Monday, May 24, 2010

Conveying Chess To Everyone - The Development Of Staunton Chess

By Walter Peterson

Staunton chess uses very specific chess pieces and is used specifically for chess competitions. The pieces were named after Howard Staunton. Staunton was a chess master who was one of the world's best chess players around the mid 1800s. He organized the first international chess tournament causing England to be the world's leading chess center. He also started chess by telegraph where you could play chess through correspondence.

He is also well known for developing opening moves in the chess game. The opening move is important as this is the start of your game strategy and the most common move is to move the pawn directly in front of the king 2 spaces forward. If you want to develop your opening move then studying the games of the great chess masters and reading their books on chess can help. Staunton himself wrote several books about chess.

There are also many Staunton chess strategies you can follow. Generally your chess strategy will be designed for long term goals. You must use careful planning and analytical thinking in order to develop a good strategy. This means you are always thinking ahead and weighing the options of different positions.

This Staunton chess set was developed because there were too many different styles of chess and a standard set that was universally recognized and easy to use was needed. The first chess sets were made by John Jacques of London. These pieces are an amalgamation of pieces already used in several different sets, though they greatly resemble medieval chess sets. Previously chess pieces tended to be made of wood and the detailing wood be added by hand. This caused many pieces to be unbalanced and you might not recognize two of the same pieces.

Additionally some chess pieces tended to fall over a lot because they were not designed well. Most chess pieces were made by hand so two chess pieces that were supposed to be the same could sometimes turn out to look very different.

If the piece is to depict a human then there is a collar that is used to separate the head piece form the body. These chess pieces are also much less decorative then previous pieces which make them easier and less costly to create.

The head of a horse is used to depict the knight. If the pieces symbolize a person such as the bishop, king and queen then it will have a collar that is used to separate the head form the body. Staunton chess pieces have less decoration than previous chess pieces which made them easy to produce and more affordable.

These Staunton chess pieces are still the standard use around the world. It is thought that these pieces helped chess prosper and become more popular than ever as anyone could understand the rules and the pieces. No longer did you have to worry about not understanding the pieces you were playing with on the chess board. - 621

About the Author:

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Harnessing Online Board Games To The Benefits Of Your Child

By Roy Twizl

According to the latest trend report, there is an amazing growth in the number of gamers playing online board games. Now you can keep yourself interested by being involved in a variety of board games available for users of all age groups on many free games sites. Now make online gaming an interesting as well as educative mode of amusement for your child.

Lots of time, simple calculative board games help your child to farther his immersion level, something he may not be able to attain from several books! So just follow your portal and chose from a wide range of board games, for you as well as your child.

Choosing as good online game depends upon interest as well as age. Some like to play number games like Sudoku and monopoly, some like contemplative ones like Bromus secalinus and checkers. The importance of these board games and the influence they have on the child's mind has been confirmed by several psychologists. They enrich the brains motor functions. Easy games for younger ones include enDice, ludo bandit et cetera. Lightening is my personal front-runner, as it is based on UNO, a game that many have grown up playing. Most of these simple games are based on chance or luck; a roll of the dice, or a lucky choice of cards determines the winner.

Some online titles employ the use of math, speedy calculations and acquisition of solving problems in a limited time. Sudoku, for example, needs kids to use their calculative skills in order to finish the puzzle. Mahjong is based on visual recognition as well as calculation of simple math for a win! Cueldo, is another game that requires conquest as well as problem solving skills.

There are many more games that will build and sharpen your child's mind as well as provide him with entertainment. There is no better road to learning for a kid than learning while having fun! My personal favorites include Sudoku online and isolitire. These are both online version of the classic games, only deviation is that you need to be smarter and faster! Online board games also include timeless options like iChess and monopoly, games that have been played even by our ancestors.

Another flash game worth a mention at many online game sites is qrossfire. It is a seemingly easy game, but is simply addictive! I can keep playing it for hours together and yet not get bored. Many games sites provide you with such a wide arena of choices that it leaves you speculative for choice . There are games for everyone over here. No matter if you are five or fifty; you will find all your favorite games here, just like how I found mine! As an added reward, playing these games inculcates family bondage that can be enjoyed by one and all. And the best part is that good game sites provide these comforts for free! So enjoy your free time with board games and also awards your child that extra push that will give him an added advantage over his pals . - 621

About the Author: