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Chess
Chess▸ A timeless strategy game where two players face off on a 64 square board ~ aiming to outwit their opponent through careful planning and tactics.
Fritz Chess Board▸ Below there is a magnificent freeplay Fritz AI powered Chess board and beginner to grandmaster level game trainer ~ which you can play right here without leaving Sandracer ~ thanks to the Fritz people ~ free ~ no sign up required.
Fritz Chess AI▸ "Chess playing entity with by far the biggest opening repertoire on this planet. New theory is available soon after it has been played in a grandmaster game"
. Top stuff if you like your Chess at a decent level.
Chess News▸ If you want to know more about what is going on at the top end of the world of Chess ~ go to the World Chess Official Website
Chess Match▸ If you want to play a game of Chess against someone else ~ go to the Chess.com Website where they host something like 20million online games of Chess ~ between players matched by ability ~ from around the world ~ per day.
HOW DO YOU PLAY CHESS
❖ How To Play Chess
➤ Chess is a strategic board game played between two opponents on a checkered 8x8 grid. Each player controls 16 pieces with the ultimate goal of checkmating the opponent’s King—trapping it so it cannot escape capture.
🎯 Objective
Your goal is to checkmate your opponent's King. This means putting the King in a position where it is under attack (in check) and cannot move to any safe square.
♙♞♝ The Pieces & How They Move ♜♛♚
- ♟ Pawn▸ Moves forward one square; on its first move, it can go forward two. Captures diagonally. Can promote to any piece (usually a Queen) upon reaching the opponent’s back rank.
- ♞ Knight▸ Moves in an L-shape: two squares in one direction, then one at a right angle. Jumps over other pieces.
- ♜ Rook▸ Moves any number of squares vertically or horizontally.
- ♝ Bishop▸ Moves diagonally any number of squares.
- ♛ Queen▸ Combines the power of the Rook and Bishop; moves any number of squares in any direction.
- ♚ King▸ Moves one square in any direction. You must keep your King safe; if it is in check, you must respond immediately.
📋 Special Rules
- ♚⇄♜ Castling – A one-time move that lets you safeguard your King and activate a Rook. It involves moving the King two squares toward a Rook and the Rook jumps over it. Conditions▸ neither piece has moved before▸ no pieces in between▸ you can't castle out of or through check. Watch a short Castling demo
- ⤧♟ En Passant – A special pawn capture that can happen if a pawn moves two squares forward and lands beside an opponent’s pawn. That pawn may capture it in passing as if it had moved only one square. Watch a short En Passant demo
- ♟➠♛ Promotion – When a pawn reaches the far end of the other side of the board, it must be promoted to a Queen▸ Rook▸ Bishop▸ or Knight ~ your choice ~ but almost always a Queen.
Beginner Strategy Tips
- Control the center▸ Aim to control the central squares (e4, d4, e5, d5) early. This gives your pieces space and influence.
- Develop your pieces▸ Get your Knights and Bishops out quickly. Don’t move the same piece multiple times in the opening.
- Castle early▸ Protect your King and connect your Rooks.
- Don’t bring your Queen out too soon▸ She’s powerful ~ but vulnerable to attack in the early game.
- Every move should have a purpose▸ Think about what your opponent wants to do and make moves that prevent their plans.
⌘ Game End Conditions
- Checkmate▸ The King is in check and has no legal moves to escape. This ends the game with a win.
- Stalemate▸ The player has no legal move, but the King is not in check. This is a draw.
- Draws▸ Can also happen by agreement, threefold repetition, the 50-move rule (no pawn moves or captures for 50 turns), or insufficient mating material
HISTORY OF CHESS
❖ History Of Chess & It's Most Famous Players
➤ Chess began in northern India around the 6th century CE as Chaturanga▸ a strategy game mimicking warfare with pieces for infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots. It spread to Persia as Shatranj▸ by the 7th century, where rules and piece movements were standardized.
➤ Following the Islamic conquest of Persia ~ chess reached the Muslim world and entered Europe via Spain and Sicily by the 10th century. By the 15th century, European chess adopted modern rules ~ with the Queen becoming the most powerful piece and pawns gaining the two-square initial move option.
