English Chess Forum

I'm pondering setting up a blog, some of which may stray into chess matters, and I was wondering if those posting here might be able to give advice on what the best blogs are out there, both in terms of their content, and the best blogging services available. Ideally something portable where you can extract everything and move it somewhere else, if needed, but also something easy to use, and something that supports postings about chess. Some links to examples of the best chess blogs out there might help. The Streatham and Brixton Chess Blog has one of the best lists I've seen, but I'm sure there are others out there as well.

http://streathambrixtonchess.blogspot.com/

So I'm looking for:

(1) Examples of good chess blogs
(2) Suggestions for good blogging services

Many thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I know a lot of people like Susan Polgar's blog: http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/

Rather than setting up a blog -which is a lot of effort to maintain - why not start by being a contributor to an existing blog / website? I am sure that Streatham and Brixton would welcome thoughtful articles, as indeed would any blogmeister. Even Kingston would welcome contributors.

John Foley wrote:Rather than setting up a blog -which is a lot of effort to maintain - why not start by being a contributor to an existing blog / website? I am sure that Streatham and Brixton would welcome thoughtful articles, as indeed would any blogmeister. Even Kingston would welcome contributors.

That's not a bad idea, though I had rather supposed that the Streatham and Brixton Chess Blog was for members of that club. I'm sure there is a whole debate about whether lots of small blogs by individuals linking to each other is better than several medium to larger-sized blogs with several contributors to each one. Editorial control is another thing, but you are probably right that if you are starting out it can be best to do a guest blog and see how it goes.

Having said that, I hope people will still make suggestions in this thread!

Rugby: http://rugbychessclub.blogspot.com/ Works pretty well, with several players making regular contributions.

Christopher Kreuzer wrote:I'm pondering setting up a blog

If the content is any good, the secretary of at least one of the clubs you play for might consider adding a link (possibly on the front page) on the club's website!

Richard Thursby wrote:

Christopher Kreuzer wrote:I'm pondering setting up a blog

If the content is any good, the secretary of at least one of the clubs you play for might consider adding a link (possibly on the front page) on the club's website!

Elizabeth Vicary's chess blog is my favourite. I also like Mark Week's & Rocky Rook's blogs.

Members of chess.com can blog there - I guess this guarantees you an audience, although perhaps a weak one.

Elizabeth Vicary's blog: http://lizzyknowsall.blogspot.com/

Susan Polgar's blog often has fantastic puzzles (the sort I like, from real games), but I've gone off her in the last few years since the Fake Sam Sloan thing blew up.

[quote="Christopher Kreuzer"]I'm pondering setting up a blog, some of which may stray into chess matters, and I was wondering if those posting here might be able to give advice on what the best blogs are out there, both in terms of their content, and the best blogging services available.

Hello,

I maintain a list of blog links and tools here http://dollyknot.com/chess.html

For blogging I can recommend Google

To set it up, go here http://www.blogger.com its free and if you get lots of hits, you can actually make money.

Regards,

Peter.

http://dollyknot.com

Steve Giddins has started a blog for the British Chess Magazine : http://stevegiddins.blogspot.com/

Phil Makepeace wrote:We're back!

And we're starting an agony aunt type column - not for the faint hearted. Questions, issues, problems etc. - they don't even have to be chess-related - needed to get it going. Please send any to [email protected] .

More here.

for the less than heavy approach to journalism:
http://essexroad.blogspot.com/

This isn't a blog but a little site I've written using HTML and CSS, and got free hosting for. It'll be finished in a few days' time. I might spruce it up with a bit of Javascript. http://arshadschesssite.yolasite.com/