Here you go Toonces
All this works with Win10 64
This site is for getting a good starting point for where you should start your learning. It gives you an ELO rating, you'll have to go through 76 chess problems to get an accurate rating. http://www.elometer.net/
Free chess programs. I use these both, i use skidvsPc for my database management and analysis, Lucas Chess has more built in lesson stuff.
http://scidvspc.sourceforge.net/
http://lucaschess.pythonanywhere.com/index.html
Free chess engine. This is the newest, best free engine, rated 3000+. I added this engine to both skidvsPC and Lucas chess. Both programs come with quite a few engines already so you have different strength engines to choose from.
https://stockfishchess.org/
This guy wrote a couple of small programs for learning and studying. The programs don't install they just run when you start them. Be sure to look at the youtube video links on his page to see how the programs work and he also shows you how to use Skid to study openings and work problems. The two programs are YATT[yet another tactics trainer] and Guess your Move.
https://sites.google.com/site/fredm/
These sites are where i downloaded my historical chess game PGN files for my database. I had a pretty large chess database then lost it in a hard crash a few years ago, been building it up off and on. I'm up to 3.1 million games.Got a lot of them here. I still have to get all the tournament games, the rest i already added to my database.
https://www.pgnmentor.com/files.html
For current chess games i download here, games every week from tournaments going on around the world.
http://theweekinchess.com/twic
these are paid chess stuff i use.
http://en.chesstutor.eu/ I bought step 2/3 years ago, step one is pretty basic, if you know the rules and pieces you can skip it.
http://www.chessmentor.com/buy.html This one was a lot cheaper years ago when i bought it, its pretty spendy. It didn't work when i was on Win7 but works on Win10x64
If you can find a cheap copy of Chessmaster10, its good and has a bunch of lessons, works fine on Win10x64. i downloaded a no cd patch so the disk doesn't have to be in the drive.
i'm average player at best. Learned when i was six and I've never cracked a 2000 rating, got into the 1900's many years ago when i was playing a lot. Kind of a goal of mine to one day crack 2000. When i picked the game up again about 2 months ago i took the ELO test and rated at 1475 :2funny: so there's a ways to go but i'm up to almost 1700 since that time. You get to a point where you just plateau and i've been looking for something to help me break through.
The guy who wrote this book isn't a grandmaster or anything but I find the book real real good and i'm hoping it helps me break through. It's more of a checklist of what to look for and focus on. You know those positions where you don't know what the hell to do and just start pushing pieces.
The book kind of leads you through what to look for no matter what the position on the board. i have finished it yet but it resonating with me[or maybe its wishful thinking ;)]
https://www.amazon.com/Six-Power-Moves-Chess-3rd/dp/0692436847/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511575164&sr=8-1&keywords=6+power+moves+of+chess
Here's the youtube channel from the author. You can watch a bit and see if you think the book will work for you.
https://www.youtube.com/user/BKKaye
There's a ton of other books but finding a chess book whose presentation works for you is very individual. Here's a few i've found useful
Silman
https://www.amazon.com/Amateurs-Mind-Turning-Misconceptions-Mastery/dp/1890085022/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Chess-Strategy-Grandmaster/dp/1890085014/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
https://www.amazon.com/How-Reassess-Your-Chess-Imbalances/dp/1890085138/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Seirawan
The Winning Chess series
https://www.amazon.com/Yasser-Seirawan/e/B000APA1FE/ref=la_B000APA1FE_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1511575592&sr=1-1
If you decide to use skidvsPC for your database i can share my database it might save you time. I had skid convert it so it works pretty fast in the program. It's 2.2 gigs as a pgn file, in skid it's 145 megs.
Hope this helps.
Some free training apps for android devices and Ipod/Iphone[don't have Itunes installed, i believe there free there also], the links are just for a glimpse, you'll have to install through your Android/Apple device.
Chessking apps android- https://play.google.com/store/apps/dev?id=8196632901699712832&hl=en
Chessking apps Apple- https://itunes.apple.com/us/developer/chess-king/id1096660597
I have a kindle HD8 and these installed fine. There are some hoops to go through as these apps are not available at Amazon. You have to install this app http://market.1mobile.com/ which means you have to download the .apk file for this market with your kindle. So on your kindle you download the .apk file for 1mobile market[search for 1mobilemarket .apk download], then go into your kindle settings and check allow installation of third party apps [you can turn it off again after install], install the market .apk on your kindle and then open the market and just put chessking in the search and all the apps should come up, there's around 15 or so and all but 3 installed fine for me on my kindle.
I use 1mobile market to install apps/games on my kindle that aren't available at Amazon. It basically mirrors the google playstore and allows me to install apps for android not available at Amazon. Kindle runs a modified version of the Android operating system so not all the apps/games have run on my HD8. Amazons app store is pretty limited in what it offers, going through the 1mobile market there's a lot more available to at least to try and i just try the free stuff when i go through 1mobile market, i've never bought anything and i'm not putting my CC# in there.
