How many of you play in an OTB chess club?

Hi,

Just wondered how many of you play in a OTB chess club?

As for me, can't play in an OTB chess club but I do enjoy playing online and studying chess through books, video, puzzles ect.

Share your thoughts.

hi huriko im a member of chorlton chess club Manchester England we are a biggish club with 43 members playing 6 teams in 5 divisions if you can locate a club you will find access to regular competetive games analysis from stronger players and also a cameraderie forged in a season long fight for your team all this and no disconnections mouse slips or programmes to contend with 

That's seems to be a nice club you're in Talfan1, unfortunately there is nothing like it in my local town.

There is a club, but it's about 10 people knowing each other playing for years together at a very decent level far above me. I can't picture me going there and not feel like an intruder.. Especially how shy I am.

But I have a chess computer and I get the feel of a board once in a while and I play a game with my relatives, after begging them to.

A passion is a passion, I try to find ways to play and enjoy the game and concept of Chess. Maybe some day I'll get along regularly with fellow players of my level.

What you need is to play tournaments...clubs are nice for meeting other players and practice but nothing compares to the feel of a tournament, no matter how small the field. 

i am in a club.  it is great.  you meet nice people and some are very helpful.  i also play in tournaments. 

I started playing chess in 1991 when there was no online chess (at least in Poland). The only way to play was to join the club. Meetings with other players helped me improve my chess,

We used to analyse games together, hints from the better players were really invaluable for the weaker ones. They showed us many ideas we missed which was really important as there were no strong engines those days, too (hard to imagine for many of you nowadays, isnt't it?).

I still play in a club 1-2 days a week, I really play blitz much faster with the wood than with my mouse ;)

@huriko: I think the more advanced players in the club in your city will not treat you as an intruder. Give them a try: I guess they will be glad to help you improve - if they succeed it will simply be much more fun for them to play against you.

Even if they do not analyse your games with you to show where you should work most, you can always observe how they play and learn new ideas.

Do not be afraid of losing most of the games at first. You can learn a lot from your losses and after some time you will improve and start drawing or winning with them.

huriko i once visited Hastings Chess Club and nobody talked to me offered me a game introduced me etc what a missed opportunity that was but now i play for a club that is very inclusive and is a pleasure to be a part of looking at your profile it only lists you as canadian so im unable to locate clubs near you but......if you check online yourself then this may increase your options anyway happy hunting yours Talfan1