I swear I'm not dumb. And I know all the rules.

1. 69

   wyanjenposted 15 years ago

   So why can't I pass myself off even as a decent chess player?
   I'm having my butt handed to me on Pogo tonight. Good lord, I suck.
   
   I've tried careful strategy, wily false moves, and panicked fleeing.  I have yet to even put somebody in check tonight.
   
   Help me out guys! grrr. I have a major chess-block and I am completely jealous of the people who can play this game. Are there any general tips you can give me? I am obviously way over-thinking. I wish there was a "switch to checkers" mode.

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      Ohmaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I have found that the best way to play chess is to not worry so much about my moves but to look for even the smallest mistakes on the side of my opponent. people tend to get careless when they think you don't know what you are doing.

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   2. 67

      Faybe Bayposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      My son beats me. I try to give him a good game. I almost beat my brother once. I would suggest playing the game against your computer (which will always win) Write down the strategy the pc uses, and then try pogo.
      
      There are books written about the greatest games ever played. Maybe get one at the library. Once you move, then they decide their move, based on your first move.
      
      Real players memorize whole games... It's insane to me, as I have no strategy at all. Just keeping myself alive until i can make the kill on the queen.

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2. 0

   LegendaryHeroposted 15 years ago

   I play chess A LOT, but the only real advice I can give to you is to always make sure that your pieces are protected with every move you make. You want to your opponent to always have to lose a piece to take one of yours. Also before you make a move look to see the possible response from your opponent pieces for the move.

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   1. 69

      wyanjenposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I keep leaving the back door wide open tonight - and believe it or not it's getting me with the same bishop over and over.
      I will try this right now. Pretend it's checkers, force them to take my pieces...
      keep myself protected...
      
      off I go lol

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3. 69

   wyanjenposted 15 years ago

   do you guys have a pogo account? come over & play!
   This week you only need to capture certain pieces to win the challenge, you don't actually have to checkmate somebody. phew
   
   Yeah, I'm playing bots right now. I'm too embarrassed at my lack-o-skill to play with people tonight.
   
   It's crazy 'cuz I have been able to checkmate this robot a few times. Tonight though it's got me beat on 15 - 20 moves. This is worse than Algebra. To top it off, the letter K just popped off my keyboard and I don't have any glue.
   yuck.

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      Faybe Bayposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      No glue on the keyboard! It just goes back in, it's a pain, but just don't lose the k... K?

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      1. 69

         wyanjenposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Yeah, this board is probably 10 years old. It's one of those ergonomic boards with the split down the middle. I love it to death, and it is on it's way to death.
         The keys don't clip in - when they break, they snap right off. My delete key flung itself across the room once...
         I'll have to grab some superglue tomorrow.

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   2. 0

      LegendaryHeroposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I've never heard of Pogo. Can you play regular chess games against other humans on it? Currently I just play against bots on my computer chess, though I prefer to play against humans because they (unlike those cursed chess bots!) actually make mistakes and are easily manipulated.

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      1. 69

         wyanjenposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Absolutely! Pogo has dozens of games...
         Chess has 6 skill levels from "social" to "beginner" to "master" (that's not me obviously)
         
         If you play against human players, you can play a Rated Game. Your rating will increase when you win and decrease when you lose. It's proportional to the level you play. It's real cool.
         
         I switch between people and bots if I get frustrated. lol.
         
         Pogo.com - it's a free play site. There are premium games, but I'm pretty sure that Chess is on the free list.
         <edit> Yes, chess is free on Pogo. Much fun.

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4. 60

   Ohmaposted 15 years ago

   I have not played at Pogo in many years and cannot tonigt but perhaps another time. Do you by chance play scrabble as well? there is a game that I truly love.

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   1. 69

      wyanjenposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I play Scrabble when there is a weekly contest in it. I'm hooked on Boggle right now.
      
      Anyway: my name is QGJ01 over there, track me down

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5. 61

   Anthea Carsonposted 14 years ago

   Chess just takes learning and practice. http://hubpages.com/hub/Common-Chess-Mistakes

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6. 74

   Bill Manningposted 14 years ago

   I play chess a lot against the computer. I find that you need to make a plan, then keep trying to use that one plan no matter what.
   
   I do know two ways to win in just 4 moves, but only if the other player does not move some pieces.
   
   Another trick is moving a piece so that it makes a check, forcing the other player to move the king, leaving a piece exposed so you can capture it.

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7. 60

   Phil Perezposted 10 years ago

   The goal is center control. Maintaining an consistency with developing your pieces and providing King safety. Making a move is easy, understanding why is the difficult part. I am an avid chess player and although I'm not great, I have a slight understanding of chess. I play on Chess Titans on my computer against the Bot. 10 is the most difficult and I play on that and I've been beating it recently. Chess is really just analyzing your position and not allowing your opponent to come across to your side of the board and threaten your King. You definitely want to know how to analyze what your opponent will do and why when you move. That is essential when playing chess. It's also not about offense or defense, it's about patience, JUST LIKE CHECKERS ! Make your opponent "run out" of useful tactical moves and they won't understand what to do next ensuring your victory !

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