GARRY KASPAROV TEACHES CHESS: QUEENS GAMBIT

This review will be somewhat technical. This product is recommended for players rated 1400 or above.

In this recent ChessBase DVD, a very animated Garry kasparov presents a history of the Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6), through a discussion of games played by great players past and present. Much of this comtemporary history involves himself in his duels with 12th World Champion Anatoly Karpov and other top players such as 1993 World Championship Challenger Nigel Short.

As the DVD continues, Kasparov begins to survey the ideas behind different approaches and variations of the QG. For example he discusses the Lasker and Capablanca variations almost in tandem (they are slightly different approaches to solving the same strategic problem: exchanging off dark-squared bishops to ease White's pressure). He talks about differences in structure, for example the Exchange Variation (White plays an early c4xd5 and Black responds ...e6xd5) as compared to variations where Black makes the exchange ...d5xc4.

You can watch this DVD in any DVD player.

Kasparov, the 13th World Champion, won the title in 1985 from Karpov. he was the World Champion until 1993 when the chess world experienced a schism (which he and Short instigated), and at that point he ceased to be the FIDE Champion, but was still the best player in the world until he lost his title to Vladimir Kramnik in 2000. Even still Kasparov retired as the Number 1-rated player in 2005. So he was ranked Number 1 in the world for around 20 consecutive years, and is widely considered the greatest chessplayer ever.


Price: $36.00
To purchase this product at the NYChessKids Shop, click here.

BHB CHESS CLOCK

The BHB Chess Clock has truly stood the test of time. It has been favored by chessplayers for several decades because of its sturdiness, quality construction, no need for batteries, durability. This is a clock that can last for years and years, if it is cared for.

The BHB is very simple: to set the time, you simply turn the knob on the back of the clock face you want to adjust. You should periodically wind the clock so that it does not stop running during a game. If the BHB does stop during a game, simply wind it and it will begin to work properly again.

(Remember: to avoid confusion, you should always set an analog clock so that the first (or only) time control ends at 6:00 on the clock face. Each face should be set for 5:30 for a Game/30, 5:00 for a G/60, etc.)

The enduring popularity of the BHB has spawned many imitations over the years. The imitations are not bad chess clocks, but if you want to purchase a BHB specifically, make sure you are getting the real thing.

Price: $44.99

To purchase the legendary BHB chess clock at the NYChessKids Shop, click here.

PRO CHESS: THE VIDEO CHESS MENTOR

This DVD, by 4-time U.S. Champion Yaser Seirawan, is a phenomenal instructional tool. This DVD is the compilation of two VHS instructional tapes that cover different aspects of chess, but most of all the middlegame. If the Opening is the "mobilization phase," and the Endgame is the "conclusion," then the middlegame is the "battle phase."

By calmly taking the viewer through a series of games and positions, Seirawan helps retention tremendously. He also includes footage from tournaments: some of the footage from blitz games he has played against other Grandmasters is always the most popular portion of the video for students! They love the excitement of the GMs playing lightning-fast!

Chess teachers recommend this video very highly; one of the best available for players of all levels, because of the strength of the explanations.

Price: $29.99

To purchase this product on the NYChessKids Shop website, click here.

FRITZ AND CHESSTER 1

This is an excellent software for children learning to play chess. Fritz is best known as the super-strong chess analysis engine, but its makers (ChessBase) have created this kid-friendly version: students are introduced to the moves of chess and the basics through a series of games and exercises to solve. Students cannot move on to the next level until they successfully complete the last one, ensuring that students learn what needs to be learned.

The Chessmaster series has been the most popular mainstream chess software for over a decade, but Fritz and Chesster looks like it will make a serious challenge as the years go on!


Price: $39.95
To purchase this product on the NYChessKids Shop, click here.

DGT 2000 CHESS CLOCK

The DGT chess clock is the only brand of chess clock that has been endorsed by FIDE, the International Chess Federation. It is used in top-level tournaments internationally where the world's "Super Grandmasters" compete.

What separates this clock from other digital models available is that it features increment (or Bronstein) mode: this means that AFTER a player has pressed their clock, a preset number of seconds is ADDED to their time. The difference between this and time-delay (or Fischer) mode is that time-delay never adds any time to a clock: once the clock is pressed, it waits a preset number of seconds before the time begins to count down.

The DGT does not have time-delay capability, and probably this is the reason that it is not so popular in the United States, with the institutionalization of time-delay. HOWEVER, the current (5th edition) of U.S. Chess Federation rules state that DELAY and INCREMENT are considered equivalent: not only do few players know this, probably the majority of tournament directors do not realize this either, given the lack of uniformity in training and qualifications of TDs who direct events.

In summary: the DGT is the official clock of the International Chess Federation, and is perfectly acceptable in USCF-rated events. It is probably due to the lack of knowledge of the new USCF clock regulations that we do not see more DGTs being used at USCF tournaments.

Price: $89.99

To purchase the DGT 2000 Chess Clock from the NYChessKids Shop, click here.

MAURICE ASHLEY TEACHES CHESS...FOR WINDOWS AND MAC!

This software, created by Grandmaster Maurice Ashley, is compatible for both Windows and Macintosh!

The software has teaching modes with thousands of challenges and interactive coaching. Ashley comments on great classic games with a video chalkboard feature.

In the playing modes, there are 3-D chess boards to play on, and you can challenge the computer. The machine adjusts its mode depending on what your strength level is. You can also play timed games with the clock enabled.

It is a fantastic teaching software, and at a great price!


Price: $14.99
To purchase "Maurice Ashley Teaches Chess" from the NYChessKids Shop, click here.

DUEL TIMER CHESS CLOCK

The Duel Timer is one of the most attractive-looking chess clocks you will see at a tournament. With it's wooden finish and large displays, it should be a more popular choice than it is! The clock has been manufactured 1995.

The Duel Timer is a physically attractive clock, and is actually available in three woods (cherry, maple, and walnut) to match the wooden board and set you have. Of course, this clock can be used with any type of chess set including the classic plastic tournament sets, but it is an excellent choice for those who want to use a wooden board and pieces.

The clock is also one of the easiest to set; adjusting the times is simple and does not require memorizing a lot of settings (this is the glaring weakness of the Chronos, despite its enduring popularity).

A lithium-ion battery is included, good for 2000 hours of use.


To purchase this clock at the NYChessKids Shop, click here.

CHESS TACTICS FOR INTERMEDIATE PLAYERS

This program should be studied after completing Advanced Chess School. Chess Tactics for Intermediate Players is very good for training calculation, and it is recommended for players rated over 1200 if they have finished Chess Tactics for Beginners and Advanced Chess School. The software is based on the popular work by Sergey Ivaschenko.

This software is challenging, and is good for use with a teacher. That is to say, a teacher will see the theme being tested and can provide hints to the student, helping them to recognize what to look for.

Topics include: Mating combinations, Decoy, Blockade, Pinning, Clearance, and lots more. The exercises are arranged in 19 sections according to difficulty.

Multiple user profiles are possible, and statistics can be stored and compared between different users. There are options to print different topics or positions.

The program includes more than 1,100 exercises, and no additional software is required.

System requirements: IBM Compatible PC, 16 MB RAM, Hard disk must have 4MB of free space for the program. VGA Graphics; works with Windows 95/98/2000/2003/NT/ME/XP, CD-ROM drive is required and Microsoft compatible mouse.

To purchase this item from the NYChessKids Shop, please click here.

Price: $26.00.

CHESS TACTICS FOR KIDS

Chess Tactics for Kids by Grandmaster Murray Chandler is an excellent book to study tactical themes from. This is not a puzzle book, and does not provide a series of problem sets, but it is a book to study from while working on harder and harder tactical problem sets. It helps train kids on what to look for.

Also, don't let the title fool you! This book is may not be ideal for absolute beginners, but is a good candidate for students who are studying chess at school or at home with a tutor. Experienced students, even rated up to 1000 or more, can benefit from this book.

Chess Tactics for Kids covers, among other things, forks, pins, skewers and x-rays, discovered attacks, and typical sacrifices to expose the enemy king. There are 50 themes in all, and we would recommend not rushing students through this book, but giving time for the different themes to soak in. It might be a good idea to couple this book with a puzzle book, which your chess teacher can recommend.

To purchase this book from the NYChessKids Shop, click here.

CHESS TOURNAMENT COMBO SET

Anyone who plays tournament chess in the United States needs to have their own tournament supplies. Why? Many organizers do not provide chess sets, boards and clocks to players, kids or adults.

Because of this fact, the NYChessKids Shop offers chess tournament combo sets. These combos include the following:

-Tournament-standard vinyl roll-up board
-Tournament standard (weighted) plastic chess set
-Chess scorebook
-Quartz (analog) chess clock OR ChessTimer (digital) chess clock, depending on the combo you choose.
-Attractive bag to carry all of the above!

Many kids at chess tournaments have combos like these; they have been popular since the 1990s, and become more popular every year with the scholastic chess boom showing no signs of slowing down.


To purchase this combo from NYChessKidsShop (Analog clock), please click here.

To purchase this combo from NYChessKidsShop (Digital clock), please click here.

HOW TO BEAT YOUR DAD AT CHESS

The title of this book makes it very popular with boys and girls at chess tournaments where it is sold, and it is one of the books dads are very reluctant to purchase! How to Beat Your Dad at Chess, written by English Grandmaster Murray Chandler, gives "50 Deadly Checkmates" that will defeat anyone who is not careful, and not just your dad!

There are countless checkmate themes in chess, and it is very easy to get too bogged-down in details. But Chandler is to the point and his examples ave thoughtfully chosen. Any player, even those who have some tournament experience, who puts in the time to go through this work and study it will see a definite improvement not only in their attacking ability, but in their ability to aim for positions known to produce big advantages, even checkmate. Chessplayers who can skilfully aim for positions their opponents don't anticipate, or that the opponent does not think are dangerous for them but actually are, will win a boatload of games.

You can purchase How to Beat Your Dad at Chess by clicking here.

ADVANCED CHESS SCHOOL

This program is a continuation of Chess Tactics for Beginners. It has lessons on all phases of the game--How to play the openings, numerous tactical themes in the middlegame (interference, double attack, pin, skewer, etc.), rules to improve endgame play...and after each lesson, there are a series of exercises that the student can practice. Not only does it have thousands of puzzles, it has lessons appropriate for kids and adults, rated 700 to 2000 and beyond! There is simply so much material on this CD that just about anyone can benefit from it.

NYChessKids teachers (Saudin, Milos, Andre, etc.) use this software in their classrooms and chess camps. It is highly recommended. Convekta makes a lot of excellent software, but this is perhaps the most widely useful and best.

The CD runs on IBM-compatible PCs, and no other software is required.

To purchase this software from the NYChessKids Shop, click here. Price: $26.00

CHRONOS CHESS TIMER

The Chronos Chess Timer is perhaps the longest-tenured of all digital chess clocks still in use! Although we are not sure when it first hit the scene, it has been a tournament fixture since at least the mid-1990s.

Despite its having been around for over a decade, the Chronos remains
the most popular digital chess clock used in chess tournaments in the United States at all levels, scholastic through adult.

Why the enduring popularity? Probably it has much to do with the very large display—one can see the clock times from quite a distance away in the tournament hall. Also, there is an option to turn on a light indicator showing which side has the move, and an option for the clock to "beep" when the clock is pressed (you can even set the pitch of the beep!), and there are settings with move-counters. The newest models feature a "touch" switch, which is heat-sensitive.

Recently, a Blitz edition of the clock was issued, which can fit into your pocket. There are some differences with the display, but it has become very popular as well. (The picture above is the "traditional" Chronos, in blue; it comes in a variety of colors).

The complaint some people have about the Chronos is that it is not the easiest clock to set properly. While there is some truth to this, the settings are very intuitive once a player has used the clock for awhile. A user-friendly instruction manual is included, although there are quite a lot of people at chess tournaments who can show you exactly how the clock should be set!

The Chronos requires 3 AA batteries (included).

Price: $99.99

To purchase the Chronos from NYChessKidsShop, click here.

To purchase the Blitz Chronos from NYChessKidsShop, click here.

CHESS TACTICS FOR BEGINNERS

We recommend this CD to all of our students rated below 1400. It is also sometimes used in classes and chess camps by NYChessKids teachers.

There are 1,300 exercises, divided into five levels of difficulty. They range from simple capture problems ("take the hanging piece!") and Checkmate in 1, to Checkmate in 2 and Checkmate in 3, and endgames. So, there is enough material for complete beginners in Kindergarten all the way up to seasoned tournament players, regardless of their age or grade.

No special software is required for this CD; it is a stand-alone product. It runs on IBM-compatible PCs only with Windows (95 through XP); Macintosh is not supported. It is very easy to install, and easy to use.

There are only two things that improve a chessplayer's tactical ability: becoming familiar with more themes and motifs, and continually practicing this acquired knowledge with lots of exercsies.

To buy this product from the NYChessKidsShop, click here.