Exchanges OTB

Just won a game with 0-0-0# 🥲 #ChessPunks

Played a wonderful OTB game today and it has reinvigorated my passion for in person #chess ♟❤️

“Growing the game” Hans Niemann has generated controversy in the chess world once again by accusing the Botez sisters of duplicitous behavior. My intention here is not to discuss the merits of his criticism, which other people are better equipped to do. I do wish, however, to bring a related issue to public attention. It is this idea that we must popularize chess by making it appealing to the masses. It is like a dogma in the chess community. This mentality will destroy chess as a sport, maybe as a game altogether. Chess is the most beautiful of games and a jewel of human culture; a game with hundreds of years of rich historical background; cognitive scientists use it as a drosophila, educators use it to teach important life skills… Invented over centuries, not by humans but by humanity itself. The royal game spread all over the world; no marketing campaigns required, no flashy displays. The virtues of the game itself and the charisma of certain personalities were sufficient to catapult chess to where it is today. Chess has survived and spread because of its intrinsic virtues, not because it was associated with fanciful teasers. And if chess is “popularized” by cheapening it to a degree that its value is lost, it will perish in competition with other games and activities that are specifically designed to appeal superficially to the masses. In other words, the best way to make our sport stronger is to maintain its essence and promote its virtues. If anyone is really interested in popularizing chess or growing the game, they can always support those who truly are doing this task. These are people like @Tunde_OD , @thegiftofchess , @Chesstoschool , @chesswitivie and others. They bring chess to people who will greatly benefit from it. They make chess accessible without cheapening it. This is how chess becomes trully prestigious. But more importantly, this is how chess helps improve people’s lives.

Fresh and enthusiastic, Zachary Saine is an excellent presenter to follow and watch out for in the future. bit.ly/46fQkqG

Who knows where I spotted this ornate chess table? 👀

With the World Championships drawing to a close... What is the future of long-form #chess? 🤔 We ask the question ⬇️ buff.ly/3OUvKpW

@WFrostick @unseenchesspod @ChessInColter Only the best store in London - @ChessAndBridge ♟️❤️

There was a piece about chess on BBC Breakfast this morning. Does anyone know where this place is, with all these hundreds of chess books? Any ideas @unseenchesspod @ChessInColter? #chess #chesspunks

We can't all be like Mikhail Tal...but we can learn when it's best to sac a piece 👀 Share your best-failed piece sacrifice in the comments 💬😅 buff.ly/3QO8Bqr

Love playing some games with the @HouseOfStaunton Zagreb set whilst the #chess is on ♟️

The lesser known ‘No shake gambit’ 👀😂

Considering this game was played at midnight, I was happy with the result 👀♟️

Always enjoy getting some games going when the weather is good ☀️♟️

How do you study? ♟💭 Puzzles are a quick and practical way to improve at #chess 🧩 buff.ly/3Qqzn8g

What's your go-to first move? 💭👀

An instructive endgame win with Black for the five-time world champion. chess24.com/en/watch/live-…

Even Magnus Carlsen lacks motivation for classical chess 😅 With faster, more entertaining formats gaining top-level popularity, which format will reign supreme? 💭 buff.ly/3OUvKpW

Puzzle = Improvement 🧩 How do you like to study #chesspuzzles? 💭 buff.ly/3Qqzn8g

What's your favourite first move? 💭♟ #Chess openings are tricky, but we all have our go-to repertoire 📖

Where's your favourite place to play #chess? 💭

Four-day weekend coming up and plenty of time to flick through some pages 📚 Share your chess book suggestions so I can shamelessly add to this pile...