I think I'm kind of a noob at chess. I hope to join the Chess Team next year (my bro says I'm better than most of them...;)) and I just want to see how good I am. I don't really know openings or anything like that...anyone interested in giving me some lessons while we play? :D

maybe he was just being nice

Do you accept my challenge then?

1. e4 (king pawn opening)

Sorry for the delay.

1. e4 e5

Oh, and don't worry, I at least know the King's Pawn opening. ;) :lol:

feels so weird to post again

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 (king knight's game)

Sorry for not checking this thread, I hope you are still on hedgehog. Bah, I'll set up a chess board. I suck at playing in my head. ;)

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6

Thought about doing Nf6, but I think this is a better defense. :)

you better still be online...

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3

Your move is called "closed variation". There are a lot of "best" moves this early in the game. Some alternatives are: Nf6 (more agressive, but good), d5 (risky, but frees the other bishop), f5 (hints of the king's gambit... a gambit is a move when you sacrifice a pawn to gain momentum, and your opponent has the option to accept or decline it...), and so on...

Now a little word of advice... Don't do the same mistake i did. It is in fact counter-productive to learn a lot of openings at an early stage. You have to gain a little experience to understand them...

Originally posted by hedgehog

Your move is called "closed variation". There are a lot of "best" moves this early in the game. Some alternatives are: Nf6 (more agressive, but good), d5 (risky, but frees the other bishop), f5 (hints of the king's gambit... a gambit is a move when you sacrifice a pawn to gain momentum, and your opponent has the option to accept or decline it...), and so on...


1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6

You know, I actually don't like Nc6 that much anymore. Not that its a bad move, but its a little too defensive for my liking. I would have been really ticked if you did an offensive move...but at least you played defensive as well. :)

hope youre on

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2

burrowing into my defenses and preparing king-side castle... still playing without board...

Originally posted by hedgehog
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2

burrowing into my defenses and preparing king-side castle... still playing without board...

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6

Just noticed that you moved. Want to stack the center? I'll play ball. :D Although I'm trying to put pressure on that e4 pawn. And unfortunately, I don't like my position all that much. My black bishop is locked in. I'll probably move him to castle, but the center is going to have to light up for him to be useful.

game (finally) on

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3


The center is going to heat up... It seems that people who say they are newbies are really not (myself included). I have played about 2000 games of chess and spent many hours analysing various other games... Yet I still consider myself a newbie. This is partly because now and then I play against a really good player (2000+) and they always bring my feet back on the ground...

P.S. I don't think anyone here can believe me that I played a game against Garry Kasparov once, but that's another story... ;-)

Originally posted by hedgehog

P.S. I don't think anyone here can believe me that I played a game against Garry Kasparov once, but that's another story... ;-)

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be2

Tell me more! Did you win? :)

i beleive you

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be2


The game goes:
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be7 I guess this is what you mean...
6. O-O

Sorry for the delay, I had some trouble posting. I PM'd you my move, but lets see if I can post again.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7

Sorry about that typo. I know notation, I just somehow pressed 7 instead of 2...:crazyeye: If you did Castle Kingside under the wrong impression (i.e. that I moved Be7) just tell me and you can change it. :)

so did you win

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4

I need to gain some central control...

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O

I thought about a few options, mainly taking that pawn, but I think if I have a little self-control, I can gain the center in this situation. :D

of course, you have to play along

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5!


I thought about a few options, mainly taking that pawn, but I think if I have a little self-control, I can gain the center in this situation.
lol

You should trust your instincts. Too much self-control cgannon

just to make sure we are on the same track here...

The current position, after my move:

Damn it! I never see the obvious moves, only the overly complex chains. I think that is my major weak point in chess. :wallbash:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7

Anyway, I think this is the only way I can lose a major piece instead of two. Every other scenerio I looked at, I lost two major pieces. I must say, you do have VERY nice coverage of the center. Those two knights, combined with the open file for the queen and some pawns give you lots of control.

I keep on forgetting to do the most important thing in play-by-(e)mail of posting chess - take time for your moves! I have SO much time to think, and yet I rush. :wallbash:

for the record ive never used the wallbash smilie twice in one post

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6

Quite obvioust...

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6

Do you think there was any other way out of that situation, besides Bd7? It was the best I saw...

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5

B7 was probably your best move. Now your bishop puts extra strain on the center and that's why I jammed my knight in there...

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4

To be honest, I didn't see this move coming. I almost freaked out, but then I saw Nxe4.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3

I too move the pieces while I am sleeping... You now have 2 pawns for your knight and increased mobility...

