Over-the-board chess for online players

By Andrew Medworth

Muswell Hill Rapid Chess @ The Clissold Arms
When: This Tuesday, 16 November, 10:30 – 17:00
Where: The Clissold Arms, 105 Fortis Green, Muswell Hill, London N2 9HR, UK (map)
Only 30 places, so sign up here soon - https://www.muswellhillchess.blogspot.com/

Over-the-board chess for online players

By Andrew Medworth

As the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions allows over-the-board chess to resume, we’re increasingly being joined by a new group of players: people who have picked up the game during lockdown, perhaps inspired by Netflix’s miniseries The Queen’s Gambit. Every chess club I know is being approached by people who have played a lot online over the past couple of years, and are looking to take their interest further!

These players already know how to play chess – often very well, especially at faster time controls – but may not be at all familiar with the mechanics of the game as it is played “offline”. I’ve already met so many people like this over the past few weeks that I wanted to write something to help people who know how the pieces move, but want to know what to expect when they start playing “OTB” in a serious way.

In this article, therefore, I try to explain the aspects of the rules and conventions of chess that are most likely to be unfamiliar to this type of audience. I hope it will give more people confidence to give OTB chess events a try, and feel like they know what to expect!

You can read the rest of this excellent article on the Hendon Chess Club web pages - https://www.hendonchessclub.com/news/2021-22/otb-players-guide/