I'm a decent chess player on a casual basis, but I know very little of
strategy besides what my common sense and experience dictate.

I think I have the mind for chess, and with the right education and
motivation I could excel at it--how can I learn to become a better player?
Can anyone recommend books, software program, self-teaching courses, etc.
that can deepen my sense of strategy and understanding of the game? Also,
any respectable sites to play online with people of different levels so I
can hone my skills vs. various strategies?

At this point I don't have the time or money to get seriously involved with
a mentor or any formal organization--I would like to do this as a
hobbyist/enthusiast, on my own time.

Thanks,
chris.

My advice is to get out now, before this soul sucking waste-of-time
game ruins your social life, grades, sense of self worth and makes you
want to just find the nearest fragile object and yell "Hulk Smash!" at
the top of your lungs... sorry I just lost a frustrating game to
someone 200 points below me. I would suggest "How to reassess your
chess" from Silman and go from there.

Get some good puzzle/tactics books the '1001 brilliant ways to
checkmate' and '1001 brilliant sacrifices and combinations' by the
great Fred reinfeld are both superb for developing tactics - somthing
which wins the majority of games for us sub 1800 peasants ...also join
www.letsplaychess.com my fave chess site


jonnywildboar



elvish lives.