Puzzled - how to play as black

[stwils]

I am new to chess. I bought Chessmaster 9000, and a few books. But when they talk about openings, they talk about white's.

Now how do you play as black? You can learn white's openings, but how does that help you if you are playing black - because whatever white does, you have to respond to. And if white does something unusual what do you do, and how does learning any opening moves help?

Is there a book on playing as black? I tried to find something in Chessmaster that would help me, but it is all about "openings" and it looks like I have to play as white in that software.

Any ideas?

stwils

 

[Panzar75]

You made a good decision buying Chessmaster 9000. It's a good piece of software to learn chess with. First of all, you can of course play as both white and black. To play with the black pieces try this;

In the menu, chose game/new game; Make sure you are playing at the bottom and the computer of your choice at the top. Then enable the little checkbox "[your name] plays from bottom". Now click the "rotate board" button until the black pieces are at the bottom, then click "ok".

To learn about openings, click on "class room", intermediate tab, turorials and go through the lessons starting with "white's first move". There are plenty of practice from black's perspective as well.

Until you get a little better it doesn't matter much if you practice specific white openings or specific black openings. You should concentrate on making moves that follow the opening principles regardless of colour. I suggest taking a look at the excellent Novice Nook articles (link #11 under "Archives index") at Chesscafe. There are many good ones, here are two about opening play. Link 1, link 2.

 

[stwils]

Thanks, Panzar75,

I just tried what you said playing Chessmaster, and for the first time I was able to play as black.

But alas I made a stupid blunder with a bishop...

I have so much to learn, but what a beautiful game chess is!

But at least now I know how choose playing black.

Thanks again.
stwils

 

[Panzar75]

The good thing about playing the coputer is it doesn't mind if you take a move back. In the game status window (windows/game status in the menu) click on the small icon just left of the filled square and make another move. (You might have to click twice if the computer has also made a move.)

Also check out mentor/blunder alert option from the game menu. If this is enabled you get some help when you make a mistake. A window pops up saying you might regret that move. Then you can try to figure out why that is on your own if you wish. Or you can click "why" and it will tell you. You can then click "take it back" and make another move or "I disagree" and play the move anyway.

 

[stwils]

Panzar75,

Are there any other chess forums that would be helpful for a beginner?

stwils

 

[Panzar75]

I don't really know of any chess forums other than openings for amateurs. If you are looking for more chess content I suggest you take a look at chess.fm. While it is a paysite there is some free content as well. If you can afford it I would recommend a membership there. It includes a server where you can play others, commentary from many big chess tournaments and lots of good lectures.

 

[mrgscottc]

I love playing chess. Most good chess sites, pay or free have active forums, including forums for those of us who are just starting, seasoned, or whatever. A good place to start looking for chess information is chessopolis. The have a link section that is sorted by subject. That said, here my book recommendations for beginners: Playing Winning Chess and Winning Chess Tactics both by Yasser Seirawan, a Grand Master. Then, pick up Logical Chess: Move by Move by Irving Chernev, one my favorite chess writers of all time.