3 D CHESS

Chess is a board game played by two people which has always been considered to be an amazing board game since a long time. It was started as a game for kings, and is still popular today amongst many people. However sometimes chess lovers cannot play chess when they feel like playing chess as they can’t find a suitable chess partner for themselves. So with a bid to solve this problem, computer technology has now come up with the concept of 3D chess. The concept of 3D chess was popularized in Star Trek; however it was first detailed in Franz Joseph Schnaubelt’s book, the Starfleet Technical Manual which was published by Ballantine in 1975. 3D chess games are designed wonderfully, where its 3D effects help in turning an ordinary chess game into an enthralling sight and game. Being a tactics based game; the 3D chess set consists of carved chess pieces that are brightened with the help of reflections made on the lacquered board. There are many features found in the 3D chess set; one of them being the flexibility of changing the colors of the chess army.
People learning chess find a 3D chess game a very useful tool in learning the game of chess. This is because tips and highlighted points of both possible and impossible moves are supplied during the course of the game. The moves of a 3D chess game are made possible using an original chess algorithm. There is a huge game archive to help adjust and decide on the right tactics and moves to use to get the best move. There are also additional features in the 3D game where you can not only make the game much more complicated and set a specific time limit per move played in the game, but you can also establish a limit for the whole chess game. In addition to this, 3D chess games also have a provision for changing the game skin if required, keep a tally on the exact game notation and also visualize the consequences of individual pieces being removed from the game. Different gaming companies have come up with different and innovative games for 3D chess. All of these 3D chess games are compatible with an Intel or AMD based computer process, which has a 200MHz processor. With the help of a 3D graphic card, it is possible to make the 3D chess game get an additional advantage with the latest DirectXtechnologies that it offers like lighting, realistic shading and anti-analyzing graphics. The latest 3D chess games offer high resolution graphics that are up to 1600x 1200 at 32-bit color with a 4x anti-aliasing for sharp and smooth images. The resulting breathtaking 3D graphics can be viewed and zoomed from any angle. So it can be seen that playing a 3D chess game is a must for all chess enthusiasts. It offers a splendid experience for players where the game is designed solely for players who are masters in both chess ambiance and chess combination.

CHESS CLOCK

Prior to the invention of the first mechanical chess clock, games of chess -- even tournament play -- could drag on for what seemed to be an unending amount of time. Indeed, from time to time high profile players in tournaments were known to walk away from a competition claiming that their opponents were unfairly delay play. Hence, the a growing hue and cry for a functional, meaningful chess clock commenced. The first mechanical chess clock ever created was the invention of Thomas Bright Wilson in the United Kingdom. Wilson’s chess clock was used the first time in tournament plat in 1883. The Wright mechanical chess clock was premiered in the 1883 London Tournament. Prior to the introduction of the chess clock by Wilson, time was kept (in a very casual and many times non-binding manner) through the use of regular timepieces with a so-called recording secretary to keep track of the time. In the alternative, sand glasses were used to track time in chess play. The basic design of the chess clock has not changed dramatically since its initial development. The first chess clock actually consisted of two smaller clocks -- one of the clocks for the White Player and one of the smaller clocks for the Black Player. The clocks were situated so that when one of the individual chess clock time pieces is running, the other is stopped. In fact, when a player finishes with his or her move, the player stops his or her own clock which automatically initiates the opponent’s chess clock time piece. The chess clock was created with an overall time calibration. The first mechanical chess clock required each of the two players to make forty moves apiece during a time period of two and one half hours for each player. If the player failed to make the appropriate number of moves under the calibration of the chess clock, the game would be forfeited due to time. Over the course of the past one hundred and thirty some odd years, the chess clock really has not changed dramatically in its design or its function. In truth, when Wilson designed his classical chess clock, he really did seem to hit the proverbial nail on the head. His design for the chess clock has proven to be as enduring as the game of chess itself. With a chess clock a player actually can horde time. Because some moves -- indeed many moves -- in a game of chess are very basic and routine and require little to no thought, these particular moves can be effected in a matter of seconds. Therefore, because of the manner in which a chess clock is designed, a person can “stock up” his or her time for those moves that are far more complicated, for those moves that do require thought and strategic planning. Historically, and to the current day, the chess clock has made the game of chess -- including tournament play -- more enjoyable and, on some level, more appropriately challenging. With the advent of the chess clock, the days of unending, frustrating games of chess are long gone and truly things of the past.

