Chess lessons...anyone taken any?

Just wondering if anyone here has taken chess lessons. I'm thinking about it, and I'm curious as to other people's experiences (of course, the quality of the teacher will have a lot to do with the experience...).

nope. I've been offered them many times though, but my answer is always the same: thanks for asking, but I'm still improving steadily on my own, so there doesn't seem to be any reason to pay anyone money for it.

sometimes they even come back to ask if I've changed my mind. I'm sort of beginning to think that'll never happen.

I think I would like some.

It would be interesting to know what chess lessons would comprise of. I would imagine that getting a better memory would be the best thing to help you, or to be more precise me..
Wouldn't a decent book be just as good?

I took about 4 or 5 lessons from the top player at our club a few years ago. I'm not sure I could pinpoint exactly what I learned, but in no particular order, the things I remember from the lessons were:

- Play forcing moves. I remember he kept saying 'You must attack' all the time.
- Opening repertoire. I had no idea what openings to play as black before, and now I have a reasonable idea.
- K + N + B vs K endgame drills. Very difficult at first, got easier eventually.

Probably a few other bits and pieces as well, but the main point was that it was fun! Reading chess books is all very well, but it can be a little dry. On the other hand, someone passionately waving their arms around and getting excited about the game brought it to life a little.

I'd say that if you can afford a few trial lessons, have a go and see how you get on .. 🙂

Originally posted by JayDoherty
It would be interesting to know what chess lessons would comprise of. I would imagine that getting a better memory would be the best thing to help you, or to be more precise me..
Wouldn't a decent book be just as good?

Originally posted by aquatabby
I took about 4 or 5 lessons from the top player at our club a few years ago. I'm not sure I could pinpoint exactly what I learned, but in no particular order, the things I remember from the lessons were:

- Play forcing moves. I remember he kept saying 'You must attack' all the time.
- Opening repertoire. I had no idea what openings to play as black bef ...[text shortened]...
I'd say that if you can afford a few trial lessons, have a go and see how you get on .. 🙂

A couple of years ago I signed up to www.improveyourchess.com - a chess site run by GM Tony Kosten. They have a training/coaching system set up. I paid for 3 sessions at about £30 each. Then I emailed three (preferably OTB) games to my coach each month in a Fritz format. I got the games back with the coaches analysis and could also enter into some email correspondence off the back of it.

The coach was IM Richard Palliser and it was superb - concise but packed with useful insights and suggestions for further learning. As with all these things it does depend on getting the right coach at the right time and in a way that's right for you. Good coaching can accelerate learning (IMHO).

When I thought about the cost of the coaching and the time the coach must have committed and the level of the coach I thought it was good value too.

You see the rewards after a good amount of time.

One lesson or even a few won't do much.

You have to put your time in.

And to answer your question...no I haven't had any lessons, but I have talked with a few who provide lessons.

Originally posted by PBE6
Just wondering if anyone here has taken chess lessons. I'm thinking about it, and I'm curious as to other people's experiences (of course, the quality of the teacher will have a lot to do with the experience...).