Archive for the ‘Playing Online Chess’ Category
Chess for the Lonely…
May 31st, 2010 | 
Author: Chess is not a game that works for everyone. Some people are not able to strategize or remember all the moves. Some people simply find it boring. If you are a chess lover unlucky enough to find yourself without an ample supply of opponents, don’t fret. There are plenty of options out there for the lonely chess player.
Online Chess
There are many websites devoted solely to online chess playing. These websites offer round the clock options for players of all skills and locations. With millions of players worldwide, you will always be able to find a willing opponent. In addition, you can visit with other players via chats and forums, and can compete in tournaments. For more information about online chess, and for a list of suggested websites, see the article on Online Chess.
Chess Against the Computer
Many sites also offer chess games that you play against a computer. Sites such as Yahoo offer computer based chess games, and some computers even come with a chess game in the startup menu. These computer games can be adjusted for easy to difficult play. The quality of the games may differ from site to site, and truly advanced players may not find these games challenging after a while.
Electronic Chess Boards
If you are more traditional and prefer your chess pieces to be tangible, you may want to invest in an electronic chess board. An electronic chess board looks very much like a traditional chess board, except they contain circuits and a small computer. The circuits respond to the position of the pieces on the board, and the computer calculates moves from that information. The program works very much like a computer game you play on your actual PC, but you have actual pieces to move. Of course, you will have to move the computer’s pieces. There are generally light or voice systems that tell you which move the computer is making.
These games range from about $50 all the way up to a couple hundred dollars. The difference in price has to do just as much with the design and technology of the board as it does with the difficulty of the programming. When shopping for an electronic chess board, you should pay attention to the features offered. Choose a game with the option and features you need, not the most stylish looking board out there. You may find that the lower priced games work just fine.
Chess Video Games
Of course, you can always purchase a chess game for your video game console. Since you can play chess easily online, many people do not opt to purchase chess games for their Nintendo or PlayStation. But, for the true chess lover, these options do exist. In fact, Nintendo recently released Wii Chess for its most current game console, although the game is currently only available in Europe.
Playing Chess Online
Online chess can be good for the beginning chess player, as well as the advanced player. For the beginning chess player, online chess offers unlimited opportunity to hone your skills on a wide variety of opponents. It may be that no one in your life wants to play another game of chess with you at this particular time. Perhaps it’s just that your chess habit tends to kick in at 2:00 a.m., and no one else is up. Or, maybe you’re traveling and want to spend a bit of downtime with a game of chess. Whatever the reason you are drawn to the online chess board, there are ample opportunities for online play.
This online chess site offers a wide variety of chess playing opportunities for free. Not only can you play chess against millions of other people worldwide, you can also socialize in the ChessCube forums. The website allows you to maintain a record of your game statistics, and even receive training for playing chess! There are chess related training courses you can watch via the website’s “Chess Cube Cinema.” You can even personalize your chess playing experience by inviting friends and setting up your own social chess network.
Another social chess site, this site offers the change to compete in tournaments, form teams, and join clubs. The site also offers some extensive articles on strategy and developing your games for all playing levels. The articles are illustrated with detailed diagrams to help beginning players follow the technical chess terms. Like ChessCube.com, Chessmania.com is free and offers an extensive library, game playing network, and videos.
Like the other websites listed, Chess.com offers free online chess playing and tutorials. However, Chess.com is also devoted to anything chess related, and offers news, blogs, articles and event listings all related to chess.
Chessclub.com bills itself as the website where Grandmasters play, which may be why they can charge for their services when there are so many free chess websites out there. You can visit and play on the site as a guest, but must pay to become an ICC member. Membership benefits include unlimited play, access to events such as tournaments and lectures, ability to watch live chess events worldwide, ability to listen to or view chess related radio and television shows, and interaction with ICC’s chess help desk. If you are unsure if you’ll get your money’s worth, Chessclub.com does offer a free trial to their new members.