HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: rjm@cs.brown.edu (Ralph Marshall)
Subject: Re: Novice Question-Openings/Books
Organization: Brown University Department of Computer Science
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 19:37:44 GMT

In article <1992Oct12.163606.2583@ai.univie.ac.at> juffi@ai.univie.ac.at (Johannes Fuernkranz) writes:

>Try 'The ideas behind the Chess openings' by Reuben Fine. It's available as 
>paberback and therefore cheap (can't go much wrong).
>I think it gives a decent introduction to what the title promises. I
>only got it as an expert and found it pretty boring, though. But I
>guess it should be 'Fine' for beginners. Maybe you can get some
>opinions from other beginners who have read this?

Finally, a chance to say "My name is Ralph, and I'm a fish!" in a
positive light :-) I'm a near-beginner, and I've tried to take the
oft-repeated advice "don't spend too much time on openings" to heart.
However, I have to do something, and after reading in "Kasparov
teaches chess" that I'd learn tactics faster by playing e4 as white, I
decided to go with the King's gambit as my starting place.

Since I'm not playing against people with any depth of opening
preparation, we don't tend to play the established lines beyond the
first few moves, and thus MCO is pretty much useless.  In fact, I
quickly end up in a position where I must try to apply general
principles to the opening, which seems to work reasonably well.  This
means that I have to have some idea of what I'm going for, and
hopefully have seen the traps which can occur in the first few moves.

So, getting to "The Ideas Behind the Openings," I can say that it's
been exactly what I need at this stage.  There is a discussion of
gambit play in general, and the opening paragraph to the King's Gambit
states: "The opening of the KB file makes it only too obvious that
White's assault will be directed against the Black KB2.  Again, the
fact that the Black KP is out of the way indicates that White will
Play P-Q4 as soon as possible.  First, however, a defense against the
threatened 3 ... Q-R5 must be found." (The King's Gambit runs 1 e4 e5
2 f4 ef 3 Nf3 in the exchange variation.)

This type of positional summary has provided me with a much better
understanding of why the moves are chosen as they are, and with the
general notion of the salient features of the position I am better
able to improvise when my opponent does something else.

I've checked this out from the Brown library, and have the original
1934 edition, which is this cute little hardcover with rounded page
corners, all in excellent condition.  If you believe the due-date card
in the end, I'm the first person to ever check it out!

Ralph Marshall
rjm@cs.brown.edu
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"If I valued the honorable gentleman's opinion, I might get angry."
	Winston Churchill
From: Bruce_Harper@mindlink.bc.ca (Bruce Harper)
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: Re: Fischer being put to rest
Date: 11 Oct 92 03:08:16 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Distribution: world

I agree with everything David Fry says, except for his comments about Lasker.
Lasker was as far ahead of his contemporaries as Fischer was ahead of his.

The detractors of Fischer are only showing their ignorance.  The only
question is whether Fischer is so good that he can take twenty years off and
still be the best player in the world.  There is a strong argument to be made
that Fischer is the greatest player in the history of chess, and if he isn't
the best player in the world now, that wouldn't necessarily mean that he
still wasn't the greatest.  On the other hand, if he can defeat Kasparov,
there will be few doubters.

Those that say Fischer is a "chess god" are going a little far in the other
direction.

Why are people so given to hyperbole?  It's absurd to think that Kasparov is
shaking with fear right now, but it's obvious that his life has suddenly
become a bit more complicated.

One thing that must be beyond doubt - Fischer's return is good for chess, in
many ways.  Other than that - stay tuned for the next match.
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
From: engp2063@nusunix1.nus.sg (NG CHEE MUN SIDNEY)
Subject: Xiangqi: Game #1
Organization: National University of Singapore
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 04:11:52 GMT


Below is a game which I played against GM Hu Rong Hua (Shanghai) and managed
to get a creditable draw. Hu was in Singapore last year for 3 months as a
coach. We invited him to come to N.U.S. for a simultaneous display. He played
against 20 players on that day, and the total score was W16-D3-L1. During his
stay in Singapore, Hu also played many blind-fold simul against many of our
top players in Singapore.

