ADVANCE CHESS CLUB

1. ADVANCE CHESS CLUB

2. Castling • Castling is the only time in the Chess game when more than one piece moves during a turn. • This chess move has been invented in the 1500's to help speeding up the game and improving balance of the offense and defense. • During the castling, the king moves two squares towards the rook he intends to castle with, and the rook moves to the square through which the king passed. • Castling is only permissible if all of the following conditions hold: • Neither king nor rook involved in castling may have moved from the original position; • There must be no pieces between the king and the rook; • The king may not currently be in check, nor may the king pass through or end up in a square that is under attack by an enemy piece • (though the rook is permitted to be under attack and to pass over an attacked square)

3. Castling the King - Chess Tutorial • Each player may choose to "castle" his king once per match. • Castling is the only time a player may move two pieces at one time, and is the only time that a king may move more than one square per turn. • The player moves the king right two spaces, and places the rook on the immediate • left of the king. • Or the player moves the king left two spaces and places the rook on the immediate right of the king. • There are several pre-requisites for castling. • Neither the king nor the rook may have moved during the match. • There must be no pieces between the king and the rook. • The king must not be in check on the castling move. • No space between the king and rook may be threatened by an opposing piece.

4. Castling the King - Chess Tutorial

5. Pawn Promotion • If a pawn reaches the final rank (horizontal row), it may be "promoted" to another piece. • This is done by simply removing the pawn and replacing it with a piece of higher rank. • A player may add a second queen, or replace the queen lost earlier in the match. • Any other piece may be substituted as well, however the queen is usually the piece of choice. • If a pawn reaches the opponent's edge of the table, it will be promoted - the pawn may be converted to a queen, rook, bishop or knight, as the player desires. • The choice is not limited to previously captured pieces. • It is theoretically possible having up to nine queens or up to ten rooks, bishops, or knights if all pawns are promoted. • Any other piece may be substituted as well, however the queen is usually the piece of choice.

6. How to Read and Write Algebraic Chess Notation • One of the most important things you can do to improve at chess is learn how to read and write chess notation. • Knowing notation is crucial to learning from books and the games of stronger players, and also allows you to record your own games for later review.

7. 1. First, it's important to understand how the squares are named. • The diagram shows the coordinates used to name the ranks and files. • From White's perspective, the files from left to right are named "a" through "h."

8. The ranks are numbered 1 through 8, beginning with the rank containing White's pieces. • Each square is named by combining its file and rank. • For instance, the square the White king begins the game on is e1, while the Black queen starts on d8.

9. Algebraic notation also uses abbreviations for each type of piece. • There are fairly simple to remember; in most cases, the abbreviation is the first letter of the piece's name. • Bishop = B • Rook = R • Queen = Q • King = K • Knight = N • Note that the Knight is abbreviated as N, to avoid confusion with the King. • Also notice that pawns aren't assigned an abbreviation; for pawn moves, only the square names are used.

10. How to Read and Write Algebraic Chess Notation • The basics of notation are very simple. • To note a move, simply write the abbreviation of the piece moving, along with the square the piece is moving to. • For example, moving a bishop to the d7 square is notated by writing Bd7. • Pawn moves use only the square name; moving a pawn to e4 is written simply as e4. • When written, moves are numbered as pairs; • 1. e4 Nc6 would tell us that on his first move, White moved his e-pawn to e4, and Black responded by moving his knight to c6.

11. How to Read and Write Algebraic Chess Notation • Castling is denoted differently depending on which side the king is castled to. • Castling kingside is represented by 0-0, while queenside castling is notated with 0-0-0. • Sometimes, more than one of the same type of piece could be moving to the target square. • For instance, perhaps you have rooks on both a1 and f1, and move one of them to d1. • Simply writing Rd1 wouldn't give us enough information; either of the rooks might have moved there. • Instead, we add a little extra information so that we know which rook made the move. • If it was the a1 rook, we'd write Rad1.

