Do you play chess?

[kenny]

If so, how good are you? ... not that I'd understand a cogent answer.

I've always played a bit, love the game, and with all this spare time, wanna get back into it.

I'm not very good at thinking ahead 2, or 3+ moves.
How in the world can anyone do that?

SO plays like me, just a bit.
We're gonna try tonight.

Should I google up tips and strategy, or is that cheating?
If I do, should I do it while he's not in the room, or right in front of him?

 

[Karl_K]

I used to, but never really wanted to put the effert into getting good at it.
I did surprise and beat a US ranked player because I did not do what he expected.
He then creamed me in a the next few games until I got bored and went and did something else.

 

[kenny]

He then creamed me in a the next few games until I got bored and went and did something else.

... designed my Octavia?

 

[joelly]

Yes but I’m not very good. A 7 yr old will beat me in 5 mins. So maybe “not very good” is an understatement.

 

[Karl_K]

... designed my Octavia?

Many years later yes LOL

 

[Elizabeth35]

Control the center of the board and protect your king by castling him early. Don't move your queen early in the game.
There's a way to checkmate in 3 moves but I can't remember exactly how it's done---you could google it. Lol-- but it only works once with each opponent once they figure out what you did.
My sons had a parent lead a Chess Club in grades 3 through 5 so they can wipe the floor with me.

 

[missy]

I am terrible. But to be fair I stopped playing on a regular basis when I hit my teen years. My dad said I was pretty good at it. But I stopped and tried playing again in 2014 when I broke my leg and was basically housebound for 8 months. My dh and I relearned the rules and started playing but I never got back into it.

My dh just suggested the other day we try it once again and I am tempted as it is a game one can play with just 2 people unlike so many board games.

Another game we started playing in 2014 where I lost interest is a game called Go. We might try that one again too. IIRC it is also a complex game so it takes time investment to get to a point one is good enough to enjoy it.

 

[lyra]

My dad taught me. I'm not good. I'm a reactionary player, not a strategist.

 

[chrono]

Yes, I play but I'm not good at it. I used to read strategy guides and such to learn the different techniques and when to apply them but it's been many years.