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6

This was my gut instinct move, but for some reason I took a while to do it. Something tells me that I shouldn't give up that great position for my knight, because you could easily cover it with your bishop. But...you're probably going to use your bishop to defend the attacked knight, and then I can always move back if I want to. Whatever, we'll see how it works out. :)

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7

I now have an extra tempo. Not sure what to do with it yet, but your bishop looks threatening...

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7 Qxe7

Nice move. I saw that coming, but I underestimated its power. Now you have the tempo and you could turn it into a nice position. I have a few moves up my sleeve that could give me the tempo, however...:mischief:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7 Qxe7
13. c4

I must put my pawns in motion to counter their dwindling numbers...

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7 Qxe7
13. c4 e4

Good to see we've gotten in sync. Is this move reminscent of another, perhaps? ;) :lol:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7 Qxe7
13. c4 e4
14. Nd4

I am being hunted... hate it when this happends ;-)

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7 Qxe7
13. c4 e4
14. Nd4 d5

I have nothing to attack that knight with. Bah, lets just take some pawns off the board; I have some to spare...:mischief:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7 Qxe7
13. c4 e4
14. Nd4 d5
15. Nf5

Just stepping up the heat inside the cauldron... Feel free to take my pawn ;)

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7 Qxe7
13. c4 e4
14. Nd4 d5
15. Nf5 Qe5

Normally I don't like to use my Queen offensively in the early game, but I think its safe to say we've moved into the middle game, wouldn't you? :)

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7 Qxe7
13. c4 e4
14. Nd4 d5
15. Nf5 Qe5
16. Bg4

Yes, middle game, and heading to an abrupt end...


Now to tighten the noose.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7 Qxe7
13. c4 e4
14. Nd4 d5
15. Nf5 Qe5
16. Bg4 g6

I thought about doing Bd7, but that would have required an inbetween move (Rd8) to cover the pawn, which would waste time. I think this move is sufficient.

Tighten the noose, eh? Getting a little cocky, are we? ;)

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7 Qxe7
13. c4 e4
14. Nd4 d5
15. Nf5 Qe5 ?
16. Bg4 g6??
17. Nh6+

Your only alternative was 16. ... Kh8 . This is the only move that might have prolonged the game, with only some loss of material.

I will take a rematch... ;)

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7 Qxe7
13. c4 e4
14. Nd4 d5
15. Nf5 Qe5
16. Bg4 g6
17. Nh6+ Kh8

A good move, yes, but I fail to see the force mate in the future. In fact, I fail to see any good in that move besides that it gave you the tempo. :confused:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7 Qxe7
13. c4 e4
14. Nd4 d5
15. Nf5 Qe5
16. Bg4 g6
17. Nh6+ Kh8
18. cxd5

I'm blind. Somehow I mistook Qe5 for Qe6 ... go figure. I saw about 5 ways of mating you with the Qe6.

I will not take back the last 2 moves as it is only fair.

Now back to square one... :crazyeye:

P.S. Check my sig...

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7 Qxe7
13. c4 e4
14. Nd4 d5
15. Nf5 Qe5
16. Bg4 g6
17. Nh6+ Kh8
18. cxd5 Nxg4

Oh, OK. I really scratched my head on that one; I thought I was missing some elemental mistake that cost me the game...:crazyeye:

I'll give you one thing: This position is strong for your standpoint. It seems kind of even, but just about every one of your pieces is defended. :)

I mulled this position for a while, and I figured that the more agressive (and risky) move of Nxg4 would be better than the boring onld Bxd5. This move CAN have some bad variations, but most of them would be at my fault. One variation I thought of is the most probably one, and it involves me losing out by a pawn in the end, but I have more pawns than you, and plus, the increased mobility on the right side is good for me. :)

EDIT: Nice win over Kira there, BTW. ;)

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d3 d6
4. Be2 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be6
6. O-O Be7
7. d4 O-O
8. d5 Bd7
9. dxc6 Bxc6
10. Nd5 Nxe4
11. Be3 Nf6
12. Nxe7 Qxe7
13. c4 e4
14. Nd4 d5
15. Nf5 Qe5
16. Bg4 g6
17. Nh6+ Kh8
18. cxd5 Nxg4
19. Bd4

I think the move is pretty self-explanatory. You really have to watch over such simple variations... This move DOES have a very bad variation... Now your queen is in the bag and your dashing knight is kaput.

P.S. Kira has not yet submitted a resign. She can prolong the ordeal for a few more moves...

I guess the next challenge must be Smash himself ;)

I resign. Damn. :o Its always those little oversights that get me.

So, do you think I'm good enough for my high school chess team? ;) :lol:

Rematch?

Resign and challenge accepted. ;)

You have enough theoretical knoledge but your game is a bit rough around the edges.
I will post a diagram of the game both here and on my site (check my sig)

Have a nice day...