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For the better part of six years, I have watched my husband play chess at our local club. Only recently, when I began to play myself, did I notice that almost every chess player I know fits into distinct categories, regardless of skill or experience. It is for this reason that I have developed the Field Guide to the Modern Chess Player for all to enjoy. After reading this guide, you can quick identify and categorize the players in your own chess club!
With this guide in hand, you will have a distinct advantage at your local chess club; lower rated players especially. Those who are unsure of the strength of an opponent's moves will be able to observe their opponent's playing style to ascertain whether or not their moves are strong or weak. While this is not a foolproof guide (there are rare playing styles that are not listed here), any patzer will be able to use some of this "psychology" to help them improve their games!
- Piece Movement Style
- 1. The Presser
When the Presser makes a move, as if somehow the piece will slip off the board, he presses his piece down. The force in which he presses his piece into the board is directly proportional to the strength of his move. If the move is clear and devastating to his opponent's position, the Presser will force the piece down so hard one would expect it to go through the table. If the player is uncertain of his move or is in zugswang, he will only lightly press the piece.
- 2. The Screwdriver
When the Screwdriver makes a move, it is necessary for him to screw his piece into the board as if it were a light bulb going into a socket. The number of times the Screwdriver screws in his piece (i.e. he make the screwing motion for 1, 2, 3, etc…seconds) is directly proportional to the strength of the move. A Screwdriver, however, will not screw in a move at all if he is unsure of his move strength or is in zugswang.
- 3. The Slammer
The Slammer thinks nothing of taking a piece and slamming it onto the board. This motion is often accompanied by a j'adoube due to the fact that his pieces almost never land directly centered into the square. Once again, the force in which a piece is slammed down is proportional to the strength of the move. A Slammer will not slam a unit down if the move is uncertain. The Slammer is also known to take a captured piece and slam his clock button down with it.
- 4. The Slider
Most common of all is the Slider. The Slider will push a piece to the intended square. The Slider is broken down into the following categories:
- A. The Full-Bodied Slider
The Full-Bodied Slider will use his entire body to move a piece. Most often, one will notice the shoulder and arm are used with force as if moving the piece indicates a hockey style body check or participation in an air hockey game.
- B. The Quick Slider
The Quick Slider uses clean, precise slides when moving his pieces. His movements are very crisp and he will often quickly slide the piece to the intended square and seal the deal with a small slam.
- C. The Gentle Slider
The Gentle Slider simply slides pieces from square to square with confidence and refinement. He will not normally involve any part of his body in the move other than his hand (and subsequently his arm).
- Piece Capture Style
- 1. The Trader
The Trader, when capturing a piece will pick up the captured piece and place his own piece on the square. This maneuver is done with one hand.
- 2. The Quick Trader
The Quick Trader method is done in the same way as the trader method, however the capturing piece is often slammed down. When the quick trading method is used, one can often hear the "clink" of the two pieces hitting in the player's hand.
- 3. The Replacer
The Replacer will pick up the targeted piece, deposit it at the side of the board and then move his own piece to the new square.
- 4. The Slide Replacement
Most often, the Gentle Slider will use this capture motion. The capturing piece is slid onto the intended square, gently displacing the captured piece. After the capturing piece is in place, the player will pick up the captured unit and remove it from the board.
- Castling Styles
- 1. The Standard Castler
The Standard Castler obeys the USCF rule indicating the King should be moved first in the Castling maneuver. He will touch his King and then transfer the Rook.
- 2. The Double Handed Castler
The Double Handed Castler will pick up both King and Rook at the same time and swap them. This style involved a crossing of the player's arms.
- 3. The King Hopper
The King Hopper is a rare being, but he does exist! His King will hop on each square until it reaches its resting place. He will then hop the Rook over the King to its resting square.
- Player Styles
- 1. Excuse me…is this where the chess club meets?...Or The Newbie
Every player, grandmaster included, was once this type of player. This person is new to the USCF, rated games, and most likely to chess. The newbie will most often will fall into the category of "Gentle Slider", "The Slide Replacement" and the "Standard Castler". As yet unsure of his abilities, the Newbie will work very hard not to draw any attention to himself with unique or loud playing styles. The Newbie will eventually progress to one of the other styles of play, most often because of the unconscious influence of the other, more experienced players in the club. The Newbie does not often call the tournament director for rule enforcement because at this stage, he is still trying to remember to press his clock's button when he's finished with his turn. The rules in the USCF manual are still a mystery to him. If he breaks a rule, he'll just take your word for it.
- 2. Why must I lose to such a moron?...Or The Ballistic Player
There is always at least one ballistic player in each club, unfortunately. The ballistic player doesn't like to lose. When he does, he will thrash about, knock over pieces (or throw them depending on the degree of anger), insult his opponent, and storm around. The ballistic player often falls into the category of "Slammer", "Quick Trader", and "Double Handed Castler". The Ballistic player will enforce every USCF rule at all time (because not doing so could earn him a loss) and be the first to point out his opponent's fallen flag. However, he doesn't take kindly to these rules being enforced when he is in question. The Ballistic player thinks nothing of playing for cheapos and his favorite mates include smothered mates and lone defending King against his entire army. The Ballistic player is usually very greedy and will take every piece he can regardless if it helps him to checkmate or not. The more he can humiliate his victim, the better.
- 3. Oh, well!...Or The Good-Natured Player
The good-natured player is probably the most delightful addition to any chess club and, most often than not, is on backorder because there are never enough to go around. The good natured player isn't concerned with winning or losing. He is only concerned with playing a good game. The good natured player always wears a smile, offers to get other players a bite to eat when he goes out, and never complains. The good natured player does not usually worry about the lesser known rules of the game because either he really doesn't care (after all, he's only there to have a good time) or he doesn't know about them. The good natured player says, "Oh well" when he blunders miserably, choosing to consider it a learning experience instead of beating himself over the head about it. The good-natured player's style falls into the "Gentle Slider", "The Replacer", and the "Standard Castler" categories.
- 4. I can't believe I missed that fork opportunity!...Or The Player in Training
In most chess clubs, you will find that most of the players are in this category. His skill is progressing and he is gaining confidence. He is beginning to see tactical nuances and formulate solid strategic plans. Most often, the Player in Training is the protégée of a master level player in the club. Due to his heightened sense of self-confidence (this occurs after the player stops dropping his Queen on a regular basis), the Player in Training becomes more aggressive. He also becomes more aggressive in response to his own mistakes, often pondering a game losing blunder to death for weeks on end. The Player in Training fits into the "Full Bodied Slider" or "Quick Slider", The "Quick Trader", and the "Standard Castler" categories.
- 5. See you at the World Open!...Or The Expert/Master Player
In a local chess club, you will most often have at least on Expert/Master Player. This player is confident, aggressive yet somewhat subdued, and supportive of the other categories of players. Most often, the Expert/Master will attach himself to one or two Players in Training and pass on his knowledge to the next generation. Rarely, although it does happen, there are Expert/Master players that are simply too good for everyone and wouldn't think of wasting their time instructing such pitifully weak players (after all, one day those weak players may beat him and take rating points away). Because of the level of confidence in play, Expert/Masters are often "Screwdrivers" or "Pressers", "Quick Traders", and due to their complete understanding of USCF rules, "Standard Castlers".
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