The Lovers' Gambit

My girlfiriend's expressed an interest in learning chess and I'd really love to go about teaching her, but what would you guys see as the right way of going about it?  Most importantly, I want her to enjoy it and not feel that she's being pressurised or patronised in any way.  She's quite a bit cleverer than me, with a strong musical background, so I've a sneaking suspicion she could be a bit useful.  It'd be great to hear from anyone with any thoughts on this, but particularly from female players, people who came late to the game or anyone involved in teaching adults.

If it helps, I played quite a lot when I was a kid, got worse through years of neglect and only playing rubbish people in pubs, and now probably play around 1600.

A beginner will soon tire of being constantly beaten by a 1600 player.  After teaching her the rules and a little basic theory you both might join a club, where you can each play in appropriate grades.  You might also suggest she joins chess.com of course.  :)

I know, I think playing each other 'seriously' is probably a while off, but I found having a teacher who was prepared to put the effort in was really helpful when I was learning.  I was thinking of starting off with the rules (obviously) and then just running through the importance of speedy development, central control and king and pawn endganes (it's only now that I've typed that that I realise what a huge area that is).  The trouble I have with chess clubs - and of course I'm sure that none of this applies to users of chess.com - is that they tend to be male-dominated, with women seen as an amusing novelty.  She won't like that.  She won't like that at all.

Good for her. :)

If you're in a metrolpolitan area with several clubs to choose from you could find one with a good m/f ratio. 

Tell her to read Dan Brown Thrillers while you set up the position. Go through the easy part first!! I recommend a book called "The Fireside Book of Chess." 

It has a lot of those sneaky but spectacular problems, quizzes and those little, interesting and fascinating stories that make me want to read more about chess!!

Good luck and go easy on those 1600`s.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far - will check out The Fireside Book of Chess.  Sounds a bit similar to The Complete Chess Addict, probably one of my favourite books on the game. I really want to show her the Morpy Opera House game as I think it's a really instructive work of art, but that'll come later.

I've got one of those puppies!  Reckon that's the way to her heart (or liver, at least)?

I'd like a game with that set!  What are the rules - you take a piece you have to drink it?  I'll bet there are many unsound sacrifices!

That was my understanding.  Speculative queen sac nice and early, then mate them whilst they're still vomiting.  A bit like seduction in Gloucestershire.

Major award and recognition for "Learn Chess in 30 minutes" DVD

 

Point taken, Whitehor5e - I'll do my research properly before I write about myself again.  It's a good job you're here to maintain standards.

Everybody else - thanks for the help.

Please, please tell your GF to stick with it - Chess is very rewarding and it's a shame that more women don't play.  I taught my daughter (she'll be 13 in a month) to play, and I will have to say that it is one of the things I am most proud of.  I think you will find that there is a very supportive and vibrant community of female players here on Chess.com, and despite being vastly outnumbered by the men, they are not usually shy or intimidated, and many can play surprisingly strong Chess.  They would be a great help to her as she threshes out the finer aspects of starting play.

Do girls play chess? I've never played one in competiton before. Interesting to see a ratio of male-female players

Too true, Estragon, too true.  I used to try and feel better about myself by questioning the masculinity of others but it just seemed a little bit, well, bitchy.

Just to clarify, I'm not considering jacking in chess, macho pursuit that it is - I'm merely wondering the best way to introduce something I enjoy to somebody else.  Is the flaming your way of saying that you think I'm cute?

Hello