Chess Joke

http://chessconfessions.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html

Would You Rather? - my answers

Aren't these fun?

1. Would you rather lose one tournament game to someone half your rating or lose two tournament games to your younger sibling/younger family member?

Hmmm...I would take a hit to my rating in either case, but I would never hear the end of it if I lost to my sister twice.

Who's the lucky 1000 rated??

2. Would you rather break a tie using checkers or Chinese chess?

Checkers!!! When I was younger, my mom intentionally kept me from learning how to play Chinese chess because she was afraid it would get in the way of my standard chess competitions.

"King me!"

3. Would you rather play first board on a team of upcoming stars or last board on a team of established players?

Both very tempting, but I would have to go with the established team. Upcoming stars can be full of energy, and definitely a force to look out for; however, established players provide a great learning opportunity (can learn from your teammates and usually play against other well-known teams). It's also be a lot of pressure playing first board.

4. Would you rather write a chess book on openings, endgames, tactics, or strategy?

Openings - too many out there already

Endgames - super complex stuff & difficult to come up with something new

Tactics - enjoyable, but again, many positions already available in store and online

Strategy - my favourite! I like the many aspects of strategy - how it varies by situation, personality, skill level, etc. Again, not easy to write, but you can never get enough :)

5. Would you rather be an amateur chess player everyone likes or a GM everyone hates?

I could never pull off a hateful demeanour. It would be extremely depressing.

6. Would you rather play a game on live television or on a stage in front of thousands of people?

Probably live TV. There's so much technology nowadays that I would be more likely to tune out my surroundings. I would get distracted by all the people.

7. Would you rather lose a game on time or lose a game due to significant miscalculation?

I would rather play a full game than lose on time, even if an error occurs.

8. Would you rather sit next to someone who chews gum or eats nuts (during a game)?

Maybe someone who eats nuts and chews gum at the same time...then the nuts would get stuck in the gum and force the person to spit it all out (into the garbage of course). But if I had to choose one of the other, I would choose gum. Again, it would be more of a "what can I tune out better?" situation.

9. Would you rather have a spectator leaning over your shoulder or leaning over the board?

As long as I can still see, better over the board. There's a creepy feeling people get when others lean over their shoulders.

10. Would you rather eat only lettuce between games or eat only twinkies?

It would be a horrible tournament...only lettuce...yet better than feeling sick from eating twinkies all day. People say the little cakes can survive nuclear radiation. That's just not right.

Combining Two Great Games in One

A fun variant to try - pieces cannot move backwards until they reach the other side of the board.

http://www.pathguy.com/chess/CkrChess.htm

The image above occurred in my game (I was white).

Checkers vs. Chess strategy:

http://boardgames.lovetoknow.com/Checkers_Vs._Chess_Strategy

Cartoons and Chess

OR

"Which Cartoon Character Would be the Best Chess Player?"

See the forum: http://www.chess.com/forum/view/fun-with-chess/which-cartoon-character-would-be-the-best-chess-player

Would You Rather?

Ten more:

1. Would you rather lose one tournament game to someone half your rating or lose two tournament games to your younger sibling/younger family member?
2. Would you rather break a tie using checkers or Chinese chess?
3. Would you rather play first board on a team of upcoming stars or last board on a team of established players?
4. Would you rather write a chess book on openings, endgames, tactics, or strategy?
5. Would you rather be an amateur chess player everyone likes or a GM everyone hates?
6. Would you rather play a game on live television or on a stage in front of thousands of people?
7. Would you rather lose a game on time or lose a game due to significant miscalculation?
8. Would you rather sit next to someone who chews gum or eats nuts (during a game)?
9. Would you rather have a spectator leaning over your shoulder or leaning over the board?
10. Would you rather eat only lettuce between games or eat only twinkies?

My answers at the end of the week :)

Hazel's Jokes!

Okay this one's a bit silly...

Why does a farmer like to play chess?
Answer: He likes to keep checkin' (chicken)!

Mind Bender

A young boy is playing against his friend on a standard chess board. It is his turn to move. After thinking for a few seconds, he smirks, then picks up his king and moves it to the other side of the board. His opponent glances at the position with astonishment, yet does not call it an illegal move. Instead, he resigns. How is this possible?

Answer below!

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They are playing checkers. The little boy's "king" jumped over many of his opponents' pieces to reach the other side of the board. Not having seen this possibility, his surprised friend resigned accordingly.

Would You Rather? - my answers

As promised...

1. Would you rather draw all your games or win half of them (in a tournament with even rounds & players of similar skill strength)?

I always play to win. Part of the fun of the game is searching for weaknesses, tactics, and anything else that can put you ahead in the position. I actually got criticized for not taking draws in past tournaments, which I understand can be a very reasonable strategy, but to draw all the time would get dull. Besides, you can learn a lot from losses!

