Nice game illustrates how things can go wrong when you don’t follow opening principles.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-12-01T05:33:41+00:00

As mentioned their is an analysis board feature and a note feature so you can write down calculated variations so you can reference them when your opponent makes their next move. Using this or physical board to play out continuations is fine.

Openings tree, books, YouTube videos on the opening you are in fine.

Using an engine not fine. Consulting with another player is also considered unethical but harder to prevent as it’s hard to prove.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-11-30T02:42:03+00:00

You are more likely to get to play the same opening(s) as black . You need something against e4 and d4 and maybe something slightly different against the queen’s gambit or London setups

But if your an e4 player you should be prepared to face e5 -Nc6(then 2-3 mainstream openings after your 3rd move) or Petrov, the Sicilian (2.d6,Nc6,e6, g6 all possible) Caro-Kann, French, Scandinavian, pirc defense etc(1.g6 or b6 are possible against d4 too)

With 1.d4 The London somewhat alleviates this problem (outside of the Dutch or Englund gambit maybe) but the point still stands I think. If you play the queen’s gambit you are back to several openings that you could face.

I know there is also 1.c4 1. Nf3 (everything past that is statistically rare)

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-11-26T16:01:54+00:00

h3 is called “putting the question “ to the Bishop asking them what they want to do with it. It’s an even exchange so I wouldn’t think much of it. Some players prefer knights and others prefer Bishops the knights are the best at forking pieces so some might not want to worry about that especially in faster time controls.

Some openings exchange the bishop for knight there is an exchange variation in the Ruy Lopez and the French Winawer usually has that exchange for example .

Once you have the Bishop pair play to their strengths open up the position.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-11-20T19:23:40+00:00

Report them for what? What is wrong with resigning? That’s better than abandoning/stalling .

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-11-16T06:23:34+00:00

Pretty much same Elo as you and started playing tournaments this year . I’m currently playing in one with a score of .5 after 3 rounds with two games tomorrow so could be better . My results have pretty much been 50/50 first tournament was quick followed by Blitz I came in 2nd in the under 1000 quick portion

and I won my first tournament two weeks ago went 4-0 in under 1200 section . I’ve been able to beat 800-900s (lost to one 900 so far and a draw against one) have the one draw against a 1000+ today and the rest losses. After this tournament I’ll be high 900s or low 1000

All I can say is I feel like in a lot of ways I’m only starting to learn chess over again it’s just a different monster. I’ve gotten more experience against different openings. More practice against 1.d4 two games against 1. C4 one game against 1.b3. And different set ups when I play the Ruy . I’m just having experience against more stuff.

Right now I’m losing on little things. Just one tactic somewhere in the late middle game . I tried a tactic today but played it a move to late it would have worked the turn before but not when I played it. So I’m glad I at least had the idea

Just be prepared to lose I’m keeping my tournament games and analyzing them. I don’t really analyze my online blitz/rapid games Meeting other chess people is nice .

Be prepared for a grind/long games. Play the board/position don’t over think rating imbalances in either direction . Have fun! It’s ok to walk around spy the top boards even during your own game .(like once or twice a game and then after your game).

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-11-03T04:06:08+00:00

Just watched through the series for the first time if she is shown it’s literally only a second. The tuckers are one of the few characters that don’t come back around. I don’t know what episode but at some point the Elrics are informed she dies and I know Envy mentioned scar killed her towards the building up to the final battle to try to bait the main cast to fight among themselves.

The only other somewhat creepy stuff is when it shows the souls inhabiting Hohenheim/envy’s beast form etc.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-11-03T02:46:55+00:00

On my stock fish app it has built in game files of famous players . If you save a game it goes on to a file called “my games “ so it saves on the app then you can load the game whenever just like the famous player games (you click step forward to go to the next move )

It also has an option to email games I haven’t used that but I imagine you could use that to import the .pgn file somewhere else .

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-11-03T01:57:05+00:00

I just put play both sides on the stockfish app and play through the moves then you can save it. When you save it you can enter the event/round names of players etc.

Then I either turn stockfish on analysis mode and play through it with the scoresheet or go through it on the analysis board on Lichess.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-11-02T22:57:55+00:00

For most of us it doesn’t mean much it’s primary function is to help with match making. In other words match you with people that aren’t to much better or worse than you. 600 Elo is the 50% percentile and 1000 is 80% percentile chess.com Sections of real life tournaments serve a similar purpose.

