chumbalumber

I'm putting this here because I've seen a lot of posts by people on forums, here and elsewhere, asking about the best way to improve as a beginner chess player.

Oftentimes a lot of emphasis is put on reading books or consuming online content, but for me the most significant factor in my chess improvement was finding an environment where I could play over the board casually with people of varying strengths, who all enjoy chess.

The benefits are many, but perhaps the most significant is getting to discuss your games. After, and sometimes as, you play, you and your opponent will discuss lines, and often things you're worried about in your position. As a beginner, you can pick up fairly quickly basic tactics, but positional understanding -- those 'instincts' about a position -- are so much easier to learn if you have someone to point them out in your games. Chess is such a lovely hobby in that everyone I've met has wanted others to succeed and improve. The strong friends I've made there have lent me books, and reviewed my games once I started playing in the league.

Beyond the chess, there's the social and motivational aspect. I look forward to Wednesday evenings (my pub chess night) because I know I'm going to go, chat shit with some friends over beer, and play some chess.

The final thing I'd emphasise is that it doesn't have to be a formal club. In my city there's a great pub chess night, and on the continent I'm aware there's a great coffee house chess scene. You can be casual, and strength is not the be-all and end-all.

So go forth and play! If you want any advice on finding somewhere nice (and if you happen to be in Bristol, UK), let me know!

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Thank you.

For those of you that haven't come across him, GM Sadler is active on mastodon (@[email protected]), and posts some really exciting and interesting content on his YouTube channel (https://m.youtube.com/@SiliconRoadChess/videos).

I'd summarise his videos as using a variety of engines to produce unique, engine approved yet human comprehensible attacking ideas, often in opening/middle games, but he's also analysed some famous human endgames with these engines. While they're not necessarily good videos for beginners, I think anyone over ~1200 OTB will get a lot out of his videos.

If you want a good example video to see if it's for you, his/Dragon's Qd2 idea in the Pirc is a great example (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DuFfJwBgMD8), though I'd encourage you to flick through and find a video on an opening that you play.

The main chess community on .world has fuck all subs and I'm not asking reddit, so I'll brick my pipi, shit my pampers, and ask it here instead. Club has a (very friendly) blitz night coming up, and I'd like to scrape some points against the top player (who's about 2150 FIDE), who plays the czech benoni. To give context I'm about 1900, so much worse but in with a shot if I put something fun together. Any ideas for some neat lines to look at?