As the coach of a very successful high school chess team - 3 consecutive county championships in the state’s most competitive county, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place team trophies in the State Scholastic Championships in 3 straight years - I loved it when my players played Bughouse at Chess Club Meetings and it improved their regular chess abilities.
Bughouse forces you to learn what each piece can and can’t do - you have to know why you’re yelling to your partner, “Get me a knight!” etc.
It provides a closer team concept where the players rely on each other and bond with each other better.
It also gives each club member a reason for wanting other club members to improve - at least those they team-up with in Bughouse.
(1) It is fun but probably very bad for you. Just like a lot of things in real life.
(2) The main tactic seems to be to get rid of the castled bishop's pawn. Sacrificing material doesn't seem to matter much.
(3) You need your pieces to get up close and personal, so your opponent doesn't put anything to block it.
(4) Knights are worth way more than bishops.
(5) I'm really really annoyed by 'partners' who resign our game cos they don't want to partner weak players like me, which hurts my rating.
(6) Or because I'm the wrong gender.* You know who you are. (And I'm not the wrong gender.)
(7) And Bughouse really really slows down when the Americans are sleeping.
Anything else? Sorry if this is a bit mixed up. Saturday night in a London pub and they are playing very old dance music from the 90s.
Your thoughts?