The Important of Chess Strategies
The game of chess, also called as a War Game or a battle of the minds, is one of the oldest games played since the 6th Century A.D. The challenge it poses to the mind and the excitement and fascination it provides to the chess players are the primary reasons for the game to have sustained its existence for more than 1400 years, and given its popularity among the people and similarities with life, the game will gain much more popularity in the days to come.
The computers and the Internet have taken the game to the masses in a big way through the means of Online Chess. Now, anybody with a computer and the Internet connection, and a little bit of passion for the game, can start learning the game and play by visiting online chess sites and selecting partners separated by distance and time.
Irrespective of your choice of play, either through computers in the form of online chess, or with a partner in a calm place, you need to know the basics of the game, and apply serious thinking.
The game involves two players and a chessboard having 64 squares of alternative color. Each player is provided with 16 pieces arranged in a set pattern, and the objective of the game is to win over the King of the opponent. The turn-based game involves movement of the pieces or moves.
Basically, the moves are classified into three different types.
1. Developing moves
2. Attacking moves, and
3. Moves that serve defensive purposes
Developing moves are those moves that will result in bringing new forces into play. The first few moves that we normally make in the opening stage of the game are called as Developing moves provided they bring new forces into play. For example, the first move of the King pawn from e2 to e4 is a developing move because it paves way for the King bishop and f1 and the Queen in d1 to open up lines.
Attacking moves are those that threaten the opponent’s pieces in the form of checks, or checkmates. In other words, the attacking moves make the pieces do something.
Moves serving defensive purposes means providing some sort of protection to the weaker pieces or squares, and/or obstructing an important line of attack from the opponent. In other words, the purpose of the defensive move is to undo the work of the opponent’s attacking move.
What kind of move is required is determined by the exigencies of the position. As a chess player, you should be paying keen attention to the squares in the board, the relative threats of the opponent’s pieces and weaknesses, if any, in the squares or pieces. Do not try to make any move for the sake of moving, even if you want to adopt a wait-and-watch strategy and look for the mistakes from the opponent. Assess and analyze the pros and cons of each move, be it a pawn move or a King’s move, before taking a decision. One important thing each player should bear in mind is not only to make the correct move but also foil the opponent’s plan.