➤ The first known chess manual ~ Repetición de Amores y Arte de Ajedrez ~ by Luis Ramírez de Lucena ~ was published in Spain in 1497, ~ codifying these changes. Competitive chess grew in the 19th century, with the first international tournament held in London in 1851, won by Adolf Anderssen.
➤ The World Chess Championship began in 1886, when Wilhelm Steinitz defeated Johannes Zukertort, formalizing the world champion title. The Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE) ~ founded in 1924 ~ became the global governing body, standardizing rules and organizing events. Visit FIDE’s history page for all the details.
➤ The Soviet Union dominated world championships from 1948 to 1972. Today, over 600 million people play chess regularly, per a 2012 YouGov poll ~ with platforms like Chess.com hosting millions of daily games.
➤ The players are proscribed an Elo Rating System ~ in short it's the official Chess player skill level ranking system.
Famous Chess Players
- Garry Kasparov▸ World Champion from 1985 to 2000, known for his aggressive style and deep opening preparation. He reached a peak Elo rating of 2851 in 1999, the highest until Magnus Carlsen surpassed it. See his profile at ChessGames.com
- Magnus Carlsen▸ World Champion from 2013 to 2023, Carlsen holds the record for the highest Elo rating of 2882 in 2014. His positional mastery and online streaming popularized chess. Visit FIDE’s profile for his stats.
- Emanuel Lasker▸ World Champion from 1894 to 1921, with a record 27-year reign. Lasker's psychological play tailored strategies to opponents weaknesses.
- Anatoly Karpov▸ World Champion from 1975 to 1985, Karpov won the title by default after Bobby Fischer’s withdrawal in 1975. His precise style led to 160 tournament wins. Check ChessGames.com for his game history.
- Judit Polgar▸ The strongest female player ever ~ Judit Polgar , peaking at world rank 8 in 2005 with an Elo of 2735. She defeated 11 world champions ~ including Kasparov and Carlsen.
Controversial Chess Players
- Bobby Fischer▸ World Champion in 1972, Fischer’s genius was marred by erratic behavior. He forfeited his 1975 title over match disputes and later made antisemitic remarks, leading to a 1992 U.S. arrest warrant. See what you think of the Bobby Fischer game archive.
- Hans Niemann▸ Accused by Magnus Carlsen of cheating in their 2022 Sinquefield Cup match, Niemann now faced heavy duty scrutiny. A Chess.com report found he likely cheated in over 100 online games, but no in-person evidence emerged. Niemann admitted past online cheating
- Vladimir Kramnik▸ World Champion from 2000 to 2007, Kramnik was embroiled in the 2006 "Toiletgate" scandal during his title match against Veselin Topalov. Topalov’s team alleged Kramnik’s frequent bathroom visits implied cheating, but no evidence was found. Kramnik won.
- Igor Ivanov▸ A Soviet Grandmaster who defected to Canada in 1980, causing a fair amount of diplomatic friction. Ivanov's career was later tainted by a 1990s match-fixing scandal in Canada, resulting in a temporary ban.
Chess Computer Deep Blue
➤ Deep Blue ~ an IBM supercomputer, was the first machine to defeat a reigning world champion under tournament conditions, beating Garry Kasparov 3½–2½ in a six-game match in New York in 1997. It evolved from IBM’s "ChipTest" project, started in 1985 at Carnegie Mellon University.
➤ By 1996, Deep Blue evaluated up to 200 million positions per second using brute-force search and chess heuristics. Kasparov won their 1996 match 4–2, exposing weaknesses. IBM upgraded Deep Blue’s hardware and opening book for the 1997 rematch, where its 480 chess-specific processors capitalized on Kasparov’s errors, notably in Game 6.
➤ Kasparov alleged IBM used human intervention, a claim IBM denied without releasing full logs ~ fueling much controversy. Deep Blue’s victory marked a milestone in AI, showing computers could outmatch humans in intellectual tasks.
