Chess Fever

CJ has been playing chess at the after school club. She didn't really understand the full rules (it's amazingly complicated when you think about it), but I saw no reason not to encourage her in this, because if nothing else it might help her with one of the three Rs.

I knew there was a chess game included with Mac OS X, but there was no "absolute beginner" setting, so I downloaded Sigma Chess, which does have one.

I set it to Novice level 1 and set the computer's playing mode to kamikaze, thinking that might give her some chance of winning.

The problem is, I don't want her to get discouraged because she can't beat the computer. She might be able to best another 8 year old, especially if they're not really following the rules. I knew I couldn't teach her, because beyond the basics I'm completely crap at it.

Still, Friday night, I sat and played the computer on those settings, to see how hard it would be. To my amazement, I managed to beat the computer 2nd game in. I was left with just my queen and 4 prawns, but I managed to trap the opposing king into a corner, from which there was No Escape. I cannot describe to you the feeling of triumph.