May 08 2008
Phillip’s Chess Game - #1
I’m playing chess with a guy I work with, but I’m not a very good chess player. If anyone can help me beat him, I’ll send you a copy of my next album. Currently, here’s what the board looks like. I’m black. Can you suggest my next move (and tell me why it’s a good move)? I know this is cheating, but it might be a good way to learn some strategy too. (I suspect the guy I’m playing with is using a computer to help him make his moves. If I find out otherwise, I’ll have to delete this post out of shame.) Thanks.
If this goes anywhere, I’ll update the image — and change the date of this post (so the permalink is garbage) — after each move. If I can’t update the image while I’m at work, my opponent’s moves will be written in the comments.
Bd6
This isn’t looking good. Here goes…
My opponent’s last move:
Nc3.
I’m at work and can’t upload the image of his move yet. But I’m willing to take suggestions for my next move.
I think my opponent is using a chess program to play against me, so all this cheating is kosher. It’s all matter of who can cheat the best — like the Olympics. Mainly, I want to learn how to play better chess, because I don’t know much about strategy.
Recommendations for my next move?
Bg4
Why is Bg4 a good move?
Bh3 instead of Bh4.
> Bh3 instead of Bh4.
Oooh, I like that one better. Here goes…
My opponent came back with this:
Rf2
c6
I agree: c6 was my best move. Done!
Update the image!
This is my last move until I update the picture (which I can’t do easily from work). I’ll update it later tonight with my opponents latest move.
It’s my move again. I’m pondering it but I’m still looking for suggestions.
Ng4
> Ng4
Oh, tha’ts cool, man. So I have pretty good control of the centre of the board, and now we’re trying to peck away at the pieces around his king? Is that more or less it?
Ya, we’re gonna break up his pawns there. Hopefully.
It’s my move again.
What was his last move? Post it as a comment.
His last move was b3.
That doesn’t make sense: I’m gonna take his rook. You sure? Update the image.
Right. I wrote in the wrong move. His last move was Re2. The current image shows his last move. Hit refresh if it doesn’t show up.
This is turning into an interesting game.
castle: 0-0
I’m on a shoot all day Thursday. No moves until sometime in the evening, and then I’m viewing some house. So it could be slow day.
My opponent’s latest move was e4. Image has been updated.
Qb6 - check
Have you read “Queen’s Gambit”?
No, I haven’t read that, but it’s on my To Read list.
My opponent’s latest move: Be3.
Refresh to see latest board image.
Nxe3
My opponent’s latest move: Na4.
Nxd1 check
If he falls for it, you should end up with a Queen and a Rook.
He’ll take my queen; he’s been playing reasonably well.
My opponent’s latest move: Nxb6. He took my queen.
I’m thinking my next move should be Bc5. If he moves his king out of check, then I’ve got him. If he blocks the check with his rook, I take his rook and I still have it.
Unless I’m missing something, which I could be.
Yup. Bc5 check
Waiting for his next move.
Kh1.
My move next…
axb6 (open the rook)
I want to discuss the moves of this game afterwards. Next time I play him, I’ll play on my own and he’ll clean my clock. But I’d like to learn some of the strategy behind the moves of this games first.
His move: Rxd1.
That was a bad move.
Bg4
> I want to discuss the moves of this game afterwards.
When I played in tournaments in my youth we noted all our games on paper, analyzing them later in chess meetings.
Here are some basic strategies and skills for playing chess:
- Be able to look at least 3 moves ahead, preferably 5+ moves.
- In the beginning try to maintain control of the four center squares, which doesn’t necessarily mean having pieces on them.
- Don’t attack early unless the opportunity is obvious; work on making room and control the center.
- Don’t overload pieces; that is, having a piece defend too many other pieces.
Lots of other tips if I take the time to think about it.
My opponent’s latest move:
exd5.
Bf3 check
Man, you are nasty Jody.
This game isn’t even fair. Phillip, I don’t think the other guy was cheating. Or if he was, his sources sucked!
My opponent’s latest move:
Rg2.
I’m thinking what the hell, let’s take his rook.
Rxa2
I’m thinking I should’ve taken the d1 rook. I don’t think it matters much at this point.
That’s what I said.
His move: Rf1.
Bxd5
h4 was your last move?
Mine: Rd8
Phillip’s getting lazy: he’s only emailing me the moves now.
White’s last move: Kh2.
My response: Bxg2. Finally.
I had things on the go last night.
If we move the bishop to g2, he’ll just take it with his king.
Before I make the move, what do you have in mind?
I want him to take it - I’m gonna win his bishop because of my rook up there. Look into the future!
Are you sure we’re looking at the same board?
Okay, here goes…
Update the board with the moves you haven’t posted!
Try hitting refresh, ya bum.
Your move.
this brotherly love is making me….. sniff sniff …..cry
Jesus christ. Refresh it again.
I”ll refresh it a thousand times but it won’t make you move, will it?!
My last move was Bxg2. I don’t see your response yet.
This sibling love reminds me: call mom ya lazy bum: it’s mother’s day.
I’m waiting for my opponent to make a move.
Frig off. I’m calling her after breakfast.
Did you give dad those Planet Earth DVDs yet?
My opponent’s latest move (image has been updated).
Kxg2.
Rxd5
Done. Image updated. Waiting for opponent’s move.
His move: Kh3.
Image has been updated.
Rxc2
Exchanging a rook for a pawn doesn’t seem like a good move to me.
Can you explain it?
I’m not. According to my move, there’s no way he can take my rook. The image isn’t up to date.
The image is up to date. I may be reading the notation wrong. This is how I read it:
Rxc2 means the black rook on a2 will take the white pawn on c2.
His move would be to move his bishop on d3 to c2 and thus take the rook you just moved.
What am I missing?
I fucked up, which you should’ve pointed out! My “Rxd5″ wasn’t valid - I meant d3 - there was nothing on d5 to take.
It didn’t look right to me, either, but I defer to your expertise. These comments are too far away from the image of the board — thus you can’t see what hell you’re doing. When there are this many comments on a post, the earlier comments should be archived.
So now what the hell are we going to do?
I’ll continue as it is. So am I redoing my last move there or waiting for you?
I’m waiting for you to continue as is. The current image is the current set up. It’s your move.
b5
His move: g6. It doesn’t show up too well in the image.
You meant g4.
My move: Ph5
His move: f5.
hxg4 check
His move: Kxg4.
I say it’s time to get his king on the run.
Rd4 check
I’m at work and can’t update the image, but I will in about an hour. His move:
Kg5.
The end is near: Bd6.
Are you should you mean d6?
I’m sure: Bishop to d6.
f6.
b4
Yes. Pawn to b4.
Rd1.
Ra5 check (the end is nigh)
That’s the move I was thinking too. Now he has to move his bishop. I bet the tables can turn during endgame play like this if you’re not careful.
His move: Bf5.
Rf4
At least you’re doing what I’d be doing at this point. Though I’d still likely screw it up with a foolish move.
He’ll just take my bishop now. Anyway, we’ll see what happens.