MiketheSRANK

Jun 6, 2019

0

#1

I am currently reading “Chess For Dummies”. They show examples but I have a hard time reading chess annotations, is there an easier way like using a chess engine to follow them ? If so, what chess engines could I use so I don’t feel like I am reading Egyptian hieroglyphics? Thanks in advance!

BattleDuck

Jun 6, 2019

0

#2

Maybe start with some simple videos on youtube.

After you get the basics you might want to learn chess notation, its not very hard. If you can play "You sunk my battleship!"
a game recommended for 7 and up you can learn chess notation, its pretty much the same thing.

Also - for most people chess books are not to be just read, you are supposed to get a chess board out and follow along with it.

MiketheSRANK

Jun 6, 2019

0

#3

BattleDuck wrote:

Maybe start with some simple videos on youtube.

After you get the basics you might want to learn chess notation, its not very hard. If you can play "You sunk my battleship!"
a game recommended for 7 and up you can learn chess notation, its pretty much the same thing.

Also - for most people chess books are not to be just read, you are supposed to get a chess board out and follow along with it.

Alright I will look up yt videos and start from there. Any good recommendations for intermediate beginners?"You sunk my battleship!" seems interesting, it is my first time hearing about it, I will take a shot at it. And yes, I figured that out very quickly, learning chess systematically and playing it are two different things. You need to be able to first crawl before you can walk.

BattleDuck

Jun 6, 2019

0

#4

Battleship is just a kids game, i only mentioned it because most people have played it and the grid it uses is similar idea to chess algebraic notation coordinates.

I am a just beyond beginner player I guess,

On youtube I liked the Chess Fundumentals Series by John Bartholomew https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao9iOeK_jvU

Several hour long videos, he basically plays games and comments on them, focusing on simple core ideas.

As far as books - for me "Logical Chess: Move By Move: Every Move Explained New Algebraic Edition" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0713484640/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

proved perfect when I came back to chess after not playing for 15 years.

Understanding Chess Move by Move by John Nunn was the next book I tried as it was the same annotated and explained games idea and was supposed to be even better, it was not. It is beyond my level, too dry, too many complicated deep variations, I would follow with a chessboard, look at games and learn nothing.

Currently i am working through Best Lessons of a Chess Coach, https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Chess-Coach-Sunil-Weeramantry/dp/0812922654 I find it a perfect follow up to Logical Chess. Concepts are clear, games shown illustrate them quite well, I feel like each time I finish a chapter my games with my sparring partner improve.

next on my list (when i finish the coach book in a month or two is "The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played" also by Chernev. I do not know yet if its a good book but it should be a logical continuation.

At some point I will go back to John Nunn's book, if/when it appropriate level for me. Though, beyond content, Chernev's book was fun, I enjoyed reading it in the evening and playing through one or two games per night. Nunns was a textbook.

Rsava

Jun 7, 2019

0

#5

What is the notation used:

1. e4 e5 - does it look like this? This is algebraic. Buy a small study/analysis set with algebraic notation and start learning. As this is the way you record games IRL, it will serve you well.

Here is something like what I mean - https://www.chesshouse.com/collections/travel-chess-sets/products/analysis-chess-set

1. P-K4 P-K4 - does it look like this? This is descriptive notation and it is an older way of recording games. Not used anymore but there are some classic books that use it. Tougher for some to learn but still useful (IMHO).

Here is a link with info for it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descriptive_notation

KineticPawn

Jun 7, 2019

0

#6

I agree with @BattleDuck in that youtube videos might be a good primer/introduction to chess.

Also I use Chess Workbook for Kids to teach young family members but a couple of adults have found it easily digestible as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Workbook-Children-Detectives-Introduction/dp/0976196212/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=chess+for+kids+book+bardwick&qid=1559913015&s=gateway&sr=8-2

It breaks down general piece values, opening development principles, notation and coordinate understanding and rudimentary tactic concepts i.e forking, skewer, pin....etc

I would also recommend getting a smaller ~12" study board so that you can follow the books better. This is something I believe everyone who reads/ study's chess owns.

kindaspongey

Jun 7, 2019

0

#7

"... for those that want to be as good as they can be, they'll have to work hard.
Play opponents who are better than you … . Learn basic endgames. Create a simple opening repertoire (understanding the moves are far more important than memorizing them). Study tactics. And pick up tons of patterns. That’s the drumbeat of success. ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (December 27, 2018)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/little-things-that-help-your-game
https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-to-start-out-in-chess
https://www.chess.com/news/view/a-new-years-resolution-improve-your-chess-with-new-lessons

lighthouse

Jun 8, 2019

0

#8

What is the best way to “chess”?

Get a chess set & learn the rules ? Is always a good start !

Rsava

Jun 8, 2019

0

#9

I always thought this was the best way to "chess":

https://youtu.be/Lxqa2Haf8lo

MiketheSRANK

Jun 8, 2019

0

#10

Rsava wrote:

I always thought this was the best way to "chess":

https://youtu.be/Lxqa2Haf8lo

Thank you, I found the real method now...

MiketheSRANK

Jun 11, 2019

0

#11

kindaspongey wrote:

"... for those that want to be as good as they can be, they'll have to work hard.
Play opponents who are better than you … . Learn basic endgames. Create a simple opening repertoire (understanding the moves are far more important than memorizing them). Study tactics. And pick up tons of patterns. That’s the drumbeat of success. ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (December 27, 2018)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/little-things-that-help-your-game
https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-to-start-out-in-chess
https://www.chess.com/news/view/a-new-years-resolution-improve-your-chess-with-new-lessons

Sorry for the late response, but I just checked this out.

First of all, thank you for spending time listing all of these resources, and I am definitely going to check them out one by one! It will take some time so I don't have any questions atm.