National University of Singapore, Sports Hall
17 Nov 1991 

  Wu Zi Wen         Hu Rong Hua
(Ng Chee Mun)
    Red                Black

1.    C2=5             H2+3
2.    H2+3             C8=6
3.    S3+1

This is one of Hu's favourite to counter the central cannon opening. In 1985,
Zhao Guo Rong (Hei Long Jiang) played red and used this S3+1 variation to
defeat Hu. Obviously, I hoped history to repeat itself. The other options for
this move are: a. R1=2,  b.R1+1

3.   .....             H8+7
4.   H8+9              R9+1
5.   C8=7              R9=4
6.   R9=8              R1=2
7.   R8+4              A4+5
8.   A4+5
A rather weak move. On hind sight, I think R1+1 would be better as Hu would
attempt to exchange my active Rook on the 8th rank.
8.   ......            C2=1
9.   R8+5              H3-2
10.  C5+4              C6=5
11.  C5-2              H7+5
12.  C5+3              E7+5
13.  R1=2              C1+4
14.  R2+5              R4+4
15.  R2=5              H5+3
16.  R5=4              R4=7
17.  E3+5              R7+1
18.  R4=6
Red threaten black Horse to relieve Black Cannon's pressure on Red's 9th file
Horse.
18. ......             H2+3
19.  S7+1              C1-2
20.  R6-1             fH3-5
21.  R6=3              R7-1
22.  E5+3              H5+4
23.  C7+1              H3+5
24.  H9+8              C1=2
From here onwards, Black sieze the initiative as Black's pieces have more
space to move. Black's soldier on the 1st file also seriously threathen Red's
Horse.
25.  H3+2              S1+1
26.  C7=6              S3+1
27.  S7+1              H5+3
28.  C6-1              S7+1
29.  E3-5              H4+2!
30.  C6+3
The only move to save Red's Horse...
30.  .....             H3-2
31.  H8-6              S1+1
32.  H2+1             bH2+4
33.  H1+3              H4+6
34.  H3-4
With the exchange of another piece, it looks likely to be a draw.
34.  ....              C2=6
35.  S1+1              C6+2
36.  H6+5              H2+3
37.  C6-4              C6-2
38.  A5+6              S1=2
39.  G5=4              C6-3
40.  H5+3              C6+5
41.  H3+1              S2+1
42.  H1+3              C6-5
43.  C6=2              A5+6
44.  C2=4
Red threaten Black's General in the last few moves and force Black to
exchange its dangerous Cannon on the 44th move. With that, both sides agreed
to a draw.

Comments/Questions/Analysis to the game is welcomed!
From: zeng@Apple.COM (Tie Zeng)
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: Re: Standardized Notations for Xiangqi
Date: 8 Oct 92 01:21:28 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA

Does anybody know any information about algorithms
for Chiness chess? I am looking for them right now and
could not find anything. 
Any help will be much appreciated.



---------Tie Zeng
From: chuck@npdiss1.StPaul.NCR.COM (Charles Rissmeyer)
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: Fischer's Back!
Date: 7 Oct 92 14:50:36 GMT
Reply-To: chuck@npdiss1.StPaul.NCR.COM (Charles Rissmeyer)
Organization: StPaul

Having dropped my membership to the American Chess Federation about 6 years ago,
I haven't really been following chess developments since then.  When I recently
heard that Fischer had finally surfaced and is involved in a rematch with
Spasky, I almost fell off my stool.  Of all the confounded things, this is just
great.  The hero of many of my age back in the early 70s, and he's back.
I remember Shelby talking about how so many have tried to talk to Bobby, but he
would never listen.  I gave him up as a lost cause.

Does anyone else share my elation at having Bobby back on the scene?
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
From: david@bourbon.ee.tulane.edu (David Kaufmann)
Subject: Help with GnuChess 4.0
Nntp-Posting-Host-[nntpd-29423]: bourbon
Organization: E.E. Dept., Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 23:06:40 GMT


I downloaded GnuChess 4.0 from valkyries.etc. It's in a tar.z format
and I can't seem to get it to expand(?). (I've recently tried Gnuchess
3 and like it, but that was in .hqx format.)

Any help getting it operational would be appreciated. E-mail, of
course.

Thanks.

David Kaufmann
INTERNET:	david@bourbon.ee.tulane.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
From: scarfman@wam.umd.edu (Jonathan Smith)
Subject: Fisher/Spassky
Organization: University of Maryland, College Park
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 17:26:42 GMT

Sorry if this is a repeat but I have been off line
Will someone be posting a summary of the matches?  I have been in the UK and am having an awful time following things in chess...

