I have an interest in taking up chess. Like with most of my hobbies, I plan to read a couple books on the subject and put some effort into learning the history of the game as well as trying to become a good player. Besides books, I thought about getting on of those Chess Computers that teaches you to play and lets you play against the computer. So far I haven' been able to talk any of my friends into taking up the game with me, so to start off I am not going to have anyone to play and learn with. Do any of you chess players out there have any reccomendations on what Chess computers are good or bad? I was leaning towards the kind that are electronic chess boards but I am not opposed to a good piece of software if there are no good "board" type chess computers out there.

Also, do you have any reccomendations on beginner books I should read?

Thanks for the help.

I have some advice for you - forget about chess before you start getting beat up by the neighborhood kids.

I know Chess has that geek factor about it, but I like hobbies that make me think. That is why I love playing poker and backgammon and enjoy the mind clearing concentration of riding my motorcycle. I figured Chess is the ultimate thinking game. Also as a parent I have also read the learning benefits for children that learn to play chess. If I find that I enjoy it, I figure it would be fun and beneficial to try and teach my daughter when she gets older.

...Chess is actually a fantastic way to "exercise" your brain. My dad taught my brother and I to play when we were kids. While we started off not playing very well, there were many lessons I picked up and applied to principles of my life in the later years. Word.

...As far as books are concerned, Bobby Fischer teaches Chess by Bobby Fischer. I've never read it personally but heard that it was okay. I've not played a lot lately, but when I have, I usually play my computer. Let me know if you have any other questions.

chess is a great hobby Lok, don't get discuraged. I suggest you search the internet for a free chess game, try download.com you can probably find something there. Most of those games are pretty good and can be set to a pretty hard level that will be challenging enough for most anyone. Best thing to do is practice a lot, books come later once you really want to get technical (and a lot more geeky) Bottom line is chess is fun don't make it too complicated just get a partner, computer or otherwise and play

I already know the basics. How the peices move, ect. I want to learn more about stratgey and advaced play, ect. When I play now, I don't have any kind of plan, and don't really have any clue how to analyze my opponents moves. Right now I play like I'm playing checkers. Moving peices at random, capturing a peice whenever the chance comes with no regard if it is even the right move. I'm looking to get a little more in-depth than that.

I have not used it in a long time but there used to be a program called Chess Master. It was great because you could set the level of the program to play better or worse. One of the best features it has is a database of classic chess matches that you can play out. It was very instructful for me to watch them and try to learn why the players played certain moves.

I am not a great chess player only average but one useful tool for me was to learn a strategy that I can play. I usually use the Sisilian (SP?) defense as an opening which has helped me compete with most people who play without a strategy.

Hope this helps.

quote:

Originally posted by S-Rage:
I have some advice for you - forget about chess before you start getting beat up by the neighborhood kids.

LOL, my nine-year old son won't play against me anymore because "it's no fun, I win most of the time and when you do win, you always set up checkmates the same way."

I belong to a site called itsyourturn.com
you have to sign up but you play various
types of games and variations of chess.

I have been on the site for about 2 mos.
and so far it's been fun and educational.

I play chess with my buddy maybe once a month. I love it, chess and a cigar is the best relaxation method ever. Sometimes at work i go to nabisco.com and play chess. Its a simple chess game that requires no downloading. If you are just starting out i sugest you give it a go, the computer uses some basic stratagy that is realy easy to figure out then use back at it. You can also play online against other people there too. Its a good way to pass some time and get paid for it

I love to play as well, but don't have many friends who do. Just do some google searches for chess strategy and what you seek, you will find.

My wife won't play me...she thinks I'm too competitive.

You can also play Chess at Yahoo! Games.

This at least would enable you to play against another person so you can learn how to play against a real person's mind instead of playing the always logical computer.

At the MSN Game Zone you can play chess 24/7 against people from all over the world at all skill levels.

Good luck! I've tried books and computers programs, and I still can't play worth a damn! I beat a computer chess game once, with a chess coach, at the NOVICE level! I have a great respect for chess players! Thinking ahead more than a couple of moves is almost impossible for me! And it is really frustrating!!!

I've been playing for over 45 yrs. - been in several chess clubs and played many tourneys sanctioned or otherwise. I play mostly with a friend on average 5-6 games a week. I love the game win or lose. If you've ever a mind to I love postcard chess. Played a postcard game with a gent from New Zealand once that took over 9 months to complete - was a lot of fun

Why not play some of the guys here?
You both set up a board like they use to do over mail, but instead you email your moves back anf forth

quote:

Originally posted by Diehardpuffer:
I've been playing for over 45 yrs. - been in several chess clubs and played many tourneys sanctioned or otherwise. I play mostly with a friend on average 5-6 games a week. I love the game win or lose. If you've ever a mind to I love postcard chess. Played a postcard game with a gent from New Zealand once that took over 9 months to complete - was a lot of fun

I will definitely keep that in mind. I think I want to learn a little more and get a little better first.

Any book or chess comupter reccomendations?

quote:

Originally posted by BadFish:
Why not play some of the guys here?
You both set up a board like they use to do over mail, but instead you email your moves back anf forth

Heck Fish...that's a great idea, but why not a thread. That way anyone who wants to could follow the game.

quote:

Originally posted by Ruger:

quote:

Originally posted by BadFish:
Why not play some of the guys here?
You both set up a board like they use to do over mail, but instead you email your moves back anf forth

Heck Fish...that's a great idea, but why not a thread. That way anyone who wants to could follow the game.

That is an even better idea...

Man now ya have me wanting to play it a bit. It really is a great game. My nephew is in the chess club at his school, and no he's not an uber geek). But I would just love to wipe the floor with him and wipe that cocky lil grin off his 12 year old baby face. I'd hit him but his mom would prolly frown upon that.