# \#chess **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/tag/chess/78.md [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) --- ## [Can ai's play boardgames?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-ais-play-boardgames/1029428)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2026, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-ais-play-boardgames/1029428 "2026-08-06T23:16:47Z")
An offshoot from another thread where there some discussion of ai’s playing chess. Obviously, ai’s can play chess and other board games. And they can beat humans. My question is whether the ai’s have to be programmed t… --- ## [Chess players: Have you ever participated in one of those things where one player plays blindfolded against multiple others?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-players-have-you-ever-participated-in-one-of-those-things-where-one-player-plays-blindfolded-against-multiple-others/1029548)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2026, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-players-have-you-ever-participated-in-one-of-those-things-where-one-player-plays-blindfolded-against-multiple-others/1029548 "2026-05-09T12:40:09Z")
And for bonus points, was the player a child? I never have, and as far as I know that was never a thing that ever happened in Springfield, Illinois between 1982 (when I learned to play chess) and 2014 (when I moved away… --- ## [Any threads for retired folks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-threads-for-retired-folks/1029603)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2026, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-threads-for-retired-folks/1029603 "2026-04-30T21:15:22Z")
Not seeing it, so here we go. Many of the folks on the SDMB are older. So this is for us, or anyone that wants to ask. Myself, retired in December after 33 years at the last job. But I was working since I was 11yo. I’m… --- ## [Omnibus Chess News Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2026, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-chess-news-thread/978801 "2026-04-14T18:51:43Z")
I keep thinking of chess-y news things I want to post, but they’re not necessarily going to be thread-worthy. So, we’ll give this a try, we’ll see how it goes. Up first: the Tata Steel tournament is ongoing in the Nethe… --- ## [A new way to play chess...Taser chess! (someone really made it)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-way-to-play-chess-taser-chess-someone-really-made-it/1028037)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2026, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-way-to-play-chess-taser-chess-someone-really-made-it/1028037 "2026-02-27T02:43:59Z")
I love chess and I suppose this would encourage people to focus but…no thanks! Over the last few centuries, behavioral psychologists have documented all kinds of ways of modifying our actions and the actions of vario… --- ## [Chess: King and rook vs king and knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-king-and-rook-vs-king-and-knight/1027608)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2026, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-king-and-rook-vs-king-and-knight/1027608 "2026-02-13T03:29:38Z")
I just watched a TikTok video of 2 players rated in the 1700-1800 range. It was a king and rook against a king and knight. The player with the rook was unable to win the knight or the game. With perfect play on both side… --- ## [Chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky dies at age 29](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-grandmaster-daniel-naroditsky-dies-at-age-29/1024156)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2026, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-grandmaster-daniel-naroditsky-dies-at-age-29/1024156 "2026-01-22T15:50:12Z")
WTF!?!?!?!? He posted this video 3 days ago. You will hear the voice of your coach no matter what activity you do so make sure it’s a calm voice of helpful aid. Danya was and is my inner Chess voice. He was a fantast… --- ## [Duolingo chess](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duolingo-chess/1024835)
**Author:** [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2025, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duolingo-chess/1024835 "2025-12-15T15:04:33Z")
Hi, everyone. I’ve been learning chess with Duolingo for about a month now. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the pros and cons about it. Let me start by saying that I’ve never had any formal training or teaching in c… --- ## [Analog chess clock recommendations (a nice one)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/analog-chess-clock-recommendations-a-nice-one/1024440)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2025, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/analog-chess-clock-recommendations-a-nice-one/1024440 "2025-11-01T18:05:43Z")
As a gift I would like to get someone I know a nice analog chess clock. Yes, I know digital ones exist and are arguably better at timing the game. I don’t care. I want old-school. I want some elegance. Well built, w… --- ## [Looking for a chess app that has exercises](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-chess-app-that-has-exercises/1023398)