A link to a PDF of ECO codes that you can save and print.
http://www.swfloridachessclub.com/ECO_CODES.pdf
link to a ECO database .pgn download.
http://www.dii.unisi.it/~addabbo/ECO_aperture_scacchi.html
Thanks for this. One of my goals is to learn to play chess before I leave this world. O0
IMHO Jeremy Silman is one of the best chess authors of all time. In addition to the books mentioned above I'd also add:
https://www.amazon.com/Silmans-Complete-Endgame-Course-Beginner/dp/1890085103/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511617213&sr=8-1&keywords=jeremy+silman An excellent endgame book.
and:
https://www.amazon.com/Road-Chess-Improvement-Alex-Yermolinsky/dp/1901983242/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511617302&sr=1-1&keywords=alex+Yermolinsky Maybe you can find it cheaper.
Haven't played competitively in 30 years and never got above 1600 but I still play against the computer from time to time and buy a new chess book every once in a while. I got to a point many years ago where I realized it would take a lot of effort to really improve and there were too many other distractions at the time for me to want to make the effort. Chess is a great game that certainly fits the old saying "Easy to learn, hard to master.".
Quote from: Geezer on November 25, 2017, 08:49:04 AM
IMHO Jeremy Silman is one of the best chess authors of all time. In addition to the books mentioned above I'd also add:
https://www.amazon.com/Silmans-Complete-Endgame-Course-Beginner/dp/1890085103/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511617213&sr=8-1&keywords=jeremy+silman An excellent endgame book.
and:
https://www.amazon.com/Road-Chess-Improvement-Alex-Yermolinsky/dp/1901983242/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511617302&sr=1-1&keywords=alex+Yermolinsky Maybe you can find it cheaper.
Haven't played competitively in 30 years and never got above 1600 but I still play against the computer from time to time and buy a new chess book every once in a while. I got to a point many years ago where I realized it would take a lot of effort to really improve and there were too many other distractions at the time for me to want to make the effort. Chess is a great game that certainly fits the old saying "Easy to learn, hard to master.".
What he said. Easy to learn, hard to master, would rather invest in playing different games.
Great post, budd -- thanks for this O0
It's pretty light-weight because I haven't been serious about chess since I was in college, but you used to be able to get a demo for Simply Chess on Steam that can give you a reasonable game if you haven't memorized 300+ openings.
I was never much of a chess player because everybody else in my family was too good at it. My father used to play blindfold chess, and one summer when we were in the same city we started eating our way through the local restaurants and would play double-blindfold chess at dinner. He was out of practice and I had just learned how to play without a board so we never got past one bottle of wine and the mid-game before we forgot where the pieces were.
When they changed the chess notation system I never bothered to learn the new one, so my blindfold days are over. But it's a good mental exercise.
I think i enjoy studying chess and doing tactical problems more than actually playing. I've never been good at memorizing lines and variations except for some opening lines and i'll never put the amount of time/repetition needed to memorize lines, so i'm focusing on position evaluation. I do enjoy going through grandmaster games playing guess the move. I think hard work only takes you so far, partly you have to be gifted in chess. I don't grind it until the point its no fun for me. Watching or going through a game with a couple of grandmasters slugging it out and sometimes seeing a wicked combination or a killer sacrifice, your thinking how the hell did he see that..........well it's a beautiful thing, and they are certainly talented and gifted.
Completely appropros of nothing: Warhammer40K Regicide is not entirely free, but less than US$4 during the current Steam sale.
It can be played as straight-up chess (with battle animations obviously). There are also "regicide" rules which allow players to spend action points after their standard chess moves to add extra combat and defense onto the board. (And some campaigns using the "regicide" rules to deal with semi-chess problem situations.)
Quote from: airboy on November 25, 2017, 11:44:35 AM
Quote from: Geezer on November 25, 2017, 08:49:04 AM
IMHO Jeremy Silman is one of the best chess authors of all time. In addition to the books mentioned above I'd also add:
https://www.amazon.com/Silmans-Complete-Endgame-Course-Beginner/dp/1890085103/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511617213&sr=8-1&keywords=jeremy+silman An excellent endgame book.
and:
https://www.amazon.com/Road-Chess-Improvement-Alex-Yermolinsky/dp/1901983242/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511617302&sr=1-1&keywords=alex+Yermolinsky Maybe you can find it cheaper.
Haven't played competitively in 30 years and never got above 1600 but I still play against the computer from time to time and buy a new chess book every once in a while. I got to a point many years ago where I realized it would take a lot of effort to really improve and there were too many other distractions at the time for me to want to make the effort. Chess is a great game that certainly fits the old saying "Easy to learn, hard to master.".
What he said. Easy to learn, hard to master, would rather invest in playing different games.
+1
Hey Budd, thank you so much for this thoughtful and informative thread! I kept reading about free chess resources and programs but I'll be doggoned if I could find them. This thread is going to be super useful, honestly I can't thank you enough.
Maybe we could get a Grogheads chess group together and do some online playing?
Quote from: Toonces on November 25, 2017, 05:53:35 PM
...
