Buying Computer Chess Games

Chess computers are an invaluable tool to learn the game of chess. For best learning set the difficulty to a level where you only win 25% of the time. Your computer chess game will give you hours of competition and practice. 

Maestro Travel Chess Computer

*100 playing levels, backlit screen, built-in stylus and chess clock *Take back and replay over 200 moves *Auto power down feature with unfinished games held in memory *Uses 3 AAA batteries

Saitek Maestro Travel Chess Computer from Mephisto

Built-in chess clock Slip this sleek, stylish game in your pocket and youre ready to play chess anytime, anywhere. As your game improves, so does the challenge!

The New York Times Deluxe Talking Touch Chess

Multi-feature chess computer with 500 game-improving puzzles, Edited by Robert Byrne, renowned columnist from The New York Times!

Chess For Kids

I completely encourage children learning chess, it's a fun game that teaches practical skills such as pattern recognition, competition, patience, and other virtues.

The method I use

When I am going to teach someone chess, I teach piece by piece, starting with just pawns. After teaching how the pawns can move, and a few basic 3vs3 1vs2 scenarios, setup the pawns on their starting positions. The object of the game is to advance a single pawn to the 8th rank. That's it! Play this around 50 times (not in a single sitting of course), the more the better. This will familiarize the budding Kasparov with how the pawns interact, aid each other, and move in general.

After this add a single piece, a knight for each side in addition to the pawns. The idea here is that each piece can aid the pawns in their own way so we have to learn how each piece individually can help the team. Continue adding a single piece, and removing it, just knight, just bishop, just rook and pawns and so forth for all pieces. Then go back and play with 2 knights/bishops/rooks and the pawns. Keep progressing until the player is completely familiar with all the piece combinations, without being bogged down with opening theory, or tactical traps.

Using this method, my first student went 15 moves into the Queen's Gambit Declined in their very first complete game.

After the player has a good command of moving the pieces, and desires to progress, there are plenty of great books to elevate the new chess player's strength

Tactics

This is my favorite "starter" book.
Bobby Fisher Teaches Chess
A great idea for a book, and well put together with the top mating combinations
How to Beat Your Dad at Chess

Openings

Chess Openings Traps and Zaps: Bruce Pandolfini

Wood Chess Set Buying Guide

When looking to purchase a wooden chess set, you have many choices in color, style, weight, and price. Most wooden sets currently are produced in India, and prices range from fairly cheap to very expensive. There are several things you can keep in mind to find the best deal on the chess set you are buying.

Weight and Height

Weight

When looking for a set to display at home, or even play with in tournaments, it is important to get a set that you are comfortable with. usually, the heavier the piece the nicer it is to play with. The pieces tend to tip over less, and have a good massive feel to them. Along with the weight of the wood, chess pieces are usually fitted with weights beneath the billiard cloth bottom. In a tournament game with little time left, there is no time to keep up-righting the pieces every move. Heavier sets weight 40 ounces or more.

Height

The height of the set is always measured by the height of the King. Chess sets and boards you play on should be proportionate. Playing with larger pieces on a smaller board is not recommended since the height of the pieces blocks or occludes other pieces, and it's harder to get the "big picture". A typical tournament set uses between a 3 1/2" to 4" King with a board that measures over 20". A good ratio may be a 21" board with a 3 3/4" King.

Ebony Sets - a warning

Ebony produces the most desired chess sets with a rich dark red color. However, ebonized pieces are just heavily lacquered pieces giving the illusion of Ebony. Be careful, if the price seems to good it may not be a good deal.

Below is a mix of high end, luxury sets, as well as sets suitable for casual play or beginners in wood. The folding sets fondly remind me of my first wooden set, that I treasured as a beginner while trying to beat my Dad at chess.