Category: Computer Chess

  • A Discussion About Electronic Notation Devices

    A Discussion About Electronic Notation Devices

    Strange things are afoot in the chess world…

    In March of this year, I had an opportunity to [test and review](http://www.campfirechess.com/chessnoter-forges-a-digital-pathway) the [ChessNoteR](http://www.chessnoter.com), an electronic notation device (END) for chess tournaments created by independent developer *Black Mirror Studio*. I really liked the device and I have used it in several games. However, *ChessNoteR* is at the heart of a growing discussion in the chess world about the future of the game and how ENDs fit into the equation.

    #### The Churning Volcano

    The [US Chess Federation](http://www.uschess.org) published its reviewed electronic device policy on their [website](http://new.uschess.org/news/electronic-device-policy-national-events-organized-us-chess) back in September with little deviation from previously understood policies. In general, electronic devices are forbidden from use in tournaments to include music players, cell phones, computers, and others. Only certified devices are authorized. However, the policy grants wide freedom to individual tournament organizers to set additional rules for END use.

    ![ChessNoteR](https://chess.wesleysurber.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/image-20-3.jpg)

    The *ChessNoteR* electronic notation device.

    On November 1st of this year, the [Continental Chess Association](http://www.chesstour.com) elected to modify their [tournament rules](http://www.chesstour.com/devices.htm) and outright *ban* use of the *ChessNoteR* device in its tournaments.

    > **Electronic Scoresheets** are usually permitted if approved by USCF or FIDE. However, effective 12/26/19, use of the device ChessNoteR is not allowed. Any player using this device must discontinue use upon request, in which case, assuming no evidence of cheating, there is no penalty.

    I have looked and there does not seem to be any specific incident mentioned in forums and in the official USCF groups that explains *why* this decision was made by CCA other than an arbitrary desire to eliminate *ChessNoteR* use from their tournaments. As I previously mentioned, this is in line with the revised US Chess END policy. Unfortunately, there is no need for TDs to explain why they enacted a restriction.

    My biggest issue with the ban is the arbitrary decision to ban *only* the *ChessNoteR* device. I believe that US Chess should clarify in its ruleset that TDs can authorize or forbid use of *any* END in a tournament. In my opinion, the banning of specific devices and manufacturers sounds suspect.

    #### The Heated Argument

    In my opinion, the growing discussion goes much deeper than the perception of security vulnerabilities in *ChessNoteR*. Instead, I think that this speaks to a larger challenge within the chess community. It is a discussion that has brought strife to nearly every sport, hobby, and human activity throughout history: *the old vs. the new*.

    ![Plycounter – No longer available](http://www.campfirechess.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/plycount2.jpg)

    The *Plycounter* – a discontinued electronic notation device.

    There are many people out there with exaggerated perceptions of the dangers of using electronic devices. In chess, using almost *any* type of electronic device during a game, whether its approved or not, is bound to raise a few eyebrows. That is because the only time these devices are mentioned by chess media is when they are used for nefarious purposes. Whether it is the GM in the bathroom using Stockfish or the absurd accusations of a playing hiding a chess engine in her lipstick, the general (and older) chess population *appear* to be hesitant on allowing technology to replace traditional pen and paper.

    *ChessNoteR* remains certified by US Chess, and I do not see that changing anytime soon. Not all TDs may agree with the use of ENDs, but US Chess is right in certifying and promoting these devices. Players and TDs should be given a choice over the use of these devices. Restriction at a national level would be an arbitrary rejection of progress for the game as a whole. While the process remains somewhat clunky, I believe that technology will eventually evolve to where use of ENDs is more convenient and encouraged than traditional methods, but that is just my personal opinion.

    #### A Compromise Solution?

    Regardless of the way forward, I believe that US Chess must approach future END endeavors thoughtfully and strategically. I support the right of individual tournaments to ban the use of these devices, but I believe that US Chess should consider:

    * *Promoting* and *encouraging* the use of these devices where appropriate. ENDs can be very beneficial for people with disabilities.
    * Forbidding the arbitrary ban of specific devices and manufacturers. TDs should be restricted to authorizing or forbidding **all** ENDs from their tournaments.

    I am saddened by the *ChessNoteR* ban from CCA events, but I understand it. At the end of the day, CCA is following the rules set out by US Chess, which I believe are fair and broad enough to allow TDs to effectively manage the use of these devices. However, as I said before, I believe that these bans should not target specific devices or manufacturers as it sets a bad precedent.

  • The Awesomeness of lichess.org Studies

    The Awesomeness of lichess.org Studies

    Chess has a reputation for being a game of intellgience both on and off the board. In recent years, this has manifested heavily in the realm of information technology development. Chess engines continue to get stronger by the day and programmers of all skills are constantly developing new tools to help players analyze, sort, annotate, and improve their games. One such recent development is a growing feature on the popular [lichess.org](http://www.lichess.org) website called [studies](http://www.lichess.org/study).

