Playing Chess On a Computer vs. Over the Board (OTB)

Recently, I have been reading several of the chess blogs and have noticed an increase in the discussions involving the benefits of playing chess on a computer (or online) vs. playing chess “over the board” or “OTB”.  Considering the strong opinions of the various writers, I do not think that this is an argument that will be quickly or easily solved.  I see merits in both arguments. In fact, the merits in favor of both lead me to the conclusion that both forms of chess are not just helpful, but necessary.

It seems that both forms of chess teach different aspects of the game, with the net result of the player becoming better.  It is perhaps better to learn the technical aspects of the game playing with a computer with an analysis board that helps you to understand the merits of the various moves.  However, playing live with a 3 dimensional board gives a very different view of the game – with the added component of a visible human opponent.  Never underestimate the psychological aspects of the game – especially for a beginner.

Here at MyChessSet.com, we recommend that you play both.  Purchase a good chess program like Fritz XI or Chessmaster XI and start playing.  Or you could join a good chess forum with online play options.  I like Chess.com.  But do not stop there.  Purchase a chess set and start playing.  If you cannot find or convince someone to play with you, then use your computer and follow along with your chess set.  This will allow you to see the game as it would look like OTB.  Each option excels at teaching different critical aspects of the game.

By the way, my wife told me to tell you that she loves me – and I am very glad that she does.  I love her too.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

The Support Team at MyChessSet.com

How do I learn to play chess?

Congratulations on your decision to play one of the oldest and most successful strategy games in the world!  Our last blog covered some of the main reasons you should play.  Now, we need to take a look at learning the game.  Is this your first time to play chess?  Or perhaps you played chess when you were younger, and you have forgotten.  Maybe you have been trying to teach your child or children and the experience is not all that you wanted it to be.  Whatever your motivation may be, you are in luck!  In this age of technology, you no longer have to rely upon holding a book in one hand and trying to move chess pieces with the other.  You can throw away the books that insult your intelligence in the very title.  Your success is just a few mouse clicks away.

Online Resources

One of our favorite online resources is our local chess club.  Our club offers weekly lessons as well as informal games against experienced players who are willing to patiently explain their play.  Our club is family friendly and has regularly scheduled fun events.  Do an internet search for chess clubs in your local area.  This is a great place to start.

Perhaps you would like your first encounters to be more private.  There is hope for you as well.  Try out one of the chess forums.  One of our favorite is Chess.com.  They have an excellent “Learn to Play Chess” page.  They have videos, lessons, articles, mentors, and so much more.  You can definitely spend much time here.

Another option is checking out the website of the US Chess Federation.  They also have a page for new chess players.  Check it out here.

The main thing to remember about learning chess is that you have to play to learn.  So, get a chess set and start playing!

Thanks for reading!

The Support Team at MyChessSet.com!

Why play chess?

Why play chess? Perhaps you are a parent, and you have seen the latest press promoting “chess in schools”.  Maybe your child’s teacher has recommended your child join the school’s chess club.  Or you were recently in a collectibles shop or restaurant and saw a sign that announced a local chess club’s meeting schedule and you wondered what that was all about.

Well, if you are like me, you played chess as a child – right after you graduated from checkers.  But it has been years since you even thought about playing chess – or saw someone playing chess – except for the occasional scene in a movie or television show.  So what is all the fuss about?  Is chess making a comeback?  The answer is yes – and no.  Let me explain.

For those in the know, chess never really went away.  Chess clubs and tournaments have been occurring this whole time – right under our noses!  It is time that we caught on to what those other people have known all along: chess makes you think better.

It is true. Psychologists tell us that chess makes one think better in at least 3 ways.  First, chess teaches consequences.  It forces the player to think multiple steps ahead to consider the opponent’s possible moves.  Therefore it helps with decision making and builds responsibility.  Second, by teaching consequences chess builds emotional maturity by encouraging delayed gratification.  Rather than take this pawn or bishop now, wait and take the queen later.  Third, chess helps a person (especially a child) to organize his or her interior world.  In our current society of moral and cultural relativism, there are few absolutes.  While a mature mind might experience this as freedom, a developing mind frequently experiences this as chaos.  Because the highly structured nature of chess helps to organize the multiple possible variations (chaos) of the game, the game then helps the individual to better organize their own individual world of thoughts.  Chess does not increase an individual’s base level intelligence, but it does help a person apply his or her intelligence more effectively and efficiently.

