Chess Merit Badge 8/6/2013

History of Chess Watch Name 1 fact about the history of chess. 8/6/2013

Chess Etiquette Shake hands at the start and end of a game Do not distract your opponent, make noises, tap on the table… Be a good loser, and a good winner Cell Phones: You will be banned from most Chess tournaments if your cell phone rings or makes noise. No texting. 7/20/2011CHESS MERIT BADGE Page 3

Chess Etiquette Ask for a draw on your own clock time Annoying actions or noises can result in a forfeit (declared by the tournament director) ◦Complaining that your opponent annoys you by making good moves will not work. Touch Move Rule: If you touch a piece, and it can legally move, you have to move that piece. 7/20/2011CHESS MERIT BADGE Page 4

Stages in a Chess Game Opening Middle Game Endgame 8/6/2013CHESS MERIT BADGE Page 5 “In the opening a master should play like a book, in the mid-game he should play like a magician, in the ending he should play like a machine. – Rudolph Spielmann, Grandmaster

Chess Openings The first several moves by both players. ◦Usually first 4-10 moves Named after the first famous player who used it © 2011CHESS MERIT BADGE Page 6

Opening Principles 1.Development 2.Control the Center 3.Castling 4.Pawn Structure © 2011CHESS MERIT BADGE Page 7

1. Development Do develop minor pieces before major pieces (B & N, before Q & R) Make the first Knight move toward the center (c3, f3, c6, f6) The first Bishop move should attack something or defend important square Learn from your mistakes © 2011CHESS MERIT BADGE Page 8

1. Development Do NOT develop your Queen early Do NOT open with Rook pawns (a, h) Do NOT move the same piece many times Do NOT put Knights on the edge, unless required for defense Avoid blocking Pawns with Bishops © 2011CHESS MERIT BADGE Page 9

2. Control the Center If you control more of the center squares, it is easier to defend and harder for your opponent to attack The “Sweet Center” (d4, d5, e4, e5) squares are the most important © 2011CHESS MERIT BADGE Page 10 SWEET CENTER

3. Castling Castling makes the King safer by moving him away from the center. Castling is efficient: 2 King moves in 1, and it develops a Rook © 2011CHESS MERIT BADGE Page 11

4. Pawn Structure Pawns do not move backward, so carefully choose pawn moves Avoid moving pawns in front of a castled King without a reason Pawn chains are stronger than isolated pawns Attack the base of a pawn chain, where it is weakest © 2011CHESS MERIT BADGE Page 12

Opening Principles 1.Development 2.Control the Center 3.Castling 4.Pawn Structure © 2011CHESS MERIT BADGE Page 13

Break into 3 groups