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Original poster

Are you able to play chess?

115 replies

confettipig · 18/02/2023 21:50

I think it’s great to pass the time, we’ve even got a magnetic travel set to take on the plane.

Had some entertaining comments from flight staff about it but was surprised to learn lots of people have never played. I just assumed it was one of those things everyone plays at some point!

OP posts:
MamaNell · 18/02/2023 22:50

Yes my teenage son and I play on chess.com and are doing a streak with the daily puzzle Grin

1982mommaof4 · 18/02/2023 23:06

I played when younger but would love to get back into it. Any tips on the best way to learn again

Tilllly · 19/02/2023 06:53

I've never played

It's one of those things on my vague to do list

Wonder if there's a teach yourself chess app...

I think I was put off as a child, my dad used to make us play mastermind and I could never figure out which bloody peg went where. So I avoided him teaching me chess!

Whyarewehardofthinking · 19/02/2023 07:03

Yes, and I know quite few people who do. If you walk through our 6th form common room you will also see a few games going on with a students of a huge range of abilities; it is really popular at the moment. Some of our year 11s play it too.

Radi04 · 19/02/2023 07:06

Yes I play on chess.com. 3 minute games! Very addictive!

UseOfWeapons · 19/02/2023 07:19

Never played.

blackteaplease · 19/02/2023 07:23

I was taught by my uncle at a young age. I know the moves but I cannot for the life of me think strategically.

I can play snap though

Frenchfancy · 19/02/2023 07:28

Yes, but no-one else in the house likes it. (Because they can't beat me).

We play quite a lot of backgammon instead.

Spendonsend · 19/02/2023 07:30

I can play but I am not a good player. Both my children can beat me now.

KindleAndCake · 19/02/2023 07:33

Yes taught both my ds's, who can now beat me. They both play/played in the chess club at school too.

leafittome · 19/02/2023 07:42

I play occasionally but not well.
My children (all primary) have learnt too. I didn't have much involvement in them learning tbh. There's children's apps on their kindles which teach chess and the older one has occasionally helped the younger ones. It came as a shock when I discovered my 4 year old was able to play a little.

TeenDivided · 19/02/2023 07:45

I'm competent. My DB used to read all the books, I could never be bothered. I played for my college team at uni but we struggled to find 5 for the team so it wasn't hard to get in.

We used to occasionally play 'kriegspiel' (?sp?) when I was growing up where there are 3 boards, 2 players and an umpire, only the umpire can see the other boards. You have to work out whee opponents pieces are by what moves you are allowed to do.

I've taught my 2 DDs, DH won't play me as I win.

Ifyoudreamofsanddunes · 19/02/2023 07:51

I just learnt yesterday! My husband and both children aged 10 and 6 play it, so thought I better learn.

Taytocrisps · 19/02/2023 08:22

No. My brother tried to teach me years ago when I was a small child but he was better than me (hardly surprising as it was my first time to play) and beat me. In a fit of childish pique, I decided I didn't like the game and never played it again. To be fair, I don't feel like I've missed out on anything and I don't know anyone who plays it.

WildRosie · 19/02/2023 08:24

I've never played chess, or Cluedo, or Monopoly. And I've forgotten the rules for snap. Buggered!

Newstartonwards · 19/02/2023 08:26

Yes we play. Every day. I taught both children but both are better than me now. You can learn online chess.com
is good

mamaduckbone · 19/02/2023 08:32

Yes, I learnt at school and taught both ds. They are both far better than me and always beat me now. Ds17 plays online chess a lot and is actually quite good. He also plays with his gf which is quite sweet.

chipshopElvis · 19/02/2023 08:38

I know the moves but I'm no good at the tactical thinking or spotting checkmate.

Rubyupbeat · 19/02/2023 08:42

I love chess, I was taught at a very young age, and have taught it to my boys, nieces and nephews etc.
At one of the schools my mum taught at in the 70s, the children were taught chess in their first year (there was no such thing as reception then), it was believed to increase concentration and many other skills. This was at a Lea school, so quite forward thinking.

Tinkeytonkoldfruit · 19/02/2023 08:48

My DD7 is a big fan of chess - she got the HP wizard chess set for Christmas which helped. I was in chess club at secondary school but not played in years until recently. It's a nice wet Sunday afternoon activity. I can just about beat my 7 year old but under no illusions that I'm any good these days.

Fluffygreenslippers · 19/02/2023 08:49

I am absolutely dreadful at chess. I can’t plan ahead. My husband loves chess and is always playing online. He has a very logical mind.

Smoothlines · 19/02/2023 08:52

Yes, I can play, in that I know the rules and the moves, and we have a set. We’ve also got a chess book or two. I’m not very good at all, though.

cakeorwine · 19/02/2023 09:08

DS started playing it last year and has got really good at it. Compared to me. I hope he carries on playing it when he gets older with people who also like it.

fleurdelee · 19/02/2023 09:21

sanityisamyth · 18/02/2023 21:56

I get the gist of it (know which pieces can move where) but can't figure out how you're supposed to guess where your opponent is supposed to go in 5, 10, 15 moves time.

Yes. This heree

cakeorwine · 19/02/2023 09:39

fleurdelee · 19/02/2023 09:21

Yes. This heree

Show quote history

You mean you can't visualise the pieces moving visually above your head just like in The Queen's Gambit. Grin