Chess Anyone?

[Teahouse Keeper]

Regrettably, the Teahouse Keeper is very rusty. Recently went for a refresher course (self-taught) but forgot again. To play, the Keeper will need to refresh once more. For those who know, please start. The Keeper will watch and learn.

[justarius]

Is the teahouse keeper good at chess? I'm interested in picking in up seriously, and learning some gambits and variations etc. Any good books to recommend? I suppose we could even play here in the forum by posting chess moves, though it would take rather long to play out a game!

[Teahouse Keeper]

The Teahouse Keeper has not played against anybody before, so don't know whether good or not.

Well, if you're new at the game, you have to pick up a beginner's book first before learning the more advanced moves, gambits etc.

Good books for the Keeper were "Learn to play Chess in a weekend" and this very basic and well-written book for kids (can't remember the title but will check it out for you if you like) which has lots of clear illustrations that explain all the basic rules of the game.

Chess books are plenty. They even have whole books on special moves and opening gambits!

Yes, definitely, Chess can be played online. No, I think depending on how the game is played, a game can be very short or very long

I've been itching to post a move...but need to refresh my knowledge first.

[justarius]

Ah, I know the basics already, and are interested in knowing the more advanced stuff ;D I find it quite amazing that almost any sequence of moves I might make has a name and has already being made before...

[Teahouse Keeper]

Oh! So you know the basics already! And moving on to the advanced stuff even! Whoa.

Ok, I'm always at the beginner's level because I keep needing to be refreshed all the time ;D Unless I start playing with somebody after refreshing my memory, I'll have to start learning the basics all over again when I next want to play. Yeah, my memory for Chess is very lousy.

Since I'm always stuck at the beginner's level, I don't have any great titles to recommend for advanced levels I'm sure you'll find something that'll suit you when you browse around.

I still haven't started on a refresher yet, but when I do, we must play a game, eh? Go easy on me...I'm fragile. Handle with care....right side up first...

[iwakami]

I forget how peices move and stuff.
But I am pretty good. I guess. Cause I was playing against someone who was.....really really good, and when we both were down to about 4 peices and we had been playing for an hour I lost.
That is the longest I have ever played chess.
I need more practice.

[Teahouse Keeper]

Wow, Iwakami, at least you found someone to play with. For some time, I considered getting one of those chess computer gadget board things. Those gadgets are very expensive, so I gave up wanting those some time back.

Mm...it's possible to play chess here because we just need to post the chess moves. To do that, I need to have the chess board and the chess book in front of me Wanna play here?

[pippichan]

Hey, teahouse keeper, fancy chess pawns in shapes of CLAMP anime characters? If so, you should get yourself every edition of CLAMP no Kiseki magazine. I've seen some of the pawns, they're sooo cute! Kawaii!

[Teahouse Keeper]

Oh, I went to look for the chess pieces online...wanted to see what they look like. Well, I haven't really searched properly, so I only got this: www.michaelsfavorites.com/clamp01.html

The magazine is in celebration of CLAMP's 15th anniversary...I'm not sure if it's already out in Japan but I think the American edition will be out in 2005? There's also a magazine stand that comes with the magazine, I think. I'm not sure. Have to check that I think the magazine is not cheap.

Speaking of CLAMP, would you believe I haven't seen Chobits?

Actually, except for X, I haven't really been initiated into the CLAMP world yet I didn't know CLAMP is so hot everywhere. Why is it so famous?

[pippichan]

The drawing, I think. CLAMP is very good in drawing bishoujo and bishounen. ;D It's always a pleasure to see CLAMP works.

Chobits? I saw several episodes of it but don't fancy the story very much. But Tsubasa Reservoir is great. I like it!

Yeah, the magazine won't be cheap.

www.clamp15th.com

[Teahouse Keeper]

Thanks for the link, Pippichan Yeah, I've been there but can't seem to find the chess pieces.

Oh, Chobits is not good? I'll see whether Tsubasa Reservoir can be downloaded

Bishoujo and bishounen...I haven't seen much of CLAMP's works, but considering X, I feel that Yuu Watase's men and women are drawn better and sexier. Mm, but Yuu Watase always seems to draw her characters the same way...I flipped through the Alice 19th manga and the hero looks like he's from Fushigi Yuugi or Ayashi no Ceres

[pippichan]

Oh, still can't have a look on the pawns? Kawaisou ni! But they're cute allright. If I'm not mistaken, the magazine has been out in mid of September and the price is 1600 yen. Expensive!?

I don't say that Chobits is not good. It's just that ... for me the story is .... a little bit boring!?? One time I saw its episode, I actually fell asleep! (I apologise to all Chobits fans. Please, don't hit me! ) But, see it yourself. Who knows, you might end up like it.

Yuu Watase's men and women are sexier, I agree. And I agree, too, that they're kinda look the same. As for CLAMP's men and women, I think they're more appropriate to be said 'cute' than 'sexy'. When I said that watching CLAMP works is a pleasure, what I meant was, there's a little chance we find ugly-faced character there. So, it's like a perfect world with perfect faced people around. Not bad, I guess, when I need some 'refreshment' for my sore eyes. ;D

[Teahouse Keeper]

Well, I guess if you've got the cash, 1600 yen is not that expensive....it also depends on what's inside the magazine and whether it's worth it...I suppose, for fans, price doesn't really matter and 1600 yen is probably very cheap already

Yeah, I've always been curious about Chobits. I have some vague idea about it, but it would be nice to have a look.

Hahaha...perfect-looking people for your sore eyes...Are there many awful looking people around you? Just kidding...I understand what you mean.

[pippichan]

For me, 1600 yen is very much sum of money. So, I guess I won't buy that magazine. Or, maybe I'm just a miser!

As far as I can get, Chobits is a story about a boy named Hideki who accidentally found a cute persecom dumped among garbage bins. He took the persecom home with him and voila ... he fell for the persecom.

Yeah, there's many awful looking people around me, with awful attitudes, too.

[Teahouse Keeper]

A cute persecom? I guess it's a cute little girl that's actually a machine or computer? Why would anyone dump such a cute thing in the bin?

Ah, I think you just ignited a spark of interest in me...I feel that I really should get Chobits.

Argh...awful-looking people with awful attitudes...that's really awful...how come you don't run away?

[pippichan]

Sorry, I don't know the answer. I didn't see the anime till the last episode.

So, you like romance story, too? How about romance but with murders and blood? I found an interesting review about an OVA entitled "Le Portrait de Petite Cossette." A surealistic horror anime, I presume. You can download it in www.animekoi.com. When you've watched it, tell me about it, okey?

Run away? I want to. But where should I go, then?

[Teahouse Keeper]

Thanks for the link Pippichan I visited it but seems Animekoi doesn't have downloads for Le Portrait de Petit Cossette. There's only the review. The anime is licensed already and I can't find any downloads online. But the rental shop has it, so perhaps I'll rent it for a look. Yeah, it sounds interesting.

I read some good comments about the music, but somebody also said that the anime is not good and confusing.

Actually, I've seen this title in the shop for some time now and I've been curious about it. It's not a full story yet I think. Yeah, I'll tell you about it if I watch it

Hmm...where to go to escape awful people with awful attitudes? I guess if you're really stuck, you'll have to build castle walls around yourself as a defence and wait out the very long war. But if possible, how about running to somewhere that's got better people?

[pippichan]

Oh, sorry. I thought you can download it in animekoi. I didn't know it's only the review there. Guess I didn't look very careful. Gomen ne!

Yeah, I heard the story is quite confusing. That's why I'm interested. Confusing story is challenging, don't you think? I guess for those who don't like horror story, let alone the surrealistic one, must find it bad. Well, can't blame them.

If I can escape my life, I wanna go to a place where I can have an interesting adventure, meet some gorgeous guys ;D and become the heroine who saves the day! Hm...maybe it can be a sequel of Spirited Away. Mmm....I like Haku! Don't you think Haku is kinda similar to Akira Toya of Hikaru no Go? The face, I mean.

[Teahouse Keeper]

Ah, I rented Portrait de Petit Cossette and will be watching it very soon...probably later today.

Hahaha...I was surprised to hear that you're interested in the anime because it's confusing. I thought usually people don't like confusing stuff. For me, it depends...

Have you seen Lain? I felt that it was very confusing and boring, but it seems people love it I guess "confusing" can mean different things to different people. Generally, if an anime has some meaning, I can understand some of it and it's got interesting characters, it'll be ok for me.

Heeeheehee...Don't you want to be Miaka in Fushigi Yuugi? Surrounded by so many handsome and sexy guys! Whoa!! She's so lucky!!

Mm..unfortunately, I haven't seen Hikaru no go I've always wanted to watch it and will probably have to download. But yeah, I like Haku in Spirited Away too! He's handsome I like his eyes and the way he moves. As a dragon, he's also cute.

I have the impression that Hikaru no go is about a board game called "go"...but what's it actually about?

[pippichan]

Yeah, I guess you're right. Not all confusing anime is interesting. I think I'm only interested in confusing yet interesting anime. ;D I haven't seen Lain but I've seen Texhnolyze. Have you seen it? The anime has confusing story too (I've watched it for 2 or 3 times but haven't fully get the story ;D) but interesting.

Yeah, Hikaru no Go is abt a board game called 'go' or 'igo'. If you ask me how to play it, I can't tell you because I don't understand too. ;D Guess, my eyes only see Akira when I read the manga. Hehehe... I don't watch the anime but I think it's been licensed so you can't download it. But I've watched the movie. Pretty good, Akira and Hikaru has grown up there.

*sigh* Yeah, life's unfair. Why good things only happen in stories?! Not in real life?!

[Teahouse Keeper]

Ah, no, Hikaru no Go can be downloaded! Animesuki doesn't allow downloads for licensed anime, so I think the anime is still unlicensed...

Hahaha...you haven't seen Lain and I haven't seen Texhnolyze

I've finished watching the first episode of Petit Cossette OVA. According to Anime News Network, there are only 3 OVA episodes and the first one has just been released.

At the start, there's an interview with the producer who says there's no manga version, so it's an original anime. Also, it's a love story.

The male lead is Eiri who is voiced by Mitsuki Saiga who did Makubex (Getbackers), Jing (Bandit Jing) and Souji (Peace Maker Kurogane).

It's quite interesting because murder is involved and it raises a few questions. But it's also confusing because you don't know what's going on and it doesn't make sense. And the artwork doesn't seem very good although there are a few very realistic scenes of the antiques.

To be honest, I didn't enjoy it, even though parts of it were interesting. It's quite slow and a bit boring.

The glass mentioned in the reviews is actually a glass cup that Eiri's uncle got from Europe. His uncle is rich and travels around, sending stuff back to the antique shop. Every time Eiri stares into the glass cup, he sees Cossette living her daily life. He even draws her in his sketch book!

Oh hey, do you realise we are talking about Petit Cossette in the Chess section?

[pippichan]

Oh, Hikaru no Go anime can be downloaded?! I thought it has been licensed. So, you can download it, then.

Hm...if I'm not mistaken, the creator of Lain and Texhnolyze is the same person. What's his name? Oh, I forgot! What I remember is he's also fancy in making dolls.

Oh, boring? So, you haven't seen the part when Eiri's willing to be the target of the unrest ghosts' vengeance? Isn't love blind!

Yeah, I realise that we're discussing anime in chess section! I guess we often talk something not in its right place!

[Teahouse Keeper]

I went to Anime News Network...Is his name Yoshitoshi Abe? Also known as Yoshitaka Abe. He's the original creator of Lain and the character conceptual designer for Texhnolyze.

Yeah, I'll download Hikaru no Go as soon as I can. I'm still stuck with little computer space

Eh? You've watched Petit Cossette?? How did you know there was that vengeance part?

Mm...yeah, he was willing to be the target, but I don't quite understand why a target is needed. Also, so far, Eiri has said that he is attracted to Cossette but there's no demonstration of any sort of love between them. There's almost no interaction between Eiri and Cossette except for his drawings of her and when he is transported briefly into flashbacks of her past life. Even during the flashbacks, he is only an observer...It's quite difficult to feel touched even when he's willing to become a sacrifice. I'm more confused that touched

[pippichan]

Hehehe...I haven't watched cossette but I've read the review. It seems that Eiri has a resemblance with cossette's fiance - what's his name? - and in order to rest the unrest ghosts, Eiri should be the target. At least that's what I learnt from the review.

*smiling* I can't help imagining you fall asleep watching the anime! Okay, I won't torture you again with cossette discussion. So, back to board game. Let's see... I'm always defeated in chess, always broke in monopoly... I guess I'm only a winner in snake and ladder game!

Yeah, sounds like he's the man. He makes Lain dolls, right?

[Teahouse Keeper]

Oh, so the murderer who looks like Eiri is her fiance! I see. He hasn't got a name but appears in the flashbacks. Eiri gets a shock when he sees that the murderer looks like him. I was confused about that part. Oh, so that's why Cossette asked whether Eiri is willing to bear her murderer's punishment. Mm...makes a little sense, but still, not quite...Maybe the rest of the episodes will clear things up a bit

Hahaha...yeah, I felt a bit sleepy watching Cossette, but I was still awake Somehow, it's hard to fall asleep. Even when an anime is boring or confusing, I'll watch till the end...unless it starts giving me a headache like Lain.

Mm...I'm not sure whether the Lain creator makes lain dolls. Couldn't find out anything about that even though I tried checking. But I found an interview where it's said he did an anime called Haibane Renmei which I saw at the rental shop. Read a little bit of the review online and there're good websites on it. Looks interesting with a child-like kind of flavour.

www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1871
www.woodworksezine.com/2003/issue06_aug/abe_ueda.html

Oh, so you play snake and ladders! Monopoly too? Who do you play with? For me, I guess people would find it strange that I don't play card, board or computer games Somehow, the chance to play just doesn't happen and I'm more into books, TV and movies. It's nice to be able to play with someone, be it a board game or a physical game like basketball.

[pippichan]

Wow, teahouse keeper! You really have strong patience! If it were me, I'd stop watching when the story bores me to death. ;D

Usually I play those games with friends and cousins. But it's been a while since I last played any kind of board games. Hmm... you know, I think there's advantage for not playing board games at all. It's not fun when you're the loser almost all the times, trust me! Just give headache and annoyed feeling. Worse, if there's punishment for being a loser! Geez, I even screw up in scrabble! *shaking head*

Well, I don't know why you never get chance to play any board games or card games but why does it have to be strange? It's okay to do what you're fond of most, even if it's not included in ' the society must do' list.

[Teahouse Keeper]

You lose almost all the time?

Hahaha...as usual, Ban-chan, you lift my spirits and brighten my view!! Yeah, I guess it's not so strange after all...not playing card/board/computer games. It's just that games are interactive activities that people normally do and not being into any sort of game might seem strange to some people.

Ah, anyhow...from young, I was surrounded by cousins and people who played games. Over time, it seemed that playing games was the normal thing to do. Somehow, I just didn't get myself involved in any sort of game and that's why I don't even know how to play scrabble

[pippichan]

Ah! So, if we play Scrabble, maybe I can win! Oh, second thought, my english and strategy are both poor so it's likely I'd lose anyway. Don't play Scrabble, then. Play snake and ladder! Games that's counting on luck suits me best.

Oh, Ginji, glad I can lift your spirit up! Don't worry, if you're a freak, then I'm a freak too. ;D

[Teahouse Keeper]

Good heavens! We're both freaks!!

[Nader]

I used to be incredible at chess, but now because I havn't played in like years I am really rusty. I was trained by my grandad, and then I eventually beat him. Then I trained my sister, she became very good. I think she beat me once.