Improving your chess opening can set a solid foundation for the rest of the game.  The opening moves in chess refers to to the first phase of the game, as distinguished from the middle game and end game. While it can vary, the opening phase typically consists of the first 10 to 15 moves.  After these moves are made, the game transitions into the middle game. By this point, the main opening moves have been played, and both players have generally completed their development and established their pawn structure.

1. Understand Key Opening Principles: Focus on the fundamental principles rather than memorizing moves. Develop your pieces, control the center of the board, and ensure your king's safety, typically through castling. By understanding these principles, you can adapt to various openings and make strong, principled moves. 
   
   For beginners it’s important to learn the value of attacking and holding the middle of the board (control of the center). 
   
   The most popular opening move for white is to bring the king’s pawn forward two spaces. (1.e4.). It was one of grandmaster Bobby Fischer's favorite openings as it immediately attacks the center.  This opening move allows the development of both the queen and a bishop. It forms the basis of some of the oldest and most popular openings in chess, including the Ruy Lopez (or Spanish) opening, the Italian Game (or Giuoco Piano), and the King’s Gambit.
   
   After 1.e4, the most common opening for white is d4. This frequently leads black to respond with 1.d4 d5, which is commonly called a "closed game."  A closed game in chess is a variation that occurs when most pawns are fixed and blocking each other, especially the d- and e-pawns. This results in few open lines and diagonals for the pieces to move on, making it difficult to maneuver.  The key difference between e4 and d4 is that the latter pawn is immediately defended by the queen, which can lead to the popular Queen’s Gambit  This opening can lead to an "open game."  in an open game most of the pawns in the center have been traded off, particularly the d- and e-pawns. This leaves the pieces with more open lines and diagonals to move around, making it easier for long-range pieces like rooks and queens to move around and attack.  Open games can be a good choice for tactical players who like to attack and thrive in chaos.
   
   Other possible openings for white include starting on the flanks by moving a knight to f3 (1.Nf3) or by moving a pawn to c4. These form the basis of some very popular openings, including the King’s Indian Attack or the English Opening. A number of great players in history of the game have favored 1.Nf3, because unlike 1.e4 or 1.d4 it doesn’t commit white to a particular strategy, but can transpose into a number of other openings, which can throw off a black player who commits too soon to a particular response.
   
   Black’s opening will likely depend on white’s first move. Because white goes first, black openings are often called “defenses.”  One of the widely used defenses, the Sicilian Defense, is thought of as an aggressive opening for the black that can stun the white player. 
   
   The Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defense is a popular and well-studied variation that both Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov used in their games. If white opens with 1.d4, black has more than a half-dozen solid responses, which can lead to a number of well-studied defenses. The response 1.d4 Nf6 is a flexible response that begins the popular set of Indian Defenses. These so-called hypermodern openings cede much of the center to white with the intention of picking that defense apart over time.  The response 1.d4 c6 may lead to the popular and solid Caro-Kann Defense, where black relies on a superior pawn structure to set up an advantageous endgame.
   
   In other popular black openings, if white goes with the classic 1.e4, black has several other ways to respond including the most-used 1.e4e5. From there, if white responds 2.Nf3, black may play Nf6, setting up what’s known as Petrov’s Defense.
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2. Learn a Few Opening Systems Well: Instead of trying to master every possible opening, choose a few that suit your style and learn them deeply. Study their main ideas, typical pawn structures, and common plans. This allows you to play these openings more confidently and understand the resulting positions better.
   
   As the game proceeds focus on developing the minor pieces, i.e., knights and bishops.  If there are pawns clogging the center, then you will want to rely more on the knights.
   
   Par of the early game should be to protect the king.  Castle earlier than later.  Otherwise, you may end of sacrificing pieces, or delay development due to an early attack.
   
   Move each piece only once … especially during development.  Every time a piece is moved twice,
   another piece is not being developed.  There is always an exception but strive to have more pieces in the center of the board than to focus on two or three pieces.
   
   In general, don't bring out the queen too early.  It may be tempting but the more you rely on your queen to engage with minor pieces, the more opportunities for trouble can be created.
   
   
3. Practice Your Openings with Purpose: Regularly practice your chosen openings through games, either online or over the board. Use tools like chess engines to analyze your moves and understand any mistakes or improvements. Aim to familiarize yourself with typical positions and common tactics that arise from your chosen openings.
   