    The study system on lichess is, at its core, a highly advanced PGN creator and annotator. It allows a user to create a new *study* that can be public or private. New moves, annotations, and other elements are automatically synced with the lichess server and between all of the users with access to the study. This makes studies an excellent utility for chess teachers and exhibitions since users can see, follow, and even provide collaborative comment on a game or position. To use the study utility, simply select **study** from the **Learn** menu on the lichess website. A list of available public studies will appear for you to choose from.

    If these public studies do not suit your tastes, there are options on the side of the page to create your own studies. This is where I found the study function to be most useful for me.

    Using the study tool, I am able to create a *private* study where I can create an individual *chapter* for each part of a video series I am following or game I am studying. This way I am able to make annotations, draw arrows or circles, and then share those studies with a highly limited audience if I want. Additionally, the study tool provides the user with an option to download each chapter as an individual PGN file in the format of an annotated game. Or, you can download the entire study as a PGN database to be opened in most chess database programs.

    For me, the best part of this system is the collaborative elements. It opens up a world of possibilities for digital interaction between teachers, students, and general chess enthusiasts in an intuitive and easy-to-use way. If you have not tried it out, visit [lichess.org](http://www.lichess.org/study) and check it out.

  • Time for New Annotations?

    Time for New Annotations?

    This month’s edition of [Chess Life](http://www.uschess.org/chesslife) has an interesting article advocating for changes to the way that we annotate chess games. The author, [GM Andy Soltis](http://www.chessgames.com/player/andrew_soltis.html), presents his argument on the basis that engines have changed the way games are analyzed in such a way that statements like *White has a slight advantage* are no longer relevant. I think that he raises some interesting points, but I am not sure that the changes to evaluations brought on by engine analysis warrant such a complete and drastic overhaul.

    #### Humanity’s Slight Advantage

    One of the key points in the discussion is the idea that in many situations, *X color has a slight advantage* can hinge on whether the player does not blunder. Therefore, the annotation is more realistic as *X color has a slight advantage as long as they play perfectly according to this analysis*. GM Soltis believes that the precision of chess engines allows us more accurately present lines as *White wins with X move* or *Black wins in 37 moves with X.*

    [pgn]

    [Event “Corus”]

    [Site “Wijk aan Zee NED”]

    [Date “2008.01.23”]

    [Round “10”]

    [White “Loek van Wely”]

    [Black “Magnus Carlsen”]

    [Result “0-1”]

    [ECO “A58”]

    [Annotator “Soltis, Andy”]

    [PlyCount “98”]

    [EventDate “2008.??.??”]

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bxa6 7. Nf3 d6 8. g3 Bg7 9. Bg2 Nbd7 10. Rb1 Qa5 11. Bd2 Nb6 12. b3 Qa3 13. O-O O-O 14. Ne1 Bb7 15. Nc2 Qa6 16. e4 Ne8 17. a4 Nc7 18. Re1 Rae8 19. b4 Nd7 20. Nb5 Rc8 21. Bh3 f5 22. Bg5 Ne5 23. bxc5 Qxa4 24. Nxc7 Rxc7 25. c6 Bc8 26. exf5 Rxf5 27. f4 Nc4 28. Rb4 Qa7+ 29. Kg2 Qc5 30. Rb8 {[#]} Nb2 (30… Rf8) 31. Qf3 Qxc2+ 32. Re2 Qb1 ( 32… Qc3) 33. Bxf5 Qxf5 34. g4 Qf7 35. Bxe7 h5 36. Bxd6 hxg4 37. Qe4 (37. Qxg4 Qxd5+) (37. Qb3) 37… Kh7 38. Bxc7 (38. Rbxb2 Bf5 39. Qc4 Bxb2 40. Bxc7) 38… Bf5 39. Qe3 (39. Qe7 Qxd5+ 40. Kg1) 39… Qxd5+ {[#]} 40. Kg3 (40. Kg1 Bd4 41. Rh8+) 40… Nc4 (40… Bd4 41. Be5) 41. Qf2 (41. Rd8 Qxc6 42. Qb3 Qxc7 43. Rd5 {[#]}) 41… Qd3+ 42. Kg2 Be4+ 43. Rxe4 Qxe4+ 44. Kf1 Qd3+ 45. Qe2 Nd2+ 46. Ke1 Nf3+ 47. Kf1 Nxh2+ 48. Ke1 Bc3+ 49. Kf2 g3+ 0-1

    [/pgn]

    This precision is compounded with the growing prevalence of [tablebases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endgame_tablebase). Recently, [lichess.org](http://www.lichess.org) has started offering an incredible seven (7) piece tablebase. Technological advancement only promises a future where we could surpass a ten (10) piece tablebase. That accuracy lends some credence to GM Soltis’s argument.

