When, where, why, and how do you learn to play chess?

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Avatar of Gaby


Avatar of Carib
At my old college....St. Benedict's College.... La Romaine in Trinidad when i was about 13 years old. A classmate named Joel Achong taught me the game and i have been playing ever since. It was a fun game and hence i liked it.
Avatar of sugaristan
I was about 8 and my father started showing me the basics. I got in a few school  tournaments and got 2nd in each and I never let chess get too far away.
Avatar of Joe14
yo aprendi con mi primo y la tele ,mejore en chess.com aprendi en mi casa. fue facil!!
Avatar of MrKalukioh
My father taught me in sixth grade when we lived in the Philippines, but I didn't begin playing seriously till freshmen year(HS) here in hawaii (regrets...) I mainly played to get better; with playing stronger players being my biggest reason for improvement. When I finally started really enjoying chess I invested in books.
Avatar of God2
12years old,in my house,like to think ,and learn my self.
Avatar of add-Inactive

I saw the movie "Searching for Bobby Ficsher", it inspired me to go down stairs and get are chess set with the moves of the peices on the back. And that is how i taught myself to play chess at age 13.


Avatar of ericmittens

I learned when I was a kid...maybe about 7ish.

I play in weekend tournaments around the province, also online.

I play because I like it.

I taught myself from a book I borrowed from the library, it was really cool and I've been trying to find it again ever since. 


Avatar of HowDoesTheHorseMove
My dad just decided to teach me when I was seven or so. I then promptly forgot about it for over a decade.
Avatar of Chess_Warrior
Well I learned chess with my grandfather but i couldn't understand it, but then mt friend Jerry taught me and i keeped playing chess everywhere the funny thing is that now Jerry can't even win me i beated him like 4 times in some of the days and etheir of those days he didn't win me. lol!
Avatar of smj63
Saw a kid, a russky I think, try to show the rest of us gradeschooler's the game some 35 years ago. Remembered the moves of the rook, knight and so on and bought a $10 foldout set with the pieces stuck inside the foam insert. So proud to show pa what I learnt in school - set it out ,showed him the way they moved and shot out the Queen pawn 2 spaces. He just looked at the board...for so long I now remember I moved the Queen pawn. Being 9 or so got bored and walked away; in my head he's still sittin there, all this talk in forums of computers figuring out the game- I think he might have it by now. Me, just looking at chess again and just finished my 3rd game here-sorry, blame it on him I'm so slow.If you find a freshly set up board with a pawn on e4 and a pile of drying bones lying about - know I asked for a rematch 
Avatar of u______
WHY?  R  U  FROM  THE  F.B.I.?
Avatar of Jasn
When do I learn to play chess? I've been asking that question of myself!Laughing
Avatar of folderol

I learned how the peices move on some other chess site, then joined this one.  And I enjoyed Alice in Wonderland and, more importantly, Through the Looking Glass.


Avatar of TonightOnly

When:

 

Originally - when I was in 3rd grade

Now - usually when I get off of work

 

Where:

 

1. At home with my analysis board and a good book

2. Chess club

3. Chess.com

 

Why:

 

The feeling of being able to use my brain well is a real rush for me. I love having the ability to concentrate really hard for a long time. The beauty of the geometry and the logical crispness is a real pleasure for me. It's also my protection against Alzheimer's. Tongue out

 

How: 

 

Like I'd tell you!

 

Okay, one piece of advice: If you don't understand a move, don't ignore this. Sit there and think about the move and really try to understand why the move was played. Play out variations if you have to, try to think of all possible responses, etc. They know more about chess than you (assuming this is a master game, or accepted opening theory, or whatever), so take the time to learn from them. After all, it all comes down to good moves.