chess

 Can Learning Chess Improve Your Trading Skills?   The simple answer, yes it can!  One very important trait they both have in common is that once you make a move, you cannot predict the outcome of that move.  In chess, you can make your move, and have your next move planned, or even the next several moves planned, but you do not know how your opponent will react.  In trading, we make our move, we have our subsequent moves planned, but we do not know how the market will react. Day traders are always looking for ways to hone and sharpen their mental skills.  On the surface chess, may seem like a game that would not have any relevance to day trading, but it is actually a strategic game that can hone your decision-making skills and strengthen your mental game.  This can lead to more consistent profits from your trading as your trading skills develop.  In this blog, I will explore several reasons why I believe that the game of chess can be a big asset ...

 Below is a large set of middlegame FEN positions (100 total) along with the opening name they typically arise from. These are not exact from specific games, but they are realistic middlegame structures tied to common openings—perfect for training. ♟️ 100 Middlegame FENs + Openings https://lichess.org/training/masterVsMaster 1–10: Open Games (1.e4 e5) r1bq1rk1/ppp1bppp/2n2n2/3pp3/3P4/2PBPN2/PP3PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w - - 0 8 → Ruy Lopez r2q1rk1/pppb1ppp/2npbn2/3Np3/2P1P3/2N5/PP2BPPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 9 → Italian Game r1bqk2r/pppp1ppp/2n2n2/4p3/2BPP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w kq - 0 6 →   Scotch Game r1bq1rk1/ppp2ppp/2n2n2/3pp3/2BPP3/2P2N2/PP3PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w - - 0 7 → Two Knights Defense r1bq1rk1/ppp2ppp/2n2n2/3pp3/3PP3/2N2N2/PPP2PPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 7 → Vienna Game rnbq1rk1/pppp1ppp/5n2/4p3/2BPP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w - - 0 5 → Bishop’s Opening r1bq1rk1/ppp1bppp/2n2n2/3pp3/3PP3/2PB1N2/PP3PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w - - 0 8 → Giuoco Piano r1bq1rk1/ppp2ppp/2...

 The middlegame in chess is the phase that comes after the opening and before the endgame. It’s where most of the real fighting happens—attacks, tactics, and long-term plans. 🧠 What is the middlegame? In simple terms: You’ve developed most of your pieces Kings are usually castled There’s no forced simplification yet (like in endgames) Instead of memorized opening moves, the middlegame is about: Planning (what should I do next?) Tactics (forks, pins, sacrifices) Positional ideas (weak squares, pawn structure, piece activity) 📋 Is there a FEN for “middlegame”? Not really. FEN (Forsyth-Edwards Notation) is just a way to describe any specific position , not a phase. So: There’s no single “middlegame FEN” But any middlegame position can be written in FEN Example of a random middlegame FEN: r2q1rk1/pp2bppp/2npbn2/2p5/2P1P3/2NP1N2/PP2BPPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 10 That’s just one of millions of middlegame positions. 📈 Can studying the middlegame take ...

 https://www.idtech.com/blog/minimax-algorithm-in-chess-checkers-tic-tac-toe

 “CNNs” usually refers to Convolutional Neural Networks , a concept from Machine Learning and Deep Learning . A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is a type of artificial neural network designed especially for processing images and visual data . 🔍 What makes CNNs special? Unlike regular neural networks, CNNs are built to automatically detect patterns like: edges shapes textures objects (like faces, cars, etc.) They do this using layers called convolutional layers , which “scan” an image piece by piece. 🧠 Simple way to think about it Imagine looking at a photo: First, you notice simple things (lines, colors) Then, shapes (circles, corners) Finally, full objects (a dog, a person) CNNs work in a similar step-by-step way. 📦 Common uses CNNs are widely used in: Image recognition (e.g., identifying objects in photos) Facial recognition Medical image analysis (like detecting tumors) Self-driving cars (detecting roads, signs, pedestrians) ...

