Doomed to play Chess on the Internet only.

Hi,

I am passionate about Chess, I follow the latest news of the Chess World, read books on the history and practical side and of course I play live and correspondance on my laptop almost everyday.

Yet I am doomed to play chess on the Internet only. I am 27 years old and work nightshifts so I just can't subscribe to the local chess club. The schedule simply doesn't fit with that of my work.

It does happen that I play a game OTB once in a while with friends and relatives but they are not really as interested as I am and mostly play out of kindness with me.

The point of this thread is, are there other people in the same situation? I say ''doomed' but maybe I should say ''blessed'' to be able play on the Internet, without whom chess would be a distinct curiosity to us?

Please share your story.

For eight or nine years I worked at a job where I had to work on Saturday and Sunday.  That, of course, is when most tournament games are held.  It was a bummer for me, but priorities come first... I had to put food on the table and a roof over my head.

You're still young.  At 53, I'm almost twice your age.  I know you won't always be working night shifts. 

Patience.  Continue to practice and play and study and enjoy the game.  Your time for over-the-board tournaments will come.

I agree with chessmicky, internet and chess is a marriage made in heaven. The problem is some people prefer to practice online instead of OTB, wich is a much richer experience. I joined a club two years ago, but unfortunately I can't assist very often.

So far, I'm only an online chess player. I live in an area that is surrounded by chess clubs - the only problem is they're all about 3 hours away . Hopefully I'll talk myself into going to a weekend tournament sometime, as I'd like to try OTB at least once.

In which website do you play?

@jackfast

I think that the main deterrent of chess for most people is the amount of time needed to become a master along with the small chance that a decent living can be made from it. Most people think it's simply not a practical use of time which I honestly can't disagree with.

I work nightshifts also, and online chess and nightshifts is a match made in heaven! I get paid for playing chess basically.

I live in a place where there are no other chess players day or night as well as no tournaments to be had.

I'm glad there is a good place to go and play some decent chess.

Even if I have to put up with all your ugly muggs. 

Thanks a lot for all your comments, it's great to see that there quite a few people in a similar situation.

I have been playing mostly on lichess and FICS for the last 2 years (I am quite new to Chess in general) but I am thinking of switching completely to chess.com and get a premium membership to access all the benefits perhaps very soon. I have been impressed by the quality of this site and there is no chess forum like this one.

Best damned chess forum on the planet!

You can try to play some games irl when you get a vacation... 

The site works fine in the free version as well. Dont even know why people pay for it really. 5 tactics a day is fine for me.

I paid for no other reason than to support the site. I hardly use any of the extra things that come with my membership.

I am in the same situation as the OP. 

This.

I play online for fun,  and in OTB tournaments because i get to see old friends, make new friends, see new sites, and go to the same old sites. 

My story: I am doomed to play on the internet because the only person who plays with me is my dad! My mum tried to learn out of kindness for my raving about chess but when I asked for another game she said "shouldn't you be asking if I want to play or not?" So yeah, my brother hates chess so I am "doomed" to play chess online.....

Make a trip north Max and we can have a few games.