Online Chess

One of the great things about the internet has been the ability to find that niche community of individuals that share common interests, no matter how obscure. I recently found a wealth of information regarding coaching chess and I have been inevitably "scolded" by a coach with over 30 years of experience for not being certified, rated, or competitive myself. He made a good case when he explained the importance of all three.

So, I have been playing online at Chess.com to get "sharp," again. I went something close to 2-9 in the first few games playing blitz modes (5 min per side). It's great, even with a free account. If you choose to register and pay for a premium membership, you get access to lessons, openings, and other benefits. It is definitely something that I will include in a newsletter to the children on my team as a tool to allow them to practice. Of course, I will have to include the requisite caution concerning online predators, however, chat can be disabled, if i recall correctly.

You can find me there with the username Cascabel, if you're feeling froggy.