   YouTube is very useful for openings and tactics.  In YouTube, search "chess openings and defenses" to see a plethora of videos which explain and analyze openings used by chess players at every level.  One of my favorite defenses is the Scandinavian Defense.  Here is a tutorial on the ins and outs of this line of play CRUSH People with the Scandinavian Defense!.  If you want to have some fun and try out opening traps and gambits, go to YouTube and search "opening traps."
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4. Review Grandmaster Games: Analyze games played by strong players who use the openings you are interested in. Observe how they handle different positions, which can give you insights into effective strategies and typical plans. Websites like ChessBase and databases of grandmaster games can be valuable resources.  One such source is on Chess.com https://www.chess.com/games.
   
   Over the course of his career, former world champion, Garry Kasparov, documented a personal database of more than 20,000 openings and variations. At some point in your development as a chess player, you will need to study chess openings in more detail.  Intuition and developing organically will only go so far.
   
   
5. Adjust Based on Opponent’s Responses: Be prepared to adapt your opening strategy based on your opponent's moves. If they deviate from common lines or make unusual responses, have a plan for how to handle these deviations. Flexibility in your approach can help you navigate unfamiliar territory effectively and take advantage of opportunities.

By focusing on these tips, you’ll be able to build a stronger opening repertoire and lay a solid groundwork for the middle game.

Chess, often referred to as the "game of kings," has captivated minds for centuries. Its strategic depth, intricate patterns, and timeless appeal have made it not just a game but a reflection of life itself. Beyond its mere entertainment value, chess holds a profound meaning that transcends the 64 squares and the movements of its pieces.

A Metaphor for Life

At its core, chess is a metaphor for life's complexities. Each move presents a new challenge, requiring careful thought and foresight. Just as in life, decisions made on the chessboard have consequences, shaping the course of the game. Every move reflects a player's personality, their strengths, weaknesses, and their approach to adversity.

Strategic Thinking

Chess teaches the invaluable skill of strategic thinking. Players must anticipate their opponent's moves, adapt to changing circumstances, and formulate long-term plans to achieve victory. This aspect of the game mirrors the challenges we face in real life, where foresight and planning are essential for success.

Patience and Perseverance

Chess is a game of patience and perseverance. It rewards those who can endure setbacks and maintain focus even in the face of adversity. Through hours of study and practice, players learn the importance of perseverance and the value of patience, virtues that extend far beyond the chessboard.

Creativity and Innovation

While chess has strict rules and predetermined moves, it also allows for creativity and innovation. Players are encouraged to think outside the box, to find unconventional solutions to complex problems. This aspect of the game mirrors the creative process in art, science, and entrepreneurship, where thinking differently often leads to breakthroughs.

A Universal Language

Chess is a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. Regardless of background or nationality, players can connect through the shared experience of the game. In a world divided by differences, chess serves as a unifying force, bringing people together and fostering mutual understanding.

The Quest for Mastery

Chess is an endless pursuit of mastery. No matter how skilled a player becomes, there is always room for improvement. The quest to unravel the game's mysteries, to reach new heights of understanding, fuels a lifelong journey of learning and growth.In conclusion, the meaning of chess goes beyond mere moves on a board. It is a reflection of life's complexities, teaching us valuable lessons about strategy, perseverance, creativity, and the pursuit of excellence. Whether played casually among friends or competitively in tournaments, chess offers insights into the human condition and serves as a timeless reminder of the beauty and depth of the game.

Image credit above to Avard Wooldaver https://avardwoolaver.com/avardwoolaver.com

Josef (Joe) Smolij (pronounced Smoley) was not your usual chess player who wanted glory and fame in the annals of world chess domination.  Joe was dedicated to chess for different reasons.  He was a Polish immigrant, single, never married and without children…he was the best chess hustler on the streets of Toronto in the 70s and 80s. Those were the days when USA-Russia matches were in the headlines.  He played speed chess to earn a meager income to survive.  The games provided his only source of income, which hardly bothered Joe, whose motto was “I am poor in the pocket but rich in the mind.”  His main social interaction with society occurred nightly until the early morning hours on the corner of Yonge Street and Gould across from Sam the Record Man store, a large music retailer at the time.   He was heard to say in his heavy Polish accent “"If I vouldn't play chess, I vouldn't meet you.  I am single, I am alone. I play not to be lonely, not to be drunk. Ve play for friendship.  Chess on the street, chess for the people. How you like that?"  The nightly ritual did much for his self esteem.