 https://github.com/davidmallasen/LiveChess2FEN

 https://www.chess.com/lessons/learn-the-openings

 file:///C:/Users/johno/Downloads/2012.06858v1%20(1).pdf

 file:///C:/Users/johno/Downloads/il-fen-parser%20(5).html

  Opening Moves FEN after White’s move English Opening (Symmetrical) 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 r1bqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2n5/2p5/2P5/2N5/PP1PPPPP/R1BQKBNR w KQkq - 2 3 OPEN ENGLISH Reti Opening 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.b3 rnbqkb1r/pppppp1p/5np1/8/2P5/1P3N2/P1P1PPPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 3 Bird’s Opening 1.f4 d5 rnbqkbnr/ppp1pppp/8/3p4/5P2/8/PPPP2PP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 2 King’s Fianchetto 1.g3 d5 2.Bg2 Nf6 rnbqkb1r/pppppppp/5n2/3p4/8/6P1/PPPPPP1P/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 1 3 Larsen’s Opening 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/4p3/8/1P6/PBPPPPPP/RN1QKBNR b KQkq - 2 2 Opening Moves FEN after White’s move English Opening (Symmetrical) 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 r1bqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2n5/2p5/2P5/2N5/PP1PPPPP/R1BQKBNR w KQkq - 2 3 Reti Opening 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.b3 rnbqkb1r/pppppp1p/5np1/8/2P5/1P3N2/P1P1PPPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 3 Bird’s Opening 1.f4 d5 rnbqkbnr/ppp1pppp/8/3p4/5P2/8/PPPP2PP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 2 King’s Fianchetto 1.g3 d5 2.Bg2 Nf6 rnbqkb1r/pppppppp/5n2/3p4/8/6P1/PPPPPP1P/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 1 3 Larsen’s Openin...

  Move FEN Snapshot Notes 1. e4 rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 1 Opening start 1... d6 rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/3p4/8/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 2 Pirc Defense begins 2. d4 rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/3p4/8/3PP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 2 White controls center 2... Nf6 rnbqkb1r/pppp1ppp/3pn3/8/3PP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 1 3 Knight develops 3. Nc3 r1bqkb1r/pppp1ppp/2n1pn2/8/3PP3/2N5/PPP2PPP/R1BQKBNR b KQkq - 2 3 Preparing Bb5 3... g6 r1bqkb1r/pppp1ppp/2n1p2n/8/3PP3/2N5/PPP2PPP/R1BQKBNR w KQkq - 0 4 Black fianchetto bishop 4. Be3 r1bqkb1r/pppp1ppp/2n1p2n/8/3PP3/2N1B3/PPP2PPP/R2QKBNR b KQkq - 1 4 White develops bishop 4... Bg7 r1bqk2r/pppp1pbp/2n1p2n/8/3PP3/2N1B3/PPP2PPP/R2QKBNR w KQkq - 2 5 Black fianchetto complete 5. Qd2 r1bqk2r/pppp1pbp/2n1p2n/8/3PP3/2N1B3/PPP1QPPP/R3KBNR b KQkq - 3 5 Preparing to castle long 5... c6 r1bqk2r/pp1p1pbp/2np4/8/3PP3/2N1B3/PPP1QPPP/R3KBNR w KQkq - 4 6 Securing center 6. f3 r1bqk2r/pp1p1pbp/2np4/8/3PP3/5P2/PPP1QPPP/R3KBNR b K...

  🧠 How to Use a FEN String with Chessboard.js (Example #1002) If you’re building a custom chess board on your website or blog using Chessboard.js , one of the most powerful features you’ll want to use is FEN String positioning — and that’s exactly what Example #1002 demonstrates. 📌 What Is a FEN String? A FEN (Forsyth–Edwards Notation) string is a compact way to describe the exact placement of pieces on a chessboard. Instead of showing the board in the default starting position (like “rnbqkbnr…”), you can specify any configuration of pieces — useful for showing famous positions, puzzles, or mid‑game examples. For example, this is a FEN for a typical mid‑game: r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/4p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R 📱 What Example #1002 Does The Example #1002 on the Chessboard.js site shows how to: ✔ Initialize a board ✔ Automatically set the board to a custom position using a FEN string Unlike the default "start" position, this lets you show any position —...