Thanks.
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
From: fry@zariski.harvard.edu (David Fry)
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: F-S II game 16 moves 1-28
Date: 7 Oct 92 20:11:21 GMT
Organization: Harvard Math Department


As of 19:17 GMT
   Spassky Fischer
   (White) (Black)
   1. d4 Nf6
   2. c4 c5
   3. d5 d6
   4. Nc3 g6
   5. e4 Bg7
   6. Bg5 h6
   7. Bh4 g5
   8. Bg3 Qa5
   9. Bd3 Nxe4
   10. Bxe4 Bxc3+
   11. bxc3 Qxc3+
   12. Kf1 f5
   13. Rc1 Qf6
   14. h4 g4
   15. Bd3 f4
   16. Ne2 fxg3
   17. Nxg3 Rf8
   18. Rc2 Nd7
   19. Qxg4 Ne5
   20. Qe4 Bd7
   21. Kg1 0-0-0
   22. Bf1 Rg8
   23. f4 Nxc4
   24. Nh5 Qf7
   25. Qxc4 Qxh5
   26. Rb2 Rg3
   27. Be2 Qf7
   28. Bf3 Rdg8
From: dweddin@uoft02.utoledo.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: Re: Fischer being put to rest
Date: 10 Oct 92 15:39:03 EST
Distribution: world
Organization: University of Toledo, Computer Services

> 
>>> So you think that Alekhine was chicken because he did not gave
>>> Capablanca a chance at "his" title?  Look at chess history and you
>>> will realize that in the old days the champion decided who the
>>> candidate was and when he would play him.  In these days FIDE
>>> regulates the Chess Championsi.  Get real, Fischer hasn't
>>> earned a chance the play Kasparov or Karpov.  If they do decide
>>> to rest once and for all.
> 
>>> Ramon Pantin
> 
> 
> You do not seem to remember what Fischer was like 20 years ago.
> 
> I for one, if I were Kasparov, would begin battening down the hatches,
> securing the tackles, removing the sails ...  
> 
> -wj
> 
>

wj

your assessment is sadly wrong...you would not

 "begin battening down the hatches, securing the tackles, 
  removing the sails ..."  

this implies that Kasparov isn't too scared to play bobby.


instead, if you were Kasparov, you would take cheap pot shots
at bobby from a safe distance...kind of like the way Sir Howard
Staunton did to Paul Morphy...

then you would find every politically correct reason to run from
a real match with bobby because you knew he'd kick the snot out
of you.


don wedding.
From: dweddin@uoft02.utoledo.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: FSII -- PLAYER PERFORMANCE
Date: 7 Oct 92 14:24:11 EST
Organization: University of Toledo, Computer Services

i'm amazed at how chess players are rating the play of the F-S
match. i've seen comments ranging from one extreme "they're both
playing like gods" to the other "my grandma could beat em with one
hand tied behind her back".

this lack of consistancy -- especially at the grand master level --
only confirms my belief that even us flunkies out here can make
valid assessments of the play. 

in other words, i don't have to know how to paint to know a nice portrait,
or know how to play the piano to appreciate music. in fact, i can even be
a better assessor of these things since my opinion isn't biased by 
professional jealousy. actually, its biased by hero worship ;-)

with this in mind, as a lover of the game of chess, i will assess the
playing strengths...


-----------------------------

i think Fischer, with the exception of a couple of grotesque displays in
the early rounds, is playing great!

i think he will pollish off boris pretty soon, and by that time will be
back to his old form. he will then take on Karpov and beat him with a
score of 10-1.

when he faces Gary in december of 1993, he will publicly embarrass him with
an unheard of 10-0 score.


any other opinions out there?

don wedding
From: Ralph Dumain <rdumain@igc.apc.org>
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Date: 06 Oct 92 18:45 PDT
Subject: CHESS VARIANTS
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1451600051:000:821
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!rdumain    Oct  6 18:45:00 1992


From: Ralph Dumain <rdumain>
Subject: CHESS VARIANTS

Is this the proper conference for chess variants?  I loathe 
standard chess, but I am interested in all regional variants, 
Chinese Chess (xian qi), Japanese (Shogi), and all other 
variations, commercial and otherwise.  Anybody interested?
I also need to gather as comprehensive information as possible, 
to supplement what is lacking in the existing anthologies and 
newsletters.  For starters: 
I am the only one I know who has ever heard of EAGLE CHESS.  
As a kid I met the inventor and he gave me a pamphlet, but I lost
it.  I can't find it in the Library of Congress.  I am told the 
Cleveland Public Library has a good games collection, but I have 
never been there.  Can anybody help me find the pamphlet: 
THE GAME OF EAGLE CHESS by Henry Tichauer (1948?)?
From: dchatham@utkvx2.utk.edu (Chatham, Doug)
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: Another chess variant proposal -- Nuclear Chess
Date: 12 Oct 92 17:08:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: utkvx2.12OCT199213084435
Organization: University of Tennessee Computing Center
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

I propose a variant with just one tiny, modest change -- each pawn is 
given the power to explode and take out ALL pieces (includ. pawns)within a 
1-square radius.  For example, an exploding pawn at c3 would eliminate the
pieces (friendly or not) in squares b1,b2,b3,c1,c2,c3,d1,d2,d3.  I call this
variant Nuclear Chess for obvious reasons.