12. How to Read and Write Algebraic Chess Notation • In addition to move lists, you might see additional annotations while reviewing a game. • These analysis marks are commonly used to point out good, bad, or interesting moves. • !! - brilliant move • ! - good move • ? - bad move • ?? - terrible move/blunder • !? - interesting move • ?! - questionable move • This may seem like a lot of information to remember, but after a few games, chess notation will become second nature.

13. A very short practice game follows -- if you follow the moves correctly, it should end in the famous checkmate for White known as Scholar's Mate. • 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. Qf3 Bc5?? 4. Qxf7++

14. Capturing a piece is notated by placing an x between the piece abbreviation and the square name. So, if a knight captures a piece on a4, the correct notation is Nxa4. When a pawn makes a capture, we need to point out what file the pawn game from. If a pawn on e4 captures a piece on f5, the correct notation is exf5. If a move results in a check, a + is usually added to the end of the move - for example, Qd8+. Checkmate is usually designated by either ++ or #. CAPTURING

15. PAWN PROMOTION • Some special pawn moves are worth noting. Pawn promotion is written by adding an = followed by the abbreviation of the piece that pawn was promoted to. • For example, promoting a pawn on a8 to a queen can be notated as a8=Q. • En passant can be treated as a normal capture, or if you feel the need to specify, you can add an e.p. or other note to the end of the move.

16. Chess Openings • A Guide to Chess Openings • "When you see a good move, wait - look for a better one." - Emanuel Lasker, 2nd World Chess Champion • Because of different chess strategic and tactical patterns, chess game is divided into three phases: the chess openings, the middlegame, and the endgame. • The chess openings contain the first moves, when both sides endeavor to develop their forces into the sphere of action where they will exercise the greatest power against the opponent’s defenses. • The middlegame is the developed phase of the game and then comes the endgame, when most of the pieces are gone and kings start to take an active part in the struggle. • There are dozens of different chess openings, varying widely in character from quiet positional play to very aggressive. • In some opening lines, the exact sequence considered best for both sides has been worked out to 30–35 moves or more. • Professional players spend years studying openings, and continue doing so throughout their careers, as opening theory continues to evolve

17. Check and Checkmate - Chess Tutorial • The object of chess is to "checkmate" your opponent's king. Checkmate is • when the king has no legal move, and is in danger of capture by one of the • enemy's pieces on the next move. • In the diagram below, black's bishop has just put himself in position to capture • White's king on the next move, winning the game. • White must escape his opponent's check (it is illegal not to do so). • If he cannot, the game is over and White is "checkmated." • There are 3 ways to stop the opponent's check. • Block the check. • In the diagram below, White can block the check by moving the rook on g4 to d4. • White is no longer in check after that particular move. • Capture the checking piece. White could also capture Black's bishop with the • rook on f3. • Move away from the check. White may move the king to any safe square (not threatened by an opposing piece). • White's options are moving the king to c4, b3, and d2. Notice the • White king cannot capture the Black knight because the Black rook would capture the • king on the next move

18. Check and Checkmate - Chess Tutorial

19. Check and Checkmate - Chess Tutorial • Checkmate occurs when one player's pieces put the other's king in check, and • makes it impossible for that player to get out of check. • The diagram below illustrates a checkmate position, in which White wins the game. Let's review our 3 ways to get out of check. • Block the check. • In the diagram below, Black has no piece that can fit in-between the White queen and the Black king • Capture the checking piece. • There is no Black piece that threatens the White queen except the king. Black's king may not take the White queen, because the bishop guards the square that the queen is on • Move away from the check. Black's king has no move to escape the White queen's • clutches. • The queen guards b5, c5, b3, and c3. • The White rook guards a3, a4, and • a5. • The White bishop guards the queen at c4.

