This is a training game between us.
Since it is primarily for Edward’s benefit, let’s get his opinion on a few issues:
Edward:
I can make helpful comments before during or after the game (or all three!). Which do you prefer?
there are usually some interested spectators. How do you feel about them making comments?
I can use either short algebraic (e4), long algebraic (e2-e4) or descriptive (P-K4). Which do you prefer?
I think that the long algebraic will be better since that’s the way my work computer’s chess game works. That will make it easier for me to make sure I don’t make a mistake. You, or anyone else, can make comments at any time. You can even ask what I was thinking. I’m usually not around on the weekend, but am around during the day for the most part. I’m also in EST so I think I’m only 5 behind you.
OK, here we go!
I’ll play White 
glee Edward
In the opening (the first 6-10 moves), you should try to control the centre (e4,e5,d4,d5), bring out as many pieces as possible and castle your King into safety.
ED THE HEAD! ED THE HEAD!
TAKE HIS AND ROOKS AND MAKE HIM BEG!
(I think chess would be enhanced by cheer squads)
ED THE HEAD! ED THE HEAD!
FROM HIS PENCIL TAKE HIS LEAD!
Ok then I’ll do C7-C5.
I use this site for my opening studies. I’ve started using this opening because some of my programs use it and I’m trying to see how to counter it.
Your website is certainly friendly, but not written by a strong player.
In this position, for example, Black is much better, not equal:
glee Edward
glee Edward
Edward,
I hope it’s all right if I suggest we put the name of the piece in front of the move, as I did above. By convention, pawns don’t get mentioned, but the others are:
N = Knight (K is reserved for King)
B = Bishop
R = Rook
Q = Queen
K = King
Calling technical Dopers: the last time I did this, some kind soul put up a chess diagram every few moves. Any volunteers?
I do have out my board and I am following the game.
I was going to say dead instead of beg but you can’t wish death on the board.
and now
Thereisnochessplayeraspowerfulas GLEE!
Herulestheboardandmakesallofhisopponents FLEE!
After not finding a java applet for chess positions in my blog (there is one but it doesn’t work for chess variants and I was never sure how to make it work), I just made chess positions encased in code tags or pre tags. I use lowercase for white, uppercase for black
Not sure how well this will work on SD but:
abcdefgh
--------
8 |RNBQKB R
7 |PP PPPPP
6 | N
5 | P p
4 |
3 | p
2 |pp p ppp
1 |rnbqkbnr
glee Edward
I can put the letter in front no problem. I’ve never had to write down the moves before, though I do understand it.
glee Edward
glee Edward
You’re gonna give me a spanking aren’t you?
Screw cheerleaders. Now we’re talking about how to make chess more interesting.
I’m going to use a tactic, actually.
You can’t play d4xc3 without allowing Qd1xd5. This is called a pin - where one piece can’t move without losing a valuable or undefended piece standing behind it.
glee Edward
What happened to all my cheerleaders? I need some help here, you know grab a couple of his pieces or something.
glee Edward
The centre situation is clear. White has more space, due to the e5 pawn. Black has a good square for his knight on d5.
White will find it easy to bring out all his pieces with his extra space. He will castle on the king-side (because the open c-line makes it risky to castle the other side).
Black may have difficulties developing the bishop on c8, but has a a solid position.
His likely choices next move are:
What if Ed moved Bf8-b4. This puts white in check.
Check is not usually a problem for an experienced player.
In this case I offer the exchange of bishops by Bc1-d2. Once the bishops are exchanged, one of my knights will head for d6, which is a splendid ‘outpost’ (a square not guarded by an opposition pawn, but defended by one of mine). The black bishop is the natural defender of d6…