    Despite these advances and despite my passion for technology, I believe that there are artistic and strategic elements in chess that computers might never understand or utilize. [Stockfish](http://www.stockfishchess.org) can analyze millions of combinations in hindsight and state unequivocally that white can win in 37 moves without a blunder, but humans are not capable of that kind of analysis. With humanity, there is *always* a chance of blunder, mistake, or other factor that can affect a game’s outcome.

    #### Room to Grow

    GM Soltis makes some excellent suggestions with regards to these engine analysis comments, however. Specifically, using **~** versus **!?** because it more accurately reflects the nearly infinite possibilities presented in post-game analysis by a strong chess engine. Such a change might take some time to catch on, but it would make reading an in-depth analysis easier for newer generations that have grown up in the age of the hashtag, markdown format, and other digital mediums.

    As a medical professional who spends his time pouring over spreadsheets and other electronic data, it would be nice to see more of the standard notations from large data sets and relational databases make their way into chess annotation because, curiously, it’s more in line with what is increasingly becoming a common language in the digital age.

  • TCEC Season 10 Underway

    TCEC Season 10 Underway

    The Top Chess Engine Championship (TCEC) Season 10 started on October 14 to determine which engine has the skill to claim bragging rights for being the best out there. According to Chessdom, Season 10’s participants are among the highest rated engines to ever participate in the event.

    List of Participants

    • Andscacs
    • Arasan
    • Bobcat
    • Booot
    • Chiron
    • Fire
    • Fizbo
    • Fruit
    • Gaviota
    • Ginkgo
    • Gull
    • Hakkapeliitta
    • Hannibal
    • Houdini
    • Jonny
    • Komodo
    • Laser
    • Nemorino
    • Nirvana
    • Rybka
    • Stockfish
    • Texel
    • Vajolet2
    • Wasp

    Click here for more information about the Season 10 Tournament.

    Click here to view the TCEC live games interface with analysis.

  • 20 Years Later, Garry Kasparov Loves the Machine

    20 Years Later, Garry Kasparov Loves the Machine

    Just over 20 years ago last month, former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov played a dramatic six-game match against an IBM supercomputer called Deep Blue, the second of two matches the grandmaster played against the technological behemoth. Up until that point, computers were very strong in their chess abilities but had yet to beat some of the game’s greatest players. Kasparov was determined to prove that machines lacked the beauty of truly deep chess thinking and simply could not beat him. Kasparov’s subsequent crushing defeat was merely a harbinger of things to come. The rise of the machines (chess and others) would come much swifter than almost anyone could have predicted.

    19030497_1373507029363993_1488597365181878587_n

    (Credit: FOX)

    Recently, Kasparov gave an incredible TED talk about the rise of intelligent machines and the need for humanity to embrace, not fear them. Obviously, he took the time to assure the audience that his defeat by Deep Blue overshadows the fact that he won the first match. Kasparov’s talk is deeply inspiring for those who can appreciate the beauty of chess and technology; its definitely worth watching if you are a fan of TED talks in general, technology, chess, or just curious how one of the world’s greatest minds sees the future under the influence of intelligent machines.

    As technology leaps forward, the world’s greatest game has regularly been there to help it shine. If you need proof, then check out the recent fiasco with the Chess.com iOS app in which the 32-bit version stopped working because the site’s 2.1 billion games exceeded the necessary math. Chess has always been a key component of technological evolution (and revolution) and Kasparov obviously sees that there is no reason to fear the rise of the machines.

    Comprehensive coverage and review of the TED talk is available on Chessbase.

  • Unimpressed with Apple’s Loop-In Event

    Unimpressed with Apple’s Loop-In Event

    So, you might be wondering what an article about [Apple](www.apple.com) is doing on a chess website (or you may not). In addition to chess, a long time passion of mine has been technology and Apple products in particular. Growing up in the 80s led to great exposure for me and my classmates to Apple IIe computers and eventually to the Macintosh desktop. Since then, almost everything that I do, including the writing, design, and administration of *Campfire Chess* is accomplished using a Mac. That being said, I typically look forward to their keynotes to announce new products because there is always a chance that something new will catch my eye, but yesterdayís event was one of the worst presentations I have ever seen.

    Chess.com app on iPhone 5 in 2014. (Image Credit: Campfire Chess)

    #### $ize Does Matter
    The old adage that size does not matter is a blatant lie, whether it speaks to cell phones or genitals. In this keynote, Apple introduced a series of new products that essentially *downsized* products that already existed in their inventory. A 4″ iPhone called the *iPhone SE*, which has a somewhat creepy [Windows ME](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_ME) feel to it. After playing and watching [chess](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chess-play-learn/id329218549?mt=8) on my beloved iPhone 6, I cannot image ever wanting to reduce the size of my phoneís screen.

    The next entry was a series of bands for the Apple Watch. Yes, I own one of those as well, but I doubt that I will be in a hurry to run out and purchase one of the spiffy new [woven nylon](http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMA62/42mm-gold-red-woven-nylon) bands released during the keynote. It might just be me, but I cannot remember ever wearing my watch and thinking: *I need something that absorbs the sweat on my wrist better than this plastic composite band*.

