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1500 questions
19
votes
4 answers

Bizarre pin rule: pinned pieces do not attack

I found this guy who likes playing chess, but not enough to bother reading the rules; he only plays using a physical board with his sister (she doesn't know the rules either). The made up rule was this: A pinned piece is not attacking the squares…
ajax333221
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Why do people say blitz chess can be bad for your chess?

I keep hearing blitz chess is bad for you but the I've only been offered two explanations for why that is. The first reason I've been told is that it ruins your ability to focus since you it forces you to play fast so I suppose they say it makes you…
Krane
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19
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2 answers

How do Kramnik and Topalov indicate a resignation when they play together?

From What is the correct resignation procedure? it is clear that, although FIDE has no special rules governing on how you resign, it is common to either offer your hand or make some sort of exclamation (i.e. "I resign!"). What is important is that…
firtydank
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5 answers

How useful is a 40-year-old chess book?

I have a chess book which I find great in terms of tone, formatting, etc., but the computer does not agree with some variations I gave it. How much has chess changed since 1977? I imagine the rise of the computers (and computer chess) the last…
11684
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19
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1 answer

How many such positions are there? (chess/math checkmate puzzle)

I'm interested in this kind of position: There are only 4 pieces on the board. If Whites goes first, they can checkmate in one move. If Blacks goes first, they can checkmate in one move. For example: The question is: How many such positions are…
Mike
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18
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10 answers

Study endgame first before studying opening? Is it true?

While looking for and comparing suggestions that will help me to improve in chess, I have noticed that some people and some chess book authors suggest that you should study the endgame first. Some people say that by studying endgame first, you will…
user1764381
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2 answers

Is this endgame a draw? 2 Bishops + 4 Pawns vs Queen + 1 Pawn

I had this position playing as Black, with Black to move: [FEN "8/5pk1/6p1/2pQ1b2/1p1b1P2/5K2/8/8 b - - 0 1"] I had both bishops + 4 pawns = 6.5 points + 4 points = 10.5 points. The opponent has a queen + 1 pawn = 10 points. I know how to…
BigOther
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18
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9 answers

Opening with knight

I recently came across a game purportedly played by Napoleon (white) where he opened with 1. Nc3, and went on to win. I've never seen another game that did not open with a pawn. Does a knight opening have any inherent weaknesses? Was it ever…
JxB
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4 answers

Pressing the clock using the same hand you use to move the pieces

I participated in a club and went to training. The guy who played against me is right-handed, so he placed the clock on the right. I'm left-handed, so I play with the left hand and press the clock with my right hand since it's closer. It's not very…
Lynob
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8 answers

Accidental moves in online chess

If your opponent makes an accidental move, e.g. by slipping the mouse, and it is obvious that is was accidental, how should you continue? Should you just play the best move as if your opponent's last move was intentional? Some of my opponents have…
AndersTornkvist
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What are the origins of the words 'zwischenzug' and 'zugzwang'?

I've heard chess analysts use the words Zugzwang (being forced to make a bad move) and Zwischenzug (making an intermediate move which improves the outcome of the next move) in commentary. Does anyone know how these German words found their way into…
Totero
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1 answer

Does Boris Gelfand share his surname with a chess piece?

Boris Gelfand was just narrowly edged out by Anand in their match's rapid tiebreaks, and I thought I'd ask an oddball question related to him. The bishop chess piece is known by several different sorts of names in different languages. For instance,…
ETD
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18
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Books that help improve your chess without a chessboard

I am looking for books that can help me improve without a physical/digital chessboard. I have a kindle, and I have many places in school where I can read, but not many where I can open a chessboard without people coming from all 4 corners to see…
MikhailTal
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18
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5 answers

Chess set icons

I am looking for an examples of a free chess set icons. It would be nice if the place allow to download them, but this is not really important, as I will still need to redraw them in svg format. Just to explain what I mean by chess set icons. I need…
Salvador Dali
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2 answers

Is there an easy way to detect a draw in a King + Pawn vs King endgame?

I know the basics of opposition, but I am struggling to evaluate positions for drawishness in King + Pawn VS King endgame. A lot of times it is useful to know whether you should make an exchange. For example, in this position: [Title "Black to…
Salvador Dali
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