Here is my entry for this week. It represents a new beginning in two ways. First, it is a new chess set that my son got for Christmas. Second it is a new beginning of the game (i.e., opening) that my son is working on. For those who follow these types of things it is often called Reti's opening and is really a gambit. Comments and criticism are appreciated.
Thanks for the kind words. I have other shots that show more of the pieces, but I like this one for the lines and how it draws you to the black (actually blue in the set) pawn that has to decide whether to take the gambit (i.e., the other pawn) or not.
Kevin Sherman wrote:
Don't they also call that the Queen's gambit?
Nice concept for the assignment.
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the kind words. The opening is similar to the Queen's gambit which is a lot more common. In the Queen's gambit the first move is advancing the queen's pawn two spaces and if the opponent advances his or her Queen's pawn two space as well (which is common) one can follow by advancing the Queen's side Bishop's pawn two spaces.
In this opening you can start by advancing the King's side Knight in front of the King's side Bishop's pawn. If the opponent is used to occupying the middle of the board with his or her pawns he or she will likely advance his or her Queen's pawn because advancing the King's pawn two spaces would put it in jeopardy. Now you can advance the Queen's side Bishop's pawn two spaces and set up the gambit. This opening leaves the middle of the board freer and because it is less common than the Queen's gambit which many players know not to fall for, it can be more likely to work.
What an interestin chess set! I love the colors and the focus draws your attention to the player who appears to be 'thinking' about the next move. Clever take on the WA. Thea
Great idea and execution !
I was thinking the opposite about the focus. Still not sure but maybe both pawns in focus would have worked for me (conveying battle, opposition, tension...).
markoner wrote:
Great idea and execution !
I was thinking the opposite about the focus. Still not sure but maybe both pawns in focus would have worked for me (conveying battle, opposition, tension...).
Best wishes,
Julien
Hi Julien,
Thanks for your comments. I always appreciate your very constructive feedback. In this case I think the single pawn works better for the beginning theme, but I do see your point.
Here's a neat book I'm buying for my son; you might want to check it out.
KING'S GAMBIT: A SON, A FATHER, AND THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS GAME, by Paul Hoffman
A reviewer wrote: " Hoffman's masterful, exhaustive tale of chess, its soaring triumphs and crushing discontents is filled with enough international intrigue and warped, shady characters to pass for the latest James Bond sequel..."
Here's a neat book I'm buying for my son; you might want to check it out.
KING'S GAMBIT: A SON, A FATHER, AND THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS GAME, by Paul Hoffman
A reviewer wrote: " Hoffman's masterful, exhaustive tale of chess, its soaring triumphs and crushing discontents is filled with enough international intrigue and warped, shady characters to pass for the latest James Bond sequel..."
Hi Bev,
Thanks for the kind words and the book recommendation. That books sounds great. I will definitely get it for my son and I to read.