➤ IBM retired Deep Blue after 1997, but its technology influenced later AI systems. Unlike modern engines like Stockfish ~ Deep Blue relied on specialized hardware. A couple of Deep Blue's processors are displayed at the Computer History Museum in California. [ ] [ ]
Small Time Chess Players▸ Easy Chess is perfect for beginners and Chess funsters who just like to play at a normal level. If that's you ~ I can recommend you play the Easy Chess game below built by James Burton in 2005. A gentle introduction to Chess with simplified AI. Whether you're learning basic pawn and bishop moves or aiming for checkmate ~ Easy Chess sharpens your mind and offers endless replayability ~ gratis, without charge, signup, or adverts.
Return To MenuSudoku
Sudoku ▸ A logic-based puzzle that challenges you to fill a 9x9 grid with numbers 1-9, ensuring no repeats in any row, column, or 3x3 subgrid. Ideal for beginners, WebSudoku offers puzzles at various difficulty levels, from easy to expert. It’s a relaxing yet brain-teasing game that improves pattern recognition and patience.
Sudoku For Money ▸ EazeGames provides a platform where you can play skill based games like Sudoku to win real money. The Real Money Sudoku is entirely skill-based ~ meaning your success depends solely on your ability to solve puzzles efficiently. There's no element of chance involved.
Practice For Free ▸ Before playing for real money ~ you can practice your Sudoku for free to hone your skills. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the game's mechanics and improve your performance.
Compete For Cash ▸ Once you're confident ~ you can deposit funds and enter cash competitions. You'll be matched with opponents of similar skill levels, ensuring fair play.
Winning and Withdrawals ▸ If you outperform your opponent ~ you win the cash prize. EazeGames charges a service fee (approximately 15%) on winnings. You can withdraw your earnings to your bank account ~ with processing times ranging from 1 to 5 working days.
HOW DO YOU PLAY SUDOKU
❖ How To Play Sudoku
- Start with a 9x9 grid, some cells pre-filled with numbers (clues).
- Place numbers 1-9 in empty cells ▸ ensuring each number appears exactly once per row ▸ column ▸ 3x3 subgrid.
- Use logic to deduce numbers ▸ no guessing is required for a well-designed puzzle.
- Complete the grid to win. Puzzles range from easy (more clues) to hard (fewer clues).
- Beginner Tip ▸ Start with rows or columns with the most clues, and use “pencil marks” to note possible numbers in empty cells.
Backgammon
Backgammon ▸ Blends strategy and luck in a fast-paced board game for two players. Move your 15 pieces around 24 triangles based on dice rolls, aiming to bear them off first. It’s easy to learn but offers deep tactical depth, making it a favorite for casual and competitive players, often bet on in friendly matches.
Backgammon For Money ▸ Nextgammon offers a platform where you can play backgammon for real money. Engage in various match formats, including money games and tournaments, with stakes determined by players. The platform ensures fair play through blockchain-based dice rolls and provides instant match analysis to enhance your skills.
Practice For Free ▸ Before wagering real money, you can play backgammon matches for free on Nextgammon. This allows you to familiarize yourself with different game variants like Hypergammon ▸ Nackgammon ▸ Tavla ▸ to improve your strategy without financial risk.
Compete For Cash ▸ Once confident, deposit funds and enter cash games or tournaments. Choose from various formats, including single matches and Sit & Go tournaments, with entry fees contributing to prize pools. Match settings such as speed ▸ length ▸ stake ▸ can be customized to suit your preferences.
Winning and Withdrawals ▸ Victories in cash games and tournaments yield real money rewards. Nextgammon supports multiple payment methods for deposits and withdrawals, including electronic wallets and cryptocurrencies. The platform’s transparent fee structure ensures you know exactly what to expect when cashing out your winnings.
HOW DO YOU PLAY BACKGAMMON
❖ How To Play Backgammon
- Each player has 15 pieces on a board with 24 triangles (points), divided into home and outer boards.
- Roll two dice to move pieces counterclockwise toward your home board (points 1-6 for you, 19-24 for your opponent).
- Hit opponent’s single pieces to send them to the bar; they must re-enter before moving other pieces.
- Bear off all pieces from your home board to win. First to bear off wins, with bonuses for gammon (opponent hasn’t borne off) or backgammon (opponent has pieces on bar or your home board).
- Beginner Tip ▸ Keep pieces in pairs to avoid hits, and build a “prime” (consecutive blocked points) to trap your opponent.
