Do You Know How To Play Chess?

[The Cleaning Crew 571]

 

Just last year, the students in my class oral communications class were instructed to come up with a speech which taught everybody something new. Somebody decided to do their speech on chess. It wasn't well done, but I knew the rules. I'd known them since the second grade, and thought it was something that everybody just learned how to play at some point while they were growing up. Imagine my surprise when the guy sitting next to me leaned toward a nearby friend and shared a giggle with him, whispering, "Yeah, I totally know how to play chess now." 

 

Naturally, I wanted him to clarify on this statement. I asked him if he knew how to play chess. He replied, "No, dude. I don't sit at my table wearing a monocle and play chess all day. I go outside and play football and stuff." At this point I was thinking, well, he is an "ultra-manly" jock after all. He probably just thought it was too weird to learn. However, I decided to ask a few more of my classmates if they knew how to play chess, just to make sure it was a fluke. 

 

None of them knew how. One didn't even know how to play checkers.

 

Every once in a while, I'll ask someone new. So far, more than 90% of the people I've asked have no idea how the game is played. I'd like to see if that number holds true for the LotC community. So, it is a simple question:

 

Do you know how to play chess?

 

[cruzazul 2815]

I may very well be the worst chess player of all time. 

[SkyyoBee 249]

Yes, I learnt when I was 7 or 8 years old, I liked the competition aspect so I taught a couple of my friends how to play, never seriously, though. We used to have a chess board (mainly for decoration) so I would use that sometimes.

[The Cleaning Crew 571]

I may very well be the worst chess player of all time. 

 

 

But do you know how to play? 

[cruzazul 2815]

But do you know how to play? 

Somewhat, I know the general idea. Never really had much interest in going in depth with the rules and regulations one needs to know to actually be decent at the game.

[Raptorious 1899]

I know how to play chess but Im not good at it. I havent got the mentality to think 3 steps ahead. I dont even know what that means! But yeah. I can play it. But I suck.

[The Cleaning Crew 571]

"Strategies" taken out of the 'yes' option. I'm more interested in whether or not you know the rules.

[-The Doctor- 65]

I know how. I'm always disappointed when my friends don't know how to... One even had a chess board, even though he didn't know how to play. And chess clubs seem to be fewer in number now. :I

[leave me alone 995]

I know how to play and I think LOTC should have a online Chess Tournament.

 

Lewl.

[The Cleaning Crew 571]

I know how to play and I think LOTC should have a online Chess Tournament.

 

Lewl.

I realize that this was probably a joke but...

...I am oddly intrigued by the idea.

[leave me alone 995]

I realize that this was probably a joke but...

...I am oddly intrigued by the idea.

 

Was not a joke. I am serious.

[everblue2er101 906]

I know how. From age 10-15ish I played it with family, friends, schoolmates, teachers. Was fairly good, top five in the school club. Lost interest in high school and started playing Scrabble instead. I'm not much good anymore but know the rules, some standard moves and strategies.

[Praetor 1550]

I learned to play when I was 6 and I still play occasionally with a friend or with my dad.

[w1llll 68]

I know the rules of chess, but I am awful at it.

[Amorphbutt 199]

I do.