udey blog | Open New Blog

Why would anyone choose to play:

1. in a group that spans the entire globe
2. with players new and old with skills as diverse as their cultural background
3. at a place where someone somewhere is available for a game when you want to play
4. with the ease of tracking all games, noting down everyones moves and basically all your detailing concerns done automatically
5. a platform to seek out learning and credit - unlike a fame available at your plastic chessboard set

Why indeed not make good use of an online resource for playing chess ?

How many of you have friends interested in playing a game of chess regularly with the skills to match yours?

Would you be as serious a player, playing with your neighbour or the nosy kid across the street?

Me here in Bombay, India, really know of none such environment for playing chess. No open social clubs where they would let you play without the need to be enrolled in some National Association and pay annual fees essentially to play against people who are not seeking a game for leisure.

I would like to indulge this hobby when I choose to, when my time permits and not when some club has its visiting hours or when some acquaintance has the time to kill.

Is it a wonder then that Internet is the only place for me to satisfy the urge to feed this hobby ?

And the thrill of it all, seeing unknown faces and then coming up a few days later to recognise them and their strengths (and weaknesses). To boldly play without inhibition or intimidation - paper tigers all - losses or wins credited mean no social embarrassment. Not that I am frivolous at my game, but it is good to know that there is a crowd of talented people and they don't know my talent (or lack thereof).

Yes, internet is such a thing that opens doors for nerds and their eccentric pleasures. The thrill of logging in to find people waiting, seeking a game. A random pick and you are off on a new adventure, never knowing how it will twist and turn.

But there are serious efforts to be recognised. A whole history of moves to analyse. Just let the website do it for you, track your games and tell you what you did. It is the best gift of technology to an ancient game of strategy.

Where else could I go on a lonely afternoon or a sleepless night past 0200 ?

Thank You and hope to flirt your Queen, razzle your horses, and chide your Noblemen; all in good time available 24x7.

Best Wishes,

Ujjwal Dey

Bomb-aye, INDIA.