Games Do you chess?

[mrblackbat]

I started playing again about a year ago, I played as a kid through primary and secondary school and then stopped for many a moon. It’s one of those things that I like improving at…. But also get mighty frustrated and doom spiral fairly frequently.

Do you play? What time formats do you like best?

 

[wakyct]

Yes, for better or for worse I play quite a lot of blitz on my phone. Usually 3+2 on Lichess.

For a few years I was active in tournaments here but I semi-retired, I just didn't want to put the time into studying to improve and not improving didn't feel that fun.

I still like to go to a pub night every so often (though I haven't done that in a while), but when traveling I try to find where people play and catch a few games. I had a good time at Chess Forum in NYC over the holidays.

 

[sax panther]

One of my old school friends was a keen chess player, I met up with him for lunch last week. When I asked him to pass the salt, it took 26 minutes.

 

[Targa]

One of my old school friends was a keen chess player, I met up with him for lunch last week. When I asked him to pass the salt, it took 26 minutes.

By that time you had finished your meal, put your coat on and said
‘Looks like you can get check, mate’.

 

[atwl77]

Not much, I'm just around 800+ ELO on Chess.com and when I do play, I'm mostly playing bots and still trying to beat the 1500 bots consistently. On the rare occasion I try to play an online opponent, I prefer 15/10 format.

 

[mrblackbat]

For a few years I was active in tournaments here but I semi-retired, I just didn't want to put the time into studying to improve and not improving didn't feel that fun.

Yeah I get that, I think I'm at the point where really I need to study a bit to get better now.

I play 2|1 bullet, 5 min blitz and 10 minute rapid typically; with online ratings of ~750, ~1050, ~1150 respectively for each.

The bots are always interesting; I'm currently up to the first 2100 rated bot who just absolutely spanks me everytime!

 

[stitch]

It's a verb now? 😱

 

[Targa]

Yeah I get that, I think I'm at the point where really I need to study a bit to get better now.

I play 2|1 bullet, 5 min blitz and 10 minute rapid typically; with online ratings of ~750, ~1050, ~1150 respectively for each.

The bots are always interesting; I'm currently up to the first 2100 rated bot who just absolutely spanks me

Could be worse, at least it doesn’t mate you.

 

[wakyct]

Yeah I get that, I think I'm at the point where really I need to study a bit to get better now.

If you look up John Bartholomew's climbing the rating ladder series on YouTube his explanations are really good.

 

[JSL]

Yes. I've been re-learning the game over the past few years, mostly with puzzles and playing bots on Chess.com. I can usually beat them up to around 1400. Occasionally I play a real game on there and will start playing more of those (10-minute games).

Lots to study. Chess reminds me a bit of learning to play music. The more you know, the more you realize you still need to learn. It's endless, really. Which is what I love about it.

 

[Woodpad]

In mid school I sat next to the youth chess champion of Rotterdam. We started playing during school hours. I never won but I learned a lot and won of the next years youth champion. Or school team consisted of the champion, the next champion, the former champion and me. In university I prioritized music and stopped playing chess on a regular base. Every 5 years I play against a chess club player to keep it up.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Yes. ♟️

 

[mrblackbat]

And the last day managed to have a complete mare and dropped about 150 rating points..... tilt. I'm especially prone to it....

 

[Vlad]

At secondary school we had a 'chess club' myself and a mate joined immediately.
I'm afraid to say our sole purpose was to avoid being forcibly turned out in the bitter cold at lunchtime. 😉