Chess

[realexplodingcat]

Anyone play chess? I was too tired to read last night. But my brain decided I wasn't too tired for chess. I made the mistake of playing the Chess game that came with OS X for the Mac. It killed me. Over and over. No matter what, it always had me at a disadvantage within three or four moves, followed by a slow death. It has been years since I've played with any regularity, so I'm not surprised by losing. But I would at least expect a few moments of glory. None. And yet I kept playing. After reading on some forums that the OS X chess game is nearly unbeatable, I didn't feel so bad. And I no longer wish to play it again. But now I'm itching for a game against an opponent, machine or otherwise, that isn't perfect. Even a long distance game, making one move a day via email or LJ comments would be cool.

Comments

[rat-bastard.livejournal.com]

1 w1L 0wnZ0r U f00! mwaahahahahahahahahaa.

[red-frog.livejournal.com]

I play--I'm out of practice, but I know how and used to be good enough to be on the chess team. You should get in touch with Niece while she's in town, too. I bet she'd be very up for an evening of chess-playing at the tea place.

[signalii.livejournal.com]

That OS X Chess is a bitch and a half. I tried it a few times, had my ass handed to me, and gave up. It made me feel like such a dumbass within moments, so you're not alone. Nowadays I only play with Kira, so I feel mighty.

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

That may be so, but I'll kick your a$$ in a spelling-bee :)

Is this a whimsical challenge for some future time? Or an immediate challenge for a long distance game?

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

When is she in town? Is she staying with JB?

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

I may need to challenge her. There's nothing like beating a little girl to raise my self esteem.

I used to play

[audiorapture.livejournal.com]

now I mostly watch my PalmV play against itself... But we might be able to get to play a game once in a while. I even got a fancy glass set.

[red-frog.livejournal.com]

Arriving June 1. Staying with my sis, I think. I'll be around around then. Perhaps we can have a night out during the week I'm in town and you two can scowl over the chess set in front of the frogs.

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

I always enjoy a good scowl.

Re: I used to play

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

I watched my OS X Chess play itself a few times. It never lets itself get the upper hand for long. Almost always maintains balance until the end when there are only 5 or 6 pieces on the board, and then one side manages to win.

There is something special about playing with a fancy set. We'll have to do that sometime.

Re: I used to play

[rav3n.livejournal.com]

I suspect that it trys to keep a fairly decent position into the end game.. depending on what it's using for it's endgame book most 'normal' humans are going to lose against a computer when the game has a clear end game path. Novelties (sp) generally work well against a computer.. at any rate I'd be glad to have a game or several with you at some point.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

I might be up for a long-distance game soon. I'm extremely rusty, so you kicking my ass might be what I need to get back in form. :-)

Re: I used to play

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

If you're using fancy words llike "endgame book" you're probably better than I at the game, but I'm up for a challenge.

I found some strategy info on a forum that talked about beating the computer. I think somebody did once. Don't even attempt to control the middle and do battle there. The computer usually will not sacrifice a piece in order to take a lesser piece, it always makes moves that give it an obvious advantage. So, you have to somehow play in a way that doesn't offer the machine useful options for gaining a clear advantage. At the same time do some long range planning to trap it's pieces in unconventional ways. With that in mind, it still kills me.

Yes, we can have a game. Another friend of mine already started one with me. He found an online email chess game on www.shockwave.com. I don't know how many games I can handle at once. But maybe we can do that sometime.

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine found an online email chess game on shockwave.com. It's working well for us. We could play that way. I'm not sure how many games I can handle at one time. I'm already in one. Maybe I should wait until the traffic has died down on this post and see what offers I have. Maybe I'll play more than one. When is a good time frame for you? Anytime? Or after the traveling?

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

After the travelling would be good, I think.

[joecarnahan.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I do, I do! Seriously, I hadn't played much in the past several years, but hanging out downtown is getting me sucked in with the Mudhouse chess-playing crowd, and while I have yet to offer them the enjoyment of kicking my ass, I've been trying to get warmed-up again so that I can quit watching them play and start playing myself. So, I've been practicing on the computer, and I played (and won!) against my brother yesterday, and I'm planning on actually challenging my friend Nick the next time I see him downtown.

So, yeah, if you want to play sometime, just let me know!

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

Looks like I'm accumulating quite a list of potential challengers! We'll definitely have to play sometime.

My time failing to beat my computer was a good warm up. I've lost so many times that I'm starting to recognize some patterns of attack.

[never-dream.livejournal.com]

when i first got my mac i thought i would eventually be able to beat the chess game....

no.

you see, apple is sneakier with their money grubbing tactics than microsoft, but no less fiendish- they make their cash by selling computers for twice as much to a psychotically loyal market, and then loading an impossible chess game that gives the consumer an urge to throw said computer into lake michigan... but hey, at least they WORK CONSISTANTLY (which is more than i can say for my windows machine....ugh)...when...um...not being tossed into a large body of water.

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

Apple knows that we hurt the things we love the most. After playing chess with this computer (I'm beginning to suspect it of cheating while my attention slips), the idea of making a trip to Lake Michigan sounds is quite tempting.