CHESS PUZZLES

If you are an avid fan of chess and are interested in improving or advancing your skills and abilities, you might benefit from incorporating chess puzzles into your overall practice regimen. Indeed, many people who have developed a proficiency in the game of chess have relied rather heavily on chess puzzles as part of their strategy to improve their own games. In this regard, you may have heard reference to chess puzzles but may not really have a full and complete appreciation as to what chess puzzles actually are “all about.” In fundamental terms, chess puzzles are types of puzzles that oblige a person to have a basic knowledge of both the rules of chess and of how different chess pieces function during the course of play. The convergence of chess rules and chess pieces is designed to allow a person involved with chess puzzles the ability to logically resolve demonstrable problems associated with individual chess puzzles themselves. There can be some variations on the more traditional theme associated with a standard game of chess when it comes to chess puzzles. In other words, chess puzzles actually can and oftentimes do incorporate different goals than what might normally be associated with the traditional game of chess. However, and with that said, the processes involved and arising from chess puzzles really have been shown to have a demonstrable effect on the improvement of a person’s ability to better succeed in a game of traditional chess. As an aside, although chess puzzles have proven themselves to be solid learning and instructional tools for those people interested in enhancing their abilities as traditional chess players, chess puzzles have also devolved into their own separate and distinct gaming tradition. In other words, there is a recognizable group of individuals who now regularly engage chess puzzles for no other end reason that to enjoy and partake in chess puzzles themselves. These people have no primary objective beyond the chess puzzles designed to enhance their traditional chess playing abilities.
Generally speaking, there are three different variations on the theme of chess puzzles today: -- Orthodox and Tactical Chess Puzzles -- Heterodox Chess Puzzles -- Chess Miner Chess Puzzles Orthodox and tactical chess puzzles are intended to closely mimic an actual traditional chess game and on many levels are best designed to develop a person’s abilities with traditional chess play. Heterodox chess puzzles invoke conditions that are not possible in traditional chess play. For example, with these types of chess puzzles a player could have multiple kings on his or her side of the board. Finally, with chess miner chess puzzles a person is left to determine where missing chess pieces are located based on information provided pertaining to chess pieces that actually are visibly present and the location of those chess pieces. There are other chess puzzles and derivatives of this type of intricate gaming. However, overall these three different versions of chess puzzles remain the most widely used and played variants today.

CHESS SETS

Chess is one of the most popular board games of the world. It is a game that is played on a regular board, with plastic pieces. However there are many players that prefer to use a unique chess set, and take pride in owning it. There is no steadfast proof of the origin of the game of chess. However it is known that chess was played by people in Persia, India and China; only to spread to the Middle East, Spain and the rest of Europe. It is inferred that the different chess sets originated from the different countries the game traveled to.You find many types of chess sets that accommodate the needs of different chess players. The chess sets can be made of various materials like wood, marble, ivory or glass. Some of these chess sets have magnetic pieces and are small in size, making it convenient for playing when traveling and on trips. A typical chess set consists of sixteen pieces where each part represents a part of medieval life. The weakest pieces of the chess set are the pawns which represent the peasants who were always considered unimportant people. These eight chess pieces are usually used as sacrifices. There are two rooks or castles, the represent home and sanctuary. You find two bishops that represent priests that are more valuable than knights. There are two knights in a chess set that represents soldiers that were held in high esteem. The most powerful piece found on the chess set is the queen; however though it is a strong chess piece; it is the king of the chess set that has to be protected by hook or by crook. The loss of the king indicates the end of the game. It is not easy to create a fine chess set. It is required to have lots of skill and craftsmanship to create a chess set worth remembering. Glass, stone and wooden chess sets are created using maximum artistry. There are many rare chess sets in the world that are great collector’s items. Of course, the rare chess sets are the most expensive chess sets while the different types of chess sets have different rates. The most expensive chess sets are the ivory chess sets and crystal chess sets. The cheapest chess sets are the plastic chess sets that are available in toy stores. If you want exquisite chess sets, you can find them only in hobby shops and perhaps on the internet. There are many sites on the internet offering both exquisite and ordinary chess sets. You have to use search engines on the internet to find the right site to buy your chess set from. Make sure that you buy from a reliable and known shop; so that you will receive the chess set you want, in good condition. You have to choose the chess set according to the reason you are buying the chess set for. If you want a chess set to play everyday, it is better to buy a wooden or plastic chess set that is least probable to break. However if the chess set is meant to be for display, and a collector’s piece, then you can afford to buy one of the more expensive and fragile chess sets like the crystal chess set.

