any chess players here?

[Clint]

The first time I remember playing was as a 16-18 year old kid at my cousin's house. He learned in high school I think. He beat me here & there (every time), then I got my own board I remember back when I was 20 or so.... I didn't play much and pretty much always lost. Over the last 20+ years I played maybe 30 games. I played in high school a time or two but was always smoked, didn't really get it.

Last year I started playing more - got a couple more boards, programs (chess king, chess master, fritz), videos, & then a membership to chess.com. I was injured 3/2/16 skiing in the park, & while I was laid up I played a whole lot I'm up to >900 10 minute games (10 min per player), 60+ 2 day per move games, plus I don't know - maybe 200 in person games.

So now I'm a chess player. Not someone with a future in chess, but someone who plays & watches videos on it

all the time

So now I beat my cousin soundly - almost every time. He says it's just like losing every time to the guy who taught him.

I'm teaching my little brother who's catching on very fast I think. I took my board (along with baseballs/softballs/bats/mitts etc) to a family reunion today. I played a couple of the kids a couple times, gave some pointers, & then watched the kids play a little. Anyway, it's something I've been spending a lot of time on lately. I'm not the type of guy to learn lines -- I really don't excel in that, I'm more of a principles type of guy. I am learning standards & lines, but really I'm just trying to play. Now that I'm able to school my cousin who taught me, I'll throw it (give him a big advantage) and work on my endgame .

I've found the history of the game interesting, I'm still new and have a low rating (800 for blitz, ~1400 for daily (good people are >1600 @ blitz imo).

Playing the kids & my little brother, I'll show them what I hope my opponent doesn't see (my weaknesses), show them my next move or two (their weaknesses) & what I'm doing (strategy - mine's still generic but becoming more dialed). For them, I don't mind schooling them but moving pieces & learning (& having fun) is what's most important. I still show them a checkmate but I'm hoping to plant a seed where maybe they'll want to play on their own.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlBMNEn3HLA

 

[Len Dennis]

I dabble a bit with it (too many other things to do ) .Anyways, I was quite surprised when my 5 yr old grandson (now 7) wanted to play. His middle game wasn't too bad but he wasn't able to see what moves I was planning to make (as is to be expected). For a 5 yr old to be able to play chess was pretty amazing.

The biggest surprise for me was that he was able to "sit still" (comparatively speaking) for 40-45 minutes playing. To encourage him, I let him take pieces that were "gifts" and naturally prolonged the game.

Yeah I do like it, especially playing with my grandson

 

[Rusty James]

Chess is a fun game to play.

The whole neighborhood went wacky over it when I was a teen. I used to play against a college student, and got beat often, but I made him think!

 

[Pat G]

My six year old daughter got a chess game for her six birthday. We play some, and she is starting to understand the moves somewhat. I beat her once and found out that I am better off letting her win for now.