Chess Basics : Simple tips to safeguard and defend your King

7 December 2009 // Filed under Chess Game

One of the easiest games to learn but a rather difficult and challenging one to master or gain expertise is the game of Chess. It is one game that is closely associated with the life of a person and is also one of the prime reasons for its popularity among the people even after more than 1400 years since first introduced into this world. Such is the popularity of the game that the latest in technological advancements – the computer and the Internet – have gracefully embraced this game and play a vital role in taking this game to the masses through the means of Online Chess.

With computers and Internet, learning the game has been made much more easier and fun. Animations for teaching the moves of the various pieces, a large collection of games played by chess masters including the first World Champion William Steinitz, and above all, playing with computer or other player in virtual room in online chess sites are the major contributions to this oldest game from the technology.

The fascination and excitement of the game has not lost its sheen with the technological advancement and the basic requirements are equally applicable and will stand to be applicable for many more years to come.

To gain expertise in this game, one needs to use his thinking capability only and there is no substitute for that requirement. Let us, in this article, dwell on the important aspects of the chief piece, the King.

In the game of chess, the King is the most important piece for both the players. The game of chess is all about capturing one of the two Kings in the board by the other King using his pieces and saying the word “checkmate” ultimately.

Though each player is provided with 16 pieces in the beginning of the game including the King, it is the King that remains in the board throughout the game and cannot be removed from the board physically and set aside. Because there will not be a game without the King in the board.

One should be thoroughly aware of the salient features of this King. The effective management of the King is of prime importance in deciding the fate of the game, because the game comes to an end when the King gets captured or become incapable of guarding itself.

The primary and most important target of the opponent is none other than the King. So it is essential that the King is castled in the early stages of the game, especially on the Kingside. Castling on the queenside is also advisable, as this gives some extra advantage to a player. The player, having castled the King on the queenside and ensured adequate protection to the King, can use the King pawn effectively to carry out an attack on the opponent.

If the King is castled on the kingside, it is prudent that the pawns on the kingside, those occupying the positions e2, f2, g2 and h2, for white pieces, are not moved so that they provide some sort of protection to the castled King.

If not threatened by a check on the King, ensure that your Queen is not placed just in front of the King, as this might give an opportunity for the opponent to pin your queen through the means of a discovered check.

There are a lot of chess strategies that one must know as well in order to improve the game.

2009-12-07  ::