3 months with Chess.Com

It has been a fascinating journey so far and one that hadn’t even occurred to me until my nephew introduced me because he wanted to play me online, having hardly played for many years.

I have visited a great number of websites in my many years but chess.com is up there with the very best – amazing!

Nowadays, I have between 10 and 20 online games on the go at the same time and try to play my moves at least twice a day – soon after waking up and soon before going to bed – although the lure is often so strong that I play more often, especially if a game is getting interesting!

I’m just about maintaining my position around the top 10% of the chess.com community, which is satisfying, although there is more to aim for. I think/hope I am improving!?

It occurs that most of the games I win are because my opponent blunders and most of the games I lose are because I blunder, rather than as a result of good play (although it does create pressure).

Because (looking back into hindsight) blunders should be avoided, there is need to concentrate at all times, and never underestimate your opponent, especially if he/she appears to be weaker.

Some of chess mirrors life – the need to be patient yet not passive, the need to take risks but not overextend yourself, to calculate but also intuitive, to be sound but also adventurous.

I really like being part of a community that extends to all sorts in all four corners of the globe. It is great to share in online chat, even if it is brief, and to sense the courtesy amidst the ambition.

There is a lot of great stuff on chess.com, a lot of which I have yet to explore. I really like the computer analysis feature – superb and informative even if humbling at times. And I appreciate what various folk contribute, like WGM Natalia Pogonina – she’s great!

Yep, it's a pretty fun spot to hang out

I'm just about two months into this site and I'm having a ball.I find it hard to believe that I can play anyone in " the world" from my man cave.