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Computer Chess Tournaments: The Quest for The Best

Friday, 15. January 2010 19:56

Because of the demands brought about by the computer chess all over the world. Lots of computer chess competition was made to get the best among the best when it comes to the onslaught of computer chess.

We have different computer chess competition all over the world spearheaded by different organizations and countries.

The Dutch open computer chess championship aims to promote an arena for computer chess programs to derive the best. Every year, it is organized by the CSVN (Computer Chess Association of the Netherlands). It was first played in 1981 whose very first winner is Luuk de vries with his program “YNCT 1.0.” After this, it was still followed with the same tournaments and up to date it has 28 known competitions whose latest champion were Vasik Rajlich and Jeroen Noomen with their program “Rybka” in 2008.

Another cornerstone when it comes to chess tournaments is the International Paderborn Computer Chess Championship. This is an annual computer chess tournament. As its name implies, it is yearly organized by the University of Paderborn. The very championship started in 1991 whose winners are Heiner Matthias, Peter Mysliwietz, and Rainer Feldmann with their program “Zugzwang.” Its 5th edition was played in 1995 which, at the same time, is also the 13th edition of the World Microcomputer Chess Championship. The latest of this was on 2007 having Mark Uniacke as the winner with his program “HIARCS.” During its duration, it has 17 recorded tournaments.

Unlike other tournaments which require you to travel to participate in such events, the Internet Computer Chess Tournament (CCT) proves that competition can be just in a matter of online capability. This is held yearly since it was started in 2000. As stated, it need not travel requirements for one can join provided that the author and its program can connect to the and play to the server that the organizer provides. When this happens, you and your program will be automated in the game. With this kind of protocol, it is synonymous to greater participation of people all over the world to join. Swiss system is used as the tournament format with rounds varying from seven to nine. The tournament is expected to be completed in a single weekend. The very first winner of this event is the program “Crafty.” The latest was in 2009 and “Rybka” is the winner for four consecutive years.

Among the pioneers of computer chess tournaments is the North American Computer Chess Championship which is held from 1970 to 1994. This was organized by the Association for Computing Machinery together with Dr. Monty Newborn, a Computer Science professor at Mcgill University. Its very first winner in 1970 is the program “Chess 3.0.” The last was on 1994 in Cape May, New Jersey with the program “Deep Thpught II” as the winner. In addition, the 14th winner of this competition, “Cray Blitz” in 1983, is also the World Computer Chess Champion.

These are just some of the most prestigious and well-known computer chess tournaments. Who knows, another tournament might be organize in the quest of the best computer chess program in the world.

Thema: Chess General | Kommentare (0) | Autor:

Ultimate chess strategy books and its uses

Friday, 11. December 2009 15:46

Chess is a game which is full of strategies and tactics. But this tactics and strategies are not easy to understand and learn, it will go on developing in an increasing manner as the number of games you play and as the experience you gain. This tactics and strategies are categorized as short term plan and long term plan where the tactics is a short term plan as it is applied at the stop depending on the game and on the other hand strategies are long term plan because this cannot be applied without any planning.

Nowadays these strategies are printed in books and available in large numbers, beginners are more interested in buying these books and learning. For beginners especially to children’s there are various books which deal with the basics of chess such as the chess board and the arrangement of pieces in the board then the moves of each pieces. Also it includes some basic tactics and strategies which the beginners can learn and use it while playing. By reading all these they can develop their knowledge in chess game and these books are also helpful in understanding the game.

Other than these strategies books there are some other strategies books which explains in detail about the play and how greats will play and their techniques. This is helpful for players who are going to next level of chess from state level or school and this kind of book deals with the ultimate chess strategy and it is known as ultimate chess strategy book.

These strategy books can only helps to understand the strategies but only players have to make use of it while playing and have to gain experience. Only by applying in real game helps everyone to understand the strategy at the most..

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Online Chess Aptitude Test

Saturday, 7. November 2009 0:42

In many times you are playing chess games for sure you’re wondering how you will earn score in the game. The only thing that comes up in your mind is when you capture you opponent’s piece. Yes, each chess piece has an equivalent point. A pawn represents the lowest point and the queen has the highest one. However, there’s another way to score in the game and this is done by determining moves on the board. This method is also considered as aptitude test or “self-test”. This test requires timer and a chess set.

Before taking the test, you will need to understand chess notation first. In many chess games, an algebraic chess notation is widely used, even in online chess games. If you’re an experienced player and has the idea about this method, you can simply live this paragraph and proceed to the next one. There, you will understand what aptitude test is. For novice players, algebraic notation goes like this. As we all know, the chess board is made up of64 squares. In algebraic notation, each row is represented by numbers from 1 to 8 and columns are represented by letters from A to H. Each square is therefore represented by the combination of letters and numbers. So let’s say for instance, you’re knight lies on row A number one, then you’re on “A1” as simple as that.

Aside from timer and chess board, you’ll also need one knight (white) and one queen (black). The aptitude test will start by placing the knight on b1 and the queen on d4. In this test, the knight will move around the board to visit the following squares in logical order: (c1, e1, f1, h1, a2 and until it reach g8) of course, you won’t go to h8 because the queen is present there. In this test, you can’t take the black queen out of the chess board. Likewise, you’re not allowed to emprise the knight in any square you want.

At first, you this test seem so easy. But then, it requires proper logic and serious mental concentration. Anyone can complete the test in just 5 to ten minutes. But oops, take note that many individuals gave up because it will take almost nine moves to get it. The moves might easy to perform. The only problem is on how you will do it logically. Don’t worry time is not a huge factor here. The clock is then present to determine how fast you are. But then, it’s regardless on how you can do it right.

If it takes and hour, don’t be disappointed. This test is just to see how you’ll do it strategically. Some people memorize chess moves but don’t have any idea about chess strategy. In a real chess match, they just keep on moving forward without considering the logic of every move. Many chess aficionados lost their game in this way. Strategic thinking is actually different from memorizing moves. In a real chess match, you can’t memorize your opponent’s move. You have no idea about his or her plans. But then, you can think strategically all the time. Thus this aptitude test has an important role in determining how strategic you are.

Thema: Chess General | Kommentare (0) | Autor: