What is your story? How did you start playing chess? What have you, and are you doing in chess?

great post. thank you, we need more of threads like thd. ill contribute asap, for now I'll just enjoy the stories of you guys :)

One add-on:

I did start playing a lot again around 2012. Thisis when I met a friend, who loved chess as much as I do. We were almost the same strength, but complete opposite styles. I am kinda the grin-them-down-in-the-endgame sorta player. He was the sac-everything-and-mate-them kinda player. 

So we often went to tournaments together. Would be nothing for me to walk over to his board, and see him sitting there with a smug grin on his face, while being a rook down on the board. Material meant nothing to him.

But he passed away unfortunately, and I have since fallen out of tournament chess.

Vielen Dank!

Great posts !

Some really nice folks on this thread! I started at 11 years old.On and off for many years.Played a little more in my twenties and thirties,but knew really not much.18 months ago I joined the site and have read a few books.I understand way more than ever before,but I also realize I need to know a lot more......All and all very enjoyable,especially when I find good people with similar interests,like here.-

Thanks for your post magictwanger i have a similar experience with chess i share your thoughts

I learned chess at the age of 6 and than played a little at school but started playing seriously just 1/2 year ago when I met my girlfriend who really enjoys playing chess and motivated me to start playing. 

hello  I am relatively new to the game.  i have know how to play for years, but only in past couple weeks have i decided I really want to study the game and get better at it .  i'm watching videos and reading about tactics and I have to admit, its all so overwhelming!  there are so many moves and strategies to know and remember.  i sometimes think I will never be more than a below average player.

Great posts !

When I asked you to share your story back in January 2018 I would never have guest that it would grow to over 250 posts. Thank you all for sharing your story and helping make that important human connection. I hope others will continue to join us. 

It would be really nice if you could share your stories with us ,thank you in advance !

If someone know how to interrest their own children it would be welcome

I agree. I never could get my daughter or grandkids interested.

Thank you Marvin !

Most players are average. a few are very good and a few are very bad at it. Just play a lot of games, and learn some basic openings and tactics, like pinning, dicovered attacks and stuff like that.

read Nimzowicz's "my system".

bwankbwank

I've always wanted to learn to play chess but was too busy with work, studies, etc. I was also learning sword Tai Chi which took up quite a lot of my time, but have had to stop because of an injury. So that was the turning point for me. Now I'm looking forward to learning more about chess and, hopefully, becoming a reasonable player. If I can beat the computer at level 5, I'll be happy! I don't really care how long it takes me. 

 

I've enjoyed reading about how you folks came to chess. Very interesting. 

I agree. And I really miss it! 

I've tried to send a thank you trophy to everyone who shares their story on this post. If I missed you let me know. Again thank you to everyone who has shared their story in ernest. You have made this post much more than I ever imagined. I started it but you all own it.

I was born in Cincinnati Ohio and at age 13 we moved to Salisbury North Carolina. When I was in Junior High I was at my best friend’s house and we played chess, my very first time. Absolutely no idea what I was doing, it was so long ago that I am not sure even he knew what he was doing. Then in college I played chess with roommate and I can’t remember if I took the time to really learn how to play at the time. After college I went to visit sister in Ohio and played a game against my nephew and got beat. Back in Washington DC, where I went to college, went to the Martin Luther King Library and checked out a book on how to play chess because I wanted very badly to go back to Ohio and beat my Nephew. I really took the time to read that book and then I was able to beat my nephew. In 1996 I became a member of USCF for the first time and only played a few rated games in which I lost all my games. Moved back to North Carolina 1997 I tried to find a chess club but was unable to find anything near where I lived and therefore stopped playing. In 2016 I started a chess club at the local YMCA in order to give myself a chance to play again and began my true journey into chess. Today I am more than able beat my nephew, college roommate, and my old best friend but got a long long road ahead myself into the world of chess.