    Yuck. (Image Credit: Cult of Mac)

    The final release of consequence was a smaller version of 2015’s 12″ iPad Pro. The [smaller device](), also dubbed *iPad Pro*, is a reduction in physical size, boost in specs, and addition of a feature called *True Tone Display* in which the color of the display changes based on the light temperature in the room.

    #### Chess Connection?
    As I stated earlier, I love Apple products but I gave up using an iPad as my primary work device several months ago in favor of a [Microsoft Surface](https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us). Obviously, [Chessbase](www.chessbase.com) runs exclusively on Windows, but Windows offers a much more efficient file management system on tablets than iPad. This makes managing large chess collections and improves my personal productivity.

    I hope to finish a review of the *Surface 3* in the coming months to show how I have used it both as a productivity tool and as a portable chess machine. Unfortuately, Apple continues to keep me at bay from returning to iOS for pure work productivity. The addition of the *Apple Pencil* and *Smart Keyboard* to the 10″ iPad is a nice start, but there is still a long way to go.

  • Never Say Die: A Chess.com Tournament Experience

    Never Say Die: A Chess.com Tournament Experience

    May 24 will mark the second anniversary of my dedicated attempts to improve at chess, but I noticed over the holiday season that I have yet to participate in a time-honored tradition enjoyed by countless chess enthusiasts around the world: *a tournament*. I have passed on several opportunities to play in local tournaments with the [San Antonio Chess Club](http://www.sanantoniochess.com) and playing with that group is the closest I have come to developing a 2016 New Year’s Resolution. Earlier this week I was about to play a 15-minute slow game on [Chess.com](http://www.chess.com) when I noticed that a tournament for the same time control was starting within 10 minutes. I joined the tournament and spent the next 2 and 1/2 hours playing in my first chess tournament! I was skeptical of the online tournament format but was pleasantly surprised by the energy of the players and the fierceness of the competition. I finished *2nd* overall with a 4/5 score. The loss was disappointing but it strengthened my resolve to play through.

    I was thrilled to see that many of the games played in this little tournament were exceptional. Games where White or Black was winning with an enormous amount of material and excellent positional play were turned upside down with smart tactics and devastating blunders. It was during the first round as I watched a game in progress where Black was steamrolling his opponent until the chess gods intervened…

    [pgn]
    [Event “Live Chess”]
    [Site “Chess.com”]
    [Date “2016.01.03”]
    [Round “?”]
    [White “tg-13”]
    [Black “JakeBoz98”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “A16”]
    [WhiteElo “1182”]
    [BlackElo “1075”]
    [Annotator “Wesley Surber”]
    [PlyCount “131”]
    [EventDate “2016.??.??”]
    [TimeControl “15”]

    1. e4 e5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 b6 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. a3 d6 6. d3 Bd7 7. Be3 Ng4 8. Be2 f5
    9. O-O f4 10. d4 fxe3 11. d5 exf2+ {This is about the time that I joined the
    group in kibitzing this game. I had mixed feelings about the position because
    it felt as though White had sacrificed material unnecessarily and now Black
    was literally knocking at the castle door. However, this game would go on to
    prove that chess is a game where nothing is ever a sure thing.} 12. Kh1 Nd4 13.
    Nxd4 exd4 14. Bxg4 dxc3 {This was very hard to watch. Black was literally
    gobbling up White’s minor pieces with pawns and I expected a resignation at
    any moment.} 15. Bxd7+ {From the outside looking in, this move seemed like
    desperation.} Qxd7 16. Rxf2 cxb2 17. Rxb2 O-O-O 18. Qf3 g5 19. Qf6 Bg7 20. Qxg5
    Bxb2 {At this point, White is left with only a Rook, Queen, and foot soldiers.
    He needed a miracle…} 21. Rb1 Be5 22. g3 Rhg8 23. Qd2 Rdf8 24. Qe2 Qa4 25.
    Qe3 Qxc4 26. Rc1 Qa6 27. Kg2 Bb2 28. Rc2 Bxa3 29. Ra2 Bc5 30. Rxa6 Bxe3 31.
    Rxa7 Rf2+ 32. Kh3 Rff8 33. Ra8+ Kd7 34. Rxf8 Rxf8 35. Kh4 {This is the point
    that I kept hearing the words “Never Say Die” in my head. White refused to
    give up despite being crippled early in the game.} c5 36. dxc6+ Kxc6 37. h3 b5
    38. Kh5 Rg8 39. g4 b4 40. h4 b3 41. g5 b2 42. Kh6 b1=Q 43. Kxh7 Qb3 44. g6 Bd4
    45. Kh6 Bg7+ 46. Kh7 Qf7 47. gxf7 $4 {I could not believe that just happened.}
    Rf8 48. Kxg7 Ra8 49. f8=Q Rxf8 50. Kxf8 Kd7 51. Kf7 Kc6 52. h5 Kc5 53. Kf6 Kd4
    54. Kf5 Kc5 55. h6 Kd4 56. h7 d5 57. h8=Q+ {Back from the brink, White’s
    “never say die” attitude pays off in the endgame.} Kc4 58. exd5 Kxd5 59. Qe5+
    Kc4 60. Qd6 Kc3 61. Qd5 Kb4 62. Qc6 Ka5 63. Qb7 Ka4 64. Ke4 Ka3 65. Kd3 Ka4 66.
    Kc4 {tg-13 won by resignation} 1-0
    [/pgn]

