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Chess is a game that has fascinated minds for centuries, known for its complexity and strategic depth. Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your skills, having access to the right resources is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore some of the best chess resources tailored specifically for beginners.

1. Online Chess Platforms:

• Chess.com: Chess.com is a widely popular online platform offering a variety of resources for beginners. From interactive lessons and puzzles to the ability to play against other players worldwide, Chess.com provides a comprehensive learning experience.
• Lichess.org: Lichess.org is a free, open-source platform that offers lessons, puzzles, and the opportunity to play against other players or computer opponents. It's known for its user-friendly interface and commitment to promoting chess education.
  
  

Chess Anywhere: Check Out VentureBoards Travel Chess Set 

2. Chess Strategy Books for Beginners:

• "Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess" by Bobby Fischer: This classic book by Bobby Fischer is an excellent choice for beginners, offering clear explanations of fundamental chess concepts.
• "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess" by Patrick Wolff: Written by Grandmaster Patrick Wolff, this guide covers everything from basic rules to advanced strategies, making it suitable for players of all levels.

3. Mobile Chess Apps:

• Chess - Play & Learn: Chess.com's mobile app offers interactive lessons, puzzles, and the ability to play against other players, making it a convenient option for beginners on the go.
• Lichess Mobile App: The official mobile app of Lichess.org provides free and open-source chess with features like puzzles, analysis, and online play, catering to players of all skill levels.
• CT-ART: This app offers a comprehensive collection of chess puzzles designed to improve tactical skills, making it an excellent resource for beginners looking to sharpen their game.

4. YouTube Channels:

• Agadmator's Chess Channel: Hosted by Antonio Radić, this YouTube channel features entertaining and educational chess content, including game analysis and historical anecdotes.
• ChessNetwork: Created by Jerry, a renowned chess player, ChessNetwork offers instructional videos covering various aspects of the game, from openings to endgames.
• GothamChess: Hosted by International Master Levy Rozman, GothamChess provides entertaining and instructive content suitable for beginners, including game analysis and educational streams.

5. Chess Podcasts for Beginners:

• The Perpetual Chess Podcast: Host Ben Johnson interviews top players, coaches, and authors in the chess world, providing valuable insights for beginners.
• The Full English Breakfast: A podcast hosted by two British chess enthusiasts, offering entertaining discussions on recent events, chess news, and strategies.
• Chess.com Podcast: Chess.com's podcast covers a wide range of topics, including interviews with chess personalities, analysis of recent tournaments, and discussions on chess improvement.
• The Perpetual Chess Podcast is a highly acclaimed podcast that features interviews with top players, coaches, and authors in the chess world. While the podcast covers a wide range of topics, including advanced strategies and professional insights, many episodes also provide valuable advice and tips that are relevant for beginners.
• The Full English Breakfast offers entertaining discussions on recent events, chess news, and strategies. The hosts often cater their discussions to players of all levels, making it an enjoyable and accessible podcast for beginners.

Take Chess Anywhere With the VentureBoard

6. Local Chess Clubs:

• Local chess clubs offer opportunities for beginners to learn from more experienced players, participate in tournaments, and immerse themselves in the chess community. Check local listings or community centers for nearby clubs.
• US Chess Federation Club Directory: The US Chess Federation's club directory allows beginners to find local chess clubs and events in their area.

7. Chess Tournaments:

• Online Chess Tournaments: Many online platforms, such as Chess.com and Lichess.org, host regular tournaments for players of all levels. Participating in these tournaments is a great way for beginners to gain experience, test their skills, and connect with other players.
• Local Tournaments: Local chess clubs often organize tournaments for their members and the wider community. These tournaments provide a supportive environment for beginners to compete against players of similar skill levels and gain valuable experience.
• National and International Tournaments: As beginners progress in their chess journey, they may aspire to participate in national or even international tournaments. These events offer the opportunity to compete against top players from around the world and can be a significant milestone in a player's development.

8. Live Chess Pages and Streams:

• Chess24 Live: Chess24 offers live coverage of top chess events, including commentary, analysis, and live games. It's a great way for beginners to follow and learn from professional games in real-time.
• Lichess TV: Lichess TV provides a live feed of games being played on the platform, allowing beginners to watch and learn from ongoing games at various skill levels.
• ChessBase Live: ChessBase Live features live coverage of major chess events and tournaments, with expert commentary and analysis to help beginners understand the games.

Embarking on the journey of learning chess can be both exciting and rewarding. By utilizing the resources mentioned above, beginners can develop a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to advance in their chess journey. Whether it's through online platforms, books, mobile apps, YouTube channels, podcasts, local clubs, tournaments, or live chess pages and streams, there are plenty of resources available to help beginners improve their game and enjoy the timeless art of chess.

VentureBoard is designed to bring chess to rugged conditions, with unpredictable interruptions and events. Probably no setting better puts this to the test than the US Army.

Staff Sergeant Christian Giraldo discovered VentureBoard in early 2023 and immediately saw a way to catch a quick game in any setting, a game he could roll up in an instant when necessity demanded.

“I love that I can take my games on the go and pause them at a moment’s notice; it’s especially convenient when I’m conducting field operations and have to abruptly halt a game to resume at a later time”

SSG Giraldo finds that the world’s oldest game of conquest even helps his decision-making in the field. “I usually use my VentureBoard during down time while conducting military operations to keep my mind sharp and actively engaged in strategy.”

VentureBoard’s ability to keep the game saved for hours is especially handy when you don’t know when your next break is. “I started a game and had to pause it, so I rolled it up. But I surprised my opponent when, hours later, I unrolled it to continue; he didn’t know it kept the game in place, and was a little upset since I’d been winning”

SSG Giraldo also loves to travel and hike, and enjoys bringing his VentureBoard in these more relaxed settings too. 

VentureBoard is an ultra-portable magnetic chess set that rolls up to the size of a small water bottle and saves your game at any point. More information on our main page.

Just 12 months after that first meeting, we are thrilled to have combined carefully tested design enhancements, and durability additions to culminate in what we believe is probably the world’s best travel chess board. We have completed most tooling at this point and have only final modifications to make to our moulds. Your funding will help us finish tooling and scale production so that chess (and soon other board games) can be more adventure-ready than ever.

Lewis would go on to spend another year testing different designs and drawing schematics, until he eventually found his way to a Seattle brewery known for board games. One afternoon while hunting for real-world feedback, Lewis ran into Kirk, a tech entrepreneur and fellow chess lover.

They hit it off, and were soon collaborating to make strategic improvements in VentureBoard’s structure and function. Kirk contributed his decade of experience bringing new products to market, and they began creating the ultimate chess board, one that could withstand their demanding and travel-filled lives.

VentureBoard cofounder Lewis Kerwin grew up loving the outdoors and spending as much time as possible roaming around the creeks and hills outside his childhood home in rural Oregon. At the same time, he enjoyed the simplicity and elegance of chess, which his father taught him at a young age.

Lewis’ love for games continued into adulthood. He  would often bring folding games on trips or devise makeshift board games at campsites. However, as he got more into chess he became increasingly frustrated with the difficulties in bringing this passtime on the go.

In 2020, on a long road-trip through Oregon, Lewis was playing chess and go with friends in the car but kept losing the game when the board was passed or the car hit a bump. Frustrated, he looked for a better portable game board online. When he found none, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He sketched up a blueprint for a new type of game board he thought could work for chess, go and other board games.

The sketch turned into a schematic, which turned into a makeshift prototype and Ventureboard was born.