Smolij was born in Poland 1n 1921.  He left home at the age of 14 to wander around Europe and spent time in Germany, Yugoslavia, Spain, France and England.  Along the way he became fluent in German, Russian, English, Spanish, as well as his native Polish.  He started playing chess at age 23 and honed his chess play which he called “smash-and-grab” with an aggressive style that unnerved some opponents. “Kill as you go…show no mercy.”

At 33. Smolij immigrated to Canada and eventually found a job as a machinist in Toronto.  Over the last dozen years, the game of strategy became his obsession.  While working, he set up a chess board next to his machine but his boss nixed that idea which left Joe back on the street almost penniless.  He decided to retire early and tried to make ends meet playing chess on the street.  At first he set up his board in Toronto downtown’s Allan Gardens and offered to take on any player for fifty cents (later increased to one dollar).  Eventually, as sizeable crowds kibitzed over the picnic table where boisterous Joe carried out his new trade.  Eventually, the police kicked him out of the park thinking it was a front for dealing drugs.

Never to be discouraged, he moved his chess business to the busy intersection of Yonge and Gould.  Yonge was known as the Broadway of Toronto, marked by theaters, dance halls, flashing lights, and pin-ball arcades.  Over the next two decades, this corner became the chess Mecca of Toronto.  A canopy and chess tables were eventually added to the sidewalk along Gould by the city.  King Smolij reigned in this corner of his chess world from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM nightly for a decade without fail, no matter what inclement weather nature was dishing out (Toronto winters are harsh).

On any given night, Smolij departed his boarding house and pushed a shopping cart filled with chess paraphernalia to his chess corner where chess aficionados, fans and chess newcomers gathered to play the world’s oldest game and watch the king hold sway over his court.   He would take on challengers for $1.00 per game of speed chess.  It is said that he only lost about one game every two weeks.  When he did lose, it was not done graciously …  often being thrown out of tournaments for yelling at opponents.  With a hysterical voice, he would demand another game.   For Joe, losing was to experience a moment’s death.  While most of the other players were quiet and thoughtful, Smolij played impulsively, grabbing pieces and slapping his time clock almost simultaneously … often pontificating on the mistakes of his opponents.  “In Russia,” he would boldly state, “they send you to Siberia for that one.  Yes, is true.  Player scared to make bad moof [sic] in Russia.”

Smolij gave this advice to a cocky 18 year-old who challenged him:  “You play good game but you lose. Must watch whole board. Sixty-four squares. You lose but you learn. You young. Lots of time. For me, no much time. I must always play hard. Can’t afford to lose. You want to become master?  Only one way. You must sell car, sell home, sell wife, sell everything, read chess book, practice ten hours a day. If you lose — sleep under bridge!”

As Smolij moved from opening gambit, smash-and-crash, to eventual checkmate, his games came with a barrage of Polish-accented bravado.  His jabbering during play often infuriated his opponents and entertained those who were there to watch.   His skill at speed chess, his quirky demeanor, and eccentric boisterous style of play earned him infamy as an iconic fixture in Toronto.  He landed a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for a while as the world’s fastest chess player, often destroying hopefuls in short order.

​In 1985, Smolij was admitted to Wellesley Hospital suffering from severe gall stones and hypothermia.  Some brain damage resulted but it did not affect chess playing ability. After spending several years in a Toronto nursing home, Joe was reunited with a sister he had not seen since World War II.  Smolij said it was a “miracle of miracles.” He eventually moved to Berlin, Germany to live with her. 

In 2016, Josef Smolij was in a showcase of 220 portraits at the Toronto Public Library.  This exhibition highlighted everyday people who lived and worked in the city throughout the 20th century.  The visages, drawn largely from the Toronto Star newspaper archives, told a unique tale of each person.  Smolij became a celebrity in his day simply by enduring, i.e., sleeping only four hours and playing chess all night outside in all seasons.

Chess matches continued on at Yonge and Gould, which was named Hacksel Place in honor of another chess enthusiast, until 2003. Today, the street corner across from the Sam the Record Man store, which was the Mecca of chess in Toronto has withered away over time.  The city allowed maintenance to slide and some of the seats at the chess tables are missing and the wood trim around their tops is rotting.  While chess is still active in Toronto, it is not as colorful as the 1970s.
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Curious about your chess skill level? Try this chess skills test to get an estimate of your Elo rating. 

http://www.chessmaniac.com/ELORating/ELO_Chess_Rating.shtml
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My result was 1680 which seems about right.  Any one out there who tested above 2000? Please comment below.