Pacman
Pacman is a classic arcade game where you navigate a maze, eating dots while avoiding ghosts. Its simple controls and addictive gameplay make it a timeless choice for all ages. Perfect for quick, fun sessions in your andy game parlour. In the past ~ Pacman was often used as a betting medium between friends for reaching the highest score.
HOW DO YOU PLAY PACMAN
❖ How To Play Pacman
- Control Pacman using arrow keys to move through a maze filled with small dots and four ghosts (Blinky, Pinky, Inky, Clyde).
- Eat all dots to clear the level and advance. Large power pellets let you eat ghosts temporarily for bonus points.
- Avoid ghosts, as touching them costs a life. You start with three lives; lose all, and it’s game over.
- Collect fruits for extra points and aim for high scores by chaining ghost eats during power-ups.
- Beginner Tip▸ Learn ghost patterns and use corners to evade them. Save power pellets for when ghosts are clustered.
Dominoes
Dominoes▸ Classic tile-based game where players match numbered tiles to create chains, blending strategy and luck. Perfect for beginners, the Classic Dominoes game offers a simple yet engaging way to enjoy this timeless pastime. Whether playing socially or competitively, Dominoes is a fun addition to any game parlour, often bet on for quick matches!
Dominoes For Money▸ Dominoes Gold offers a platform where you can play the classic game of Dominoes for real money. Compete in skill-based matches where your performance determines your winnings ~ blending strategy and quick thinking in a familiar game format.
Practice For Free▸ Before wagering real money, you can practice on Dominoes Gold using Z-Coins ~ the platform's free currency. This allows you to hone your skills and understand the game's mechanics without financial risk.
Compete For Cash▸ Once confident, deposit funds to enter cash competitions. Engage in head-to-head matches or tournaments ~ aiming to outscore your opponents. The game emphasizes strategy, as points are scored when the ends of the domino chain add up to a multiple of five.
Winning & Withdrawals▸ Victories in cash games yield real-money rewards. You can withdraw your earnings via various methods, including PayPal and mailed checks. Note that withdrawals under $10 may incur a $1.50 processing fee and availability of cash tournaments may vary by region.
HOW DO YOU PLAY DOMINOES
❖ How To Play Dominoes
- Start with a set of 28 tiles (double-six set), each with two sides numbered 0-6. Tiles are drawn randomly: 7 tiles each for 2 players, 5-6 for 3-4 players.
- The player with the highest double (e.g., 6-6) starts by placing it on the table. Players take turns matching a tile’s number to an open end of the chain (e.g., a 6-4 tile to a 6).
- If you can’t play, draw from the boneyard (remaining tiles) until you can, or pass if the boneyard is empty.
- The game ends when one player runs out of tiles (wins) or all players pass (blocked). The winner scores the total pips (dots) on opponents’ remaining tiles.
- Beginner Tip▸ Play high-value tiles (e.g., doubles) early to avoid being stuck, and keep a variety of numbers to maintain flexibility.
Solitaire
Solitaire▸ Also known as Patience, is a single-player card game where you arrange a deck into four suit-based foundations. Its simple rules and strategic depth make it a relaxing classic, perfect for unwinding in your game parlour, often bet on for speed or completion.
Solitaire For Money▸ Spider Solitaire Cash offers a competitive platform where you can play Spider Solitaire for real money. Engage in skill-based matches, aiming to arrange cards in descending order to clear the tableau efficiently. Your performance determines your winnings, making strategy and speed essential.
Practice For Free▸ Before wagering real money, you can practice on Spider Solitaire Cash using Z-Coins, the platform's free currency. This allows you to hone your skills and understand the game's mechanics without financial risk.
Compete For Cash▸ Once confident, deposit funds to enter cash competitions. Participate in head-to-head matches or tournaments, where you'll be matched with players of similar skill levels. The goal is to complete the game swiftly and accurately to outscore your opponents and win cash prizes.
Winning & Withdrawals▸ Victories in cash games yield real-money rewards. You can withdraw your earnings via various methods, including PayPal and mailed checks. Note that withdrawals under $10 may incur a $1.50 processing fee, and availability of cash tournaments may vary by region.
