Chess Club or Premium Account?
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Id recomend the chess club, for a few reasons:
a) it is good to be social.
b) you will probably learn a lot more from face to face meeting with stronger players than you will from the services on chess.com
c) OTB chess "feels different" from anyonmous internet chess: if you ever plan on entering tourneys, it will be good practice to get used to the format.
d) having a pint with a game down the local club is just 'the done thing', having a pint infront of your computer screen is just plain boring alcholism.
that said, if the club is a pile of s***, full of unhelpful players, etc then chess.com is probably the way to go.
that said, if the club is a pile of s***, full of unhelpful players, etc then chess.com is probably the way to go.
No way! I've heard that the St. Louis chess club is one of the best in the country!
I would definately opt for the chess club.
Chess.com is alot of fun, but the internet has its place. Would you rather look back and remember your times at the club or alone with your computer? As Blackadder said, it will greatly help your growth as a chess player to have experienced players to talk to and play a real life game with.
Aug 21, 2010
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#6
Hey Sean! I've struggled with the same question, though I live more like 20 minutes away from the SLCCSC. Of course, the real answer is to do both but as you say, that gets expensive. When I realized that I can still go to the SLCCSC for $3 per visit, and that most if not all of their lectures are posted on their website, I opted for the diamond level at chess.com. I like being able to wake up early, play a quick game, do some quick tactics, or watch a video whenever I want. I can still drive down to Central West End if I want some OTB play for the $3, but I haven't made it down there yet. If I lived as close as you, it'd be a tougher call, but for me, I'm happy right here...
I do, however, plan on playing in the Thanksgiving Open in November, and maybe I'll see you down there!!
Aug 21, 2010
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#7
You've got to at least check the club out first! Your first visit is free, and the club offers free intermediate improvement classes on Tuesdays and lectures with GM Ben Finegold free too. Finegold is a full-time employee and is there all the time and Nakamura even pops in there periodically since he moved to St. Louis. I love chess.com, but the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is amazing! Memberships are only $12/month or $80/year for adults and $5/month or $30/year for students or people under 21. I am obviously biased, as I am the communications director there (in the spirit of full disclosure) but it's really a hidden gem in St. Louis. Come see us ... I'll take you on a tour ...my name is Mike
I would definitely do the club. It sounds great. OTB chess is a lot more fun than internet chess, in my opinion.
I recently discovered that I live less than a mile away from the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis (I'm not sure how I didn't learn this sooner). I've also recently merged Chess.com with my Facebook account and got two weeks of premium membership.
I don't really have the time or money to contribute to both. I'm leaning towards the premium membership on Chess.com for its ease of access and functionality, but I know little about chess clubs or what they can offer (even after exploring their website). Which would you recommend and why?