Playing chess online helps you track your level of expertise
One of the major beneficiaries of the technological advancements, especially in the sports arena, should be none other than the ancient game of Chess.
The game of chess, also referred to as a War Game, or the King of Games, was first played way back in the 6th Century A.D in India and was spread to other countries across the world. By 1475, the game gained much popularity and attracted the interest of the intellectuals and the common people. Since 1900, the game got professional recognition and World Championships are regularly held then.
The advancement of technology in the form of computers and the World Wide Web has made this noble game more popular.
With the development of online chess, it is easy for any person, having a little knowledge about the game and the passion for the game, to learn the game, practice the game and master the intricate skills of the game with the help of a personal computer.
He no longer need to go out searching for a partner to play a game of chess. He can sit in front of his personal computer, visit the online chess site, select the partner and start playing the game.
There are other benefits of playing chess online.
Many websites come up with a unique way of calculating the level of your expertise in the game. All you have to do is to honestly reveal as to which category you belong to. If you are a novice or a beginner, you can disclose the same. If you are an expert you can declare yourself so.
Depending upon the level of your skill set as perceived and disclosed by you, the online chess site assigns you a basic rating, something like a rating of 1000 or 750, as the case may be. As a registered player with the online chess site with a rating of 1000 or 750 as the case may be, you can select a player having a similar rating and start playing the game.
If you register a win against that selected opponent, your rating will be increased by a certain number. If your manage to end with a draw, your rating will be increased by a certain number less than the number assigned for a victory. If you resign, lose or forfeit the game, then your initial rating will be deducted by a certain number.
As you increase the number of games you play online with the given rating, your level of expertise in terms of the rating will change. The more the percentage of games you register victories, the higher will be the rating.
If you grow up the ladder of rating, you will encounter stiffer battles and tough games against players with similar ratings. You have the choice to select a player with a higher rating than what was assigned to you, and if he opts to play with you, then you will be challenging a relatively skilled player. Exposure to more games and with skilled players will enhance your skill set at a relatively quicker pace. The most important thing is that you can know where you stand in terms of skill set you possess in the game.
Not only will you be able to gauge and keep track of your skill set in the game, you will get an opportunity to play with players from different countries and also interact with and exchange productive ideas on the game of chess. The online chess site provides with the facility of online private chats and this, coupled with the rating, motivates a chess player to grow up the ladder of expertise in the game of chess at a relatively faster pace.
Chess cultivates the habit of fearlessness
The one game that has universal acceptance and speaks a universal language is the game of chess. It is for this reason the noble game of chess is referred to as King of Games.
What has the game of chess to do with fearlessness? In what way, the game helps us cultivate the habit of fearlessness?
Read on.
Chess is a board game played between two players. Each player is provided with 16 pieces each. The only difference is the color of the pieces. Other than that, the type of pieces and the capabilities of the pieces are the same. No player is provided with any undue advantage over the other. In other words, there exists equilibrium in the board, not only in terms of the pieces but also in terms of the space available in the board. There are eight rows in the board, also called as ranks and are referred to by numbers 1 to 8. Ranks 1 to 4 refer to the white side while the ranks 5 to 8 refer to the black side. The sixteen pieces of white are stacked in a specific order in ranks 1 and 2, while the black colored pieces are ordered in the 7th and 8th ranks. The ranks 3 and 4 belong to the white side while the ranks 5 and 6 belong to the black side. As such, there is perfect equilibrium at the start of the game.
When two players with equal pieces, equal capability and equal space fight between themselves, the normal outcome should be only a DRAW and not a victory to one over the other in its normal course. As such, one can win over the other only AND ONLY when the other player makes the mistake or a series of mistakes.
The onus lies on the players to make the right move and do not make any mistake. If you make a wrong move or a wrong calculation in tactics, then there is every possibility that the opponent seizes the opportunity and punishes you for the mistake.
When the game starts and a player makes the move, the equilibrium is disturbed slightly. When the other player responds with a move, then the parity is restored. The incremental change in the alteration of the pieces between the squares following a set of moves will be zero.
As long as you make the correct move, assess the positional factors, analyze the importance of the pieces, visualize the possible response from the opponent and plan an appropriate response, it is but natural that your move will be a correct one.
When your move is backed by logical thinking, analysis, visualization and confidence that the move is the best one in the given circumstances, where does the question of fear arises?
Fear is the outcome of lack of knowledge or poor understanding of the situation. When you are armed with the knowledge of the game, supported by your logical thinking capabilities and visualization and driven by sound decision-making techniques, where is the need for fear about the outcome of the move?
Fearlessness comes not out of bravery or show of strength to the opponent but by a clear understanding of the situation, the knowledge about the pros and cons of the situation, the analysis of the possible future consequences and all such other things. Strong conviction about the possible outcome, driven by self-confidence and understanding, thwarts fear out of the roots.
So, naturally a person playing chess and applying the invaluable traits of logical thinking, analysis, visualization and decision-making need not have fear about the consequences. As such, the game of chess teaches the virtue of fearlessness to the player.
Now, with online chess, any person who knows the game of chess and wants to learn the many invaluable traits it imparts can do so with the help of his personal computer and broadband connection.
Chess Links
Killer Chess Tips
- 12 chess tactics and how to use those to gain advantage – Part 10, 11 and 12
- Endgame Lessons From Game Twelve of the 2010
- 12 chess tactics and how to use those to gain advantage – Part 9
- 12 chess tactics and how to use those to gain advantage – Part 8
- 12 chess tactics and how to use those to gain advantage – Part 7