CHESS TITLES

Chess is a game where excellence in the game is recognized by conferring chess titles to the respective players. The recognized international organizations like FIDE and ICCF confer chess titles for players with outstanding performance against world class players. Of all the titles, the most prestigious title is the title of World Champion. There are many FIDE chess titles that are conferred to the players like Grandmaster (GM) or International Grandmaster (IGM), International Master (IM) and FIDE master (FM). There are also chess titles awarded to women for their outstanding performance in women’s events like Woman Grandmaster (WGM) and Woman International Master (WIM). In addition to these chess titles, there are other master titles that are granted by national federations. There are no rules to be followed for a country to confer chess titles as chess titles are usually based on chess ratings. Such a chess title is the National Master (NM) of the USA. At present, there are about 565 chess players having the grandmaster title in the world. In addition to these grandmaster titles, there are about 5 players that have the honorary grandmaster title, about 102 women players with the woman grandmaster title and a single woman with the honorary woman grandmaster title. Susan Polgar was the first woman to earn a Grandmaster title in the year 1991 under similar conditions as men. All of these 673 players have their names on the list of grandmaster titles of chess. In addition to this list of grandmaster titles, there are an additional six players presently in the world that hold both the Grandmaster title and the World Grandmaster title. So it can be said that a total of 108 players have been awarded the World Grandmaster title. The Arbiters and Composers are also granted titles by FIDE. Composers and solvers of chess problems are also awarded Grandmaster titles by FIDE. In addition to this, the title of International correspondence chess grandmaster is also conferred by the International Correspondence Chess Federation. To become a grandmaster, there are some requirements that have to be met. The player should have an ELO chess rating of a minimum of 2500 at a time. To become an International Master, it is required that the player have a chess rating of 2400 or higher. Even the winning of the World Junior Championship helps achieve the chess title of a Grandmaster. The first chess players to be awarded the chess title of Grandmaster were awarded it by the Russian, Tsar Nicholas II in the year 1914. The players awarded the chess titles were Lasker, Marshall, Capablanca, Tarrasch and Alekhine. It was in the year 1950 that the FIDE first warded the Grandmaster chess title to 27 chess players. Since then the number of grandmasters have increased tremendously because of inherent inflationary effects that have made it easier to get awarded a chess title. Chess ratings have increased by 100 points recently; moreover there are more chess tournaments worldwide to participate and win in. moreover air travel is much cheaper, making it easier for chess players to participate in chess tournaments and winning at them. However much it may be easier to get a chess title today, the chess grandmaster title still holds its prestige as it depicts a high level of chess performance.

Chess and Celebrities

In this day and age (as has been the case throughout history) celebrities have enjoyed the game of chess. When it comes to chess celebrities, there are come contemporary luminaries that truly enjoy the game of chess.Through this article, a look at some of the current celebrities who enjoy chess is presented. A reader might be surprised by who amongst the A List enjoys a good game of chess with some degree of regularity.

Madonna
The singer and actress Madonna actually can be seen playing chess in a couple of her music videos. What most people do now know is that Madonna and her husband, British director Guy Ritchie, are regular chess players.In fact, Madonna is so incredibly serious about the game of chess (as is her husband) that she and Ritchie actually have taken chess lessons from Scottish chess champion Alan Norris. In fact, many observers and social commentators actually credit Madonna with making chess cool … again.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Actor and current Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger is a big chess fan. He regularly plays a game of chess with fellow body building buddy Franco Columbo. The two buff players have been hard at the game for years. When it comes to chess and celebrities, the Governor is at the top of the list.In fact, the Governor is such a fan of the game that there actually is an official Arnold Schwarzenegger chessboard made of lead weighted rosewood and hard rock maple. An autographed version of the chessboard sells for almost $600.

Bono
U2 front man and international humanitarian Bono has long been a fan of the game of chess. Indeed, according to Bono when he was twelve years old he studied the chess grandmasters. He tells fans and friends that he has been hooked on the game ever since. In considering chess celebrities, Bono has been one of the longet-playing members of the chess and celebrities set.

Will Smith
Will Smith, the actor and rapper, is nothing less than a chess fanatic when it comes to chess celebrities. In fact, he is so serious about the game that he was even asked to write the forward to a recent book on chess success. Indeed, Smith is so tremendously hooked on the game of chess that on Valentine’s Day one year his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, gave to Smith private chess lessons from a pro. Truly, when it comes to chess and celebrities, to chess celebrities, the Smiths and their devotion to the game is unparalleled.

Sting
Musician and singer Sting is a grand fan of the game of chess. He has even taken on chess pros for a match here and there. In 2000, Sting played a match for charity with internationally renowned chess champion Garry Kasparov. Sting, alas, lost … but the experience did not dim his interested or participation in the game. He continues to be one of the most engaged chess celebrities in the celebrities and chess universe today.

Jude Law
Rising star Jude Law, who is gaining credits in Hollywood, has long been a player of chess, a long time member of the celebrities and chess set. He has been an avid fan of the game of chess since he was a primary school student and continues to play frequently to this very day. He oftentimes will play a game of chess when talking a break during the shooting of a film.