Originally posted by oleglelchukYou should try to avoid losing pieces for nothing and look out to set some traps for your opponent... and enjoy it.
Should I aim for a draw when playing chess or should I try to checkmate my opponent's king? Or should I simply enjoy the game and I don't even have to try to checkmate my opponent or aim for a draw? Maybe I have a difficulty understanding what chess really is.
Originally posted by oleglelchukI'm not much for a draw guy. I aim for a win, pretty much always.
Should I aim for a draw when playing chess or should I try to checkmate my opponent's king? Or should I simply enjoy the game and I don't even have to try to checkmate my opponent or aim for a draw? Maybe I have a difficulty understanding what chess really is.
If someone offers me a draw, and I agree that I cannot win, probably lose, then I agree to a draw.
If my opponent has a higher rating then perhaps I'm more inclined for a draw. But if I feel that probability supports a win for me, then I go and get it, and perhaps I cry a bit if I lose.
Some people play for a draw from move #1, then I think the game is boring. Do they have fun playing like this? I don't think so. But there are all kinds of players. I play for a win, others may play for a draw.
Originally posted by oleglelchukAs far as i can tell there are two ways to win, one is to checkmate the king, the other is a superior endgame position. try to keep the balace until you see a time when you can tip the scales in your favour, if you try too hard you may end up like the ill fated Icarus who tried to fly too close to the sun, the wax in his wings melted and he came crashing to the ground! if you play too passively, you may end up in a cramped position with little freedom of movement, which is not much fun, unless you enjoy cramped positions.
Should I aim for a draw when playing chess or should I try to checkmate my opponent's king? Or should I simply enjoy the game and I don't even have to try to checkmate my opponent or aim for a draw? Maybe I have a difficulty understanding what chess really is.
Originally posted by oleglelchukPlay chess in order to play chess.
Should I aim for a draw when playing chess or should I try to checkmate my opponent's king? Or should I simply enjoy the game and I don't even have to try to checkmate my opponent or aim for a draw? Maybe I have a difficulty understanding what chess really is.
My goal is to play a good game. As long as I don't lose because I've done something totally stupid, usually because I've moved too fast and didn't look at the entire board, I feel pretty good about the game.
I always play for the win, but I only play on line and not trying to win a tournament.
I get better at chess to raise my level of play. In other words, when I lose, it will be to a better player than I lost to 6 months ago.
You should play however suits you best, some players try to win, to crush the opponent. Some try to seek the 'truth', the very best moves, some like me just play for the enjoyment of solving puzzles, like suduko but in this case chess. Others again try to create beauty over the board. Chess is all encompassing.
The main thing is to enjoy it.
If this guy is a true beginner, then we aren't helping him much.
If you are a true beginner, then I'd give you these suggestions:
Ask yourself is the square is safe before you put your piece in that square. Don't give away your pieces.
When you start playing, develop your pieces (move them off the back row which should have only your king, queen and rooks) , that means move your bishop and knights and castle your king to safety.
Develop your pieces, castle your king to safety and don't give your pieces away and you should be able to defeat alot of beginners.
Originally posted by oleglelchukI think you're looking at things wrongly. The theoretical outcome of a game of chess is a draw, but the aim of the game is checkmating the opponent's king.
Should I aim for a draw when playing chess or should I try to checkmate my opponent's king? Or should I simply enjoy the game and I don't even have to try to checkmate my opponent or aim for a draw? Maybe I have a difficulty understanding what chess really is.
The thing is, chess is not a one-person's performance game, so you get to have somebody else trying to checkmate your king too. That means, there could be no such thing as "playing for a draw" other than "making sure you don't get mated in the first place." and for that not to happen, you also have to threaten checkmate (in the long term) for your opponent.
so don't worry about draws in that sense. just try to find a balance between realizing your own goal and stopping your opponent's.
Here's a quote from Josh Waitzkin which I think is very nice:
"In chess, we don't just aim at our goals. Often we want to remove what is preventing us from achieving our goals, or, more realistically, we aim to remove what is preventing us from preventing our opponent from preventing us from achieving our goals, and so on."
Originally posted by diskamyli never really understood that statement!
I think you're looking at things wrongly. The theoretical outcome of a game of chess is a draw, but the aim of the game is checkmating the opponent's king.
The thing is, chess is not a one-person's performance game, so you get to have somebody else trying to checkmate your king too. That means, there could be no such thing as "playing for a draw" other ...[text shortened]... m preventing our opponent from preventing us from achieving our goals, and so on."