Chess Offense or Defense?

Are you on offense or defense during your game of chess?

If you have become a beginner with the fun filled game of chess there is a lot that you will need to understand.  The first thing that you will want to comprehend is when you are being attacked or when you need to defend.  Several players that are new to the game quickly tend to be on offense and try to look for a fast way to defend their opponent.  However, this is a bad decision when it comes to a game of chess.   You want to think of the game of chess as a game of war, where you are trying to defend your king, along with your army. 

Unlimited Moves In The Game Of Chess

While playing the game of chess there are unlimited amounts as to how many time you can move.  It is just all depending on your opponent’s decisions. 

Just like all the other moves in the game, the first or opening moves are very important.  Every piece of chess moves in different directions:  the bishops can be moved in any direction as long as it is diagonally and any number of spaces; rooks can be moved horizontally or vertically and any number of spaces as well; the queen on the other hand can be move to various spaces horizontally, diagonally, or even vertically; however, the king can only be move to one square, but it can be vertically, diagonally, or horizontally; the knight can be move in the shape of an “L”, for example: one space vertically and then two spaces horizontally – also being able to jump over those occupied squares. 

Each player must protects their own pieces from the king of their opponent.  If your king is taken out, then you lose and the game is over!

Chess Main Equipment

In the game of chess there are several different features that you will want to be sure that you are familiar with.  First off, the main equipment that is required for you to be able to start playing your chess game is that you have a chess board along with the chess pieces. 

The chess board should be a square that has 64 squares that are equal in size and drawn all the way across.  Generally in white and black or other colors that are contrasting, the square’s colors should be alternated. 

Your chess set should also include a total of 32 pieces.  Each player should receive 16 pieces each, including; two knights, eight pawns, two rooks, two bishops, one king, and one queen.  Be sure that they are all the same color!

Be Sure Your Chess Set Does Not Have Uniformity

When purchasing your new chess set be sure that you check out all your pieces, especially be sure to look at the knights.  These pieces could represent up to half of the total cost that you might have with all the other chess pieces.  Not only does that add to the cost of your chess set, but the quality of the finish, turnings, and also the uniformity will make up the cost of your chess set.  Also the craftsmanship will be another feature you will want to check out, the King’s crown is generally decorated.  Do not forget that your Knight and King are the two most important chess pieces to your chess set!

Tournament Guideline

When playing in a Chess tournament just like any other game there are always guidelines that everyone must follow.  Without following the guidelines that would be considered cheating.

When using the chess set for an official tournament you will want to be sure of the size of the chess pieces compared to the board.  With the generalized guidelines the base of the King should be 78 percent of the width to the square.  To be able to figure this out you will want to take the diameter of the King’s base and divide it by 0.78 and you should get the proper size of the square; however, it is okay if the squares size is increase by 1/8, it just cannot be no smaller than that. 

Fight Piece ~ The King

Some people might not ever place chess before.  Here is a quick tip, the king is your fighting piece!  You will want to be sure and use it!

Wilhelm Steinitz, known as one of the World’s First Champion In Chess describes the king and always states to “USE IT!”   However, several people always think of the king as a generally liability.  It helps to protect you at any cost, but sometimes the cost gets to high you consider giving up your efforts.  When you have survived till the end of the game and you only have pawns that are around you will might reconsider and think about what Steinitz loves to state!  USE IT!