    Suffice to say that all of the kibitzers in the room were excited about this game and I felt a little nervous knowing that a player like *tg-13* was in the mix and able to turn the tables on a dime. I copied down the ID number for the game and stored it in a text file called *Never Say Die* so that I could come back post-tournament and write this entry. Unfortunately the psychological effect of that game caused more harm than good as I faced *tg-13* in the second round and was lured into an early trap, lost my Queen, and the game soon afterwards. The next exceptional game came in the second round.

    [pgn]
    [Event “Live Chess”]
    [Site “Chess.com”]
    [Date “2016.01.03”]
    [Round “?”]
    [White “AestheticFit”]
    [Black “magab001”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “D20”]
    [WhiteElo “1144”]
    [BlackElo “1139”]
    [Annotator “Wesley Surber”]
    [PlyCount “81”]
    [EventDate “2016.??.??”]
    [TimeControl “15”]

    1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. d5 b5 5. a3 Bd6 6. b4 Nf6 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bxf6
    Qxf6 9. h3 O-O 10. Nf3 c6 11. Nc3 cxd5 12. Nxd5 Qe6 13. a4 Ba6 14. Be2 Nc6 15.
    Rb1 Rab8 16. a5 f5 17. exf5 Rxf5 18. O-O Rbf8 19. Nh4 {Black is definitely
    winning in this position. Almost all of White’s big guns are aimed directly at
    the castle, but things are not always as they seem.} Rg5 20. Bg4 Qf7 21. Bf5
    Ne7 22. Nxe7+ Bxe7 23. Ng6 Qxf5 $4 {Black falls into a devastating trap.} 24.
    Nxe7+ Kh7 25. Nxf5 {Two comments stick out in my mind from the kibitzing chat:
    1) tactics 101, and 2) that was sexy! White turns the tide of the game with a
    crippling fork.} Rfxf5 26. Qd7 e4 27. Qxa7 Bc8 28. a6 Rf6 29. Qc7 Bxh3 30. Kh2
    Bxg2 31. Rg1 Rxf2 32. Rxg2 Rfxg2+ 33. Kh1 Re2 $4 {Black missed an opportunity
    to launch a tactic of his own.} (33… R2g4 34. Rf1 Rh5+ 35. Qh2 Rgh4 36. Qxh4
    Rxh4+) 34. a7 {Nothing can stop the a-pawn from causing major problems for
    Black.} Rh5+ 35. Kg1 Rg5+ 36. Kf1 Rc2 37. a8=Q Rh5 38. Qxe4+ Rf5+ 39. Qxf5+ Kg8
    40. Qcf7+ Kh8 41. Qf8# {AestheticFit won by checkmate} 1-0
    [/pgn]

    Black was in control of the game but missing a *simple* tactic cost him bigtime. It was fun to watch *magab001* in his other games because he played some very complicated and nailbiting positions. I had planned not to annotate any of my own games from the tournament but the next game was too good to pass up.

    [pgn]
    [Event “Live Chess”]
    [Site “Chess.com”]
    [Date “2016.01.03”]
    [Round “?”]
    [White “AmishHacker”]
    [Black “yanakap”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [ECO “C68”]
    [WhiteElo “1135”]
    [BlackElo “905”]
    [Annotator “Wesley Surber”]
    [PlyCount “51”]
    [EventDate “2016.??.??”]
    [TimeControl “15”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. O-O Nf6 6. Nc3 O-O 7. d3 {I have
    seen this position quite frequently in many of my recent games. It can be
    tricky to maneuver but I have had moderate success pushing through my
    opponent’s blockades.} h6 8. Nh4 d6 9. Ng6 Re8 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. fxe3 Bg4 12.
    Qe1 Rc8 13. Qf2 Qd7 14. h3 Bxh3 15. gxh3 $6 {I had misgivings about this move
    after I made it. It was obvious that Black planned to bring his Queen to my
    Kingside but the move had already been made and I would have to counter his
    attack as best I could.} Qxh3 16. Nd5 Qg4+ 17. Kh1 Qxg6 18. Rg1 Ng4 19. Qf3
    Qh5+ 20. Kg2 Qh2+ 21. Kf1 Qh4 22. Rxg4 $1 {To avoid an appearance of arrogance
    I only gave this move a single “!” but it was probably more of a “!!” move
    because it forced Black to withdraw his Queen and put an end to his Kingside
    attack.} Qd8 23. Ke2 {I decided to take a gamble here. I chose to sacrifice my
    d5 Knight to open the c4-f7 diagonal. If Black took the bait then the game
    would be over. If not, the game was probably over anyway for me.} Ne7 24. Nb6
    Rb8 $4 {My opponent chose not to take the Knight but failed to see the attack
    on the f7 square.} 25. Qxf7+ Kh8 $8 {Black has nowhere to go. There is no
    defense against #/1.} 26. Qxg7# {AmishHacker won by checkmate} 1-0
    [/pgn]