​To get an 'official' rating you have to be a member of the US Chess Federation (USCF) and play 26 games USCF-rated games.  Until the official rating is designated, the player will have a provisional rating.

These Elo ratings designate a certain skill level.  Here is a basic breakdown of what these ratings mean.  

• 1200-1399 = 'D' player - usually a beginner
• 1400-1599 = 'C' player - average club or tournament player
• 1600 - 1799 = 'B' player - consistently above average
• 1800-1999 = 'A' player - strong club player, usually has lots of opening knowledge
• 2000-2199 = 'Expert' - extremely strong, consistent player with the possibility of achieving Master rating
• 2200-2399 = 'Master' - strongest amateur ran
• 2400-2499 = 'International Master (IM)'
• 2500+ = 'Grandmaster (GM)'

Our chess club has several 'A' players but no Experts yet (estimated).
The world's top-10 male players have ratings above 2700 (2500 for female players).

Until 2008, Bellingham had a de-facto chess cafe where a motley and eclectic group of chess fanatics gathered on an unscheduled daily basis for pickup game of chess.  The coffeehouse, Fantasia Coffee & Tea near the corner of Cornwall Avenue and Magnolia Street, had an owner who was very supportive of chess as he himself was a chess player.   Any weekday afternoon, chess players dropped-in for casual but serious chess matches.

Since 2008 when Fantasia closed, the chess players never re-grouped in another chess cafe where chess was played on a regular basis.  Some of them found our chess club when it was formed in 2015.  Our chess club is on the hunt for a chess friendly coffeehouse for casual chess play.  Will keep you posted.

While reviewing my archival photos, I found some pictures I took of a chess gathering at Fantasia circa 2007.  Do you recognize any of the players?

Take a look at these ten tips to help you learn some simple ways to win more games of chess.

1. Look at your opponent's move.
   
2. Make the best possible move.
3. Have a plan.
4. Know what the pieces are worth.
5. Develop quickly and well.
6. Control the center.
7. Keep your king safe.
8. Know when to trade pieces.
9. Think about the endgame.
10. Always be alert.
    

Continue with the details on the USCF site:

10 Tips to Winning Chess

If you have not read about it yet, AlphaZero made chess and AI history recently by crushing the world's strongest chess-playing entity: Stockfish.

The games are surprisingly "human," filled with genius sacrifices. This AlphaZero AI is a Google creation made possible by the company's acquisition of a machine learning company called DeepMind. The programmers of AlphaZero did not "teach" the game to the computer in the traditional sense. That means no opening book, no endgame tables, and apparently no complicated algorithms dissecting minute differences between center pawns and side pawns. The AlphaZero was just taught the rules and pieces and in four hours of "learning" it was able to destroy the best chess engine, Stockfish. Humans better watch out...AI is coming!

If interested, you can follow Game 3 in the YouTube video below.

Touch-Move Rule. A player who touches one of his/her own pieces must move that piece if it is legal to do so. Touching an opponent's piece requires that the piece be captured if it is legal to do so. A piece may be placed on a square without committing to that move, as long as the player keeps his/her hand on the piece. As soon as a player moves and releases a piece, the move is over, and may not be retracted (unless illegal).

Adjusting Pieces. Players may adjust off-center pieces on the chessboard (their's or the opponent's), but must do so on their turn, and must first clearly say the word "adjust".

Calling Check. Calling check is not required, although traditionally regarded as a courtesy.

Chess Clocks. Black begins a game by starting the opponent's clock. During the game, players should follow the habit of making a move, and then immediately hitting the clock with the same hand. Players are not required to remind an opponent to hit the clock, nor do they need to wait for the opponent to hit their clock before making a move (assuming the opponent has already moved). Under certain circumstances it is important to know how to stop the chess clock. Note that bathroom breaks, phone calls, etc are not legitimate reasons to stop the chess clock.

Black Chooses. Black, as compensation for moving second, has the right to choose which chess set and clock to use, as well as whether to place the clock on the right or left. One exception: if black wants to use an analog clock, but white prefers a digital clock, the digital clock is used.

Sportsmanship. In tournaments, chess players, in the spirit of good sportsmanship, traditionally shake hands and wish each other well before starting a game. Players should also respect their opponents during games by refraining from unnecessary talk or noise (please turn cell phone ringers off!). The only words that really ever need to be said during a game are "draw?" (draw offer), "adjust" (before adjusting pieces), "checkmate" (who can resist?), "time" (win on time), and "let's ask the Tournament Director (TD)" (in case of problems or disputes). After a game ends, regardless of the result, both players should continue to show courtesy by (quietly) offering each other complementary or encouraging words.

