The river is coming and it looks like a chop

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nf3 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. Bc4 O-O 6. d5 c6 7. O-O Nbd7 8. a4 Nb6 9. Bb3 cxd5 10. exd5 Bg4 11. a5 Nbd7 12. Be3 Ne5 13. Kh1 h5 14. h3 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Qc8 16. Kg2 Nc4 17. Bxc4 Qxc4 18. Ra4 Qc7 19. Nb5 Qd7 20. c4 Nxd5 21. Qxd5 a6 22. Rb4 axb5 23. Rxb5 Qc6 24. Rd1 Rfc8 25. b4 Rc7 26. Rb6 Qxd5 27. cxd5 Ra6 28. f4 Rxb6 29. Bxb6 Rc4 30. Re1 Bf6 31. Bd8 Kf8 32. b5 Ra4 33. Rc1 Rb4 34. a6 bxa6 35. bxa6 Ra4 36. Rc6 Bd4 37. Bb6 Bxb6 38. Rxb6 Ke8 39. Rb8+ Kd7 40. Rb7+ Kc8 41. Rxe7 Rxa6 42. Rxf7 Ra5 43. Rf6 Rxd5 44. Rxg6 Kd7 45. Rh6 Ke7 46. h4 Rf5 47. Kf3 d5 48. Ke3 d4+ 49. Ke4 d3 50. Rb6 d2 51. Rb1 Ke6 52. Rd1 Rd5 53. Ke3 Kf5 54. f3 Rd8 55. Rxd2 Rxd2 56. Kxd2 Kxf4 57. Ke2 Kg3

First, do you guys play online, if so, where?


Second, would you recommend a book for beginners or a series of lessons (chessacademy or the like)?


What's my best option as a beginner if I want to learn, practice and get rated?


thanks,


Nicolas

I play primarily at www.freechess.org (http://www.freechess.org), an online server; kind of the chessic equivalent of Paradise. You download the interface, register a name, and you're set to go. It's pretty great, and free. You can play any length of game you want and you will receive an unofficial rating.


For beginner level books, there's no shortage. I personally recommend the 5-volume series by Yasser Seirawan and Jeremy Silman - "Winning Chess Strategies", "Winning Chess Openings", "Winning Chess Tactics", "Winning Chess Endings", and "Winning Chess Brilliancies". They are all cheap (like maybe $10) and written in very basic descriptive language. I'd start with "Winning Chess Strategies" and "Winning Chess Tactics" and then go from there.


If you want to get started playing serious tournament chess, I'd suggest you visit www.uschess.org (http://www.uschess.org) and see whats available in your area (assuming you live in the USA). You could also visit rec.games.chess.misc and look for people in your area who might be able to give you more advice. The chess scene is almost always dependent on that one local volunteer who fanatically organizes chess in your city. Find him, and you'll find your chess scene.


The main advice I have to you is to expect to lose. When you walk into a poker game for the first time, you might win. In fact, you might win for quite a while. When you walk into a chess tournament, you will LOSE. And you will lose most of your games for quite a while.


For me, I just jumped into tournament play and took lump after beating after whomping after crushing until finally I managed to assimilate the information and start winning.

..Have your Kings go three rounds ? It's a clearer draw than a 16-outer!


(OK, I'll shut up.)

read 'chess course 1&2' by grand master lev albert (alburt maybe). they are excellent for the beginner. much better than the 'winning chess' serious and the homework problems are more comprehensive.


good luck.

"(OK, I'll shut up.)"


Promises, promises.


I agree with Fischer; its up to the person in the position of strength to offer. Its a matter of etiquette.

My experience in teaching chess has been that people respond well to the Seirawan books. I don't know that a beginner needs comprehensive homework. Alburt is ok, I liked his old column where he analyzed games of

I will accept a stalemate, will you.


SPM,...no rush today...

If you mean you offer a draw, I will accept. I have one remaining winning chance, but I'll give you credit for not falling for it.


So are we done?

so this is the end of this untolerably long affair. what a letdown. next time i propose a duel.

Sadly, I've had a long history of playing poorly with black and I made a mistaken combination where I didn't consider all of white's alternatives that let him get the edge. I think if we play another where I am white, you'd see a more fireworks filled affair.