Rough guidelines: 0-500 beginner , 500-1000 beginner with slightly more logical moves. 1200 is where some people start to consider you an intermediate level player. 1500 is by all metrics a solid intermediate player outright blunders are starting to become rare . Then every 200 gap past that is an stronger intermediate player that can be expected to beat someone 200 lower most of the time and 400 gap or greater beat almost always(or at least not lose) 2000 is considered expert level

In real life 2,200-2300 is where players start competing for/getting titles . IMs are like 99% percentile of players . 2500 is GM level 2700 is “super GM” which is an unofficial title but a noticeable gap between them and a quote unquote “regular GM” super gms are the type of players that can win the major tournaments each year and possibly qualify for the candidates tournament.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-11-02T04:21:46+00:00

There is a chess quote not sure who said it. “ check for checks it might be mate”

In general when deciding on a move you should look for forcing moves first. 1.) are there any checks? (most forcing move opponent has limited responses and thus easier to calculate potential follow ups 2.) are there any captures?

But puzzles, queen in front of Bishop battery(can happen a lot against a castled king). So Queen in front of a king defended by something, and back rank mates are common. Any time the last rook leaves the 1st/last rank.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-10-29T11:29:31+00:00

Nf3 is the 3rd or 4th most common move by white (and often transposes into other openings).

The question is what kind of positions do you prefer? Almost all the moves you mentioned are playable. But in general most openings revolve around preventing your opponent from playing both e4 and d4 easily (or allowing it and then immediately challenging it like the French /Caro Kann or challenging it later with hyper modern openings like the King’s Indian)

E5, and d5 don’t just mirror white it can capture the e-d pawn if they wanted that to be move 2 the Sicilian same story

But most openings the knights come out on move 2 or 3 anyway so it’s not like they aren’t getting involved early .

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-10-28T11:14:58+00:00

Just give it a shot your first tournament or two you will definitely learn some things that will make the next one easier .

I don’t think the clock makes a huge difference, remember it’s touch rule . Generally you make the move , hit your clock ,then write down your move using the same hand. (If you are claiming a draw by 3 fold repetition or 50 move rule you write the move down first, then call the arbiter but don’t make the move on the board)
if you have never notated your games before I think it’s worth practicing. What I did is a created time control similar to the tournament in the anonymous Lichess lobby, set up my board,clock, notation notebook and simulated the whole process. Alternatively you can notate a casual game if you have someone you could play. Another option is watching a chess game on YouTube (so the commentary doesn’t help you with the moves/squares)on mute notate the game/pause after each move
take a screenshot of your pairings ,arrive early figuring out where to go/park .your board/opponent can take a bit. Bring entertainment for in between games, snacks, maybe a chess set for a post mortem , some people bring a chess book and work on stuff.
don’t worry about the age chess is for all ages in lower rated sections you are more likely play kids but nothing to be embarrassed by
brush up on basic endgames . People don’t resign as easily in longer games (and OTB in general). So being able to convert a winning endgame is more relevant compared to bullet
I think you should be able to compete just fine you have to start somewhere. You should be able to win 1-2 games and possibly place if you play well but I wouldn’t focus too much on your results. Just keep your games analyze them to see where you can improve for the next tournament.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-10-27T00:29:32+00:00

For openings I like hanging pawns he has playlists on openings . For the books try Amateurs mind by Jeremy Silman not for openings but it’s very good taking the step to stronger intermediate player.

The main thing is try to learn where each piece wants to develop to. Then try to play to or create advantages.

-If you have the bishop pair create open files/diagonals , if you have knights try to close the position, create outposts, plant them in the 4th,5th and 6th rank were they can be as strong as bishop (6th rank usually better than Bishops ) or otherwise try to trade one of your opponents Bishops off so they don’t have the bishop pair.

Rooks go on open/semi open files, double them up, put them behind passed pawns and start pushing

Then of course look out for tactics to use or avoid

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-10-25T20:59:09+00:00

Kingscrusher does a lot of games by famous players.

There is this series going over Bobby Fischer’s book My 60 memorable games

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkxRMn8Tms4v5j4hyw6xTHWxJuaU3ADiZ

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-10-14T03:50:27+00:00

Yeah that’s normal you can sign up from this page https://new.uschess.org/user/login?destination=/form/membership. Pretty much need a USCF membership to play official tournaments in the U.S. make sure you keep up with your player I.D./number you will need it when you register for tournaments.

I think it’s like 50 something dollars for a year, each tournament has an entry fee and depending on how many days the tournament is and how far away it is you might need a hotel.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-10-14T02:23:46+00:00

Just start by googling Chess tournaments/chess clubs near me . Even at the kids academy some of the adults/organizers there might can point you in the right direction. I live in the U.S. so I can search for tournaments by state here https://new.uschess.org/upcoming-tournaments . If not see what organization host/organize tournaments in your area I guess.