20. Check and Checkmate - Chess Tutorial

21. Draws / Stalemates - Chess Tutorial • There are several ways that a chess match can end in a draw (also called a • stalemate). • When a player has no legal move on his / her turn. • If it's Black's turn to move in • the diagram below, the game ends in a stalemate. • Black cannot move the king to • any location without putting it in check. • Notice the queen covers every square that • the Black king can move to, except b7, which the white king could capture. • Black's king is not in check, so the position is not checkmate. Instead it is a draw. • When there is insufficient material on the board to checkmate either side. • One bishop is not enough to checkmate an opponent. • Neither is one knight. • Check mate can be accomplished with a bishop and a knight, or one rook, or one queen. • If both sides only have their king and one bishop (or knight), the game is a draw. • When the same position on the board has been seen 3 times. • When 50 moves have gone by with neither team capturing a piece or moving a pawn. • The last two stalemate scenarios are rarely seen.

22. Draws / Stalemates - Chess Tutorial

23. En Passant • En Passant may only occur when a pawn is moved two squares • on its initial movement. When this happens, the opposing player has the • option to take the moved pawn "en passant" as if it had only moved one • square. This option, though, only stays open for one move. • The En Passant move was developed after pawns were allowed to move more • than one square on their initial move. • The idea behind this rule was to retain restrictions imposed by slow movement, while at the same time speeding up

24. En Passant (In Passing) Rule • One of the most confusing and overlooked rules of chess is the En Passant (in passing) rule. • Although you may play a hundred games, and never have to use the • En Passant rule, you should know it if your opponent uses it. • In the diagram below, White's pawn is on the fifth rank (horizontal row). • The En Passant rule is designed to protect White from Black's pawn "sneaking past" • White's pawn by jumping forward two squares (from b7 to b5). • If you don't remember that a pawn can move twice on their initial move only, refer back to Pawn Moves. • Under the En Passant rule, if Black moves the pawn two squares to b5, the White pawn can take it by moving to b6 (just as if Black had moved the pawn one square). • This must be done on White's next move. • He captures the pawn En Passant, or in passing. The Black pawn on b5 is removed, and White moves its awn to b6. • Note: When given an opportunity to capture a piece En Passant, do not always take it. Too • many novice players jump on the chance to take a pawn En Passant, and do not consider the • situation. As always, look at all your options.

25. En Passant (In Passing) Rule • . .

26. There are three groups of openings covered here: • White can start by moving his King's pawn 2 spaces, i.e. playing "e4". • This move has many strengths - it immediately works on controlling the center, and it frees two pieces (the Queen and a Bishop). • This is a popular first move, leaving Black with two options: • Black may choose to mirror White's move and reply with "e5" for the same reasons, leading to openings such as the Ruy Lopez, Giuoco Piano (including the Evans Gambit variant), and King's Gambit. • Black can also try something other than mirroring White's "e4" move, leading to openings such as the Sicilian Defense, French Defense, Caro-Kann, Center Counter, and Pirc/Modern. White can start by moving the Queen's pawn to "d4". • This leads to openings such as the • Queen's Gambit, King's Indian Defense, Nimzo-Indian, Bogo-Indian, and Queen's Indian Defense, and • Dutch Defense. • White can start with some other move than "e4" or "d4". • One example is the English Opening. • Each of these openings is briefly described below.

27. The Ruy Lopez (also called the "Spanish" opening) starts out as • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 The Ruy Lopez is an old opening; it is named after Ruy Lopez, a • 16th Century Spanish clergyman and chess enthusiast. • He made a systematic study of this and other chess openings, which he recorded in a 150 page book. • However, although it is named after him, this particular opening was known earlier; it is included in the Gottengen manuscript, which dates from 1490. • Popular use of the Ruy Lopez opening did not develop, however, until the mid 1800's when Jaenisch, a Russian theoretician, "rediscovered" its potential. • The opening is still in active use; it is a favorite of Gary Kasparov and Bobby • Fischer. • In it, White creates a potential pin of the d-pawn or Knight and starts an attack immediately, while simultaneously preparing to castle. • White generally directs pressure on Black's e-pawn and tries to prepare for a pawn on d4. It's known that Black's best reply on move 3 is a6, which attacks White's attacking bishop. • After that, White can back up (Ba4) or exchange pieces (Bxc6).