    I chose to annotate that game mostly because of **26.Nb6** because it was a high-stakes gamble that paid off in dividends. This was in the third round immediately following my earlier defeat so it helped to boost my confidence and carry me on to the end. The final game I want to show was played near the end of the tournament around the time that my eyelids were growing heavy and the fight for the top three positions had come down to the wire. It features *magab001* from the one of the earlier annotated games.

    [pgn]
    [Event “Live Chess”]
    [Site “Chess.com”]
    [Date “2016.01.03”]
    [Round “?”]
    [White “magab001”]
    [Black “ChronoTheCode”]
    [Result “1-0”]
    [WhiteElo “1146”]
    [BlackElo “1088”]
    [Annotator “Surber,Wesley”]
    [PlyCount “97”]
    [EventDate “2016.??.??”]
    [TimeControl “15”]

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bc4 d5 5. exd5 Nd4 6. O-O Bg4 7. Ne2 Nxf3+ 8.
    gxf3 Bxf3 9. Qe1 Ne4 10. Ng3 Qg5 11. Be2 Qg4 12. Bxf3 Qxf3 {Black wasted no
    time moving his arsenal into White’s territory and threatening the castle, but
    the assault would not hold for long.} 13. d3 Ng5 $2 14. Bxg5 $1 Qxd5 15. Qe4
    Qe6 16. Qxb7 Rc8 17. Qxa7 Bd6 18. Qe3 O-O 19. Qf3 f6 20. Be3 Qh3 21. Qg2 Qh4
    22. Ne4 f5 23. Ng5 f4 24. Ne6 Rf7 25. Bc5 Bxc5 26. Nxc5 Rcf8 27. f3 Rf5 28. Ne6
    {White threatens Qxg7# but Black is still fighting with that “never say die”
    attitude.} R8f7 29. Qg4 Qh6 30. Kh1 Rh5 31. Rf2 Kh8 32. Rg1 g6 33. d4 e4 34.
    fxe4 Rh4 35. Qg2 g5 36. Nxg5 Rg7 $4 {It seems apparent that Black’s intentions
    were to skewer the Queen on g2 but White was expecting this and was prepared
    to engage with a crippling tactic of his own.} 37. Nf7+ $3 {Another sexy fork!
    Black goes from being totally in control of this game to picking up the pieces.
    } Kg8 38. Nxh6+ Kf8 39. Qxg7+ Ke8 $8 {Black has nowhere to go and is now on
    the run.} 40. Qg8+ Kd7 41. Rg7+ Kc6 42. Nf5 Rh3 43. Qd5+ Kb6 44. Qc5+ Kb7 45.
    Rxc7+ Ka6 {Never say die! Black holds on to the end and refuses to resign even
    when the game is hopeless.} 46. Qa7+ Kb5 47. Rc5+ Kb4 48. c3+ Rxc3 49. bxc3# {
    magab001 won by checkmate} 1-0
    [/pgn]

    So, what’s the verdict on this tournament and the whole of chess tournaments on the site? I found the Chess.com tournament experience to be much more pleasant than I had expected. The kibitzing with other participants was a lot of fun and it took a lot of the emphasis away from ELOs and put all emphasis on individual performance. A 900 ELO player could defeat a 1200 ELO player and vice versa, so tournaments on Chess.com are an excellent way to wade into the world of *competitive* chess. Besides, it is free to enter these tournaments and there are even some [cool trophies](http://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/trophy/549.b82b6f2c.200x200o.897e21ae2221.png) to display on your Chess.com profile page.

