Hello!
I've recently decided to take chess a bit more seriously, reading books, "Training" an hour a day etc, but I have no chess communities im in, and only 1 friend who actually plays this game. Where would be the best place to find communities to join to find some new people to talk to about chess? discords etc?
@EvilPyrokar I love lichess but their club feature is very lack-luster.
I heard they have a dicord too.
@ItsHypers There are many teams where members participate actively- use the Search bar in Teams to find one that fits you and your schedule and interests.
Depends on where you live. When I lived in NYC, there was plenty of places to play OTB. Parks, clubs, coffeehouses, etc.
Check online for clubs in your area. If you live in a city, you are more likely to find players. If not, expect to travel. Check for tournaments coming up in your area. You live in Europe, so check with the FIDE website.
This question brings back memories. I remember when I was around 15 years old, I have a close friend whom we talk about chess all the time. We secretly cut out chess columns from newspapers in our high school library. And when we see passing by a motor bike carrying a chessboard, we chased it by foot and running up to kilometers. And when they setup the table and the chessboard, we come near to watch and challenge. I also had this old neighbor, a local master, whom I knock to his door for a sparring game. Today, I'm at my sofa or in rest rooms perhaps, I can just click my Android phone and play a 10-min rapid right away against someone at the opposite side of the world. In the yester years, me and a friend had to climb to the top of the mountain when we heard that there lived there a rich old man who plays strong chess and owns the once feared chess computer "Novag Constellation Expert". We played from dusk till dawn, and bet money on it. And others bet on us, so there is a responsibility there. Until the wee hours of sunset, with no electricity with only the moon lit enough to see the pieces. Some of these games ends in quarrel. There are certain players who won't let you go until they get even. Sometimes, I had to give them back their money so I can go home. Others, their wives or girlfriends waiting for them. Some ended in divorce. There was a doctor who ended his doctor practice, just to play chess all his file. Another one, a lieutenant colonel in the military ended his service and started the local chess club. Others are lawyers, seamen, and street hustlers.