**Author:** [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-chess-app-that-has-exercises/1023398 "2025-10-20T19:25:42Z")
I’m looking for a chess app for my tablet. I would like one that has exercises. I downloaded one from chess.com, but they charge $60 or so a year. I don’t mind paying for an app, but I’d rather not have a yearly subscrip… --- ## [Chess players: do you have a hard time mentally switching between two-dimensional (computer) and three-dimensional (OTB) chess?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-players-do-you-have-a-hard-time-mentally-switching-between-two-dimensional-computer-and-three-dimensional-otb-chess/1023997)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-players-do-you-have-a-hard-time-mentally-switching-between-two-dimensional-computer-and-three-dimensional-otb-chess/1023997 "2025-10-18T12:19:13Z")
I’ve found that I’m much better (not that that’s saying much) playing chess in two dimensions than in three. The setup and the pieces just seem to make more sense to me. Looking at a board in three dimensions messes with… --- ## ["The Chess Lv. 100"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chess-lv-100/1023094)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chess-lv-100/1023094 "2025-09-17T19:38:16Z")
I have the old Windows games adapted for Windows 11 on my desktop at work, and one of those old games is, “Chess Titans”. Even on its top level, level 10, it wasn’t very strong in the opening and middle games because it… --- ## [Cribbage card game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cribbage-card-game/1019393)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2025, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cribbage-card-game/1019393 "2025-06-10T21:32:16Z")
My wife and I play a lot of chess, we have… ~ 3 boards. We also play Cribbage, but as we are in the middle of moving and are missing one Cribbage board… Hey, we have a chess board. So our pieces are pawns (two black, tw… --- ## [Chess: Why don't they actually capture the king?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-why-dont-they-actually-capture-the-king/1014786)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-why-dont-they-actually-capture-the-king/1014786 "2025-03-04T20:41:07Z")
I have only a very rudimentary understanding of chess. I know how it’s played but nothing about strategies or how to play well. Fortunately that’s not what this question is about. Why must you announce that you have p… --- ## [Please recommend a path to learning chess](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-path-to-learning-chess/991867)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2025, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-path-to-learning-chess/991867 "2025-02-04T16:16:49Z")
I learned the chess rules and moves in the 1990s. I bought a chess set with a vinyl chess mat. I purchased Sargon on my PC. I upgraded it once. I never grasped strategy and thinking five moves ahead. I went to the local… --- ## ["I tried a Nuclear War Simulator"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-tried-a-nuclear-war-simulator/1010586)
**Author:** [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2024, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-tried-a-nuclear-war-simulator/1010586 "2024-11-22T13:51:39Z")
YT link Michelle Khare. A youtuber who usually does stuff like “I tried to get to 1000 as a chess player” This was pretty good. Pretty intense. She did everything I would have. Only 10 mins long or so. --- ## [On Chess(dot)com, how do you change the pieces/board colors when playing bots?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-chess-dot-com-how-do-you-change-the-pieces-board-colors-when-playing-bots/1008621)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2024, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-chess-dot-com-how-do-you-change-the-pieces-board-colors-when-playing-bots/1008621 "2024-10-09T22:42:49Z")
When I play bots, the computer chooses the color of the board and, depending on this month’s theme, sometimes the pieces. Is there a way to change these settings? Thank you. --- ## [Great purchases, good design](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-purchases-good-design/1005537)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2024, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-purchases-good-design/1005537 "2024-08-13T19:26:56Z")
I LOVE good design of any product. When a manufacturer said, “Ya know, we should put the switch over here” Or purchasing something that is just right for you. This is sort of a whimsical thread I suppose. We all buy go… --- ## [Alleged poisoning at chess tournament](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-poisoning-at-chess-tournament/1005424)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2024, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alleged-poisoning-at-chess-tournament/1005424 "2024-08-12T05:47:21Z")
There’s the drive to win, and then there’s an unhealthy competitive streak. I think she should get more time, personally. (Where do I find these weird stories?) --- ## [Could someone with a 300 IQ and no knowledge of chess beat a chess grandmaster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-someone-with-a-300-iq-and-no-knowledge-of-chess-beat-a-chess-grandmaster/1003343)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2024, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-someone-with-a-300-iq-and-no-knowledge-of-chess-beat-a-chess-grandmaster/1003343 "2024-07-01T18:49:25Z")