    #### Final Tournament Standings
    | Rank | Player | Rating | Record | Tie |
    |——|—————-|——–|——–|—–|
    | 1 | TheChessierGuy (16) | 1014 | 5/5 | 8.5 |
    | 2 | AmishHacker (5) | 1151 | 4/5 | 7 |
    | 3 | AestheticFit (6) | 1134 | 3/5 | 4 |
    | 4 | yanakap (17) | 965 | 3/5 | 3.5 |
    | 5 | magab001 (3) | 1126 | 2/5 | 1.5 |
    | 6 | ChronoTheCode (10) | 1069 | 1.5/5 | 0.25 |

    * View these games on [Chess.com](http://www.chess.com).
    – [Game #1](http://www.chess.com/livechess/game?id=1409817150): tg-13 (1182) vs. JakeBoz98 (1075)
    – [Game #2](http://www.chess.com/livechess/game?id=1409841626): AestheticFit (1144) vs. magab001 (1139)
    – [Game #3](http://www.chess.com/livechess/game?id=1409870895): AmishHacker (1135) vs. yanakap (905)
    – [Game #4](http://www.chess.com/livechess/game?id=1409870894): magab001 (1146) vs. ChronoTheCode (1088)(1088)

  • Fawning Over The Chess.com App

    Fawning Over The Chess.com App

    Several months ago I wrote [an article](http://www.campfirechess.com/the-best-of-ios-chess/) where I examined some of the best that iOS has to offer in the way of chess apps. One of those was the official app for Chess.com, where I spend much of my time reading and learning as much as I can about chess. At the time of that article, the Android app had spent quite a long time ahead of its iOS counterpart. Now, Apple users can rejoice because after months of beta testing, the [official app has been updated](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chess-play-learn/id329218549?mt=8) to reflect [changes](http://www.chess.com/groups/view/chesscom-v3) that have been in the works for Chess.com for the past year.

    #### The User Interface
    First and foremost, the app’s user interface has been updated to take advantage of Apple’s gorgeous retina displays and includes some beautifully crisp themes to *spice* things up. The individual themes and the ability for the user to mix and match elements of each theme has been a major selling point for the Chess.com V3 project since it was announced over a year ago. Standards these days for presentation are quite high on mobile devices and it is apparent that Chess.com has taken this into account when implementing the user interface. When a user installs the new update, the default theme is used which is the traditional gray background and green/tan or brown/tan chessboard. I am partial to the default colors, so the opportunity to change the themes seems like something that I would rarely use.

    In the previous app version, there were only a few navigation options available whether you were a free or a premium member of the site. These options were essentially limited to live chess, correspondence (online) chess, and video lessons. In this update, most of the functions available on the main website are now available to mobile users. This is a huge benefit for iOS users since the limitations of the app effectively eliminated many of the site’s premium features. Now, the app is set up to feature the same feature and navigation elements of the homecoming site redesign.

    The navigation setup is very straightforward and makes accessing the massive database of features on Chess.com much more intuitive. All of the app features are stored on the left navigation bar. After selecting the desired function, the user is directed to a new screen where additional functions are available depending on the user’s subscription level and the function of the feature. Overall, the revamped user interface makes the official Chess.com app the most comprehensive and aesthetically pleasing chess apps on the App Store.

    #### The Content
    Content is one of the features that has made Chess.com once of the best and most popular chess sites on the web. Sure, the site boasts a census of eleven million members, but while many of those accounts are most likely zombie or abandoned accounts, something other than a place to play chess has to draw in the crowd. With the new app, these content elements are all made accessible to native iOS users. Video lessons by some of the world’s top Grandmasters are regularly posted as well as written lessons and weekly articles. The articles and puzzles are free while the video lessons are benefits of site membership.

    When users first open the app they are greeted with a home screen that enables them to complete the daily puzzle and to engage in training lessons that represent their skill range. With a few short clicks, the user can access live or correspondence (online) chess. As games are completed, the site maintains an exceptional record of those games that can be converted into detailed statistical analysis reports for premium members.

    #### The Chess
    The chess interface on the new app is its most beautiful and fulfilling feature. AfteAfter all, playing chess is the whole reason that the app (and this blog) exists. In the redesigned app, the live chess board takes on the visual and auditory characteristics of whatever theme the user has selected in settings. For screenshot examples on this review, I decided to include shots of the default dark theme and the beautiful nature theme.

    Chess can be played against the site’s online engine or live against players from all around the world. I prefer playing against human opponents since it is better practice for tournament play and also because the online engine has made some incredibly unrealistic moves and seems rather worthless at times. The app algorithm will select an opponent of comparable strength based on variables the can be customized by the user. Once a match is made, the user is taken to the main chess screen and the game begins. This is another area that Chess.com excels in general over other chess sites. The average time to obtain a suitable match for a game is extremely short compared to other chess websites. On sites like Playchess I have had to wait up to 2-3 minutes for the server to obtain an appropriate opponent, but rarely do I wait more than a few sections for one on Chess.com either using the web-based interface or the app itself.

    In short, playing chess on the new Chess.com app is a wonderful experience. The new themes add long overdue customizable options to the program and allow users to take greater control over the aesthetics of their chess experience.

