In all modern Tetris games, the 7-bag system ensures that the blocks are evenly distributed. You will always receive one of each of the 7 deadly blocks in each set of 7. The order will be different each time, but with careful planning and the ability to “hold” a block for later use, there are opening setups that work 100% of the time to allow a technique called the Mechanical T-Spin Double. By looking at some of the pictures and explanations I have provided, you can learn the tricks I have been using in my videos to achieve ridiculously high scores and come in first place in Tetris 99 for the Nintendo Switch.
I will show you some common setups for the first bag that will enable you to continue theoretically and clear about 18 T Spin Doubles before being forced to lower the stack and repeat.
The Standard Method
In just 7 easy steps, you can make consistent T Spin doubles. These images illustrate how it works.
This opening is what I call the standard or the common method for clearing T Spins as fast as possible. However, other methods will be covered later. In my experience, this is going to work in most cases and is best for beginners.
However, there are infinite ways this T Spin loop can be started. Much like Chess, Tetris has openings because there is some consistency to the blocks, even if we cannot predict their order.
The following is a command I ran to extract all of my wins playing white that resulted in a checkmate. Most of the time my opponents resign before I get the chance to checkmate. All of these
Below is the resulting list from the above command. Every game has a link on lichess where all the moves can be viewed and replayed. The purpose of this post is to later use it to analyze these games more in depth during my regular live Streams on Twitch.
I had set myself a goal to make at least one post a month about how my business is going. For those who haven’t read my first post in October, I set myself on the path to be a Chess Coach. It is very clear that I have a lot of information to share about the game of Chess and I am gradually improving as a player and as a writer. In this month’s post, I would like to use some inspiration from my mother, Judena Klebs, who asked me what it is about the game of Chess that I like so much. For this reason, I have compiled a short list of the features that make Chess, as well as many variants like Shogi or Xiangqi, unique from other games.
1. There is no chance or randomness based on dice, coin flip, spinning wheel, or random number generator.
Because Chess is only based on the decisions of the players, no external elements are used. Can you imagine if Chess was like Pokemon or Final Fantasy, where a piece might capture another piece but only if dice were rolled (like the game of Risk)? Can you imagine if the king was checkmated if a coin was flipped and landed on heads? Or what if random numbers were assigned and decided where a piece moves to instead of the players deciding it? These things would ruin Chess, and people would stop playing. In fact, their presence in other games is actually disgusting, in my opinion, because then games are about getting lucky instead of winning based on skill.
2. Planning is possible
Because of the lack of random chance, as mentioned before, it is possible to plan a strategy or a plan A for my next move. Then, if, during my opponent’s turn, they make a move that ruins what I was going to do. I can make a plan B in case of this and repeat this process so that no matter what move they make, I have something ready to go. I like to plan and strategize instead of just doing what I feel like in the moment.
3. Chess is for everyone of every race, gender, financial status, and age.
Any person who can see the board and pieces can place Chess. It doesn’t really matter what you look like or how old you are. It’s also a game where men and women are completely equal because it is a sport of the mind instead of physical strength.
Some people believe that men are smarter than women at Chess. I have actually listened to different people’s opinions on this, and it is worth mentioning because it’s a persistent myth that actually motivated me to get back into the game of Chess. Part of the reason for people believing this false statement is the presence of more men who are titled players traveling the world and winning tournaments. But then elements such as how much money they have to travel or whether women are allowed to participate in certain countries become a factor. There is also the problem of sexual harassment, and women are in physical danger in many places of the world.
But you don’t have to have a lot of money to play Chess for fun with your friends and family. In fact, you can play Chess online with random strangers if you have a computer or a cell phone and an internet connection. The fact is that Chess is a game where sexism, racism, homophobia, and transphobia have no place. It’s for that reason that in my AI songs about Chess, I often mention the equality between all people.
Those are the 3 main reasons I believe Chess is set apart from other board, card, and video games. Chess is something that is more accessible and uses the mind in a way other games don’t.
I like the French Defense because it naturally seems to help me build a reversed black Queen’s Gambit. I consider it the perfect sister opening to Queen’s Gambit for White but it looks a little bit different. I also like it because the pawn structure on black’s side looks a lot like the Queen’s Gambit declined position. It’s similar enough that it feels natural for someone like me who has played so many Queen’s Gambit games. The following are my notes on some positions and what I think based on my own play style and also what I have learned from other Chess coaches.
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5
French Defense Two Center White Pawns Variation
This is the most common position you will see after 4 moves. White has two pawns in the center and black has pawns at e6 and d5. This could lead to either an exchange or advanced variation based on what white’s next move is.
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5
French Defense Exchange Variation
When I play the French Defense, this is the position I am actually hoping for. The reason is that my light squared bishop is not trapped in the same way. This gives me flexibility to build a Black London System or Black Queen’s Gambit. The exchange variation puts black in a better position than the advance variation. Most players know this and so you will face the advance variation more often. What you will do next depends on white’s next move.
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5
French Defense Advance Variation
When white moves their pawn forward to e5, black is kind of trapped because they can’t move their queen or knight to f3. If you find yourself in this position, the move that I recommend is c5 because this leads us to a Black Queen’s Gambit. We are hoping the d4 pawn takes it so that we can capture back with our bishop and also removed the defender of the e5 pawn.
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6
One of the more interesting things about this position is that by moving the queen to b6, it lines the queen up with the diagonal attacking the weak f2 square and also b2. If the bishop moves, b2 can be captured. If at any time the d4 pawn captures the c5 pawn, we can capture back with the bishop and will have both the black bishop and queen attacking that f2 square. This will lead to complete chaos and white will have a hard time preventing us from getting their without putting either their bishop or knight in the way.
In this position, black has lost a knight but white has also lost a bishop that was defending the b2 square. This means black is in a better position because it can destroy white’s pawns and maybe even their a1 rook if they don’t defend it correctly.
In this case, white’s bishop didn’t capture the knight when it had the chance. When the knight reaches f5 then both knights and the queen are attacking the d4 square. White will lose material here if they still try to defend the d4 pawn.
I am considering having a list of my best friends who play Chess so that I can include them in a credits sequence at the end of my Streams and videos.
I have figured out how to make rolling credit sequences with Adobe Premiere Pro, Openshot, and Kdenlive
Also, Kdenlive is probably the best Open Source video editor. I am finding it really easy to use. I will probably be using my video editing skills to make my episodes for YouTube and also start making commercials about my business.
I thank God that I have an unusual mix of talents, experience, skills, and I am learning a lot more because of my college programs.
If you play Chess and want to be included in the credits at the end of videos, please leave comments! I need a long list of names so I can make it long enough to have a closing theme song playing.
Also, if you play on any specific websites such as lichess.org or chess.com, include a link to your profile or give your username and let me know which platform. This could enable us to network and collaborate easier if we play Chess online for my episodes.
Chastity White Rose 