The Journal to Knitehood #3: The Specials
Another great stream in the books!
Something very interesting happened on stream this weekend. I was asked if I was teaching or learning Chess. Took me a second to respond but I realized that it was bigger than just one person teaching and another learning. We were actually learning together as a community. It was a great feeling.
Every time we go live with a "Journey Stream" the community grows! It's so awesome getting to know people from all walks of life, from all over the world with varying degrees of skill. We have members of the community that have been playing since they were 8 years old as well as members who literally just created an account right before joining the stream! Everyone contributes as we get to know one another and grow together. I'm excited, this journey is picking up steam and that Knitehood is within our grasp!
Alright lets talk about last weeks "Step".
I knew that this part of the Journey was going to be very interesting especially for one rule in particular. Lets get into what was covered.
"The Specials" (Special Rules of Chess)
We continued with Chess.com's Study Plan: How to Play Chess| Rules + 7 Steps to Begin - Discover the Special Rules of Chess (Click Here)
An interesting thing about these special rules is that they seem to stray far from the regular rules of chess and if you have come across any of them with out learning these rules it can really throw you for loop!
We started with
Pawn Promotion
1. If a pawn reaches the other side of the board it can become another chess piece this is called a 'Pawn Promotion'.
2. A pawn may be promoted to any piece whether it is in play or captured with the pawn being the exception.
3. Pawns are more commonly promoted to Queens.
4. Only a Pawn can be promoted.
*Click Here for a great article by GM Gregory Serper 'Do You Know How To Promote A Pawn?'
Example A
En Passant
This in my opinion and even in the opinion of many in the community is the most interesting special move of the bunch. I remember coming across this move and immediately began screaming "YOU CHEATED!!!" and immediately reported the player! I never heard back but they spared me the embarrassment of the explanation that this was a perfectly legal move!
Did you know that there are at least 10 reports a day submitted for cheating that turn out to simply be the peculiar En Passant.
Alright enough of the fun facts lets get into what we learned about the En Passant!
1. The pawn that is capturing would have had to advance three ranks to be positioned for the en passant.
2. The pawn that is captured must have moved two squares (Can only be done on it's first move remember?) and landing next to the capturing pawn.
3. The capturing pawn can only perform the en passant in the turn immediately following the pawn to be capture has moved. It can no longer be performed afterwards. (Don't Cheat!)
Fun facts-
- The capturing piece doesn't land on the same square as its victim.
- Just because you can perform an en passant it doesn't mean that you should! Always assess the situation and make the best move at that time!
*Click here for some more information on En Passant.
*Click here for an awesome article by Erik 'His Pawn Cheated And Killed My Pawn!'
I know that it may be hard to understand just by reading that, Lord knows that it was difficult to write so here are some visual examples thanks to some Chess.com!
Example B
Example C
Castling
One of the two things that I get harassed about the most on stream while I'm playing Chess is that I am running out of time and that I need to CASTLE!!
We learned that not only is castling a special move but it's a very important move especially for players at my noobish level.
We learned
1. A player may move his king two squares over to one side and then move the rook from that side's corner to right next to the king on the opposite side.
2. It has to be the king's and the rook’s first move.
3. There cannot be any pieces between them.
4. The king cannot be in check
5. The king cannot pass through a check.
Fun facts-
- Castling allows you to do get your King to safety by moving it from the center I can hear chesscoachnet and the residents of Fishville Shouting ‘KING SAFETY’!
- Castling also allows you to get your rook out of the corner and into the game, in other words, develops your rook.
- When you castle in the direction of the king, that is called castling "kingside".
- When you castle in the direction of the queen, that is called castling "queenside".
- Regardless of which side, the king always moves only two squares when castling.
- What else is castling kingside or queenside called? Let me know in the comments below.
Example D
That was it! Those are the three Special moves of chess! Did you just learn one for the first time? Do you have any interesting stories involving a special move? Any tips you would like to share that can help us grow? Please let us know in the comments below!
I look forward to continuing the Journey next time! God Bless and Peace!
In the meantime if you haven't already please do the following to get the most out of the journey
- Chess.com account - If you do not have a premium chess.com account click here to sign up for a free seven day trial.
- Watch the last Stream - We go over what to expect and review some of the lessons and puzzles that we will go over in the Journey. Click on the link below of the episode that you have missed
The Journey To KniteHood: Packing for the Journey Episode #0
The Journey To KniteHood: #1 The First Step
- Book mark and review the Study Plan - We are going to adhere to this plan so review it and be ready to follow along! Click here for the Study Plan.
- Please join the Knites Of The Square Table club in order to particapate in any tournaments that we hold.
- Please join the discord as we prepare to grow the community offline Click Here.
Remember to be ready to participate, be ready to improve, be ready to laugh, be ready to watch me cry and lets have a blast on this Journey to KniteHood!
Peace!