 Easier to Learn Today
Steve,
With computers it is far easier to learn chess these days. When I was a kid my dad and I played checkers until I could beat him about half the time. We decided to learn chess, but did not know anyone who played.
We got the rules from our book of games and started teaching ourselves. We had some strange misconceptions for awhile. We did not realize a rook, bishop, or queen could actually stop anywhere on the possible path, we thought it had to go as far as possible. Makes for an odd game, using pawns as stoppers a lot!
We eventually figured it out. By my senior year in high school I had played a lot of chess, but only with my father. I had not the foggiest idea how I stacked up against anyone else so I signed up for a chess tournament at school.
To my surprise I was clobbering everyone until my schedule made me drop out. My dad never gave an inch, and never ever conceded. I had to go to the bitter end to win with him, and I guess that was superb training.
So I would recommend playing with a tough player and don't let them resign if you get them in position where you can likely win, have them make you play out the endgame too. It sharpens your discipline.
I still miss those games with my father...
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