Online chess community where you can play chess, learn strategies and tactics, read chess news, see book reviews, find rules & tips, get free downloads, and more! http://www.chess.com/ 2007 Chess.com Is chess addictive ? It is for me. I love playing, winning is nice but playing is the thing. ( A very British attitude .) I'm hooked on Tournaments, I luv em. You meet lots of new people see different approaches to your same old opening, and learn...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/chess-addiction2Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:48:47 -0700http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/chess-addiction2After my "tongue in Cheek" blog about Queens, had 2 games when my opponents brought their Queens out early, hoping to bully and intimidate me, Ho Ho soon sent them packing, Bringing out your Queen with no backup seems a mistake so many players mak...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/prancing-queens-and-kamikasi-pawnsTue, 22 Jul 2008 04:39:39 -0700http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/prancing-queens-and-kamikasi-pawnsWell, been an interesting time since my last blog, my ratings have risen even got above 1300 for a time, still making silly  mistakes but enjoying my chess except for those who forever go on vacation when  you make a good move. I actuall...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/update3Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:26:36 -0700http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/update3Well, take a look at my statistics, losses mounting up, and this after all my training, well as I said before, "pride comes before a fall". So whats the problem, as one opponent said he couldn't believe that I missed 3 chances to get...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/ouch2Fri, 23 May 2008 04:16:35 -0700http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/ouch2As nobody took me up on starting a Spongebob Group, I suppose I will have to talk serious chess.  I'm very impressed with the Chess Mentor and Tactics Training, I've played chess for many years but never really studied the game. So I...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/openings--tacticsMon, 21 Apr 2008 06:44:54 -0700http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/openings--tacticsFunny old game, sometimes you play like a grandmaster othetimes like a novice, against the same person. That's why I enjoy the tournaments, same person, 2 games, 2 different results. No wonder I'm hooked on chess.  You may be won...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/chess-is-a-funny-old-gameThu, 17 Apr 2008 01:45:38 -0700http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/chess-is-a-funny-old-gameHave really enjoyed the chess.com Tournament 1001-1400, and have played better than I thought I would, just hope I get to the next round.I like to chat when I play but its obvious that many don't.Maybe its because they don't speak english ...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/tournaments-2Mon, 24 Mar 2008 03:48:57 -0700http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/tournaments-2Thought I 'd have a go at a tournament, first time except for Ladder matches and KO tournament in the Circle Of Trust group. Bit of a shock to find I was playing 10 games at once,but I recovered and got stuck in, lost 1 but holding on in the o...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/tournaments2Tue, 04 Mar 2008 02:42:48 -0800http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/tournaments2Although playing chess for many years, I have never had proper coaching or training. I did my best my reading books but could never remember the names of most of the openings or gambits, as a new friend says after 3-4 moves its a blank sheet and w...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/trainingFri, 15 Feb 2008 07:14:19 -0800http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/trainingThere  has been a lot of chatter lately about some players being disrespectful to their opponent by not reconizing their genius within a couple of moves, they have shown this by not resigning. Excuse me but I thought the object of the game of...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/respect-is-earnedFri, 01 Feb 2008 06:19:53 -0800http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/respect-is-earnedBeen a strange few weeks. Firstly joined a group, " Circle of Trust" a group of players who promise to play by memory and not use any aids when playing each other in Tournaments and Contests. Of course private study is ok before games. ...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/strange-brewMon, 31 Dec 2007 01:19:29 -0800http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/strange-brewMust admit, in my last blog I was feeling rather smug and pleased with myself. Then biff bam wallop 5 losses in a row. I don't think I played badly but was out thought and out manoeuvred. Looking at the games castling eary seemed to be the pro...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/pride-comes-before-a-fallThu, 22 Nov 2007 00:55:24 -0800http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/pride-comes-before-a-fallDrawn the last 3 games, playing more end games, never got that far before, they're fun, adrenalin pumping, I think I'm improving.http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/end-game-delightMon, 12 Nov 2007 08:14:44 -0800http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/end-game-delightInto the third month of membership. Had probs explaining why I spend So much time on the internet. I am not viewing porn, honestly, I'm playing chess. Really ! is it very poular then? the question I keep getting asked, Yes I reply over 20,000 ...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/into-novemberTue, 23 Oct 2007 02:56:47 -0700http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/into-november2nd Month of membership, rating up and down but 50-50 ratio of wins and losses (ok 1 Draw)Played well, played badly but every game was fun and enjoyable.Finding my way round the site lots of interesting articles, just wish my memory was better so ...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/2nd-monthMon, 08 Oct 2007 08:33:01 -0700http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/2nd-monthWell been a member for a month now. Very enjoyable, lots of games, occassionly played well, mostly not paying attention and losing. Start well get established, put opponent under pressure but cannot finish.( did beat the computer on easy setting) ...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/first-monthTue, 25 Sep 2007 09:32:15 -0700http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/first-monthHi everone, just saying hello. like the look of this website and hope to meet and play a game or two sometime with you all. One advantage of being retired is I have the time to enjoy a game now, and I'm not tied to 9 til 5 anymore.C U around. ...http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/hi-everyoneSat, 25 Aug 2007 06:33:55 -0700http://blog.chess.com/Hamish/hi-everyone