I think a lot of chess players would enjoy the real-time strategy games like starcraft. I normally don't like time pressure in any type of game, but the real-time aspect is just matter of getting some muscle memory for the different command of building and moving troops around.
After playing a few hundred games it all comes back down to tactics and strategy. The mouse movement doesn't really play much of a role until you get into the very high levels (i.e. playing for money).
I think this thread deserves more replies and discussion, so I'm bumping it. Useless , nonsensical threads get 1000+ posts and a thread like this gets only one reply , such a shame!
I think GO might be better, but I just can't get into it.
Ziggy_Zugzwang wrote:
I think GO might be better, but I just can't get into it.
Yeah, GO is very popular and it definitely is a great strategic game.
I also play draughts(checkers). It's derided by many chess players, but is a good game where experience counts.
I have also played checkers, but after playing 3 or 4 games, it stops being appealing and that doesn't happen when I play chess, I'm not discrediting checkers , just that chess appeals to me a lot more.
Well indeed. With checkers the onus is on the player to look deeper than in chess because of there being fewer candidate moves.
Here is good comparison between chess and GO that I found, thought I'd share it,
---------------- >>>>> A Comparison of Chess and Go
Go is a board game like Chess, but not like Chess. Both Chess and Go are strategy games. Both are worthwhile to learn and play. Go is simpler than Chess and yet more complex. Simpler because all pieces are the same, just black and white, and in Go the pieces do not move around the board.
Chess is a hierarchical game where the object is to catch the king. Go is an imperial game where each player seeks to enclose more territory on the board than their opponent.
Like Chess, Go offers a player rating system. But unlike Chess, Go offers a well balanced handicap system which allows a stronger player to play evenly against a weaker player and be fully challenged. With the proper handicap each player will have an equal prospect of winning.
At the opening move in Chess there are 20 possible moves. In Go the first player has 361 possible moves. This wide latitude of choice continues throughout the game. At each move the opposing player is more likely than not to be surprised at their opponent's move, and hence they must rethink their own plan of attack. Self discipline is a major factor in success at this game.
Natasha Regan, a Woman International Master who has represented the English women's team at both Chess and Go, says: "When I learnt Go I was fascinated. It has a similar mix of strategy and tactics that you find in Chess and, with just a few simple rules, Go uncovers a whole new world of possibilities and creativity. Chess players may also find that they can use their Chess experience to improve in Go very quickly. I highly recommend learning this ancient but ever new game!"
Ideas Chess Players understand that are relevant to Go
Visualisation (reading) - Being able to visualise the position a number of moves ahead is a key factor in strength in both games. Chess is generally reckoned to be primarily a tactical game, whereas Go has more of a balance of strategy and tactics.
Initiative - In both games having the initiative can give one control of the course of the game (for a while, at least). A key difference in Go is often an opportunity to take the initiative in various parts of the board – hence a constant contest over ‘my threat is bigger than your threat’.
Pattern recognition - Strong Chess players are very good at recognising the important features of a position and recalling what candidate moves are good in such positions. In Go this particularly applies to local shapes.
Sacrifices and exchanges - Both games offer the opportunity to apply these tactics creatively.
Immediate profit (materiel) - This is one vital aim in Chess, but so is mobility. Similarly Go values both profit (territory) and positional influence.
Ideas Chess Players understand that are very different in Go
Studying openings - Critical in chess but not nearly so important in Go, where most amateur games are decided in the middle game.
Domination of the centre - A good place to start in Chess, whereas in Go, territory is more easily obtained in the corners and edges, although influence in the centre is often very important later on.
Playing for a draw - With Black or against a stronger opponent, it may make sense in Chess to play for a draw. This option does not exist in Go and draws only occur very rarely; they cannot be agreed.
Balance - In Chess players think about the balance of materiel and of position, but balance is much more important to Go. The opportunities to land a killer blow are very limited in Go; you are always concerned that if you gain something here then you are probably going to lose something elsewhere, so you’re making net balance calculations. In selecting where to play in Go you have to look at the balance between attack and defence, playing close or loose, territory or influence, and so on.
Here's the link- http://www.britgo.org/learners/chessgo.html
Don't forget Marbles - the angles you get in that game are mindblowing.
Share your thoughts on similar strategic games. Is chess the best of all the strategic games?
Yes, chess is widely considered one of the best strategic board games
due to its complexity, pure skill element, and emphasis on long-term planning, logical reasoning, and problem-solving. It's a strategic game with no element of luck, and its depth is so vast that even supercomputers cannot fully solve it.
Reasons why chess is a top strategy game
Pure skill: Chess is a game of pure skill, unlike games that include luck or chance. Success depends entirely on a player's ability to think ahead and plan.
Strategic depth: It requires players to not only think about the next move but also to plan multiple steps ahead, anticipate their opponent's responses, and adapt their strategy accordingly.
Cognitive benefits: Playing chess can enhance strategic thinking, logical reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Complexity: The number of possible chess games is incredibly large—estimated to be greater than the number of atoms in the universe—which ensures its complexity and replayability.
Global popularity: Chess is one of the most popular and respected board games in the world, with millions of players competing globally.
No element of luck: Unlike games like backgammon or cards, chess has no hidden information or random chance, making it a game of perfect information where skill is the only factor.
Chess doesn't have many similar games to compare it to, there are a great many strategy games, both board and PC, but not many that are symmetrical, have no chance elements, AND 100% relevant game information available to both players. There are other strategy games that are vastly more difficult in the problems they present to the players for resolution, but none that have Chess' unique mechanics.
As far as " the best" , that is entirely subjective; I find there are a large and diverse array of simulation/strategy games available, including some that are less games and straight up simulations. The game mechanics and design of chess are very elegant. #2, above has mentioned Stracraft, I for example, gravitate toward Paradox and Firaxis titles, as well as a number a European-designed board games.
Share your thoughts on similar strategic games. Is chess the best of all the strategic games?