28. The Ruy Lopez (also called the "Spanish" opening) starts out as Ruy Lopez:

29. Ruy Lopez:1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 • White generally directs pressure on Black's e-pawn and tries to prepare for a pawn on d4. • It's known that Black's best reply on move 3 is (a6), which attacks White's attacking bishop. • After that, White can back up (Ba4) or exchange pieces (Bxc6).

30. Giuoco Piano • This "Quiet Game" has White performing a mild attack with his Bishop, but Black is often able to even up the game with his defenses. It starts as: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 If White then replies "d3", you have the "Guioco Pianissimo" ("The Quietest Game") - a very passive game. • If White replies with "b4?!", you have the "Evans Gambit", in which White offers a pawn in exchange for a powerful center and possibly opening his Queen Bishop.

31. Giuoco Piano

32. Giuoco Piano • This "Quiet Game" has White performing a mild attack with his Bishop. • But Black is often able to even up the game with his defenses. • It starts as: • 1. e4 e5 • 2. Nf3 Nc6 • 3. Bc4 Bc5 • If White then replies "d3", you have the "Guioco Pianissimo" ("The Quietest Game") - a very passive game

33. "Evans Gambit" • If White replies with "b4?!", • you have the "Evans Gambit", • in which White offers a pawn in exchange for a powerful center • and possibly opening his Queen Bishop.

34. King's Gambit • This opening was the most popular opening in the 1800s. White offers a pawn in exchange for rapid development. It's rarely seen now at the master level; according to Keene it's been found that Black can obtain a reasonable position (giving nothing for White's pawn). 1. e4 e5 2. f4 A natural following move is "exf4" accepting the gambit.

35. King's Gambit • White offers a pawn in exchange for rapid development. • It's rarely seen now at the master level; • According to Keene it's been found that Black can obtain a reasonable position (giving nothing for White's pawn). • 1. e4 e5 • 2. f4 A • natural following move is "exf4" accepting the gambit.

36. There are three groups of openings:Two • White can start by moving the Queen's pawn to "d4". • This leads to openings

37. Sicilian Defense • The Sicilian starts as: 1. e4 c5 The Sicilian is popular at the master level. Black immediately fights for the center, but by attacking from the c-file (instead of mirroring White's move) he creates an asymmetrical position that leads to lots of complicated positions. Black tries to attack White's e-pawn, often through a Knight at f6 and Bishop at b7. Black would like to make the move "d5" without retribution.

38. Sicilian Defense • The Sicilian starts as: • 1. e4 c5 • The Sicilian is popular at the master level. • Black immediately fights for the center. • But by attacking from the c-file (instead of mirroring White's move) he creates a position that leads to lots of complicated positions. • Black tries to attack White's e-pawn, often through a Knight at f6 and Bishop at b7. • Black would like to make the move "d5" without retribution.

39. Sicilian Defense • The Sicilian has been extensively studied, and there are many variations. A popular variation is the "Dragon" variation, which starts as: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 In this variation, Black finachettos a bishop on the h8-a1 diagonal. This is called the "Dragon" variation because Black's pawn structure is supposed to look like a dragon.

40. Sicilian Defense • The Sicilian has been extensively studied, and there are many variations. • A popular variation is the "Dragon" variation, which starts as: • 1. e4 c5 • 2. Nf3 d6 • 3. d4 cxd4 • 4. Nxd4 Nf6 • 5. Nc3 g6 • In this variation, Black finachettos a bishop on the h8-a1 diagonal. • This is called the "Dragon" variation because Black's pawn structure is supposed to look like a dragon.