The strategy changes I can see are
1. Center control becomes much more difficult.
2. Exchanges become easier and potentially more profitable.
3. Stopping the normal progress of a pawn with a higher ranking piece is
probably not a good idea anymore. (on the other hand, it could become a 
neccessary sacrifice)

Comments?  Ideas on suitable notation for the explosions would be especially
appreciated.

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Doug Chatham
From: annan@vax.oxford.ac.uk
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: Re: who is world champion
Date: 13 Oct 92 08:42:55 GMT
Organization: Oxford University VAX 6620

In article <1992Oct13.031256.9496@cbnewsl.cb.att.com>, ed@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (edward.m.hummel) writes:
> 
> And if Fischer ever allows Kasparov a match, then Fischer is being
> generous to Kasparov.  Fischer can make more money than Kasparov
> playing matches.  It would be generous, in three ways, for Fischer to
> agree to match:
> 	1)  Kasparov makes a bundle.
> 	2)  Kasparov gets a shot at Fischer's title.
                                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^   !!!
> 	3)  Kasparov gets to prove he is the best.
> 
> I wonder if these "critiques" are exclusively American.  How does
> Fischer's popularity in Europe compare with the US?

I think in most of Europe you'll find that Kasparov is the World Chess
Champion, not Fischer.

-- 
James Annan.
                [--------------------------------------]
                [  "The only good Tory is a lavatory"  ]
                [--------------------------------------]
From: mginsbur@rnd.GBA.NYU.EDU (Mark Ginsburg)
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: Re: Polgar
Keywords: world champ?
Date: 8 Oct 92 16:33:11 GMT
Organization: NYU Stern School of Business


Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
From: jim@meaddata.com (Jim McIntire)
Subject: Re: F-S GAME 12
Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 23:20:00 GMT

In article <2816.3104.uupcb@synapse.org>, jean-pierre.roy@synapse.org (Jean-Pierre Roy)  writes:
|> Help,
|> 
|> I miss the moves of game 12 of Fischer-Spassky. Please, do someone can
|> repeat the moves in this conference to my attention.
|> 
|> Thanks.
|> 
|> JP
|> ---
|>  . SLMR 2.0 . On a clear disk you can seek forever
|>                                                          

Article: 13286 of rec.games.chess
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: F-S II game 12 Spassky wins - moves
From: fry@zariski.harvard.edu (David Fry)
Date: 30 Sep 92 17:36:23 EDT
Distribution: world
Organization: Harvard Math Department


Experts at the site said Spassky had a won position by move 25.

In other news, the Hungarian news agency MTI is reporting that talks
are underway for a possible match between Fischer and Judit Polgar.
Fischer has not commented on this, but MTI says that Polgar's father
said talks have been going on for months.

   Spassky Fischer
   White Black
   1. d4 Nf6
   2. c4 g6
   3. Nc3 Bg7
   4. e4 d6
   5. f3 O-O
   6. Be3 Nc6
   7. Nge2 a6
   8. h4 h5
   9. Nc1 e5
   10. d5 Ne7
   11. Be2 Nh7
   12. Nd3 f5
   13. a4 Nf6
   14. Nf2 a5
   15. Qc2 c5
   16. 0-0-0 b6
   17. Rdg1 Nh7
   18. Nb5 Kh8
   19. g4 hxg4
   20. fxg4 f4
   21. Bd2 g5
   22. hxg5 Ng6
   23. Rh5 Rf7
   24. Rgh1 Bf8
   25. Qb3 Rb8
   26. Qh3 Rb7
   27. Nd3 Kg8
   28. Ne1 Rg7
   29. Nf3 Rbf7
   30. Rh6 Qd7
   31. Qh5 Qxg4
   32. Rxg6 Qxh5
   33. Rxg7+ Rxg7
   34. Rxh5 Bg4
   35. Rh4 Bxf3
   36. Bxf3 Nxg5
   37. Bg4 Rh7
   38. Rxh7 Kxh7
   39. Kc2 Be7
   40. Kd3 Kg6
   41. Nc7 Kf7
   42. Ne6 Nh7
   43. Bh5+ Kg8
   44. Be1 Nf6
   45. Bh4 Kh7
   46. Bf7 Nxd5
   47. cxd5 Bxh4
   48. Bh5 Kh6
   49. Be2 Bf2
   50. Kc4 Bd4
   51. b3 Kg6
   52. Kb5 Kf6
   53. Kc6 Ke7
   54. Ng7 resigns