A chess neophyte with a stratospheric IQ yet no knowledge of chess squares off against an international grandmaster (who himself is no slouch in the IQ department.) Just before the game commences, the basic rules of ches… --- ## [Mean Mr. Mustard’s List of Original (I believe) Cinematic Sure Things](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mean-mr-mustard-s-list-of-original-i-believe-cinematic-sure-things/995911)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mean-mr-mustard-s-list-of-original-i-believe-cinematic-sure-things/995911 "2024-02-14T13:53:13Z")
Any game of chess will show no more than two moves after which “checkmate” will be announced. Any game of checkers will show one of the players performing at least a quadruple jump. Any fully clothed person standing… --- ## [Chess: 900 ELO to 1500 ELO in a Year -- Is It Possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-900-elo-to-1500-elo-in-a-year-is-it-possible/976265)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2024, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-900-elo-to-1500-elo-in-a-year-is-it-possible/976265 "2024-01-14T20:00:48Z")
All of my life I’ve been a terrible chess player at best. My chess(dot)com ELO consistently hovers in the 900-1000 range. I’ve decided to hire a chess coach and really start grinding chess in the next year,\* and my life … --- ## [(Chess) Strategic trade of knight/bishop for pawn-rook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-strategic-trade-of-knight-bishop-for-pawn-rook/995931)
**Author:** [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-strategic-trade-of-knight-bishop-for-pawn-rook/995931 "2024-01-11T23:26:12Z")
Not tactical. There’s no immediate advantage. Just seeing the title, I assume a lot of people know what I’m talking about. My thinking was a lot of his major pieces are shoved into the upper right corner. And I wanted t… --- ## [Chess Q: 3 pawns vs. Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-q-3-pawns-vs-knight/995091)
**Author:** [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2023, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-q-3-pawns-vs-knight/995091 "2023-12-29T14:16:52Z")
King and three pawns vs King and Knight The three pawns are on their starting squares and connected. Their king is behind them. The other king and knight are centralized but in front of them basically in the middle of t… --- ## [Solitaire Chess](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solitaire-chess/993989)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2023, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solitaire-chess/993989 "2023-12-19T05:49:40Z")
On my favorite puzzle site, there’s a new (at least to them and me) kind of Chess problem: Solitaire Chess. The rules are straightforward: Pieces move as standard chess pieces. You can perform only capture moves. You … --- ## [Chess - Carlsen-Niemann controversy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-carlsen-niemann-controversy/971683)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 230\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-carlsen-niemann-controversy/971683 "2023-11-17T23:43:06Z")
I don’t know chess well enough to analyze the moves. The players are searched. This article says Magnus started with a bad opening. He wasn’t playing well. I’m bothered that an unspoken and unproven allegation by Magn… --- ## [Chess players, how do you deal with a computer being better than any human will ever be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-players-how-do-you-deal-with-a-computer-being-better-than-any-human-will-ever-be/787464)
**Author:** [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2023, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-players-how-do-you-deal-with-a-computer-being-better-than-any-human-will-ever-be/787464 "2023-09-29T21:12:07Z")
So, it’s official. Computers are better than humans at Go - AlphaGo has beaten the top pro decisively and the pros generally agree that AlphaGo is significantly better than the top pros. Chess has been in that unenviabl… --- ## [1 Turn a Day phone or PC game with friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-turn-a-day-phone-or-pc-game-with-friends/989290)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2023, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-turn-a-day-phone-or-pc-game-with-friends/989290 "2023-09-01T07:13:43Z")
I have a friend or two I would like to casually play a game with. Nothing serious, a quick turn or two a day, perhaps 5 minutes of my time but which ideally will be something fun to mull over all day. Chess is out, I l… --- ## [International Chess Federation and trans players](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-chess-federation-and-trans-players/988772)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-chess-federation-and-trans-players/988772 "2023-08-30T23:58:36Z")
Note: I would really like this thread not to devolve into the usual trans arguments. Also note: I have tried very hard to get the terminology correct, as I understand it, and I am relying on the NPR report for the correc… --- ## [Chess: Why Can't The King Be Removed From The Board?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-why-cant-the-king-be-removed-from-the-board/989133)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2023, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-why-cant-the-king-be-removed-from-the-board/989133 "2023-08-27T21:41:22Z")
This chess YouTuber (an International Master) supports a change to the rules: basically, that the King can be removed from the board. Specifically, if you and I are playing and you move a piece that reveals a check on yo… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/tag/chess/78.md?match_all_tags=true&page=1&tags%5B%5D=chess)