Free Online Chess Database — 365chess.com
I found a really nice free chess database online. It’s 365chess.com.
The site boasts a 3.5-million game database, which is regularly updated. It has several nice search functions The site has a very clean appearance and the interface works very well. Registration is free, though registration is required to search the database.
You can search the database by player names, by a particular board position, or using the opening explorer.
The one down-side is that you must be a “supporter” (i.e., pay for the service) in order to download games as pgn files. The up-side is that the service costs only $10.00 per year. Very inexpensive database!
Overall, the site is very nice and can allow you to do a lot of opening analysis for free.
Chess Ending Strategy – More About the Square of the Pawn
In my first video on the square of the pawn, I mentioned an important warning about how to calculate the square when the pawn is on its home square. I mentioned it in the video — but failed to mention it in the blog post; so I’m remedying that omission now.
When the pawn stands on its home square, you must imagine the square of the pawn as if it were standing on its third rank instead of its second. The reason for this is that the Pawn can move two squares for its initial move. That being the case, the square of the pawn must account for the double move.
For example, if White’s a-pawn stands on a4, the square of the Pawn is drawn with the Pawn standing at the lower-left corner of the square, as in the following diagram.
When the Pawn stands on a4
But if the a-pawn stands on a2, the square of the Pawn is drawn as if the Pawn stands on a3.
Square of the Pawn on a2
Knowing the rule for the square of the Pawn is extremely useful in calculating endgames, but you must keep in mind the possibility that a Pawn on its original starting square has the possibility of moving two squares for its first move.
Tags: chess endgame strategy, chess strategy, square of the pawn
Two Bishops v. King Checkmate
One of the elementary mates that every chess player ought to be familiar with is the mate with King and two Bishops against King. This mate is of less importance than King and Queen v. King or King and Rook v. King because it rarely comes up in practical play. But it is good to know for those rare occasions when it does occur; but especially for learning how the Bishops can cooperate with each other to cut off large areas of the chess board.
Most chess books devoted to teaching beginners how to play chess and many basic endgame books (such as Reuben Fine’s Basic Chess Endings or Pandolfini’s Endgame Course) will show how to execute this checkmate. I recommend studying the examples in one of those books, as well as learning the example I give here.
As with most of the simple checkmates, the first important goal is getting your King to the center of the board. The two Bishops can checkmate the opponent only with the help of their own King!
Second, the Bishops should work together.
Notice how, in this diagram, the two Bishops placed next to each other prevent the enemy King from attacking them. The Bishops guard four squares directly in front of them, thus preventing the King from immediately attacking either one of them. In fact, the Bishops have the enemy King completely imprisoned, and the White King can now stroll up to the scene to aid in further confining the opponent.
The Official Rules of Chess
Here’s a story to illustrate why you should have the official rules of chess. I was playing in a tournament once against a higher-rated player (a couple hundred points higher). I had played a good game and my opponent was struggling to get a draw with a three-fold repetition while his time was running out.
In fact, he had made the move to give the three-fold repetition when his flag fell. He claimed the draw and I claimed a win.
How should the point be awarded?
If you have the official rules of chess, you can probably make a reasonable answer to the question … and perhaps vindicate my claim for a win!
If you would like to play tournament chess, you should learn the official rules of chess.
Official Rules of Chess
If you’re just starting out and haven’t played a lot of chess, you will first want to review my articles and videos on the rules of chess for the absolute beginner. But when you decide you want to play a little more seriously, play a few tournaments to get the feel for it; and to see if you really want to stick with it. If you decide you do want to play tournament chess in even a half-way serious manner, you really should read the official rules and keep a copy with you at every tournament. The official rules should go in your travel bag with your clock, set, and board!
Get the official rules of chess and enjoy a fun-filled tournament career!
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