaster 8000 and I can only hold the program to a draw (sometimes) when I play at it's highest skill level. I never beat it.

What kinda system is that on?
ChessMaster tends to scale in 'intelligence' quite well with increasing processor speed.
Either way though, your definitely an excellent player if you can push CM8000 to a draw even occasionally at it's highest skill level.

 

[apoppin]

What kinda system is that on?
ChessMaster tends to scale in 'intelligence' quite well with increasing processor speed.
Either way though, your definitely an excellent player if you can push CM8000 to a draw even occasionally at it's highest skill level.

I missed your post . . . I am running it on a 1.24Ghz Tualatin Celeron with 384MB RAM. I don't give Chessmaster or myself the maximum time allowable or I get bored.

 

[spanky]

practice. or hold a gun to the head of ur opponent.