Pawns To Pieces: Chess 960

The first time I ever played Chess 960 was in the previous season of the Hive chess tournament. Although I won a few games by luck, I committed so many blunders and errors. I concluded that Chess 960 wasn't my thing and that I’d rather stick to regular chess. Growing up, I didn't know there was a thing like chess960. Sometimes, my brother and I would rearrange the pieces just for fun, unknowingly playing the variation. Little did we know it was a popular variation and even played in international competitions.

Yesterday, I assumed the tournament would be regular chess; the pieces well arranged and the rules of casting remain the same. That's the type of chess I've Played my whole life. However, about an hour and a half before the tourney, I checked the host’s message and realized that the game we would play for the night would be chess 960. I love watching chess videos. I spent most of 2020 watching chess videos on YouTube, but I never for once watched a video on how to play chess 960 better. With over an hour remaining, I decided to do my research. You know, learn more about Chess 960 and improve my skills.

The first link I saw when I searched for chess 960 on Google took me directly to the chesscom website. I found out that Bobby Fisher, a chess grandmaster who was famous during the late 90s formed and popularized this variation. I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. Did he just sit down one evening and the idea popped into his head? Well, I read that he developed this game due to his love for chess and genius mind and would always force his friends to play the variation with him in bars. I remember watching a movie about Bobby Fisher. Like Magnus Carlsen is ruling the chess world now, he also ruled the chess world during his time.

The first international chess 960 game was between Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura. A game that ended in a draw. One thing I noticed about the game is that both players tried to take up the centerboard and build strong openings. After learning the basics of Chess 960, I headed to YouTube to learn more tips; mostly strong openings. I explored and came across a YouTube guy who plays Chess 960; Vinny Plays Chess (you should check him out.) I watched him play a couple of live games and got some strong tips from them. I was so engrossed in watching the videos that I almost forgot about the tourney. Fortunately, I made it just in time. (I had about 30 seconds to spare).

MY FIRST GAME

I got paired with RDcast. As soon as I played my first move, all that I had learnt magically disappeared. The chess videos, Vinny’s games, and the strong openings, everything went poof! I want to believe I started the game well. Unfortunately, I castled my king to the wrong position, putting him in serious danger. My opponent, RDcast, managed to capitalize on it and landed a nice checkmate. Although I was not too happy that I lost the game, I liked the checkmate.

MY SECOND GAME

My second game was against stranger27. This time, I was bent on winning and not putting my king in a dangerous position. So, I played carefully, yet conscious of the time. We both stared well. Unfortunately for him, he left his Knight hanging, my Bishop sighted it from afar and swooped it. He was down on one material. An official at that. After losing his Knight, he started going defensive. I swooped into action and landed blows as heavy as I could. Happily, one of them landed on his Rook. I won my second game against Stranger27.

MY THIRD GAME

My third game against BolshakovA was really embarrassing. For me, of course. I thought I was going to win. I mean, I captured his rook and a few pawns and I was positive that I would win the game. Unfortunately, just like I did in my first game against RDcast, I castled my King and exposed it to danger. My opponent grinned at the chance and landed an unpreventable checkmate.

FOURTH AND FIFTH

Next, I played against FCastro17 who is a much stronger player. He won the second position in yesterday’s tourney. As expected, he beserked the game, but since I had more time, I played carefully. I managed to checkmate his king with my Queen and Bishop and I was happy when I did. Next, I played Visago. I won my third and fourth games. My checkmate against Visago was sweet. I delivered it nicely.

SIXTH- NINTH

My sixth game was against Stayoutoftherz. As I always do, I blundered and ended up losing. I won the rest of my games. Oh! I also played a draw with Olujay. Tough match.

Summarily, yesterday’s tourney went well. I hope to do better next week. See you all in the next round.

All images in this post are mine.

Thanks for reading.