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老大從小學二年級開始學下國際象棋。那時我們對規則一竅不通。他在第一次參加的學區比賽時得了第八名，興奮不已。後來年年拿了學校的第一名。但高中沒有足夠的隊員組隊就放棄了。不過他的喜好，感染了弟弟。小兒子從小學二年級開始學下國際象棋。頭兩年隻在小學俱樂部裏下。一周訓練一次。2014年，他三年級時，申請得了學區的grant dream 30刀。就加入了Saint Louis Chess Club。開始參加在600分以下的新手比賽。一年比下來，從最初的全輸到偶爾贏贏。好在孩子輸了也挺高興。就堅持下來了。
一來二往，我和他的教練成了朋友。在教練的推動下，從2014年底開始，加入Gateway Chess League。因為周末還有別的活動，比如遊泳，棒球，和籃球等等。每次有衝突的時候我都讓他放棄下棋。所以參加的次數並不多。2016年三月20日，他終於全贏了四場新手比賽，算過了初級600分的關口。漸漸地他越來越喜歡下棋。先是退出了遊泳隊，去年又退出籃球隊。參加的下棋比賽就多起來了。
從2017年開始，我們每年帶他去在Columbia舉行的本州國際象棋比賽。早出晚歸，一路披星戴月。孩子們很喜歡賽後的pizza晚餐。2018一年基本在當地的比賽都參加了，下了近100場比賽。基本每兩三周比賽一次。我也成了棋隊的一員。幫忙注冊，安排活動，也學了點皮毛。2019年老二參加了芝加哥的全國比賽。我也跟著參加了家長新手賽，還得了母子聯手第一名，算是意外之喜。
疫情開始後，活動都停了。好在教練組隊在網上比。孩子不是很喜歡，故參加的有限。今年恢複正常後，我們三月再次參加了在Columbia的州比賽。雖然人少一點。但孩子很開心。期待著下周在Memphis舉辦的全國比賽。
Make two diagonal lines starting from your pawn until they touch the edge of the board. Then make a square from it by connecting the edges like this. If the opponent’s king can get in that square, it can eventually take the pawn (unless it’s being guarded by your king.) If the diagonal line hits the side of the board, then make a rectangle from both sides of the pawn and that’s your square (though it’s actually a rectangle.) [Cut]
2. Key squares
Key squares are squares that, If your king can get to them, you will nearly always promote.
Key squares for pawns on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th rank are 2 squares in front of it and to the left and right of that square. Pawns on the 5th and 6th rank’s key squares are the squares 2 squares in front of it and 1 square in front of it and to the left and right of those squares. Pawns on the 7th rank’s key squares are to the left and right of it and in front of it and to the left and right of those. If your king gets to any of these squares, you’re going to promote nearly every time. [Cut]
-Rook pawns
Rook pawns are pawns on the a or h file, and are a lot harder to promote than other pawns because there are one or two less key squares and of the opposing king gets in front of it, there is a much higher chance for stalemate. [Cut]
-Knight pawns
Knight pawns are pawns on the b or g file and also are hard to promote because if the opposing king gets on the rook file there is a high chance to stalemate. [Cut]
3. Opposition
Opposition is when two kings are next to each other with only one square in between them. If you have Opposition, it may be easier to win. Though, if you can find a better move, you should take it. Cut]
4. Rules
Rule #1: If the key squares are blocked, the result will be a draw because the white king can’t get to a key square (though there is an exception if black can be forced out of the position.)
Rule #2:
If two of the following conditions are met, White wins:(1) White has opposition(2) White’s king is in front of the pawnor (3) White’s king is on the sixth rank(Exception - rook pawn)