-- 
Jim H. McIntire                                            (513) 865-7742
Mead Data Central           Life is a         Product Development Systems
P.O. Box 933              mystery and we                 jim@meaddata.com
Dayton, Ohio  45401     are the detectives.        ...!uunet!meaddata!jim
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
From: hau4@ellis.uchicago.edu (sven  hauptfeld)
Subject: Re: F-S II game 17 Postponed by Spassky
Reply-To: hau4@midway.uchicago.edu
Organization: University of Chicago Computing Organizations
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 20:22:36 GMT

In article <1992Oct8.133347.16174@husc3.harvard.edu> fry@zariski.harvard.edu (David Fry) writes:
>
>Game 17 was postponed until Saturday today by Spassky, who was said to
>be suffering from exhaustion and "professional stress."  This is from
>the certificate from the match doctors.  
>

Seems like we'll see another series of Fischer's victories...

	Sven
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: Benjamin vs Soltis??? (was Budapest)
From: nason@pa881a.inland.com
Date: 8 Oct 92 09:57:12 CDT
 <1992Oct6.081805.26138@klaava.Helsinki.FI> <30609@rnd.GBA.NYU.EDU> <1992Oct7.143602.22765@sequent.com>
Organization: Inland Steel Company, East Chicago, IN
Nntp-Posting-User: convery

In article <1992Oct7.143602.22765@sequent.com>, edjohn@sequent.com (Ed Johnson) writes:
> In article <30609@rnd.GBA.NYU.EDU> mginsbur@rnd.GBA.NYU.EDU (Mark Ginsburg) writes:
>>
>>As Joel Benjamin notes in his Swill articles, beware any book with
>>"Winning with..." in the title!
>>
>>-mark

Obviously, Benjamin is talking about Soltis.  Is it possible that the two just
don't agree?????  I have read Soltis and found his books excellent.  I am a
weak player however, and his advice helps me.  Maybe later it won't.  I have
not read Benjamin so I can't comment.  
-- 
My opinions are my own and not those of my company.  
Free advice is worth its cost.  
--- John M. Nason - NA9U ---|--------------------------------------------|
Inland Steel Company        |  -- nason@pa881a.inland.com                |
Process Automation Dept.    |  -- Fax:   219-399-7856                    |
			    |  -- Voice: 219-399-2450                    |
----------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
From: georges@yang.earlham.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: Re: Reuben Fine's Basic Chess Endings
Date: 16 Oct 92 18:31:34 GMT
Organization: Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana

>>There's always Reuben Fine's Basic Chess Endings.  It has nearly everything,
>>including some reported errors.  The section on K+Q vs K+R is complex.
> I have just gotten this book.  The bookseller said that someone had
> compiled a list of errata, but that he (the bookseller) had no idea
> of where to get it.  Can the net do better?
> 
> (The net seems to have found one error already-- Fine gives KBN v K as a
> 34 move win;  the net consensus seems to be 33. ) 

Chess Digest's book catalog lists the following in a recent issue:

"Basic Chess Endings Corrections", Samuel Louie (1990)  Cat. No. J-4A $3.00
Reuben Fine's Basic Chess Endings (BCE) remains a classic for reference.  
Errors in analysis are unavoidable in a work of this kind. . . . A revision
of BCE is unlikely.  You must have BCE (J-4) to use it.  11 pages, 
descriptive [notation], paper[back]. Self[published]"

Chess Digest's phone number is (800) 462-354  (10:00-5:00PM CST)

Is this what you are looking for?

--GARS
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
From: tycchow@athena.mit.edu (Timothy Y Chow)
Subject: Check
Organization: None.  This saves me from writing a disclaimer.
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 19:32:37 GMT

Some time ago I remember reading on this newsgroup something about loopholes
in the USCF official rules of chess.  One was that there appears to be no
rule preventing a king from moving into check, and the other was that if
three or more pieces are attacking the king then it isn't check.  Well, I
was browsing through my copy of the 1987 edition of the rules, and the above
two claims seem to be correct.  However, I also noticed that in the
description of the moves it says that the king moves into any immediately
adjacent square that is not attacked by an enemy man (or something like
that).  Doesn't this cover the apparent loopholes?  Moving the king to a
square attacked by an enemy man isn't called "check" by the USCF but is
still an illegal move.  Furthermore, since your opponent can't *administer*
check by three or more pieces at once, the second apparent loophole is also
covered.