English Chess Forum

I'm most dismayed about the way that chess is being run in the UK today. When I retired from work four years ago, my objective was to try to put into practice all that theory I had learned from studying DVD's, books, playing through games, tactics puzzles etc, because I hadn't had the time to play. ...

Thanks everyone for your input; re your thoughts, David, I HAVE been told my play is too passive, and I've always had a hankering to learn the Kings Gambit, but I'm guessing this would be a bit too ambitious given my present level?

You were right; you told me it wasn't going to be easy. I won a couple of games in my first two weeks of joining a club. That was 5 months ago, and I haven't won a game since. In fact, the harder I try, the worse the defeat I get. Perhaps Mr Silman is correct in his books when he says it is down to ...

Thanks Jack for your helpful reply which I'll take on-board, and the neat copy-editing, (how did you do that)? One benefit I've found of playing against Fritz is that it seems to follow openings (up to a point). I've met a 97 rated and 115 rated player at my club who reckon they don't employ any ope...

David Blower wrote: If you have notated one of your games why not post it on here. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Well, here goes, not a great example, but I'm White against Fritz... 1 e2-e4 d7-d6 2.d2-d...

Say under 60-70?

I recently went along as a visitor to the Golders Green rapid play, and the Kings Head tournament earlier this year. All the players were rated higher than I am. If I can't find anyone in the UK to play against (at club or any other level) than I'm not going to stand a chance in hell of ever getting...

John Townsend wrote: It is a sad state of affairs if weaker players who visit clubs say they are neglected. It used not to be so. I put it down to the ECF's obsession with grading. They seem to provide few facilities to help our weaker brethren. It seems almost as if one of the few things the ECF wa...

I would refer readers of this to my similar post 'Where in the UK to play Chess?' to welcome their views on what a chess club could or should be offering nowadays. Thanks.

Sorry Roger, but I'm having difficulty in understanding your reply. The only thing that's 'cool' about chess nowadays is the atmosphere inside the clubs. His Holiness the Tournament prevails. No help or encouragement for the casual player wishing to improve due to the surreal atmosphere of the preva...

Well, I've been going along to a club for 3 weeks now, and managed wins against a '90's' rated player, and also against a 132!!( which I regard as the equivalent of a 100-1 outsider winning the Derby). The inevitable many losses predominate though. I need to improve, and improve fast, as I am not ye...

I spend many hours every week studying by reading chess books, playing through master games, trying to solve tactical puzzles, mates in three etc. I enjoy this. But I know it's not doing me any good, as I cannot expect to improve if I have nobody to play against across a board. I went along to my lo...

Matt Fletcher wrote; We don't have any regular attendees below 100 grade but there are a few around that mark who you should be able have a decent game with. So how then can chess clubs help players of different standards? Let's put it in golfing terms. My handicap is 24, which means I go round the ...

My local chess club doesn't have anybody on my rating (50-60) to play against. Would I do better going on-line, to get a few more games under my belt? I don't have Facebook or webcam, but could anyone recommend a website, preferably free, where I could play games at this level, with maybe some suppo...

Sorry, can't remember, but I tried the CK again, and got a totally different reply response after 2...c6