Suggestion - Undo

In unrated games, I'd like to be able to allow my opponent to undo a really bad move - this would make it more fun when I'm playing with this guy at work who's really bad at chess and is trying to learn.

Originally posted by iamatiger
In unrated games, I'd like to be able to allow my opponent to undo a really bad move - this would make it more fun when I'm playing with this guy at work who's really bad at chess and is trying to learn.

i opened this thread with horror, but when i saw the word unrated i thought what a fine idea. please if poss can we keep it to unrated games though?

I think this is a good idea for unrated, and ONLY unrated games, it would be a very good teaching aid.
Regards,
Charlie

I like the idea, but perhaps "tutorial games" could be introduced. they have this and other interesting features (public annotation, ...)
th

Originally posted by thire
I like the idea, but perhaps "tutorial games" could be introduced. they have this and other interesting features (public annotation, ...)
th

I will second this idea.

Originally posted by iamatiger
In unrated games, I'd like to be able to allow my opponent to undo a really bad move - this would make it more fun when I'm playing with this guy at work who's really bad at chess and is trying to learn.

good idea. That makes it possible to teach learners. Ulli.

The work round is to start off an unrated game from a fixed position - just before the bad move.

Andrew

Unrated games == good idea. Same as an unrated, friendly over the board where you'd offer a takeback to keep the game interesting.

Certainly you can abandon the game and restart as a set position but that's a whole lot of effort when you could click the "whoops" button instead.

Unrated only. Rated games .... different story entirely (of course).

Please implement this Chess@Work homies!

How about three radio buttons - rated, unrated (with no undo), training ( with undo). Training matches would not count anywhere in your stats. Ideal for those wishing to learn.

Like the idea & rec'd

I really hate to put a downer such a popular idea but honestly you
are not doing anyone any favours by allowing them to take back
a bad move.

You must let the bad move stay and then it is your job to punish,
in the most instructive way possible, the reason why it is so bad.

Letting a weak player have moves back is hindering their development
as a chess player.

'Touch Move' helps the player see ahead and think for himself.

Allowing them to retrack will have the player guessing at moves and
if he plays one you think is OK and you allow it to stand what
has he learned? Nothing.

Tell him why the move is bad and what you going to him and advise
a better move. But do not let him take it back.

Originally posted by greenpawn34
I really hate to put a downer such a popular idea but honestly you
are not doing anyone any favours by allowing them to take back
a bad move.

You must let the bad move stay and then it is your job to punish,
in the most instructive way possible, the reason why it is so bad.

Letting a weak player have moves back is hindering their development ...[text shortened]... e is bad and what you going to him and advise
a better move. But do not let him take it back.

That may be true, but an absolute beginner who has just learned how the pieces move will not be able to get any benefit from the process you recommend. What he needs at this stage is encouragement, not thrashing, unless you want him to give up on chess altogether. Sending a two-year-old across a busy road may not effectively teach road sense in time for him to survive the experience.

Of course I'm not talking about raw learners, anyone who joins
this site is surely past that stage.

This 'take back a move' idea is for this site, not for face to face teaching.

I was actually PM'd by another experianced teacher this morning
who totally agrees with me.

It encourages carelessness.

The Four E's - Examples, Encouragemnt, Explanations and Enthusiasm

If you want to help a player progress you must be prepared to give
up a certain amount of your time, show examples, give encourement
and explain why moves are good/bad.

The enthusiasm comes from you. You must put across your love
and enjoyment of the game. Hard to do over the net when not
face-to-face but you must try.

Allowing a 'Take Back' option because it makes the game more
interesting or fun for yourself is a wee bitty selfish.

And it's illegal.

Quote:
"Sending a two-year-old across a busy road may not effectively teach
road sense in time for him to survive the experience."

You show the two year old where the Pelican crossing is
and how to stop the traffic by simply pressing a button.

(note the chess pun - Pelican!) 😉

It would be interesting to hear what the strong players on this site
think and how they were taught. Were they allowed to take back moves?

I can see the reasoning behind this one but on this site when not
face to face and the student has days to make a move.
It's a bad idea that will encourage very sloppy play and in the wrong
hands this option will do more harm than good.

Originally posted by greenpawn34
Of course I'm not talking about raw learners, anyone who joins
this site is surely past that stage.

This 'take back a move' idea is for this site, not for face to face teaching.

I was actually PM'd by another experianced teacher this morning
who totally agrees with me.

It encourages carelessness.

The Four E's - Examples, Encouragemnt, age very sloppy play and in the wrong
hands this option will do more harm than good.

There are different ways to teach chess. I use the 'UFO method'.
When my pupil makes a move which is clearly bad, a real blunder, I say out loud "Oh, see that, an UFO!" And leave my attention from the board, My pupil has during ten seconds or so to find his error, and correct it. When my attention comes back to the board we start from there. If he hasn't found his error, then he will se the immediate result from it, and learn.

I think, for unrated games, a take back possibility is a good idea, and I support it fully. But there should be an option for it from the beginning so we both agree to the takeback possibility.