Find chess classes near me in Leeds

“Chess is everything: art, science, and sport.” -Anatoly Karpov

For a lot of people, young and old, chess is life. Without this competitive game of strategy enjoyed between two players, some individuals would view life as a bleak set of tasks without any worthwhile purpose. Are we being overdramatic? Not at all! Chess is one of the world’s most important games that has existed for decades and that has a following of extremely competitive players who practice hours per day against themselves, a computer, or another avid chess contestant. Not just an activity for elderly folks anymore, chess is being played by millions of young people in our modern era. Why? Well, it’s an intriguing game that requires complete concentration, flawless strategy, and the honed ability to try and perceive what your opponent will do next. Therefore, if you haven’t hopped on the band wagon yet, there is no need to worry since there’s still a lot of time to learn. And to make the learning process more enjoyable, there are tutors conducting online and in-person classes in Leeds and other major UK cities.

The Resurgence of Chess

Although, according to the estimates of historians, chess has existed since the 6th century, in the past few years there has been a resurgence of popularity in the game of chess. Why is that? Well, by observing social trends in the last year there are two reasons why the chess industry is booming. Such as? First and foremost, due to the unexpected popularity of a certain Netflix series known as The Queen’s Gambit, which has a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes by the way, viewers of all ages in the UK and abroad have decided that chess is cool and worth learning. Without being sexist in any way, it’s important to mention that before The Queen’s Gambit chess was primarily played by men; however, after Netflix watchers binged the series in record numbers, a lot of middle-aged and young women took an interest in learning chess. The fact that the main character overcomes all odds by playing chess and dominates in a world that was controlled by men, has inspired women to try new things. You could say that Anya Taylor-Joy, the actress who plays the main character in The Queen’s Gambit, is a modern-day feminist icon joining the likes of Joan of Arc and Princess Leia. Another interesting fact to support this point is that after the series was released, Chess.com reported millions of new users. Now, what about the second reason as to why chess is so popular now? Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our “normal” has shifted dramatically and to respect government regulations about social distancing, we are staying at home. Since we aren’t socializing with others as much as we used and are saving hours by not commuting to and from work, we have a lot more time on our hands to dedicate to personal development and skills. Therefore, that is the second reason as to why chess has become so popular. Instead of wasting their time watching TV and movies, a lot of individuals in the UK and abroad have focused their attention to learning new games and activities that can be played once quarantining due to COVID-19 is a thing of the past. Taking online chess lessons with professional tutors has been booming and we salute all those who have decided to learn more about chess instead of feeling defeated by circumstances that we cannot change.

Online or In-Person Chess Lessons: Which is Best?

Many might ask, how can a game like chess be learnt online and not in person? Very good question. It is important to state that during competitions that are held in-person or face-to-face tournaments with a friend, a physical chess board is used. However, since the development of computers, chess can be played online against the computer or a real person with a virtual board.  Both online and in-person chess classes have their pros and cons. For instance, virtual chess courses are great during for the uncertain times we are currently living in; in most cases, they are the only option! Through online chess classes you can continue to learn the basics with your instructor without having to leave the comfort of your own. Also, if you have an unpredictable schedule and cannot commit to a specific time and arrangement with your tutor, online classes allow you the flexibility to take lessons with chess instructors whenever you want. Are there any drawbacks to online lessons? Virtual chess lessons are not liked very much by individuals who prefer to learn games tangibly and with their instructor in the same room. Additionally, through online courses, elderly persons might have trouble connecting to the internet. However, to deal with the drawbacks of online lessons, there are face-to-face courses for interested students. In-person chess lessons might only be safe after the pandemic; nevertheless, they are great for individuals who feel more motivated by the guidance of an instructor in front of them and not through a screen. Also, face-to-face lessons can be completed at the residence of your tutor or a public area which gives you an excuse to leave the house. Face-to-face chess lessons are not perfect either and may not be favorable to those who live in small towns with no chess tutors around and would therefore have to travel lengthy distances for chess lessons. All in all, choosing between in-person or online chess lessons is a personal choice.

Chess Lessons on Superprof

With so many options available to learners, some might wonder where they can take chess lessons. Look no further than Superprof. With over 13 million tutors teaching more than 1000 academic disciplines, it comes as no surprise that Superprof is an industry leader in further learning skills and topics. Chess tutors on Superprof are highly qualified and experienced. Also, lessons on Superprof are affordable and the best part is that first lesson is 100% free of charge. For instance, in the Leeds area there are currently two chess tutors. Book your class today to learn more about chess!