Learning to play chess...

[ukxenon]

I used to love playing as a child I even beat my school teacher once

 

[Juhasom]

I used to love playing as a child I even beat my school teacher once

Haha, cool. How about Battle Chess? Anyone remember that?

 

[bainbridge]

I hate chess because I come up with a masterplan and then forget what I was up to, or my opponent moves a piece I didn't expect them to move

 

[Cosimo]

I hate chess because I come up with a masterplan and then forget what I was up to, or my opponent moves a piece I didn't expect them to move

That is all part of the fun of playing.

 

[Nitefly]

I hate chess. I like to consider myself a reasonably intelligent person but it all falls apart at chess... I'm rubbish!

I suppose it's not that I hate chess but I hate that I suck at it. Just like I hate the sea when it doesn't part on my command.

 

[oulton]

I am the king of chess, will happily challenge anyone to a bout

 

[iB CoMpL3XiTy]

Play chess online and your soon learn various chess traps as pretty much everyone and their grandma tries to play the fried liver attack or some cheap trick...

General rules:
Try to control the central squares
Develop your pieces (minor pieces first)
Try not to move the same piece twice in the opening
Castle early and often

Also learn a few openings.

 

[Punt]

When I was first learning I liked Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess. A small book full of exercises and problems. Also Bobby Fisher has a very interesting life story, although he went a bit mental!

 

[nas]

Youtube, don't bother with all the grandmaster stuff, learn the basics and take it from there. Download an app on your phone and practise.

 

[Jamesyboyjim]

I'm rubbish, but do you have a friend or family member who can play? I learnt simply by playing with someone who knew how! Its surprisingly easy to pick up! Getting good, now that's the hard part!

 

[Amleto]

<snip>
Never mind, I already said it on 2011. Nice thread bump!

 

[arc@css]

Anyone remember that programme back in the 80's? I think it was called 'Play Chess' with Bill Hartston. The opening sequence used to scare me a little!

Spoiler

 

[linktoinsanity]

I used to be good at chess in my younger days. Played many times against the computer in Power Chess and played my Dad, Great Aunt and Grandad numerous times.

Doubt I still have the skills these days...

 

[Robzere31]

I learned many years ago playing my computer (Zx81 for all the oldies out there!)
Just learn the basics. I.E what pieces can move in which way & learn from there.

 

[kindai]

I used to play hours of chess when younger, usually playing 2-3 people at the same time.

 

[Smokey Deza]

How about Battle Chess? Anyone remember that?

Yup, was great and pretty gory lol. Also had King Quest


Apparently I take too long playing Chess. They make their move and I spend 15 minutes staring at the board in slience. Rinse repeat.

 

[Pawnless Endgame]

Do you have any chess-playing friends that you can play against for practise? That's what I tend to do nowadays, although I was previously in a chess club.

Chessmaster for the PC has a wealth of tutorials for beginners to the more advanced.

+1 to this too.

Some free Android apps too (not sure about iOS though).

 

[MookJong]

I haven't played for years but just realised this is probably a totally dying art.

Question to those of you with kids, do your children know how to play chess?

 

[slipd]

Ha, I forgot I posted this! Other than a bit of 'tuition' from a guy at work on our breaks, I didn't really get anywhere with it

 

[platypus]

Silman's Complete Endgame Course is excellent, but I suspect you're better off learning openings at your stage.

Question to those of you with kids, do your children know how to play chess?

He will do, yes. But at 3 weeks I suspect he'd be too easy a win.