HOW DO YOU PLAY SOLITAIRE
❖ How To Play Solitaire
- Start with a 52-card deck, dealt into seven tableau columns (1-7 cards, top card face-up) and a draw pile.
- Build tableau columns downward in alternating colors (e.g., red 7 on black 8). Move sequences of cards between columns.
- Place cards in four foundation piles, building up by suit from Ace to King (e.g., Ace, 2, 3 of Hearts).
- Draw cards from the pile (one or three at a time) to play or move to tableau/foundations. Win by completing all foundations.
- Beginner Tip▸ Expose face-down cards early and prioritize moving Aces to foundations to open up plays.
Yahtzee
Yahtzee is a fun dice game where you roll five dice to score combinations like three-of-a-kind, full house, or the coveted Yahtzee (five-of-a-kind). Easy to pick up, it’s great for solo play or friendly competitions.
Yahtzee Origins▸ Originally called the Yacht Game ~ it has a long history ~ too lengthy to write about here. I suggest if you're interested in the history of Yahtzee ~ the deep dive I've seen on the game is at Yahtzeemanifesto.com ~ Yahtzee History ~ From Ancient Dice To Online Gaming
Yahtzee Cash▸ Yahtzee Cash it's called ~ same rules as Yahtzee. Players roll 5 dice and try to score points by creating combinations like 3 of a kind▸ 4 of a kind▸ full house▸ 5 of a kind aka Yahtzee!
Yahtzee For Money▸ If you're a good player, you can maybe win yourself some money in skill based tournaments. You get matched against similar level players ~ so winning money isn't easy ~ it never is. If you want to play ~ go to Yahtzee Cash and see how you do. Let me know if you win. I can't play Yahtzee for Toffee, so I won't be joining you though.
HOW DO YOU PLAY YAHTZEE
❖ How To Play Yahtzee
- Roll five dice up to three times per turn, keeping or re-rolling any dice to form scoring combinations.
- Score in one of 13 categories (e.g., ones, twos, three-of-a-kind, straight) after each turn. Each category can be used once.
- Aim for high scores in the upper section (sum of numbers) for a 35-point bonus if you score 63+ points.
- Game ends after 13 turns. Highest total score wins.
- Beginner Tip▸ Prioritize the Yahtzee (50 points) and upper section bonus early, but don’t waste turns chasing unlikely combinations.
Checkers / Draughts
Checkers▸ A strategic board game where two players move pieces diagonally to capture opponents or reach the opposite side. Easy to learn yet tactically not so easy. It’s a great addition to any game parlour for quick, competitive fun, often bet on in friendly matches.
Draughts▸ In England, we call it "Draughts" (pronounced like "drafts") because of the historical development of the game and the word.
Origins Of The Name Draughts▸ The word draughts comes from the verb "to draw" or "to move" ~ originally used to describe the action of drawing or moving pieces on a board.
In Middle English, "Draught" could refer to a move in a game. So ~ draughts literally means "Moves" ~ appropriate enough for a game based entirely on making strategic moves.
Origins Of The Game Of Draughts▸ The game evolved from a much older strategy game called Alquerque ~ which was played in the Middle East and later in Europe.
When it merged with the chessboard format in medieval France ~ it became known as Jeu De Dames.
Checkers For Money▸ I can't point you to any official occasions where folk play checkers for money ~ although someone has bet against someone playing this game, surely. You can though ~ if you're good enough ~ win prizes playing in Online Checkers Tournaments
HOW DO YOU PLAY CHECKERS
❖ How To Play Checkers / Draughts
- Played on an 8x8 board with 12 pieces per player (black or white) on dark squares.
- Move pieces diagonally forward one square. Capture by jumping over an opponents piece to an empty square beyond; multiple jumps are possible.
- Reach the opponent’s back row to “king” a piece, allowing movement backward and forward.
- Win by capturing all opponent’s pieces or blocking their moves.
- Beginner Tip▸ Control the center and keep pieces near the edges to limit opponent captures.
Tetris
Tetris▸ Legendary puzzle game where you arrange falling blocks to complete lines and score points. Its fast-paced, addictive gameplay makes it a timeless classic, ideal for short bursts of fun in your game parlour, often bet on for high scores.
