INSIGHTS
- Resources available to learn the game of chess include, websites, apps, software, audio books, podcasts, games, email chess, and YouTube channels.
OVERVIEW
Chess is a two-player board game played on a checkered board with specially designed contrasting colors, in most cases, black and white. The player with the white characters moves first and then each player moves alternately until the game is completed. This is when one
player forces the other player's principal piece, the king into checkmate. The game is considered an excellent tool to strengthen the brain muscles.
player forces the other player's principal piece, the king into checkmate. The game is considered an excellent tool to strengthen the brain muscles.
METHODOLOGY
To obtain the required information, we looked for resources that are considered best by users. In doing so we found information under eight (8) categories; websites, apps, software, audio books, podcasts, games, email chess, and YouTube channels. For each category, we provided at least three (3) examples, except email chess. What we considered best are those that were provided by a chess expert website and consumers and chess players testimonials. See below a breakdown of why each source was selected:
1. makeuseof.com - Recommendations were provided by an experienced chess player.
2. https://solutions.softonic.com/ - Provides a comprehensive list of resources that have been tried, tested, and recommended by people who have played the game.
3. https://chessfort.com/ - This is a directory of various sources that provide recommendations on how to play the game.
WEBSITES
1. About.com Chess: This is the number one source an experienced chess player recommends other chess players go to improve their game once they've learned how to play. It includes information on the history of the game, the rules, beginner’s tips, tactics to improve, books and equipment to buy.
2. Chess Problems – This is another site recommended by experience chess players as a method of improving chess players' games. The site provides users with chess problems to solve, thereby improving their ability to recognize situations and potential moves in real game play. The “Chess Problems” has different levels ranging from “novice” to “fiendish”.
3. Chess Openings – Given that most experienced chess players believe that the opening move is the most important move in chess, this source ranks high on their list of places to go to improve game play. This is an interactive series of over eight thousand (8,000) unique board positions. These moves are from the first move through to the full development of pieces. It also covers all major openings, defenses, and variations.
4. Predator At The Chessboard – Experienced players who do not need a lot of visual cues recommend this site. It provides advice on each chess piece, its value, and various tactics. However, a drawback is, it is hard to follow as a result of there being no graphics and only text.
5. Free Internet Chess Server – Another site recommended by experienced chess players, this source gives players the opportunity to submit moves from previous games to be analyzed by experienced chess players, who then provide recommendations for improvements.
GAMES
1. ItsYourTurn - This resource is recommended by an experienced chess player as his number one online source for learning to play chess. There is free and paid membership; free members get forty (40) game moves in 24 hours, while paid members get unlimited moves. Paid membership is $29.95 per year. The main idea is that the player make a move, walk away from the game and come back to it later or the day after. So 40 moves a day is more than enough. There is the option of having multiple games going on at once, so finding an opponent will not be difficult.
2. Flash Chess III - Another online source for learning to play chess that is highly recommended by an experienced chess player, this requires Adobe Flash to play; however, it has a nice interface. The game is played against the site with three levels of difficulty. The mouse is used to move pieces around the board and there’s a time limit.
3. Simply Chess - This resource is the top ranked game for leaning to play chess, according to Softonic. This site is everything chess. The AI can be set to beginner level to Grand Master and can be played against real players. There are multiple graphic settings from 2D to 3D. This allows more focus on the matches.
YOUTUBE CHANNELS
1. Basic Opening Strategy Principles (Chess) - This is the number one rated YouTube channel for learning how to play chess according to Softonic. Not only is it great for playing chess, but the first game also provides insights on how the middle of the board is controlled and is considers one of the best tools for beginners.
2. PowerPlayChess Channel - This is the second highest ranked YouTube channel according to Softonic chess players. It is the channel for "Grandmaster Daniel King" and will help players of all levels improve their skills for playing the game.
3. Chess Network Channel - This is the third highest ranked YouTube channel based on rankings from Softonic chess players. It is considered to be an amazing resource, with easy to follow videos and quick learning tools.
APPS
1. Chess Tactic Trainer- This is the number one beginner chess app according to Softonic players. This training app helps new players gain the confidence and skills needed to play the game. It is portable and can be used on the go, which means players can access training anywhere.
2. Chess: From Beginner to Club- This is the number two app listed on Softonci. It has both free and paid versions and provides help with understanding the strategies of the game.
3. Chess - The third most highest rated app on Softonic, Chess gives players the ability to learn the game at their own pace by providing a solid foundation for learning the game. Also provides links to resources to learn more about the game.
AUDIOBOOKS
ChessFort is the single best directory of chess resources as it aims to "collect all our recommended resources under one single domain." The list is "inspired by the many curated directories popping up in the tech world." As such, the following audiobook, podcast, and software resources are all highly rated by expert players.
1. How Life Imitates Chess- Former chess World Champion Garry Kasparov provides insights into his successes and failures.
2. The Immortal Game: A History of Chess - "David Shenk unearths the history of chess from its invention somewhere in India to its 21st century importance in development of artificial intelligence and use as a teaching tool. Enjoy learning about the history of chess in audio format!"
3. One Move at a Time: How to Play and Win at Chess…and Life - Provides easy and fun ways to learn to play chess while learning what it takes to be successful in life. The book reveals 20 proven ways to succeed using kid- and teen-friendly language to teach fun and simple ways to memorize the set up of the game and how to move the pieces; There is a "smart start" that provide a quick advantage from the first few moves; seven strategies to turn beginning players into fast winners.
PODCASTS
1. The Full English Breakfast - Macauley Peterson hosts International Master Lawrence Trent and friends to breakdown the chess world into lively short bites. The first episode aired in October 2010 with random episodes after.
2. Perpetual Check Chess - Started in December 2016 by Teacher is Ben from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The episodes so far have been mainly interviews grand masters such as GM Ben Finegold, GM Jon Ludvig Hammer and GM Peter Svidler. New episodes are aired weekly.
3. Chess Is Cool Podcast with Alexandra Kosteniuk - Started in 2005 with aims to prove the game is cool. This was a weekly show; however, it has not been updated since 2009.
SOFTWARE
1. Fire - Developed by Norman Schmidt and was initially called Firebird. It was originally released as open source, but later the sources were later closed.
EMAIL CHESS
Play by entering both players email address; make the first move, and then the game and your first move are emailed to your opponent. Their move is then emailed back to you, hence continuing the game. Soundkeepers has a 10-day maximum for moves, after which it automatically resigns the player who has taken more than 10 days.
CONCLUSION
To sum it up, the game of chess has gotten very popular over the years with a myriad of resources available to learn and better one's craft. Options available include games, apps, websites and software.