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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

wanted chess lessons to enable me to play with my 7year old grandson who is already a winner!   please contact sally.mustoe@btinternet.com

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Sally I can't offer to give lessons, but I've played hundreds of games and I have a suggestion for you. I played many games on:

http://www.redhotpawn.com/

... although not for some time. There is normally someone, somewhere in the world, willing to play a game at any time of the day or night. The range of ability is very wide and you can play with people who really are so dumb they should never have started (though some persist against all evidence of lack of ability or learning) and at the other end of the scale, players who are world class. These people are also in a different league and may not deign to play with the mere middle rated.

After playing a certain number of games, you attain a rating and this gives you are guide as to who might be well matched with. The greater the difference in rank gives a good indication of your likelihood of winning or losing. If you lose to a significantly lower ranked player, your own ranking will fall and if you win against a significantly higher ranked player, your own ranking will increase.

After many games (wins and losses against players of varying skill), you'll find that your own rating settles down and is an accurate reflection of your ability.

thank you for your helpful e-mail, Clive, but I have to get basic trainng first   S

Sally, there's a charity called Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC) which currently supports chess teaching in four Haringey Primary schools. They launched an initiative called Urban Chess in March.

You might want to contact CSC and ask for advice about you learning the basics.

thank you, Alan, I will certainly contact them   I was a BBC journalist for nearly 40 years so  already help a number of charities with newsletters, reports etc   Sally

Sally if you want one to one lessons these people will be able to help point you in the right direction - Give them a call, tell them what you're looking for and i'm pretty sure you'll get what you need. They are very helpful/friendly/polite and do a lot of work with young people. http://shop.chess.co.uk/Visit_Shop_s/1885.htm

am off to Baker Street asap, thank you

Basic Training can be had on You Tube where there are several introductory tutorials.

Some of these use tutorials use gimmicky pieces that are hard to recognize and harder to distinguish from each other. Such sets are sometimes bought by those for whom a chess set is mere decoration or a fashion statement and have little interest in playing. IMO such pieces should be eschewed not only for learning, but in all circumstances. (eg. pieces made from glass).

My suggestion would be first to learn to recognize Staunton pieces and insist on this classic design.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staunton_chess_set

In the 19th century this simplified and streamlined style was a revolutionary development that greatly popularised chess.

In a carved wooden set, up to half of the total work goes into making the knight (the horse head) which can be quite elaborate, with ears, eyes, teeth, nostrils, bridle etc. They don't have to be wooden:

Today China makes some wonderful Staunton pieces from plastic, large and triple-weighted, with felt bases. The heavy weight in the base means they are hard to knock over and felt bases mean they slide well. (eg. here on eBay).

fascinating, thanks   Sally

If you want to take your grandson to something, there is a group of 6-8 year olds that have lessons on Sunday mornings in the Manor House/Stoke Newington area. We go to each other's houses and have a very good tutor.

If its more for yourself, I'll ask the childrens' tutor what is available - maybe he can suggest a private tutor, or I know there is a group that meets in Hackney (on Thursday evenings I think).

thank you but he is in his school's chess group with national junior schools tournament in Wales next month (he beats his father at chess and me at draughts!)   It is me who needs tuition so, if you can suggest where I can learn the basics, I would be grateful

Hi Sally

I play chess and have signed up with Chess in Schools to teach it. I am running a chess club after school at Seven Sisters as a volunteer. I'd be happy to meet up with you and introduce you to the game.  I'll email you.

Zena

thank you, Zena; I look forward to hearing from you   Sally

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