41. Sicilian Defense • Another variation that's quite popular is the "Najdorf" variation. It starts just like the Dragon, and diverges on Black's move 5: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 According to Grandmaster Daniel King White often responds with "Be2", permitting Black to attack the center with "e5!".

42. Sicilian Defense • Another variation that's quite popular is the "Najdorf" variation. • It starts just like the Dragon, and diverges on Black's move 5: • 1. e4 c5 • 2. Nf3 d6 • 3. d4 cxd4 • 4. Nxd4 Nf6 • 5. Nc3 a6 • According to Grandmaster Daniel King White often responds with "Be2", permitting Black to attack the center with "e5!".

43. French Defense • In the French Defense, Black lets White have more control over the center, in • exchange for which he builds a (hopefully) safe wall of pawns. The French Defense • starts as: • 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 Games generally involve jockeying for position. The center • usually becomes closed, two competing pawn chains arise, and each player tries to • outflank the other. White generally tries to play e5; Black tries to play c5 or f6. • Black's queen Bishop often becomes trapped and useless, and it's known as the • "French Bishop".

44. Caro-Kann • The Caro-Kann is like the French defense - Black lets White build control of the • center, and Black tries to get a pawn at d5. It looks like a "wimpy Sicilian". The • Caro-Kann starts out as: • 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 The main line of the Caro-Kann is • 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 Black gets to eliminate one of White's central pawns • and can get his pieces developed, which is an advantage over the French Defense. • However, Black's pieces end up with more of a passive defensive role, so players of • this opening are often looking for White to make a mistake (however slight).

45. Caro-Kann • The Caro-Kann is like the French defense • Black lets White build control of the center. • Black tries to get a pawn at d5. • It looks like a "wimpy Sicilian". The Caro-Kann starts out as: • 1. e4 c6 • 2. d4 d5 • The main line of the Caro-Kann is • 1. e4 c6 • 2. d4 d5 • 3. Nc3 dxe4 • Black gets to eliminate one of White's central pawns and can get his pieces developed. • Which is an advantage over the French Defense. • However, Black's pieces end up with more of a passive defensive role. • So players of this opening are often looking for White to make a mistake (however slight).

46. Center Counter • The Center Counter starts out as: • 1. e4 d5 This opening is also called the "Scandinavian" opening. A common continuation is exd5 Qxd5

47. Center Counter • The Center Counter starts out as: • 1. e4 d5 • This opening is also called the "Scandinavian" opening. • A common continuation is • exd5 Qxd5

48. Pirc/Modern • This opening goes by various names, such as "Pirc" and "Modern". It starts: 1. e4 d6 or 1. e4 g6 Keene labels the "Modern Defense" as the sequence: 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 This is a relatively new opening. In the 1930s this was considered inferior, but by the 1960s it was found to be quite playable. Black lets White take the center with the view to undermining and ruining White's "wonderful" position. This opening is tricky to play and correct play of it is counter-intuitive (immediate center control is not a goal, since Black is trying to undermine that control).

49. Pirc/Modern • It starts: • 1. e4 d6 or 1. e4 g6 • Keene labels the "Modern Defense" as the sequence: • 1. e4 g6 • 2. d4 Bg7 • This is a relatively new opening. • In the 1930s this was considered inferior. • But by the 1960s it was found to be quite playable. • Black lets White take the center with the view to undermining and ruining White's "wonderful" position. • This opening is tricky to play and correct play of it is counter-intuitive. • Immediate center control is not a goal, since Black is trying to undermine that control.

50. French Defense • In the French Defense. • Black lets White have more control over the center, • In exchange for which he builds a (hopefully) safe wall of pawns. • The French Defense starts as: • 1. e4 e6 • 2. d4 d5 • Games generally involve jockeying for position. • The center usually becomes closed. • Two competing pawn chains arise, and each player tries to outflank the other. • White generally tries to play e5; • Black tries to play c5 or f6. • Black's queen Bishop often becomes trapped and useless, and it's known as the "French Bishop".