Tetris For Money▸ Technically it's called Brickmaster ~ Tetris to you and me. If you are an enthusiast, and think you have the speed of thought and fingers nimble enough to Make Some Dough Playing Tetris ~ then you can ~ at Skill Gaming experts Sitago
Tetris World Championships▸ If you think you're a good Tetris player ~ you can join up and pit your wits and fingers against the best players in the world at the Tetris World Championships
HOW DO YOU PLAY TETRIS
❖ How To Play Tetris
- Shapes (tetrominoes) fall from the top of a 10x20 grid. Use arrow keys to move left/right, rotate, or drop them faster.
- Arrange shapes to form complete horizontal lines, which disappear, earning points.
- The game speeds up as you progress. It ends if shapes stack to the top.
- Score more points by clearing multiple lines at once (e.g., four lines for a “Tetris”).
- Beginner Tip▸ Keep the grid flat and leave a column open for the long “I” shape to maximize line clears.
Kalooki
Kalooki▸ Caribbean based rummy style card game where players form sets and runs to lay down cards. Fast~paced and strategic, it’s perfect for card game enthusiasts, often bet on in casual or competitive play.
Kalooki For Money▸ Be aware ~ when you play Kalooki for money, it's usually paid out by how much points you have left in your hand if you lose. The more cards you're caught with, the more you pay.
Ace is 11 points▸ King is 10 points▸ 9=9▸ 5=5▸ etc. Do the maths. You get caught with a full 13 card hand waiting to Kalooki your opponents ~ but get beat ~ by someone else laying a Kalooki ~ you're toast and skint pretty soon if you're not a good player.
Small Stakes Kalooki▸ Watch out! If you're playing only small stakes Kalooki ~ 10p Per Point▸ getting caught with a full hand can be very expensive. If you "Kalooki" your opponents, i.e. drop down all your cards in one go, they "Pay Double". That's Kalooki!
Kalooki Championships▸ If you think you're a good Kalooki player ~ you can join up and play as an amateur in the UK Kalooki Championships
HOW DO YOU PLAY KALOOKI
❖ How To Play Kalooki
- Played with two 52-card decks plus jokers (104 cards + 2 jokers). Each player gets 13 cards.
- Form melds: sets (e.g., 7♥, 7♠, 7♣) or runs (e.g., 4♦, 5♦, 6♦). Jokers can substitute any card.
- Players draw from the deck or discard pile and discard one card per turn. Lay down melds when totaling at least 51 points (face cards = 10, aces = 11, others = face value).
- Win by laying down all cards. Remaining cards in opponents hands score penalty points.
- Beginner Tip▸ Focus on forming one big meld early and use jokers wisely to complete runs or sets.
Pinball
Pinball & Betting▸ Pinball challenges you to keep a ball in play using flippers, hitting targets for high scores. It’s a nostalgic arcade classic with decent in~play action. Pinball used to be often bet on for highest score challenges amongst friends down the pub.
Professional Pinball▸ If you are any good ~ or think you are ~ you can test yourself at the World Pinball Championships in California or enter and compete as an amateur in the UK Pinball Open against the professionals.
HOW DO YOU PLAY PINBALL
❖ How To Play The Space Cadet Pinball Machine
- Launch the ball with the Spacebar (hold for more power). Use Z (left flipper) and / (right flipper) to keep it in play.
- Hit targets, ramps, and bumpers to score points. Complete missions (e.g., light targets in sequence) for bonuses.
- Tilt the table with X (left), > (right), or Up Arrow (up) to nudge the ball, but avoid excessive tilting to prevent a lock.
- Start with three balls▸ lose all▸ it’s game over. Aim for high scores via 5 mission completions.
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➀ Cadet -
➁ Ensign & Lieutenant
➂ Capt & Lt Commander - ➃ Commander & Commodore
➄ Admiral & Fleet Admiral - Beginner Tip▸ Time flipper hits to aim for high-value targets, and use gentle tilts to save balls from going down the black hole.
Related Page: Online Casinos Guide For Beginners
#Page Last Updated: Sun May 18, 2025
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