Chess.com
Chess.com is a huge website with over 3.8 million members. Chess.com offers free play and contains a range of activities for its users, including game play, tournaments, articles, videos, and social tools. Its slogan ‘Play, Learn, Share’ reflects its aim to provide users with an ‘enjoyable environment where chess players of all skill levels can learn, contribute, play, build, chat, and share.’ Development Chess.com does not prioritize playing, sharing, or studying chess, which allows it to expand into the different online chess markets. However, taking part in discussions, posting comments, and being a greeter are all considered beneficial to the site’s reputation. To recognize a player’s contributions, players have a user profile where all activities are listed, and member points are rewarded to value these activities. The website is divided into … Read entire article »
Filed under: Assessment, Basics
Benefits of Chess
There have been several studies about the benefits of chess. It is obviously intellectually stimulating, but is it worth teaching your child? In a 1973-74 Zaire study, employing 92 students, age 16-18, the chess-playing experimental group showed a significant advancement in spatial, numerical and administrative-directional abilities, along with verbal aptitudes, compared to the control group. The improvements held true regardless of the final chess skill level attained. This means that it doesn’t matter how good at chess you are – just learning it and playing it gives you an advantage over people who don’t. According to a two-year study conducted in Kishinev, grades for young students taking part in the chess experiment increased in all subjects. Teachers noted improvement in memory, better organizational skills, and for many increased fantasy and imagination. Not … Read entire article »
Filed under: Assessment
Chess Strategy and Tactics
Chess is game of strategy and tactics. But we all know that! Here are a couple of tips to help you win more games. Look at your opponent’s move. When your opponent makes a move, you should stop and think why. Once you figure out what your opponent’s strategy is, you can try and get him before he gets you. Make the best possible move. Even if your intended move has good points, it may not be the best move available. There’s a saying “When you see a good move, wait—look for a better one!” Have a plan. Your pieces need to work together to be effective. When you have a plan and work your chessmen a team, you will have a greater attacking force. Another plan could be to take control … Read entire article »
Filed under: Assessment
Will Smith loves Chess
So, if you didn’t know, actor Will Smith is a big fan of chess! Which shouldn’t come as a surprise. Smith declined a scholarship to MIT to start an acting career and can solve a Rubix Cube in 30 seconds. He’s one smart cookie. Smith took chess lessons from Marvin Dandridge. Supposedly, GM Maurice Ashley (the world’s first black GM) recommended that Dandridge was Will Smith’s tutor. Smith has said, “My father taught me how to play chess at seven and introduced beautiful concepts that I try to pass on to my kids. The elements and concepts of life are so perfectly illustrated on a chess board. “The ability to accurately assess your position is the key to chess, which I also think is the key to life. Everything you do in your … Read entire article »
Filed under: Assessment, Basics