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These last few weeks Starcraft has been put on the back burner in terms of gaming priority. This is as much a function of my needing a bit of distance from the game, as it is a function of my apartment being insanely hot and my PC struggling to hobble along in micro critical situations. In lieu of my normal gaming activities I have taken up Chess as my game du jour, though I am hoping it takes in the same way SC2 has these last three years.
As far as skill goes, as of two-three weeks ago I would say I was just about at par for the course in terms of relative skill. I was vaguely familiar with 1. e4 being the first move for white, though unsure of why that made sense, and would just kind of wing it from there. It was a bit of a rough start.
Turns out the ability to develop pieces and mitigate black's presence in the center of the board is really the motivation behind it, the more I know.
The next question, after launching headlong into a game without a plan, was how to actually improve. Ideally I would not like to be placed in the proverbial Bronze league of Chess, though as it currently stands Silver seems a ways off as well. The regiment I have developed for improvement is as follows:
1. Practice (More gg etc etc etc)
2. Tactics
3. Literature
4. Repeat
Purely in the interest of time most of my games thus far have been Blitz Chess, or when each player is allotted a certain amount of time to move. While this doesn't develop, "macro," oriented play style, to very poorly adapt Starcraft parlance, it is a bit more convenient way to learn than days long games. I stand by this despite convention in the broader Chess community that I can find. Plus it is a bit more fun to watch your opponent struggle as the clock runs out.
Tactics refers more generally to mating patterns, and puzzles which will help you at various stages in the game. They can be rather convoluted and, there are definitely frustrating elements to this portion of the game. Correct moves can be deemed incorrect depending on the computer or site you are using (I was using Chess.com, but marvellosity, who I saw modded their tactics section recommended chesstempo.com and I have been happier ever since.).
In this case Queen to d8, forces the Knight out of position allowing the Rook to mate in e8.
Finally is literature, I have picked up two books so far which I would recommend and am waiting on a third in the mail. The first is Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess. This is very straight forward, that being said it doesn't delve much into the why of most of the content it covers. While it can be frustrating I am at the point where I probably should be asking that about every single move any way. It is a series of tactics essentially designed to familiarize a player with the game from the endgame to the opening (in that order). Mind you the book is structured to only be read on the right page, so when you get to the end you must flip it upside down to finish the second half, this isn't a reflection on the content, but I have gotten looks from coworkers walking around like that.
The second, and really amazingly well done book I got was Pandolfini's Ultimate Guide to Chess, which is written as a dialog between student and teach. While it can seem forced, like a conversation in a language text book in high school the content is fantastically explained, and Pandolfini expands on topics you can tell Fischer couldn't be bothered to write about himself. I am about half way through this one, and I have been loving every bit of it. Definitely one of the most readable bits I have found about the game since diving into the game.
From here in, I have to keep grinding. Short term I do want to find some decent pieces for my games at home as the little five dollar board I bought came, as expected, with flimsy die cast pieces that just don't make the cut. Luckily for me I've a friend who is going to try and keep me honest on my practice as well. So, here is to hoping I get better. Time to start a standard game.
 
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nice blog.
i recommend watching some commentated pro games, if you have time.
not so much for learning, but because i found them rather enjoyable
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http://www.youtube.com/chessnetwork
I'm subscribed to this guy because he's a great commentator / entertaining for his blitz games, even though I don't play chess anymore. I don't know the value of his commentated pro games, but check them out anyway. He also has a livestream on twitch, where (I think) he re-broadcasts the big tournaments.
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United Kingdom36161 Posts
Hurray chess!
And hurray for shoutout! 
Blitz will teach you nothing of chess, by the way.
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On July 16 2013 22:19 marvellosity wrote:Hurray chess! And hurray for shoutout! Blitz will teach you nothing of chess, by the way.
Hahahah I have a few games going presently that are standard. Apparently I should check out some casted games as well. Which could be interesting.
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United Kingdom36161 Posts
The problem with casted games (especially when you're new) is that it isn't easy to find ones pitched at whatever level you're at.
If you'd like to start a leisurely game on chess.com, let me know ^^
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On July 16 2013 21:55 Doovad wrote:http://www.youtube.com/chessnetworkI'm subscribed to this guy because he's a great commentator / entertaining for his blitz games, even though I don't play chess anymore. I don't know the value of his commentated pro games, but check them out anyway. He also has a livestream on twitch, where (I think) he re-broadcasts the big tournaments.
I have to recommend ChessNetwork as well. Great commentary, funny guy, and highly entertaining. On top of that he is listed here on TL so if you add him to your favorite streamers you should easily be able to see when he is online.
Edit: Yeah if you want to gain a better understanding of the game then his blitz chess streams probably aren't as useful as all the others, but they sure are fun/impressive to watch.
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Well lets play some chess, ehh old chap?
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On July 17 2013 01:57 farvacola wrote:
Well lets play some chess, ehh old chap?
Tom_Servo on Chess.com, lets get some games going. I added marvellosity, but a snowball has a better chance in hell than my taking a game off him from what I can tell.
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1. Practice - you already know where to obtain it.
2. Tactics - you can download tons of tactical puzzles for here in PDF: http://dejascacchi.altervista.org/exercises.htm and try solving without moving the pieces.
3. Literature - for a good start, apart from Pandolfini's book you mentioned, I'd reccomend the following two:
Understanding Chess Move by Move by John Nunn - English GM explains strategical concepts one by one in detail through instructive examples of high-level games in which each of the concepts was particularily important.
Chess Endgame Training by Bernd Rossen - all elementary endgames reexamined and explained in detail, including dreadful Rook vs Rook battles, samples of zugzwangs etc. Plenty of endgame puzzles to solve yourself as well.
And remember, if things get too rough, you can always do what Short did here!
+ Show Spoiler +
EDIT: Almost forgot this epic online game database http://www.chessgames.com/
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That Bobby Fischer book (although he didnt author it) is a great first intro to chess. The basic mating patterns in there will win and save you tons of games. Back rank mates especially are absolutely fundamental.
Expose yourself to master games as soon as you can, or at least watch stronger players play. Don't worry about "not getting it". The idea is to be exposed to commonly recurring patterns so that you recognize them in your own games. Playing through master games is to chess as reading is to writing. I think (and evidence seems to show) that this is far more important than merely drilling tactics puzzles.
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Logical Chess Move By Move by Irving Chernev Note: uses old system of citation, it is best to be familiar with both to the point that you can read each one comfortably. On the title page it even says 'The only chess book that explains every move of every game'. It really is helpful and sounds like just what you need! I actually re-read the whole book 4 times before things in it clicked, as I also had a citation barrier to get through. Was given to me when I was only 5 years old.
Cyrus Lakdawala's books are great. As are Yasser Seirawan's.
Once you get a bit better, register with the USCF(US Chess Federation) if you live in the US. You get the ability to participate in their tournaments (only go to free ones in your area early on for a feel and some learning) and an amazing magazine to help you improve your skills, filled with puzzles, coverage of major chess events, and sales on chess products. (books, clocks, etc.)
Research before buying a chess clock, if you do so. Some won't be your style and some will just be annoying. (Sort of like video games...) My easy route: Cheap and reliable old-fashioned clock. None of that electrical stuff with unnecessary gadgets.
Also, if you want some chess fiction Masters of Technique is an anthology of chess fiction. All profits help support multiple chess charities. Very fun read.
http://www.chess.com/blog/kurtgodden/top-14-chess-books-for-beginnersnovices
Somehow I think you might have found this already, but just incase ^^'
this should help too
http://home.comcast.net/~danheisman/Events_Books/General_Book_Guide.htm
Chess.com's Tactics Trainer and Chess Mentor are great video tutorials :D
Great recommendations here that are worth reading through:
http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/top-10-chess-books-to-own
That should keep you busy for a long, long while. 
lastly, learn citation ASAP if you haven't already. At the very least(cheapest), get a notebook and set yourself up with a game cited neatly on each page as you play them so you can go back through it later and check the game for mistakes you and your opponent both made. Any games you want help going through you can post as a new blog. Just tell us what you think you/your opponent might've done wrong from what you can tell. Of course, make sure it has content, a question, etc. We'll flock and help you asap. ;D
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For pieces, I would recommend just buying an entire new board, unless the one you have is really nice. For beginners I recommend the folding wooden boards with staunton pieces. They will run between $20-$30. Look around for one and I'm sure you'll be pleased with how it plays. I have one with a 3" king but I can't find it anywhere online. Inside the fold it has a felt storage area with straps for the pieces. So you can throw them in or strap them in if you don't want them scratched. It's really a nice board for the price.
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