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I've recently won $100, what's my best use of that money in chess?

#21

@persoest said in #19:

thanks for the advice! i think the general consensus is don't spend a lot of money until i'm at least at the intermediate level?

Yeah. If you are patient you can skimp and have fun searching for very very cheap chess books on ebay and Amazon. In that you you will get most bang for your buck. For instance if you are lucky and get 12 books for 25$ it will inundate you with wisdom and insight and acclerate your learning while saving money in the process. Or got a used book dealer.

@persoest said in #19: > thanks for the advice! i think the general consensus is don't spend a lot of money until i'm at least at the intermediate level? Yeah. If you are patient you can skimp and have fun searching for very very cheap chess books on ebay and Amazon. In that you you will get most bang for your buck. For instance if you are lucky and get 12 books for 25$ it will inundate you with wisdom and insight and acclerate your learning while saving money in the process. Or got a used book dealer.
#22
<Comment deleted by user>
#23

"... Logical Chess [(Batsford edition by Chernev)] ... a collection of 33 games ... is definitely for beginners and players who are just starting to learn about development, weak squares, the centre, standard attacking ideas, and the like. In many ways, it would [be] a wonderful 'first' book (or first 'serious' book, after the ones which teach the rules and elementary mates, for example), and a nice gift for a young player just taking up chess. ..." - IM John Watson (1999)
theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/assorted-recent-books
www.amazon.com/Logical-Chess-Every-Explained-Algebraic/dp/0713484640?asin=0713484640&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1004861
“... Certainly for players who do not fully grasp the meaning of terms such as skewer, pin, fork, discovered attack, and the like, Winning Chess [(Batsford edition by Chernev and Reinfeld)] is a wonderful resource to bring the budding player to a much greater appreciation of the game. But also for intermediate players who all too often fall victim to these tactical maneuvers, or who realize in postmortems the many attacking threats they overlooked, this should be a book to consider. ..."
web.archive.org/web/20140708093415/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review919.pdf
"... Silman’s Complete Endgame Course ... I'm convinced that Silman's book will take its place in history as one of the most popular endgame books ever. ... He writes in a clear and casual style, and time and again has shown the ability to reach those who feel intimidated by the lofty approach that a grandmaster will often take. ..." - IM John Watson (2007)
theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/theres-an-end-to-it-all
https://www.silmanjamespress.com/shop/chess/silmans-complete-endgame-course/
"... For beginning players, [the book, Discovering Chess Openings by GM Emms,] will offer an opportunity to start out on the right foot and really get a feel for what is happening on the board. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2006)
web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
www.amazon.com/Discovering-Chess-Openings-Building-Principles/dp/1857444191?asin=1857444191&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1

"... Logical Chess [(Batsford edition by Chernev)] ... a collection of 33 games ... is definitely for beginners and players who are just starting to learn about development, weak squares, the centre, standard attacking ideas, and the like. In many ways, it would [be] a wonderful 'first' book (or first 'serious' book, after the ones which teach the rules and elementary mates, for example), and a nice gift for a young player just taking up chess. ..." - IM John Watson (1999) theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/assorted-recent-books www.amazon.com/Logical-Chess-Every-Explained-Algebraic/dp/0713484640?asin=0713484640&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1004861 “... Certainly for players who do not fully grasp the meaning of terms such as skewer, pin, fork, discovered attack, and the like, Winning Chess [(Batsford edition by Chernev and Reinfeld)] is a wonderful resource to bring the budding player to a much greater appreciation of the game. But also for intermediate players who all too often fall victim to these tactical maneuvers, or who realize in postmortems the many attacking threats they overlooked, this should be a book to consider. ..." web.archive.org/web/20140708093415/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review919.pdf "... Silman’s Complete Endgame Course ... I'm convinced that Silman's book will take its place in history as one of the most popular endgame books ever. ... He writes in a clear and casual style, and time and again has shown the ability to reach those who feel intimidated by the lofty approach that a grandmaster will often take. ..." - IM John Watson (2007) theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/theres-an-end-to-it-all https://www.silmanjamespress.com/shop/chess/silmans-complete-endgame-course/ "... For beginning players, [the book, Discovering Chess Openings by GM Emms,] will offer an opportunity to start out on the right foot and really get a feel for what is happening on the board. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2006) web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf www.amazon.com/Discovering-Chess-Openings-Building-Principles/dp/1857444191?asin=1857444191&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
#24

@persoest my dear, before you throw away your money and get nothing you'd expect out of it...

For Your level player you do not need any books or anything, which you might need to pay for, first grind those:

  1. Lichess learn&analysis features, puzzles (do lots of them), go through them if you are still not bored, and think chess is what you want, then
  2. Watch Saint Louis Chess youtube channel lesson videos, the old ones of GM Seirawan and Akobian are the diamond for absolutely free - you will get a grasp of positional play, middlegame, endgame, different openings, traps and so on. If you still want to be World Champin after that, do this
  3. Check internet for free chess books, lessons or analysis of GMs IMs and so on, yeah you might get one, especially very old ones. Check youtube channels of popular streamers who present memorable games of chess and so on.

Point is, you are a very beginner with your chess skills, at this point spending amount of 100$ on that is how to say it, just not efficient for you - if you like ice cream, better spend those on ice cream, you'll feel very well after that. Or go to cinema, invite your friends, or some other real life activity.
My level of chess (which I consider senior beginner) can be achieved by those steps mentioned above, because that is what I did, except with Lichess learn, I didn't go through it all. But Akobian's and Seirawan's videos did the miracle, also puzzle solving does a lot.

