Help me learn chess

May 6, 2010 5:10 PM

What Mac, Linux or Web based resources are there out there to help me learn chess?

I know what the pieces are called and how they move and how to win, but I know nothing about strategy, tactics or any of that, and I would like a program to help me learn.

It needs to run on Mac (or Linux) and be downloadable (or web-based) as getting hold of software where I am is tricky but paying is not out of the question.

posted by jontyjago to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (7 answers total)

I'm pretty sure the Chessmaster programs will run under WINE. From everything I've heard, the tutorials and challenges built into Chessmaster 11 are superb.
posted by deadmessenger at 5:23 PM on May 6, 2010

Best answer: Yahoo! Games has a surprisingly thorough chess strategy guide.
posted by mnemonic at 5:55 PM on May 6, 2010 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I like Predator at the Chessboard
posted by thewalledcity at 6:47 PM on May 6, 2010 [1 favorite]

Chess.com has a lot of resources.
posted by rockstar at 6:48 PM on May 6, 2010

I also highly recommend the book, "Chess in a Nutshell" by Fred Reinfeld. It's an excellent beginners' intro to chess strategy, and Reinfeld's chess books in general are highly regarded. It's reasonably available through used book outlets (Amazon etc.).
posted by mnemonic at 9:29 PM on May 6, 2010

http://64squar.es/ has lots of articles on strategy, opening moves, and live games.
posted by holloway at 9:48 PM on May 6, 2010

With Parallels, I'd totally go for Fritz & Chesster. It's geared toward teaching children but it certainly taught me how to play without being dumbed down.
posted by TauLepton at 2:54 PM on May 12, 2010