You don’t have to start big.  You don’t need a high quality hand-carved set like we sell when you are just beginning.  Pick up 2-3 inexpensive sets from your local big box retailer. Give a couple of the sets away to your friends (or your children’s friends) – then start playing!  There are several online sites where you can play games, take lessons, and see videos.  We will cover those next week – but for now, just get a set and start playing!

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

The Support Team at MyChessSet.com

Happy Valentine’s Day from My Chess Set.com!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner.  I know, I know, you are still paying for

Red and White Marble Chess Set

Christmas and we are already reminding you about the next holiday.  But this is a special day that you will not want to forget.  And MyChessSet.com is here to help you.  Select a beautiful wood or marble chess set over $150 for the love of your life, enter coupon code “Cupid” at checkout, and receive 15% off your order – plus free shipping!

I recommend this beautiful bottocino (white) and red hand-carved marble chess set, regular price only $179.95.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.

The Support Team at MyChessSet.com.

Special of the Week

Wood Chess and Checker Set

Starting this week, MyChessSet.com is offering a weekly special.  This week’s special is a wooden combination chess and checker set – great quality and great price – plus free shipping!  The board has felt lined drawers for storage, but this set looks so beautiful you will want to leave it out on display.  To see it on the website click here.

Christmas Special for Our Blog Readers

 

 

 

 

 

 

From now until the end of the year, enter the coupon code “star” when checking out to save 10% off of your merchandise total – plus free shipping for orders over $100!

Thanks for reading!

The Support Team at MyChessSet.com

What does “Staunton-style chess set” mean?

MyChessSet.com carries a full line of quality wood chess sets.  We feature classic “Staunton-style” sets made by The Mark of Westminster.  But what does that mean?  What is a “Staunton-style chess set”?

In the early days of the game of chess, there were many different styles of chess pieces. This led to many problems.  First, because there was no standard for each piece, the game was confusing for the players as they competed with strange sets with unusual designs.  Second, many of the different varieties of chess pieces were ornate and complex, which also made them very expensive.  Third, as the pieces became more ornate and complex, they also became ungainly and unstable – difficult to handle without tipping over.

In the 19th century, and London businessman and ivory trader saw an opportunity to meet a need and secure a market.  John Jacques and his brother-in-law Nathaniel Cook registered a simple yet elegant design.  The king was the tallest piece and wore a cross on his head.  The knight was a horse’s head, and the rook looked like a castle tower.  At this time, the leader chess player in England was Howard Staunton, who was a correspondent at the Illustrated London Times where Mr. Cook was editor. Mr. Cook and Mr. Jacques were successful in securing Mr. Staunton’s approval of their design, and the “Staunton approved” design soon became the international standard.

Thanks for reading.

The Support Team at MyChessSet.com.

What is “The Mark of Westminster”?

MyChessSet.com features a wide variety of beautiful chess sets – both traditional and unique. In this blog we will focus on one of our lines – The Mark of Westminster. We feature The Mark of Westminster in our wood chess set collection.  What is The Mark of Westminster you ask?  Let me tell you.

The Mark of Westminster (MOW) sets are made by Abbey Chess Products, Ltd. in Scotland.  They are without a doubt some of the best made chess sets in the world – on par with Jacques and the House of Staunton.  All of The Mark of Westminster sets are variations of the refined Staunton style, with careful attention paid to every detail.  These are not cheap imitations of other sets, each MOW line is a carefully and beautifully styled masterpiece.

Each chess piece is carved by a true carver, an artisan, and in many cases a descendant of generations of carvers.  Each carver hand selects the blocks of wood paying careful attention to color and grain.  Three wood types are featured: boxwood from Columbia and rosewood and ebony from India.The wood all comes from managed forests and natural habitats and no endangered species are ever used.  After carving, each piece is hand sanded, lacquered and polished,  The pieces are weighted according to exacting standards to provide stability and aesthetic pleasure for the player.

At MyChessSet.com we are sure that you will find that The Mark of Westminster chess sets will be a source of joy in the present and treasured heirlooms for your family  for many years to come.

 

Thanks for reading,

The Support Team at MyChessSet.com