Recording the Game Result. Immediately after each game ends, the winner (or either player in a drawn game) should record the result on that round's posting sheet (but please don't write on the tournament chart). This allows the TD to prepare the next round's pairings on time.

Byes. If any round has an odd number of players, the lowest rated player among the lowest scoring group of players sits out the round and receives a full-point bye (equivalent to a win), assuming that the player has not already received a bye in the same tournament.

Spectators. Spectators are welcome to observe games in progress as long as they do not distract the players or influence the games in any way (i.e., by talking, reacting to moves, reminding players to hit the clock, pointing out that a player has run out of time, etc).

Resolution of Disputes. If a problem or dispute arises concerning a game in progress, both players should remain calm, immediately stop their clocks, and seek the TD. The TD will try to resolve the situation as fairly as possible according to the U.S. Chess Federation Official Rules of Chess.

Withdrawals. Players who withdraw from a tournament should inform the TD so that their names can be removed from the remaining rounds' pairings.

Also read the FIDE Laws of Chess (PDF)

Bonaparte, Napoleon vs. Automaton, The Turk, 0-1, 1809. Automaton, The Turk, was the first chess playing machine. Of course, it was operated by a little man hidden in a machine. The Turk was very famous, touring through the whole Europe for decades. Apparently, there were multiple hidden Turk operators -- the whole succession of strong chess players, who bought and sold the machine to each other. Allegedly, in the course of one of the games between Bonaparte and The Turk, Bonaparte had started making illegal chess moves. In a mechanical sort of gesture, The Turk's hand had corrected the emperor's moves twice. As soon as Bonaparte had moved the same piece to the same illegal position for the third time, The Turk machine allegedly sent the chess pieces flying off the board.

The list below details films about chess. It includes feature films, documentaries and shorts from around the world. The titles are linked to the movie/TV IMDb database. The date of release and a user rating (out of 10) is shown in parentheses.

The ***** indicates my favorites recommendations

• 5150 Elms Way (2009, 6.6)
• 8 × 8: A Chess Sonata in 8 Movements (1957, 6.3)
• Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011, 7.4) *****
• Bobby Fischer Live (2009, 4.2)
• Brainwashed (1960, 6.9)
• Brooklyn Castle (2012, 7.3)
• A Chess Dispute (1903, 6.0)
• Chess Fever (1925, 7.3)
• Chess Kids (1996, 7.3)
• Chess King (1988, 5.7)
• Chess Story  (2021, 6.8)
• Critical Thinking (2020, 6.5)
• The Chess Set (2005)
• Computer Chess (2013, 6.3)
• Dangerous Moves (1984, 6.6)
• The Dark Horse (2014, 7.9) *****
• Endgame (1999, 5.8)
• Fool's Mate (1989, 6.7)
• Fresh (1994, 7.7) *****
• Game Over: Kasparov and the Machine (2003, 6.8)
• Geri's Game (1997, 8.0)
• The Grass Arena (1992)
• The Great Chess Movie (1982)
• Ivory Tower (2010, 6.6)
• Knight Moves (1992, 6.0)
• Knights of the South Bronx (2005, 6.8) *****
• Life of a King (2013, 6.9)
• Long Live the Queen (1995, 7.2)
• The Luzhin Defense (2000, 6.9) *****
• Magnus (2016, 7.1)
• Me and Bobby Fischer (2009, 6.8)
• Odysseus' Gambit (2011, 8.1)
• Pawn Sacrifice (2014, 7.3) *****
• Queen of Cactus Cove (2005, 7.8)
• Queen of Katwe (2016) *****
• Queen Sacrifice (1988, 7.2))
• Queen to Play (2009, 6.8)
• Return from the Ashes (1969, 6.9)
• Black and White Like Day and Night (1978, 7.2)
• Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993, 7.5) *****
• The Seventh Seal (1957, 8.2)
• The Chess Players (1977, 7.8)
• The Tournament (2015, 5.5)
• Uncovered (1994, 5.7)
• Zatoichi and the Chess Expert (1965, 7.5)
• A Little Game (2014, 6.4)

Finally, if you liked the TV series, Columbo, he solved a chess murder mystery in 1973's Season 2 Episode 7, The Most Dangerous Match.