10 youngsters today came along to enjoy a bit of chess, we welcomed Edith, a new recruit to the beginners section, she managed to play a couple of games with 50% success, well done!
Main topic today was the debate on which is best, Knight or Bishop. I think the jury is still out on that one! but a good group discussion took place.
Although they are each worth 3 pawns in the Chess world, here are some pro’s and con’s to think about.
| Good in the opening and middle game | Good in the endgame when less pieces on the board |
| Slow movements, needs to stop for Hay! | Fast on open diagonals, but needs space, can get blocked in. |
| Jumps over pieces, best in middle of board | A Bishop pair is better in the endgame |
| Difficult to predict it’s movements | Easy to see where it can go |
| Super tricky with FORKS | Can help to create a battery with Queen |
| Not easy to stop advancing pawns | Can block a queening pawn |
| Can combine nicely with Rook or Queen in a checkmate | Opposite coloured Bishops can be draw-ish |
| Cannot be used as the checking piece in a discovered check | Can be used in a discovered check and in Windmill tactics |
| Covers all the squares | Covers only half the squares |
| Can’t create a Battery | Only trade bishop for knight if an advantage |
| Can get trapped / blocked by Bishop | Put your pieces on opposite coloured squares of your own Bishop |
| Trade for Bishop if opponents Bishop looks strong | If your opponent has only one Bishop, try to put all your remaining pieces on the opposite coloured square, |
Latest Ladder positions after games played today and quiz results.
Wins today for:-
Edith, Constance, Philip, Advik, Shlok (3 points each) and a draw between Anusas and Michal (2 points ea). plus 1 point for a loss and 1 point for notation.
Quiz results sheets from Gagan, Constance, Advik, Louie, Anusas and Lewis (3 points each)
So that shakes things up a little.
The top 5 are highlighted in the RED Zone and will be asked to take the intermediate Quiz, whilst the rest can take the beginners Quiz of which both will be posted on Tuesday 10th June.
Big movers this week are Lewis and Louie, with Constance taking top spot in the absence of last weeks leader Gagan.
It’s those that take up the challenge of the Midweek Quiz that benefit with extra points to keep in touch with the top.
This is a great indicator for me to see who is really keen and wants to learn this fascinating game of Chess.
Heads up for next weekend – Father’s Day Sunday 15th June
Graham Morris