@persoest my dear, before you throw away your money and get nothing you'd expect out of it... For Your level player you do not need any books or anything, which you might need to pay for, first grind those: 1. Lichess learn&analysis features, puzzles (do lots of them), go through them if you are still not bored, and think chess is what you want, then 2. Watch Saint Louis Chess youtube channel lesson videos, the old ones of GM Seirawan and Akobian are the diamond for absolutely free - you will get a grasp of positional play, middlegame, endgame, different openings, traps and so on. If you still want to be World Champin after that, do this 3. Check internet for free chess books, lessons or analysis of GMs IMs and so on, yeah you might get one, especially very old ones. Check youtube channels of popular streamers who present memorable games of chess and so on. Point is, you are a very beginner with your chess skills, at this point spending amount of 100$ on that is how to say it, just not efficient for you - if you like ice cream, better spend those on ice cream, you'll feel very well after that. Or go to cinema, invite your friends, or some other real life activity. My level of chess (which I consider senior beginner) can be achieved by those steps mentioned above, because that is what I did, except with Lichess learn, I didn't go through it all. But Akobian's and Seirawan's videos did the miracle, also puzzle solving does a lot.
#25

I would put that money aside until you reach a specific rating, maybe 1800 online, then invest in some opening courses. In the meantime your best investment in chess improvement is time, try to play classical games every day and you will your rating progress. Consistency is key

I would put that money aside until you reach a specific rating, maybe 1800 online, then invest in some opening courses. In the meantime your best investment in chess improvement is time, try to play classical games every day and you will your rating progress. Consistency is key
#26

@TrainingOTB said in #24:

@persoest my dear, before you throw away your money and get nothing you'd expect out of it...

For Your level player you do not need any books or anything, which you might need to pay for, first grind those:

  1. Lichess learn&analysis features, puzzles (do lots of them), go through them if you are still not bored, and think chess is what you want, then
  2. Watch Saint Louis Chess youtube channel lesson videos, the old ones of GM Seirawan and Akobian are the diamond for absolutely free - you will get a grasp of positional play, middlegame, endgame, different openings, traps and so on. If you still want to be World Champin after that, do this
  3. Check internet for free chess books, lessons or analysis of GMs IMs and so on, yeah you might get one, especially very old ones. Check youtube channels of popular streamers who present memorable games of chess and so on.

Point is, you are a very beginner with your chess skills, at this point spending amount of 100$ on that is how to say it, just not efficient for you - if you like ice cream, better spend those on ice cream, you'll feel very well after that. Or go to cinema, invite your friends, or some other real life activity.
My level of chess (which I consider senior beginner) can be achieved by those steps mentioned above, because that is what I did, except with Lichess learn, I didn't go through it all. But Akobian's and Seirawan's videos did the miracle, also puzzle solving does a lot.

thanks for this very in depth advice! just one question about the st. louis chess club, how do i go about choosing one of their videos to watch? i've visited their channel before but i was just very overwhelmed at all the content

@TrainingOTB said in #24: > @persoest my dear, before you throw away your money and get nothing you'd expect out of it... > > For Your level player you do not need any books or anything, which you might need to pay for, first grind those: > > 1. Lichess learn&analysis features, puzzles (do lots of them), go through them if you are still not bored, and think chess is what you want, then > 2. Watch Saint Louis Chess youtube channel lesson videos, the old ones of GM Seirawan and Akobian are the diamond for absolutely free - you will get a grasp of positional play, middlegame, endgame, different openings, traps and so on. If you still want to be World Champin after that, do this > 3. Check internet for free chess books, lessons or analysis of GMs IMs and so on, yeah you might get one, especially very old ones. Check youtube channels of popular streamers who present memorable games of chess and so on. > > Point is, you are a very beginner with your chess skills, at this point spending amount of 100$ on that is how to say it, just not efficient for you - if you like ice cream, better spend those on ice cream, you'll feel very well after that. Or go to cinema, invite your friends, or some other real life activity. > My level of chess (which I consider senior beginner) can be achieved by those steps mentioned above, because that is what I did, except with Lichess learn, I didn't go through it all. But Akobian's and Seirawan's videos did the miracle, also puzzle solving does a lot. thanks for this very in depth advice! just one question about the st. louis chess club, how do i go about choosing one of their videos to watch? i've visited their channel before but i was just very overwhelmed at all the content
#27

I bought an immersion blender with my one and only tournament prize (80 euros, years ago). I use it more than my chess books!

I bought an immersion blender with my one and only tournament prize (80 euros, years ago). I use it more than my chess books!
#28

Is that a lump sum before taxes, or clear after taxes ?

Is that a lump sum before taxes, or clear after taxes ?
#29

@persoest just open St louis channel or simply in youtube search type "Lectures Akobian", first result most likely for everyone will be the whole playlist of his lectures, for me it showed 149!!! videos for free. Once you are there just choose any really, GM Akobian is very good teacher, easy to understand, enjoy.
Same with "Lectures Seirawan", plenty to make you busy and get more understanding of the game.

@persoest just open St louis channel or simply in youtube search type "Lectures Akobian", first result most likely for everyone will be the whole playlist of his lectures, for me it showed 149!!! videos for free. Once you are there just choose any really, GM Akobian is very good teacher, easy to understand, enjoy. Same with "Lectures Seirawan", plenty to make you busy and get more understanding of the game.

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