Chess Research

I am 42 now and have played chess since I was 12. I have not played it seriously in order to win points but I have studied the game on my own, where I can. Most recently, in the last 3 years, when I get the opportunity (only one of my buddies is a serious chess player) I have been conducting my own research. The research is to define a common opponent attack pattern.

The methodology is to make my moves at random, instantly, not paying attention to my opponent's moves with the exception of walking into an attack. It is interesting to note that when such a strategy is employed, the opponent's style and aggression can be noted. In all cases, of course, these went down as losses, but I learned something from it: The psychology of chess.

I have always looked at the board and thought there are a limited number of moves. I don't pay attention to the pscyhology of the opponent, which I know is a big feature of game play, because I think it detracts from the brain's total computational power.

Hovering in my approach is a phalanx tactic, like Roman infantry in formation, and then having a couple of loose cannons on deck - the Queen and another piece, most of the time. The main strategy that preceded this development in my own play, however, was board control. Control as much of the board as possible from the outset and then wait for opportunities and openings in the opponent's line. That was highly successful.

I have not had the opportunity to use the phalanx-loose cannon tactic yet as a result of my buddy being up in the sub-Arctic (I'm in rural Quebec), but I look forward to doing that.

I did try it in automated computer (speed) chess on the Internet and it was successful against a computer. However, I would like to test it on a breathing opponent. I look forward to learning more about the game from Chess.com and the players it hosts. Thanks.