    #### Not All Moonlight and Roses
    Unfortunately, not everything about the Chess.com app on iOS is as elegant and worthwhile as the live chess and articles. As with any software package there are some inherent flaws that make the experience unpleasant and sometimes completely useless. In the case of the new app, the only area that I found to be essentially worthless were the **chess video lectures when used on a retina iPad or iPad Mini**. Although Chess.com has updated the app to take advantage of retina display technology, the videos are still rendered in low-resolution and are immensely blurry, which makes them almost impossible to follow during the lectures. Perhaps the designers could have alleviated some of these problems by creating a display page similar to what is used on the main Chess.com web interface to encapsulate the videos and reduce their size. The full-sized, low-resolution videos are downright horrible and take away significantly from the learning experience.

    The bottom line with the new app is that Chess.com has done an excellent job of finally bringing its iOS mobile software product in line with its Android app and upcoming site redesign. The app itself is free to download and requires a Chess.com account, which is also free. I am definitely looking forward to more innovation as Chess.com’s designers design and implement new features in the future.

    #### More screenshots…

  • Exploring the Master Class – Bobby Fischer

    Exploring the Master Class – Bobby Fischer

    Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen hold much higher ELO ratings and have won more World Championships than he ever did, but Bobby Fischer is still considered one of the greatest chess players in history. This is due in large part to his absolute domination of the chess world and his single-handed defeat of the Soviet chess machine in 1972. Some of us, who grew up hearing the stories of Bobby and watching the world as the Cold War came to an end attribute the fall of the Soviet Union to cultural icons such as Bobby Fischer and Rocky Balboa to winning the war more than politics or diplomacy. Bobby’s victory that year in Iceland was as much a Cold War event as the Cuban Missile Crisis because the honor and intellectual supremacy of each nation. These days, you would be hard-pressed to find a hobby or club-level chess player that has not studied Bobby’s games and game theory. His depth of knowledge on openings and his talent in the endgame remain legendary among the world’s top players. His book *My 60 Memorable Games* (download games: [PGN](http://www.offmychess.com/files/games/omc-fischer60games-pgn.zip) | [ChessBase](http://www.offmychess.com/files/games/omc-fischer60games-chessbase.zip)) is a staple in most chess player’s libraries.

    To take things to the next level, [ChessBase](http://www.chessbase.com) has a special DVD called *Master Class: Bobby Fischer*. Featuring five hours of video instruction from world-class chess players such as GM Dorian Rogozenco, GM Mihail Marin, IM Oliver Reeh, and GM Karsten Mueller. The DVD covers almost ever aspect of Fischer’s games including extensive insight on opening preparations, tactics, strategy, and deep analysis of his endgame. As with all ChessBase DVDs, the course is interactive with a responsive chessboard and notation to keep the viewer engrossed in the world of Bobby Fischer’s chess. The tactics on the DVD are presented as interactive puzzles that provide responsive feedback to help sharpen your game and bring Fischer’s games to life.

    #### The Good
    There is a lot to love about this DVD. ChessBase has long been a pioneer in developing interactive software and the integration with the ChessBase database software or the reader software is excellent. I use ChessBase 12 for my analysis and DVD play, but the free [ChessBase Reader](http://en.chessbase.com/pages/download) software will allow anyone with a windows computer to use *Master Class: Bobby Fischer* without having to own the full ChessBase Software.

    The instruction on the DVD is first-rate. There is a wealth of information ranging from the cross tables and tournament information to a full biographical history on Bobby Fischer. All of this comes together to bring the user a comprehensive picture of Bobby Fischer as a man and as a chess player. In addition to the training, there is an exclusive database included with the software that holds all of Bobby Fischer’s games along with many additional cross tables and annotations. Perhaps one of my favorite features in the software are the *trees*. Fischer’s games as black and white have been divided into two *book trees* that can be reviewed and analyzed using the ChessBase software. This is a valuable resource for someone wanting to explore the themes in Bobby’s games.

    #### The Bad
    Because of the diverse nature of the chess world, I try to give as much leeway as possible when reviewing a product. Therefore, many things that others may call *annoyances* or *problems* with a piece of software, book, or DVD, can often be attributed to a simple cultural, language, or other variation. In *Master Class: Bobby Fischer*, the only drawback I could find comes in the form of the opening analysis with GM Dorian Rogozenco. Although that part of the DVD is supposed to be an in-depth look at Bobby Fischer’s openings, GM Rogozenco skips most of the moves and proceeds directly to where the opening transitions more into the middle game. He does comment on the fast moves in these game reviews by stating that these are *easy moves* and that *they have been made hundreds of times,* but dismissing many of these opening moves, regardless of how mundane it may seem, does devalue the lesson in some respects. Bobby Fischer was a master of chess openings and I believe that more attention should have been paid to *why* he chose to play certain openings and opening variations.

    #### Back to Class
    *Master Class: Bobby Fischer* is an excellent product for anyone interested in chess history, the story of Bobby Fischer’s games and his life, or a person looking to expand their knowledge and skill at chess. This five hour DVD includes some invaluable knowledge and insight into Bobby’s thinking that could possibly change the way that you view and play the game of kings.