There’s cheating in chess? What a silly question. Of course there is, and the transgressions are many and varied. But when I came to the game as a callow youth, I didn't pay much attention to it. Naturally, I knew certain practices were i...
In studying chess, which of the two phases should students focus on most? Or should they concentrate on another aspect of chess altogether? It reminds us of other eternal questions, like what is the meaning of life, why is there something rather...
Is chess art? I bet that’s not the first time you’ve been asked that, or something like it. To the basic question, all kinds of answers have been offered, sometimes logical, sometimes passionate, sometimes contrived. Many might wonde...
Topic for June: the endgame (Please start submitting questions concerning the above topic for the next column.) The Bad Things About Speed Chess? (For answers to all other speed chess questions received, please read my replies in the for...
Topic for May/June: The Endgame (Please start submitting questions concerning the above topic for the next column. Questions different from the above theme should be submitted to other Chess.com departments.) The Good and the Bad...
Topic for next month: Speed Chess (Please start submitting questions concerning the above topic for the next column. Questions different from the above theme should be submitted to other Chess.com departments.) Question 1: (Submitted by Warri...
Topic for next month: Losing (Please start submitting questions concerning the above topic for the next column. Questions outside of that theme should be submitted to other Chess.com departments. If I get the opportunity to answer a different kin...
Topic for next month: Chess Teaching (Please start submitting questions concerning the above topic for the next column. Questions outside of that theme should be submitted to other Chess.com departments. If I get a chance to tackle a different ty...
Professor: Hello, class. They all greeted the professor as if saying goodbye. Professor: Don't look so glum. Rachel: Isn't this the last class? Zephyr: All good things come to an end. Lucian: Do they have to? Wei: Yes, but each ending is a t...
Professor: It's good to see you, class. The kids didn't say much. A few of them even looked sad. Professor: Why so pale and wan, if I may ask? Rachel: Well, the semester's coming to an end. Professor: That's true. But you've all learned so ...
Professor: Good afternoon, class. Are you ready for some chess? Three quarters of the students expressed a certain readiness. One quarter didn't. Rachel: I think all eight of us are ready, professor. Zephyr: Eight? Are there really that many...
Professor: Hello, class. Idris: Hello, professor. A number of people were smiling. Rachel: So, is there a plan for today? Wei: What kind of chess player plays without a plan? Zephyr: I never thought of the professor as being a player. Lucian...
Professor: For the 70th time, hello class. A few indistinct words, some smiles. Lucian: I can't believe I've been here 70 times. Zephyr: For once we're in agreement. Professor: Anyone want to talk about the class in general? Zephyr: In gener...
Professor: Well class, it's all over. Zephyr: You mean life itself? Professor: No, just the class tournament. Zephyr: Oh that. Hale: I thought it was a pretty good event. Professor: In fact, let's give a big hand to our new class champio...
Professor: Welcome, class. I hope you've all survived the first four rounds of the class tournament. Zephyr: Wei certainly has. Lucian: Yeah, he's in first. Professor: Yes he is, and he's played fairly well. Thomas: But there still are thr...
Professor: Good afternoon, class. A congenial, but less than enthusiastic response was detectable. Professor: The class tournament is coming up, and so I've invited an eighth member to join our group. Lucian: The tournament starts this weekend,...
Professor: Hello, Class. Happy Halloween! (Smiles and good cheer.) Zephyr: Do you have any treats for us today, Professor? Professor: Treats? Rachel: You know, like tricks or treats. Lucian: I really like gummy bears. Zephyr: Forget gu...
Professor: Happy day before Saturday, class. Zephyr: I wanted to bring something up. Professor: I'm fine. How are you? You couldn't wait to say "hello?" Zephyr: Hello, Professor. Now can we talk about it? Professor: About what? Zephyr: Double...
Professor: Hello, class. No reaction. A few suppressed smiles. Thomas: What were you planning for today, Professor? Professor: I thought we'd talk about the two bishops. Lucian: How they're better than two knights? Rachel: Or be...
Professor: Hello, Class. Class: Hello, Professor. The class resounded as one, but very low. Professor: Rachel, you wanted to show us a position? Rachel: Nothing special. It came from the club ladder. Professor: Wherever it came fro...
Professor: Good afternoon, chess players! I hope you’re ready for some chess. It was almost possible to discern a modicum of interest. Hale: Where are we headed today, Professor? Professor: I thought we’d look at some composed mates. Rachel: A...
Professor: It’s time for chess! Silent acknowledgment ensued. No one said anything aurally detectable. Professor: I’m not sure what to do today. Any thoughts? Thomas: I had a curious position the other night. Rachel: What kind of curious posit...
Professor: Hey, class, what’s up? A murmur of hello could be detected. Zephyr: Speaking for the class, we’re ready for some chess. Lucian: What are we doing today? Professor: I thought we’d play detective. Rachel: Play detective? What do you ...
Professor: Hello, class. The class offered a measured blah response. Rachel then spoke up. Rachel: What’s planned for today, Professor? Professor: I thought I’d throw it open to the class. Lucian: How about showing what three m...
Professor: How nice to see you all today, class. The class tried to look like it was smiling. Professor: If you recall, last week’s session began with a position Thomas had emailed me. Thomas: It was a position where a queen beat a rook and kni...
