Handicapping system for new players

I was wanting to play with a couple of people who are new to the game.  Is there any sort of accepted way to even the playing field?  The two ideas I've thought of are starting down a piece or pieces, or periodically giving them two moves in a row.  What I've done in the past with new players is what I'm sure we've all done, just take it easy on them.

I think there should be an option for that in an unrated game. Two moves in a row is extremely powerful and that one is not a good option though. If a player is white and can at one point of their choosing mave two moves in a row it is a forced mate in 4.

Well if there is an option to play an unrated game from any starting position, like using the board editor when posting a diagram in the forums, anything is possible.

Edit: Maybe this thread should be put in the suggestions forum.

handicapping-systems---levelling-the-playing-field

handicapped-games

removing-pieces-as-a-handicap

pet-handicapping

to change it to a different thread, go to your homepage at the bottom there is a link that say "manage all content" then click on "edit'.

The rules of chess were made for a reason. Begin with all the pieces, stick to the rules and anyone can improve. What on earth is the point of messing about with them?

I don't know. Why are there leagues, divisions and levelling schemes in many sports?

Dear artfizz I don't understand - what 'levelling schemes', in which sports? Can you give some examples? (I'm not tryng to be difficult!)

(1)In golf with a handicap you are playing against the course not an opponent, so that doesn't count!

(2) In racing the horse is not aware of the weights put in the saddle!

What is the 'etc'?

In the old days, masters would play amateurs in odds games: for example, without a queen, or without the queen's rook, or without the queen's knight, or without the queen's rook pawn, depending on the strength of the master and the amateur. 

Time odds are best, to take advantage of them, the beginner must think a lot. It is important to encourage this.

Bisques in croquet, archery, small boat yacht racing, high speed cycling, etc.

"The purpose of handicapping, as in all sports that have handicap schemes, is to enable competition between people of different ability, or using different classes of equipment."

Dear artfizz,

If the 'different ability' or 'classes of equipment' refer to participants with varying degrees of physical dissability, then I'm with you and see the point. If that is not the case I still believe the level playing field is the purest option.

No-one is disputing that handicapped chess is 'impure'. However, when someone is new to a game (and their ability is generally less than that of experienced players), the question is: what is the best way to encourage the beginner?

Is it: crush them using your superior technique - or is it: give them a sporting chance of winning by artifically reducing your strength?

I had one regular OTB opponent rated much higher than me who usually gave me a time advantage. It worked quite well although the occasions I won I still felt like I had not "really" won. But we agreed a time handicap is better than a piece or pawn handicap because those ruin the structure of the game from the start.

the best handicapping I've see so far is Tenpin Bowling

Dear artfizz,

Perhaps I could shift my position a bit and agree with 'bluetrane' on this one and reduce the time element for the superior player but always retain all the pieces from the start.

One possible idea that was hinted at is using a non even clock if your timing the game.  Alternatively, limit the time you have to think about a move but give them as much as needed.

in 9-ball (pool) tournaments a person rated 1 point below has to pocket either the 8 or 9 ball to win.  2 points, the 7 ball, etc.  also, in some games (like air hocky or table tennis/ping pong) where you have a point total to reach the weaker player plays to a lower point total.  like the higher player has to get 7 points while the lower player only has to get 5.  these are things i have seen in local level events. 

in personal games, there can be any number of "rules" to make things more fair.  sometimes the strong player can use the non-dominant hand (like in the princess bride movie).  although, i am not aware of this being done in any sort of organized thing. 

the main point of it is just to make it interesting for both people.  it is no fun to just get stomped all the time, nor is it really fun to just stomp someone all the time.  or having to pass on good moves to try to go easy on someone is counter productive. 

Something that may be interesting that I thought of - designate one of the lower player's pawns to be uncapturable.