Chess Anyone?

[teocaf]

The 2014 FIDE world chess championship has started this weekend.  Hosted by Russia in Sochi, which is interesting given there are no Russians in it.  Carlsen vs. Anand.  Anyone else following this?
On a related side note, are there any FOG members that play chess on a regular basis?

 

[AlexThePalex]

I like to play chess once in a while. Not on a regular base, but when the occasion comes up.

When I was younger I used to play daily, was member of a club for a while and got some diplomas.

I don't really follow things like championships.

 

[mouppe]

I used to play a lot at university, then didn't really play for years, but now my kids are playing and they want to play me all the time.

It's not that fun for me at the moment because they cannot give me a good game, but hopefully soon they will improve and it will become more interesting.

I never let them win because the day they beat me (which is probably soon enough!) they will know it is a true victory and will be so happy.

For me the key was finding a friend who played at the same level as me and we could always have a good match.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I'm not an avid player, but do enjoy the game. I got my oldest son interested in the game when he was young and he's pretty good but doesn't really play competitively.

But... I was interested in getting him a nice chess set. Any recommendations on where to look? Probably want to keep it under $150.

Thanks,
Shane

 

[tbellemare]

I'm not an avid player, but do enjoy the game. I got my oldest son interested in the game when he was young and he's pretty good but doesn't really play competitively.

But... I was interested in getting him a nice chess set. Any recommendations on where to look? Probably want to keep it under $150.

Thanks,
Shane

You might want to consider a tournament set and a clock?

Tom

 

[upscale]

[quote author=Shane Holland] But... I was interested in getting him a nice chess set. Any recommendations on where to look? Probably want to keep it under $150.[/quote]

I've played chess for a number of years. I've never considered spending a great deal on a chess set and clock. Competitive chess players are very rough on their chess sets, such as when playing speed chess. I'd suggest a $30 chess set and a $50-$60 digital chess clock.

There are chess shops in a number of cities, but I've generally found them to be overpriced. You can find a plethora of chess sets and accessories online. I'd suggest you start there.

 

[AlexThePalex]

One of the reasons I stopped playing at the club was the clock. I really don't like to play with it.

As for choosing a chess set, I'd go for a standard Staunton set. They are really the best to play with because the pieces are at the right size and clearly distinguishable. There are many other great looking sets, often very artistically made, but I always found them more for show than for a good game. The odd shapes and colours make it easy to lose oversight.

A good quality Staunton set and board shouldn't set you back more than $50.

 

[mouppe]

Shane,

Buy a nice set of pieces- mine are boxwood and rosewood from the Chess Store on Thompson St. in NYC. And make your own board using your Festools! The set below costs $50 and is made from rosewood and boxwood. Very nice. You can choose the set and then make a board to fit the piece size. (Or buy a board- they are not expensive.) For regular use, I would not go with a king less than 2 1/2".

Price-wise you should get change from $100 for a very nice set.

http://www.thechessstore.com/#!product/FSS275/French-Lardy-Staunton-Chess-Set-in-Golden-Rosewood-Boxwood-2-75-King

I just bought my son this travel set from Amazon. For under $30 it's incredible value.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HL04XK/ref=pe_385040_121528360_TE_dp_i1

 

[semenza]

I tend to play over the winter. Mostly online at chessworld.net

Seth

 

[teocaf]

oh good, the thread is getting a bit of interest.  if  the first two games in the championship this year are any indication, it will be a much more exciting match than last time between the same players.

a good all around set for scholastic play is:
http://www.wholesalechess.com/shop/chess-sets/tournament-chess-sets/heavy-tournament-chess-set-combo
that site has sets for every level of interest; i've had good experience getting stuff from them.

for a clock you can download several free apps that turn your phone into a chess clock.

also chess.com is a great site to play free with people all over the world.  you don't need to get a paying membership if you just want to play casual friendly games.  the correspondence chess option or what the site calls "online chess" is great if you don't want to play the whole game in one sitting.