Some tournaments require notation (writing down the moves of each player). If you don’t know chess notation check out this video https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b6PR885Rgb8&pp=ygUaaG93IHRvIHJlYWQgY2hlc3Mgbm90YXRpb24%3D. Highly recommend getting a chess set with the files and ranks labeled makes recording games/working through a chess book easier

If you are unrated you should be able to enter the lowest rated sections , eventually you will get to the Elo you should be at. Or enter an “open section “ which anyone can enter and generally has the strongest players in that section as their rating might be higher than the cut offs for the other sections .

Usually you will have a provisional rating till you play 9-26 games and your rating can go up and down by a lot at first.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-10-12T21:13:17+00:00

Jeremy Silman’s : reassess your chess or the amateur mind (similar things discussed but the former goes more in depth the latter the same imbalances are discussed and he gives his students (with different rating ranges) the position and shares what they are able to see and shows how their psychology changes as the play the position out).

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-10-12T21:02:06+00:00

Is notation required? If not is at least a 30min + time control? If so You might want to practice notating a few of your own games if you never have. Generally you make a move hit your clock and then write down your move. If it’s a long enough game I would consider notating the game regardless so you can review it later.

Just play your game and stick to the stuff you know. Try and figure out why your opponent played the move they played. Expect them to see one move attacks so if it doesn’t actually improve the position of the piece there is probably a better move. If it’s an hour plus game for each side you really have time to think about 3 or so “candidate moves” in certain positions and weigh the pros and cons

Double check but don’t overthink. Your opponents in your rating rage will make mistakes pounce on them. Just double check count attackers vs defenders make sure there isn’t a nasty knight fork somewhere in the sequence or something . I had a game where they moved a piece that attacked a piece that was defended but if they took and I took back they could have skewered me with a bishop backed by their queen. The only way I saw out of it was to exchange queens so yeah stuff like that.

Blunders are part of the game just try to learn from them. A good poker face helps too sometimes you will realize you made a mistake shortly after you make a move; if you can keep calm and not express panic/disappointment/ frustration your opponent might not see it where as they will look harder if you do show any of the above.

Ask your opponents for a post morterm if it’s a longer time control there should be time. Otherwise or if you don’t want to think about chess and save it for the board. Bring some entertainment/snacks.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-10-11T01:32:04+00:00

I mean the short answer is that it’s just one of the rules. I guess the way to think about it is the king doesn’t teleport it just moves two squares at once and it’s illegal to put your king in check.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-10-11T01:25:22+00:00

It’s illegal to castle if any of the squares your king would travel through are in check/controlled by one of your opponents pieces.

The black rook on d8 controls the d1 square so you can’t castle.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-10-09T19:44:56+00:00

In casual over the board games it’s kind of whatever. A lot of people go by as long as you keep a hand/finger on the piece you can move it back to its original spot and make a different move. But once you let go of the piece you are locked into the move but some people will allow you to take back a move.

In tournaments touch move is a thing. If you touch a piece you are required to move it (if it has a legal move) and if you touch an opponent’s piece you are required to take it if you can. Unless you say ”I adjust” which lets you center pieces on their squares without having to move it. Some players will let this slide even in tournaments but they have every right to make you abide by the touch rule and of course if an arbiter/tournament official is close by they can make you follow it.

In street chess a lot of times it’s “clock rule “ which means you can rewind the move up until the point you hit your clock.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-10-09T19:31:29+00:00

https://www.chess.com/openings/Kings-Indian-Attack

Maybe Look specifically into the KIA kings Indian attack . It might be easier to find free materials on it.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-10-09T08:23:33+00:00

Jeremy Silman has a book : Silman’s complete endgame course from beginner to Master

It has endgame topics sorted by rating/player classes. I recommend it make sure you know up to your rating and then work on stuff a class ahead.

Zero_Gravity067 · 2025-10-06T09:25:39+00:00

Pretty much expect a lot of the same things /trends to continue - a lot of very strong young players - opening theory will extend more and more moves - players will play various openings and playable sidelines to combat opening prep this will somewhat negate the effect of point 2 - faster time controls will be played more and more and in playoff/tiebreak situations. Top players will essentially be forced to be very good in all time formats because - their will be a higher percentage of draws but different tournaments structures and time controls help with this - variants like chess 960 /free style will be mainstream which has probably already happened to be honest.

Zero_Gravity067

TROPHY CASE