Player vs Player Gamesmanship

Since reading the Chess for Tigers book.  I have been doing quite a bit of thinking about the Player vs Player aspect of chess.  I’ve seen many discussions about Computer vs Player chess discussions and also whether “chess can be solved.”  Well, for one I am sad that the best part of chess is the heart pounding chances and risks that take place in over the board chess games.  When playing a computer, it doesn’t really matter if you play the Dutch Defense or the English opening?  No, but against a live opponent.  It could mean you throw them off of their game.

Do you prepare for the people you play against in your local chess club?  Do you know the favorite openings of 2 people in your local chess club?  That alone makes me think.  I am preparing for deeper knowledge of my openings.  Say 2 moves deeper and trying to learn some of the basic main variations.  I want to throw off the opponents I play.  Try to get them out of their game.

Also, what do you do to get into their head?  Have you tried rapid moves?  Say in the opening, just move vary rapidly showing them how much of the opeing you know.  Or, just bluff them with sound moves.  How about when you see a good combination play faster and put the pressure on them.

A wonderful part of chess is the player vs player interaction.  Don’t overlook it, and dig out your openings reference and learn one obscure opening.  Just to see what they do against it.

Have fun!