Learn Chess
Chess is a relatively simple game to learn, though upon first glance it can be intimidating. Each piece has its own set of possible movements as distinctly different from every other piece, and the interactions between the pieces can be complex. If you are looking to learn chess for the first time, there are a number of different outlets that can teach you, each with its own benefits and detractions.
1. From a teacher
A teacher is the most optimal way to learn chess, mainly because a teacher can give you individually focused lessons and answer specific questions you might have. This teacher can be a formal teacher who is experienced in teaching chess, or it can be a relative or friend simply looking to introduce you to something new. In either case, a teacher can best help you learn to play chess, mainly because he or she will more likely be combining the teaching with actual gameplay, allowing you to get a more intuitive feel for the game, along with practice. If you’re looking to improve your skills, a “teacher” may best be found simply in playing others of a different skill set.
2. From a book
There are certainly hundreds of games that offer all the major rules of chess and strategies in one helpful guide. While not as personal as a teacher, learning from a book has the added benefit of allowing you to review lessons and rules, and to study the theory far more in depth than a single teaching. Also, books frequently have diagrams that will let you see any of hundreds of different configurations for study at any moment. Furthermore, chess books are often written by people notable in the chess world who may infuse their books with anecdotes and special tips that helped them become the chess player they are. The downside of learning chess from a book is that in your learning you will not be practicing, which is essential to playing well.
3. From the internet
The internet has absolutely innumerable sources set up to help teach you chess. It offers lessons and tips for learning chess, resources for playing against others or against computers, and an absolutely infinite stream of websites dedicated to learning every possible aspect of chess. In addition, there are specialized resources for just about everyone’s skill level, and information on the benefits of chess to one’s intellect. Furthermore, learning chess online allows one to consult others about any number of issues and get a worldwide response. Problems can be posed and answered, and other people consulted on strategies and tricks.
4. From videos
There are plenty of DVDs and videos online that teach either the basics of chess or much higher level skills. Besides this, there are hundreds of videos that show actual chess matches for someone looking to get an idea of how they are played. For someone looking to get a feel of the professional chess world and the typical feel of a match, videos can be extremely helpful. Also, some major tips and strategies may only be best explained by a real person using a board (which can be difficult for someone without a teacher who knows the material), or best explained by watching a match in which the strategy is used. Be warned, however, that simply watching strategies may not overtly show the reasoning behind their use, and so solely learning said strategies from these videos may not be optimal.