2. Would you rather beat twenty IMs or one GM?

This was my most debatable question. For rating/norms/prizes/etc., beating twenty IMs is surely the better choice, but there's something special about defeating a GM. In all life goals, there are many smaller achievements, and only a few "jackpots". I tend to follow the "dream big or go home" approach, because in the end, the big things are what you'll remember most (or maybe I just have bad memory?). That doesn't mean excluding the smaller achievements, but when given the choice above, I personally lean towards defeating one GM.

3. Would you rather play in summer or winter?

This would seem to be an easy choice for me. As a student, my winter schedule gets full pretty quickly. However, keeping busy actually keeps my concentration on check and ready to go! Plus, winters are best spent indoors.

4. Would you rather play in a local tournament with friends or in a foreign tournament with strangers?

Seeing that most of my chess friends went on to other activities, it would be really great to see everyone again (and I would have chances to win some games :) because we would all be out of practice!).

5. Would you rather break a tie using 'Chess960' or 'Take Me'?

I'm so old school...

a.k.a. I would probably lose immediately in Chess960

Funny story from many years ago:

Back when I used to attend World Youth tournaments, our Canadian team would often look for something to do when we weren't formally playing/studying. One idea was to fool around with the rules of standard chess (though this was before Chess960 became really popular). We would play "candy chess" (eat the candy pieces), "human chess", double chess, ...and "random chess". Random chess involved drawing random positions for ALL pieces, so even pawns could start on the 1st/8th rank. I played this crazy game against one of my friends, Minh Ly Nguyen (she used to play a lot in Quebec). Immediately, I won some material, and like any little girl, was extremely pleased with my chances. But next move, Minh Ly moved her knight, smothering my king. Shortest game ever...but definitely a memorable part of my trip. That, and getting stuck in the elevator before one of the rounds! I hear the Worlds will be held in the same part of Greece this year...should be fine...just don't shove too many kids into hotel elevators. Good luck!

6. Would you rather win a spot on a national team or receive $5000?

At this point, $5000, because I'm really out of practice and short on cash. However, for many people, the national team would be an amazing opportunity! Don't underestimate the value of experience!

7. Would you rather attend a tournament in your pajamas or swimwear?

I'd go for the more conservative option...pajamas. Maybe a pillow too? zzzz

8. Would you rather go without chess books/software for a year or go without chess-related websites for six months?

No chess blog for six months? I don't think that's a good idea.

9. Would you rather play without knights or without bishops?

I think strategy involving knights is more interesting. Sorry bishops. Of course, playing a normal game with both minors, I wouldn't be foolish enough to trade on the basis of preference alone. Bishops are great too!

10. Would you rather live next door to Kasparov or Anand? (or any other GM of your choice!)

All my readers should know my answer by now. If I could choose a GM to live next to, it would have to be Susan Polgar!!!

In terms of Kasparov vs. Anand, I would probably choose to live next to Anand because he's likely more up-to-date with current chess knowledge. In either case, the GM would have to move here because I would rather stay CANADIAN!!! :)

Summer Boredom?

Try these free games:
http://www.funny-games.biz/

Ten "Would You Rather?" Questions

Just for fun:

1. Would you rather draw all your games or win half of them (in a tournament with even rounds & players of similar skill strength)?
2. Would you rather beat twenty IMs or one GM?
3. Would you rather play in summer or winter?
4. Would you rather play in a local tournament with friends or in a foreign tournament with strangers?
5. Would you rather break a tie using 'Chess960' or 'Take Me'?
6. Would you rather win a spot on a national team or receive $5000?
7. Would you rather attend a tournament in your pajamas or swimwear?
8. Would you rather go without chess books/software for a year or go without chess-related websites for six months?
9. Would you rather play without knights or without bishops?
10. Would you rather live next door to Kasparov or Anand? (or any other GM of your choice!)

I'll let you know my answers later this week :)

...and maybe post some more!

Brain Teaser

What numbers should replace the question marks?

1 - 2319
2 - 512
3 - 103
4 - ?
5 - 135
6 - 132
7 - 2219
8 - ?
9 -2016
10 - 219
11 - 186
12 - 111
13 - ?
14 - 2211
15 - 221

Answer below!

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These numbers represent the initials for well-known world champions - Wilhelm Steinitz, Emanuel Lasker, Jose (Raul) Capablanca, Alexander Alekhine, Max Euwe, Mikhail Botvinnik, Vasily Smyslov, Mikhail Tal, Tigran Petrosian, Boris Spassky, Robert (Bobby) Fischer, Anatoly Karpov, Garry Kasparov, Vladimir Kramnik, and currently, Viswanathan Anand.

Alexander Alekhine = AA = 11
Mikhail Tal = MT = 1320
Garry Kasparov = GK = 711 (hmm...I wonder if he got a discount at convenient stores...)

Websites with further information about world champions:
http://www.academicchess.org/ratings/Worldchamionlist.shtml
http://www.chesscorner.com/worldchamps/worldchampion.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Chess_Championship
http://www.anand-topalov.com/