Is there a chess game that does a good job at teaching you technique?

[gopunk]

like i know the basic rules, but i kind of suck at it... is there a computer chess game that can teach me how to play better?

 

[Howard]

Find a girl that plays brilliantly and get her to "tutor" you.

EDIT: Bonus points if she's hot!

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: gopunk
like i know the basic rules, but i kind of suck at it... is there a computer chess game that can teach me how to play better?

The Chess "something" Thousand series was good at teaching. It used to be 1000, then it was 2000, then 3000. They're probably up to 50,000 by now.

If I remember correctly, you played it in Queen mode and it suggested moves and outcomes.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: Howard
Find a girl that plays brilliantly and get her to "tutor" you.

EDIT: Bonus points if she's hot!

Word. I wound up marrying my girl/teacher 32 years ago and she still kicks my ass!

 

[MercenaryForHire]

FICS

Download client. Play. Get ass kicked. Learn.

- M4H

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Howard
Find a girl that plays brilliantly and get her to "tutor" you.

EDIT: Bonus points if she's hot!

Chess is popular in Russia. Therefore, many hot Russian cheesplaying chicks can be found.

- M4H

 

[gopunk]

thanks guys, but i'm not really looking for any human v. human programs... i just need something to go to every once in a while as a break from hw... i don't think i will have time to play full games, so i think just playing a computer would be better.

 

[Ionizer86]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: gopunk
like i know the basic rules, but i kind of suck at it... is there a computer chess game that can teach me how to play better?

The Chess "something" Thousand series was good at teaching. It used to be 1000, then it was 2000, then 3000. They're probably up to 50,000 by now.

If I remember correctly, you played it in Queen mode and it suggested moves and outcomes.

Chessmaster...go get Chessmaster 9000 for ~$20 on ebay. That's the best there is out there.

 

[DrPizza]

For starters, check out a couple of books at the local library. Learn the most common openings and defenses... The books will show you what to do to counter certain moves, and why certain moves are a poor idea. If you can, also look for the chess puzzle games - the ones that say "figure out how to checkmate in 4 moves" - that'll help you to learn to look ahead, both for offense and defense. Most of the games that I've seen that suggest moves don't explain why they are good moves. I'm not sure if you'd actually learn anything from them.

Planning against better players helps... you don't get much better playing against horrible players. Especially if the other players will offer you advice to help you improve your game and will take the couple of minutes to go back over the game and where your mistakes were.

 

[knivox]

chessmaster 9000 is pretty good. The interface is a bit dated, but I like the feature it has, where it will analyze a game you played, and point out errors you made, what moves you should have made, and why.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Any of the Kasparov series games.

 

[Josephus]

Fritz 8

A better introduction to the timeless game is Play Chess Fritz 8, which includes a complete tutorial for beginners and novices and still provides solid tactical advice for skilled players.

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
FICS

Download client. Play. Get ass kicked. Learn.

- M4H

Awesome server. I'm a Suicide variant afficianado. Used to be one of the 20 best human players on the server at one point in Suicide.

As far as technique goes, if you know basic strategy, the two most important things to learn next are standard openings and the end game. There are numerous free sites that can show you this. MEMORIZE all the standard lines of play, as this is where a lot of beginners get themselves in a hole quickly. Pay special attention to the King's Pawn openings, and the Queen's Gambit Declined. Overconfident players always try to pull a Queen's Gambit on you if they think you suck, if you know how to counter it, you will crush them. King's Pawn is the opening of choice of like 90 something percent of modern games played. Learn the 4 Knight's, Bishop's, King's Fianchetto, Ruy Lopez, Giuoco Piano, and Queen's Gambit. Later on, the King's Gambit can crush a weaker player decisively.

The end game will take less wrote memorization, and more thinking skills. Concentrate on King vs. King and Pawn, King and Rook vs. King and Pawn. Know how to WIN when you have King/Rook vs. King, King/Queen vs. King, King/Pawn vs. King. Know how to DRAW when you have King vs. King/Pawn on the 3rd or 6th rank (column). In my opinion, it's the objective in every game for a poor to mediocre player to trade down, and play the end game, when playing someone of equal skill. If you know your end game, you will win more often than not.

A third thing to think about is learning when to sacrifice material for mate or overwhelming tactical advantage. The object of the game is to checkmate, not to capture all the other guy's pieces.

The above practice should get you to a fairly respectable rating on FICS at least. From what I've observed over the years I've played there, you could expect your official USCF rating to be + or - about 200 points from your Standard rating on FICS. Standard games are generally anything over 10 minutes, Blitz under 10 minutes, and Lightning under 3 minutes.

cliffs notes: memorize book openings, practice the end game, know how to win/draw in certain situations, and later, look for winning combinations in the middle game, even if it means sacrificing material.


Cheers!

 

[JupiterJones]

Originally posted by: gopunk
like i know the basic rules, but i kind of suck at it... is there a computer chess game that can teach me how to play better?

Chess Mentor by Aficionado®

Not a game, but can get most people up to around 1800.

The ChessMaster Series is OK, but the programs never play like a real person. Check out The Internet Chess Club, where you can play as a guest for free against real people.

jup