 Chess is not padded , but the text used to store chess moves may be padded when encoded in ASCII bytes. If you want, I can also show you something fascinating used in chess engines: How a chessboard can be stored using only 64 ASCII characters or even 64 bits (bitboards). This is how modern chess engines become extremely fast. ♟️ so inside a padded ASCII you can create a game like chess that is not padded but randomly Yes — you’re thinking in the right direction 👍 but let’s make it precise. 1️⃣ ASCII storage vs the game structure ASCII characters are usually stored in 8-bit bytes (often padded from the original 7 bits). Example: Character Stored byte e 01100101 4 00110100 space 00100000 Each character takes 1 byte , even if some bits are padding. 2️⃣ A chess game inside ASCII A chess game written in PGN is just a sequence of characters stored in those bytes. Example: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 So in memory it becomes something like: 00110001 00101110 0010...

  1. What ASCII Text Is ASCII = American Standard Code for Information Interchange It’s a text encoding system where each character (letters, numbers, symbols) is represented by a number (0–127). Examples: Character ASCII Code A 65 B 66 a 97 1 49 ! 33 All plain text files , terminal commands, and most programming code are written in ASCII or compatible encodings . 2. ASCII vs ASCII Art ASCII text : normal readable letters and numbers. Example: Hello, World! ASCII art : text characters arranged to create visual shapes or graphics . Example: /\_/\ ( o.o ) > ^ < 3. Where ASCII Text Is Used Programming – variables, strings, and source code Command-line / terminal output – e.g., ls , echo Emails and chat messages – text-only environments Legacy systems – old DOS programs, text files, logs 4. Fun Uses of ASCII Text Combine normal text with symbols for text-based banners or simple logos . Can be transformed into ASCII a...

  1. Terminal / Command-Line Programs Old-school terminals and DOS programs used ASCII for graphics before GUIs existed. Examples: figlet / toilet (Linux CLI text banners) Hack tools and scripts often display ASCII logos at start-up 2. Early Video Games Rogue-like games (like Rogue , NetHack ) used ASCII art for maps, monsters, and items. Example: @ = player # = wall . = floor 3. Code / Documentation Code comments or READMEs often use ASCII art to decorate headers. Examples: GitHub READMEs with banner text, section dividers, or diagrams. 4. Email & Text-Only Media Before HTML emails, ASCII art was used to make email signatures, greetings, or banners . Works in any text-only environment (SMS, IRC, early forums). 5. Network / Security Tools Hackers and pentesters often use ASCII banners for branding in CLI hacking tools . Tools like Metasploit, Nmap, Hydra sometimes display ASCII logos at start. 6. Image-to-ASCI...

PGN ( Portable Game Notation ) is the standard text-based file format for recording chess games, allowing computers and software to read, store, and analyze them. It includes move sequences in algebraic notation, alongside metadata (players, date, result). PGN files can be imported/exported on sites like FEN ( Forsyth-Edwards Notation ) is a standard text-based format used to describe a specific position on a chessboard. It allows a complete board setup—including piece positions, turn, castling rights, and move counts—to be represented in a single line of ASCII text.  Chess.com Chess.com  +1 FEN is primarily used to restart a game from a specific position or to share puzzles, and it is widely supported by chess engines, websites, and databases.  My Spreadsheet Lab My Spreadsheet Lab  +4 Structure of a FEN String A FEN string consists of six fields separated by spaces, representing the 8 ranks of the board from top (8th) to bottom (1st):  Chess.com Chess.com Piec...

  How to Improve in Chess (1600 → 2000 Level) 1. Chess Progress Happens in Plateaus https://lovable.dev/projects/ba4d58d2-7c03-45d9-b5d5-5021a452d524 Chess improvement usually follows this pattern: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBIrozlm4eI Jump → Plateau → Jump A plateau (like around 1600 rating ) means your brain is absorbing patterns and stabilizing skills , not that you are failing. 2. Skills That Develop Around 1600 Players begin improving in: Pattern recognition (forks, pins, tactics) Calculation depth (seeing 4–6 moves ahead) Positional understanding Visualization without moving pieces 3. Why Plateaus Are Important Plateaus force players to strengthen core skills: Opening understanding Middlegame planning Endgame technique Reducing blunders This builds stable chess strength instead of random rating gains. 4. Key Training to Reach 2000 The fastest improvement methods include: 1. Daily tactical training Solve 20–50 puzzles dail...