Go To Your Local Chess Club!

Submitted by LOB on Fri, 08/29/2008 at 7:52am.

My First Time At The Chess Club

A few days ago I made the decision to join the local chess club with a friend of mine. Lucas (the friend) had been before and knew where it was, so finding it was grand. We were the first to arrive to meet Steve the guy that teaches us. He was delighted to see me and welcomed me warmly to the club. 4 other boys came while 2 older players with titles played a game in the background. First we went through a great game of Peter Leko's and then onto the playing.

I will admit I was slightly nervous - after all I had never really played 3D chess! So Steve of course wanting to see my level challenged me to play. I played white. I allowed him to open the Queen file thinking to myself surely he won't trade Queens but wow did I think wrong. So here I was with a King unable to castle and what followed left me with double pawns. "Right" I remember thinking, "Time to cop on and do the best I can with this disgraceful situation".

The game went on as I developed my pieces, I couldn't help noticing how my double pawns hindered his development and I felt a glimmer of hope. A sharp advance of my knight caused more trouble. The game revolved around the centre of the board where my now un-doubled pawns sat blocked by rooks. My King had moved centre and proved crucial. (I felt rather sick moving him forward to defend and attack in one but it all paid off). A bishop held all in place, it hid well defended behind my King - mocking black's rooks as they manoeuvred to attack. I constantly cut off black with my bishop-freed rooks. When black ploughed the rook onto my second rank I paused. I almost missed what would have been a beautiful fork for my opponent but noticing it at the last moment I blocked his efforts once more. These moves repeated and I consented to moving my rook a third and final time in the repeated motion, thus accepting the draw.

I was a pawn up and if you could see the position my un-doubled pawns held at the centre you may have called me mad for drawing. But I accepted my opponent’s skill with rooks and knowing my weakness to be endgames I was happy to accept. We briefly went through the game and Steve seemed happy to say the least. To my disbelief the game had gone on for no less than an hour! Shocked at how absorbed I had been in the game not to notice the time tick by! A wide smile spread across my face.

This was chess like I had never played before - and I was loving it.

I can safely say it would beat this 2D chess any day. Something about being there, touching the pieces as your heart races, watching your opponent as their eyes flicker to and fro across the squares, hearing them praise your move in their own voice - It drove me on and I focused like never before. It brought out the best in my game and I bounced off home that night more than content with seeing and feeling me play my best.

The very next day I got a phone call. Steve and I talked for ages discussing improving my game and upcoming tournaments I should definitely enter. He said he would be delighted to mentor me himself and work on endgames and openings with me. Also offering a chance to go to extra group lessons where the better players play. He hopes to get 20 rated games in soon so I can have a proper rating and take my place later on the Women's Under 18 Irish Top 10. He talked of how he only wished he had gotten me a year earlier as I turn 17 at the end of this year. Also he mentioned the travelling opportunities I would have and not just in Ireland but all over if I can improve!

After all that blabbing on - my point!

I recommend anyone whether they are really young really old or balding in the middle! Go to your nearest chess club if you haven't already and take a look! I know it is a friendly and social game in Ireland and I am sure most clubs will be the same! Don't miss out on what I guarantee is an adrenaline rush even while you sit down with your head in your hands!

Thanks for reading.. now quick run to the club!

» posted in Chess Players

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by cuhulain - 4 months ago
County Tyrone Ireland

Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 19

LOB - after starting playing again after 20 yrs i have already identified a club to join [ they only play in the winter] and am looking forward to it enormously. I agree on line chess is fine but the rubber meets the road when you can touch the pieces and hear you opponent breathe and sigh across the board -

cheers

cuhu

by Zolaweed - 4 months ago
Bristol United Kingdom

Member Since: May 2008
Member Points: 65

Ah, how i wish i was 17 again and experiencing otb chess for the first time. do you not have any league chess in Ireland? i play for my local club and the season starts this month (Sept) i have my first match on the 23rd and i can't wait to get back out there! Glad you enjoyed the experience and i assume this will be a regular thing now, good on you!!

by Terlimone - 4 months ago
Tienen Belgium

Member Since: Dec 2007
Member Points: 53

I agree fully with the title! I did the same, it is really a great experience. And a good story by LOB.

by Ilovegambits - 4 months ago
Townsville Australia

Member Since: May 2008
Member Points: 1832

LOB your story reminds me of the reason as to why i first took up chess, in my local chess club. After about a a year of consistant play in my local chess club i had played in the state championships and acheived 2nd for everyone under the age of 18, and later that year proceeded to the nationals to attain 4th. It is great to see that you can now realise the wonders of the game in a 3d convention rather then one of pure 2D

by chessdadx2 - 4 months ago
Toledo,Ohio United States

Member Since: Dec 2007
Member Points: 388

What an awesome time it sounds like you had a blast. I hope your lessons go well, and you continue to grow in your love of the game.

by gumpty - 4 months ago
manchester England

Member Since: Apr 2008
Member Points: 2665

Well done LOB, you will never look back now, so glad you took the plunge.

I did things the total opposite, i was playing for clubs and in tournaments for 15 years before i discovered chess on the internet, out of the 2 , OTB chess wins hands down, but if for whatever reason (its not realistic to play OTB in a match or a tourn everyday) you cant, Chess.com is a head and shoulders 2nd best :-))

by MichielTummers - 4 months ago
Sittard Netherlands

Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 50

im now at a chessclub. Same story as you. Thanks for sharing this :)

ps. if you would like to play a game vs me, message me or add me on MSN messenger Michiel_Tummers@Hotmail.com(counts for all people on here:))

by MM78 - 4 months ago
Ireland

Member Since: Nov 2007
Member Points: 1426

Excellent, didn't I tell you it was the thing to do!? As the coach said there are great opportunities for female players to travel and play for Ireland, particularly younger. Wait till you get to play real competitive otb, your legs will shake, palms sweating.........problem is for me nerves cause errors one wouldn't make online where you are more relaxed. But staying focused on one thing for several hours is a real challenge.

by Evil_Homer - 4 months ago
Dublin Ireland

Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 1544

Good story.

I play occasionally against my dad, must admit I always find it enjoyable.

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