Ah yes, the ethics of speed chess! Obviously the opinion is widely divided here, but in my experience the shuttling back and forth tactics, making "crazy" moves and kamikaze sacrifices is accepted best in the realm of lighting chess (2 min and under). In lightning pretty much anything goes, and most players agree to this "unwritten" code. Once you get into speed games of 5 minutes and more, many players expect a more "sportsmanlike" conduct. Let your "conscience be your guide". The clock is an indisputable part of the game of chess, and the use of this element is here to stay.....the main rule of thumb should be that chess is fun to play, and arguments and bad feelings should be avoided. The best way to avoid such problems is to play only with the people who agree with your view on these types of ethical considerations.

Yes, I think that computers offer many advantages for improvement. In the abscence of a good tutor, a computer can be a sparring partner, an opening manual, and analysis checker, and the best thing is it doesn't whine or whimper when you beat it! The deep study of Master games is one of the greatest ways to improve, so if your computer has a large database of Grandmaster games, so much the better. Check out the full version of chess.net for windows......it has all these features.

All the pieces (including the King) have more "scope" and are more powerful in the middle of the board. In one of his books, Gary Kasparov gave a great illustration of why the center is important. He said to consider the center of the board like a tall hill that cascades downward toward the corners. If you were at one corner, you wouldnt be able to see what was happening on the other side, but if you were on top of the hill, you would be able to see everything that was happening on all four corners of "the battle". Also you would be able to react and "get there" swifter from the center than anywhere else on the board. The reason that the king is not on the sides to protect the pawns is that it would be a waste of the king's power to be playing nursemaid for the lowly pawns. The king is a powerful FIGHTING PIECE in the endgame. Use him!