If you have a special chess player in your life, then you may not know which move to make when it comes to purchasing gifts for someone who seems to know all the right moves. If you need a gift-buying strategy for that master strategist, then here is a list of five fantastic gift ideas for chess players.
Chess Books. This gift can be an invaluable resource, and greatly appreciated by your chess player. Just make sure you do your research and choose a book that is appropriate for the player’s skill level. Be warned that many chess strategy books are aimed at the beginner chess player – and that many of the advanced books will be way over a beginner’s head. The U.S. Chess Federation’s Official Rules of Chess book is a staple for any chess player’s library, and How to Reassess Your Chess is a safe bet for helping chess players of all levels improve in the game.
Chess Movies. Any chess lover will also love a good movie with chess as its central plot. Chess movies are few and far between, so treating your chess player to a chess movie shows that you really did your research to find a special, entertaining gift. Chess movies to try: “Knight Moves,” “Queen to Play,” and “The Chess Players.”
DGT Pyramid – The Game Timer. This is an impressive digital timer that your chess player can use to enforce fairness in a high-tech way. Read More »
You already know that you enjoy playing chess and chances are you have at least one or two friends who enjoy the analytical game as well. Whether you’re looking to help an elementary school or other learning institution or simply gather a group of adults, there are only a few basic things you need to know to get a chess club up and running.
Identify Your Organizers
While everyone involved will lend a helping hand, your chess club should have one or two main organizers to ensure everything stays on track as planned. Your main organizers will be responsible for finding a location, setting schedules, recruiting volunteers, and marketing the club. The organizers can, of course, delegate these duties to others on the team – but at the end of the day, someone needs to be in charge of what happens so that things don’t get out of control.
Find a Venue
Where will your chess club be held? School classrooms are great because there are plenty of tables and chairs, allowing players to spread out and enjoy the event without disturbing each others games. Your home may be an option if your club is very small. Wherever you decide to go, you’ll need to make sure you have enough space spread out your group comfortably. Read More »
This is an analysis video covering Game 12 of the 2010 World Chess Championship between Viswanathan Anand (India) and Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria). The opening is the Queens Gambit Declined. More instructional videos can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/ChessNetwork.
