Some word definitions, please.

I'm just starting to try and figure out more about chess.  I've known the moves for years, just not the other stuff (opening, end game, basically everything else besides the basic moves of the pieces).

While reading some of the "Openings" forum, I notice people using the phrase "lines of play."  What does that mean exactly?

Also, how does one analyze a game?  Is that just looking it over again and trying to spot mistakes or are there actual programs out there that will show you your mistakes and give recommendations?

Well, there are many programs that can analyze your game and show your mistakes. I will recommend you the ones i think are the most complete and user friendly:

- Fritz

- ChessMaster

Chessmaster does this?

As for "lines of play," check out this notation:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
(2. ... f6 Damiano Defense 3. Nxe5 Qe7 (3. ... fxe5 4. Qh5+! +- ) 4. Nc4 Qxe4+ 5. Ne3 Nc6 6. Nc3 +/-)
3. Bc4 Bc5 Giuoco Piano 4. c3... etc.

The 'main line' (the stuff that's not in brackets) shows the opening moves of the Guioco Piano opening.  Nested within it, there is another line - deviating from the main line on Black's second move - that moves into the Damiano Defense; nested within that is yet another sub-line that shows Black messing up on the third move.

Lines basically refer to different possibilities that can branch off from any given move to take the position in another direction.  (Think of them as 'alternate realities' if you're a sci-fi or quantum physics buff.)  Tree diagrams sometimes make a nice way to represent multiple lines branching out from a start position.

-Lines of Play: A variation, usually. It's the sequence of moves that arrives in one particular "line" of the opening.

As for analysis, it's both. You should try to spot your mistakes first beforehand and then let an engine suggets alternative moves and point out any inaccuracies you might have missed.

DeepGreene-- Great description, thanks.

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

I'm also new.  When I'm playing someone in live chess and they take an unusually long time to make a move are they actually searching another engine to figure out better moves against me?  

They're probably thinking, or on the phone, reading, looking for their cigarettes, making food, pouring a drink, walking outside, crying, daydreaming about Llamas, lamenting their wardrobe, answering the door, wondering, wandering, etc.

Ahhh, trysts so thats how you win your games!

I get pretty distracted when I play

My sister has two Llamas...

Really?

Yes, she has a hobby farm in Indiana. She has 2 Llamas, Obama Llamla and Yomama Llama . She also has Louie the Horse, Pete the Donkey, 5 cats, 12 chickens and 1 dog.  

Wow!

Yes, it's a fun place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there, you have to get up at 5 a.m. to feed everybody (except her husband, who feeds himself.)