If you are new to chess or just want to find out more about chess improvement – here are some ideas on where to look. Please feel free to pop down on a Monday evening and join us for some social chess or a chat as well.
ECF resources for beginners
The following web page from the English Chess Federation ECF has some great links to useful resources for beginners – https://www.englishchess.org.uk/new-to-chess/
Websites
Chess.com has a bunch of great resources for learning about the game – some require a paid subscription but some are free e.g. https://www.chess.com/lessons/skill-level/beginner
LiChess is a completely free site where you can play online, study and learn – https://lichess.org/learn#/
chess24 is another site with lots of resources for playing, studying and learning – https://chess24.com/en/learn/school
On all these sites you can play against other players, test your strength against computers on various levels, learn / study , play through master games etc.
LiChess is completely free, the other two require a subscription for access to some but not all features.
For children check out the guide on the Maidenhead junior chess club page – https://nigelwdennis.wixsite.com/mysite/club-information
A Kid’s Guide to Playing Chess | Playground Equipment
YouTubers
Here are some links to some popular YouTube channels (and some we like)
https://www.youtube.com/user/AGADMATOR/videos
https://www.youtube.com/c/GMHikaru/videos
https://www.youtube.com/user/wwwChesscom/videos
https://www.youtube.com/user/STLChessClub/videos
https://www.youtube.com/user/thechesswebsite/videos
https://www.youtube.com/user/PowerPlayChess/videos
https://www.youtube.com/c/PalmBeachChess/videos
https://www.youtube.com/c/ChessCoachAndras/videos
https://www.youtube.com/c/danheismanchess/videos
Chess Books and Equipment
If you prefer books there is a huge range of books to choose from depending on your level and what you are looking to learn about – if you want some advice just drop us a line at maidenhead.chess@gmail.com or have a browse of the extensive shop at the Chess and Bridge Shop https://chess.co.uk/
Selection of chess books for beginners to 1700
If you want some ideas on where to start – here is a great YouTube video from Andras Toth running through the books he recommends from beginner to 1700 rating (good club player) level https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCwQyNLblm0&t=20s
There are more lists and book reviews here – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4WTyEhy_sF7CAgVaZJuMTalSRU7NhKwy