Maybe we could get a Grogheads chess group together and do some online playing?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fnal.gov%2Fpub%2Ftoday%2Fimages%2Fimages04%2Ffermi_chess_club.jpg&hash=6be7cbb3972960b8b2d2afb94f5670b622b2a4cb)
^ Are those Groggies? I don't even recognize you in that pic, and I'm sure I've seen your pic enough to recognize you.
Didn't see this one mentioned above. I found it when I had a fit of nostalgiac chess playing a while back:
https://lichess.org/
Currently about 9000 players online at 1:30am EST
Is meng jaio not the go these days.
That's what computer AI trains on.
Quote from: Toonces on November 26, 2017, 12:31:48 AM
^ Are those Groggies? I don't even recognize you in that pic, and I'm sure I've seen your pic enough to recognize you.
Not me, just posting an adult geeky chess club photo. ;)
I used to play competitive chess in high school... but then wargames came along and then PC wargames and my chess playing went to zero....
I am a huge lurker that just reads post and doesnt post but I am a huge chess fan ...watch it play it study it and am still bad at it.Member at icc and chess.com didnt really care for lichess.
Sorry let me get back to lurking.
Quote from: Toonces on November 25, 2017, 05:53:35 PM
Maybe we could get a Grogheads chess group together and do some online playing?
Note that I reserve the right to AAR any of my games -- using Regicide hotseat to recreate our moves. :D
I learned to play chess in school and even joined the chess club. I've played a lot over the years. Its still a great game.
Note, I also play Shogi, which is Japanese chess.
http://japanesechess.org/shogi2014/
I added some android/Ipod/Iphone free chess resources to the bottom of the first post.
I've dabbled with Lichess, it seems good for online play, and even has a mobile port. All free.
What is NOT free is a Masterclass with Kasperov.
https://www.masterclass.com/classes/garry-kasparov-teaches-chess
If you want to be taught chess by the best, using personally coached video and content... it's about £70 for the course with the main man. :) I bought it for my Brother's present this year.
Added some new links to bottom of first post.
link to a PDF with a classification of ECO codes for saving and printing.
link to a ECO database PGN file to download and import into your database.
One other online chess resource has been mentioned once; chess.com
They have both free and paid modes. The free mode allows tou to select from ~10 'unlocked' bots; no limitation on the number of games played. Also allows Chess960 variant (my favourite at the moment as I am re-learning and don't care about opening tablebased). Paid mode(3 versions and monthly/yearly) allows/enables all bots and infinite analysis. Like other analyses this gives blunders and mistakes for both sides - and gives specific advice for improvement.
Chess.com and Lichess both allow the use of eboards
1 eboard I recommend is the DGT Smart board coupled with the DGT Pi computer module (which has 8 chess engines and is open source)
DGT Smartboard https://digitalgametechnology.com/products/home-use-e-boards/smart-board-with-indices
DGT Pi computer https://digitalgametechnology.com/products/chess-computers/dgt-pi-chess-computer-e-board-and-pieces-not-included
Another recommendation os the DGT Centaur, a combination e-board, e-ink display, flexible chess computer Has onboard graphical display of moves as well as the nifty mini-board in e-ink. Has a built in rechargeable battery, which is user changeable. very easy to set up custom positions.
The DGT Pi is a raspberry pie computer and has built in wifi, bluetooth, 3.5mm audio output jack (it announces the moves by computer display and voice)
The DGT Smartboard/DGT Pi combo allows you to play online at lichess or chess.com - but with your local physical e-board.
I haven't received the above toys yet but will update this old thread with photo's when the packages arrive.
There are some very nice Millenium e-boards and a couple of good computer modules to choose from
The DGT products I've mentioned/ordered above also allow you to interface with PC programs and some Mac programs, so you could for example, play against Hiarcs PC/Mac but using your physical e-boards.
Tom
All other online games are kids' stuff compared to online chess.
Best regards,
Thomm
Edit: Thanks for the initial post, of course!!
Thanks for the suggestions Thomas! \m/
Whats your recommendation for a casual/beginner chess player? Centaur or Smart + Pi combo?
@Yskonin I've got 'all the time in the world' (just like Burgess Meredith in the old timey Twilight Zone). Am on early medical retirement, so toys and games are very important to me).
Fritz has free online play vs bots as well. It seems as if lots of the current chess programs are using Stockfish engine, which goes up an estimated 3500+ Elo on mu;ti-core systems. I can't beat anything so I'm starting at 1 or 2 minutes a move and playing Chess960 (so opening books are taken out of the computer's advantage against me)
Something as simple as allowing the computer to play 1 minute total think time/game against itself and then running the results through an analysis program os starting to help. At least I'm saying uh-oh earlier 🇨🇦
Tom
Add in the following free chess database/analysis programs
1) Arena Chess GUI runs under Crossover 22.something under OS Monterrey
2) ChessX native OS binary
3) SCID (Shane's Chess Information Database
4) Lucas Chess GUI runs under Crossover as above
Providing that you install Mac OS X engines (UCI) you can play games in all of these.
Tom