Gameknot

I have started playing a few correspondence chess games online at Gameknot. I have a few friends that I was keen to play against so I thought this would be a fun and easy way to play games against each other.

We have agreed to only use online tools and information on openings etc. (such as chessgames.com or wiki) to help prepare and influence our moves. We have also agreed to no engine checking.

 I have also started a few games against people I do not know on the site and have been quite successful so far but I currently have a provisional rating and have been matched against weaker players then myself.

I have found it interesting how quickly I have won some of my matches against my opponents as I would have expected correspondence games to not end quickly as players would be taking time to analyse the position and make the best moves.

Here are two of the games I have played so far.
Both games show the importance of having some opening theory and developing all your pieces in the opening. The games also show why it is important to get your King to safety by castling, not having your King stuck in the center of the board.