Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: Learning chess via audio ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: Learning chess via audio
Category: Sports and Recreation > Games
Asked by: jpbischke-ga
List Price: $5.00
Posted: 17 Oct 2003 11:23 PDT
Expires: 16 Nov 2003 10:23 PST
Question ID: 267274
Hey all.  I would like to learn more about the game of chess.  From
what I've gathered so far it is incredibly complex and there are a lot
of materials out there to learn from.  However, I'm also very busy and
don't have a lot of time to read.  I do have a lot of "car time"
though and I'm wondering if there are any audio materials out there
that can help me learn the game of chess.  I tried Amazon and all I
could come up with was the "Searching for Bobby Fischer" audiobook.

I'm looking for at least three audio sources to learn chess from. 
Perhaps audiobooks or maybe some type of audiotapes that may exist. 
If you find any additional sources I'll reflect my gratitude in my
tip.  Thanks!

Clarification of Question by jpbischke-ga on 17 Oct 2003 12:13 PDT
Just wanted to make a couple of comments:

1.  I realize (after doing some looking around on the Web) that there
are some real audio lessons available.  These look like an effective
way to learn but unfortunately they won't help me much when I'm in my
car so I guess these aren't really what I'm looking for.

2.  I'm not even sure that learning chess in this way is an effective
way to do it.  I'm fairly new to the game but I'm experimenting with
audio learning in a number of capacities and figured that this would
be a great way to explore this particular area.
Answer  
Subject: Re: Learning chess via audio
Answered By: byrd-ga on 17 Oct 2003 14:24 PDT
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hi Jpbischke,

I think you are in luck.  There *are* some sources for obtaining audio
tapes to help you learn to play Chess, though bear in mind that since
it’s a visual as well as mental game, you’re probably going to need to
put your instructions into practice on an actual or virtual chessboard
fairly soon after listening to the lesson(s) if you want the material
to stick!  Maybe you could get one of those magnetic boards you could
keep in your car. :-) However, that said, here are the resources I was
able to run down for you:

By far the best seems to be “Audio Chess,” a company that has been
around for 25 years and specializes in exactly what you’re looking
for, i.e. audiotapes that teach people how to play chess.  As they
explain, their prices are listed in British pounds, but when you go to
pay for your purchase, you can choose $USD or Euros as well.  Here’s
their homepage: http://www.audiochess.com/index.html?audiochess3.htm&1
.  If you hover your mouse along the top menu bar where it says “chess
books,” “cassettes,” “tournaments,” etc. you’ll see a drop-down menu
for each.  Click on the one under “cassettes” that says “Beginners”
and you’ll get a nice selection of tapes that are also quite
reasonably priced.

Then there is “Listening In,” a series of audio tutorials produced by
“Criss Cross Technologies” based in New York.  You can order
individual tutorials for $15 each, and there is one that includes
learning to play chess.  These tutorials are designed for teaching
people to use Windows-based talking computers, so I imagine this
tutorial would be targeted to online chess games, but the moves are
going to be the same no matter what the medium.  Check them out here:
http://www.crisscrosstech.com/listenin.html  and scroll down to find
Listening In Volume 3, Number 4, July - August 2001.

“Creative Chess Thought Audio” is part of an entire multimedia CD
series of chess lessons for the intermediate player.  Although the
course is multimedia, the description of the “CCTA” cd says you get
several hours of spoken instruction and it is used in conjunction with
additional software that you apparently use to perform the moves. 
Therefore, it would seem as though the CD could be used either alone
or in conjunction with the associated software.  Have a look at it
here: http://www.creativechess.com/Products/CCTA/ccta.htm

“Chesswise” features, among other tutorial offerings, over 20 hours of
audio lectures by two chess grandmasters.  Problem is, it’s in
RealAudio format, which you can’t play on a tape or cd player.  If,
however, you have or can get access to a laptop multimedia computer,
this might be worthwhile: http://www.chesswise.com/

Not much description on this one, but here’s an audio cassette with
chess lessons for beginners:
http://amail.co.uk/cgi-bin/e-buy.pl?domain=tcs-chess.co.uk&action=add&p=AU-LESS
 Main site: http://tcs-chess.co.uk/

The Talking Chess Trainer might be a little hard to use in the car,
but then if you have a fairly flat place to lay it near you, could
work too.  Worth looking at: http://www.log2shop.com/sametachtrct.html

And just to round things out, here are some links to sites with lists
of general chess instruction of various kinds, including multimedia,
software, video, books, and online instruction.  One final thought –
there are a lot of videos available.  Perhaps it might be worth your
while to select one or two that looked especially good, and then
record the audio track onto tape or CD to carry with you, leaving the
video for reference at home at another time.

With that in mind, here is one I would certainly get if I were
interested in learning chess:

How to Play Chess.  Your Host: Orson Welles.
http://members.tripod.com/~SWAN566/chess.html

And the rest: 
-- http://www.testyourchess.com/cgi-bin/(55jxt345iwfcfq55jw5c3lz4)/TYCHome.aspx?G=JRUW201THU5QG
-- http://www.instantchess.com/store 
-- http://www.chess.co.uk/videos2003.html
-- http://www.chesscenter.com/coaching.html
-- https://www.dvdvideoplanet.com/product_info.php?products_id=4047
-- http://www.chesszoom.com/soft.htm 

Hope this information helps you find what you’re looking for.  Please
let me know if anything needs clarifying or further explanation.  Good
luck and have fun!

Cheers,
Byrd


Search terms used:

audio “how to play chess” OR “learn chess” OR “chess instruction”
“learn chess” audio tape OR cd
chess instruction audiobook OR “audio book” OR “audio cassette” OR
“audio tape” OR CD
chess “visually impaired” OR blind

Clarification of Answer by byrd-ga on 17 Oct 2003 14:26 PDT
Hi,

I just posted my answer and only then saw your clarification.  I guess
you found the same series of audio lessons I did.  Sorry I didn't see
that you now feel they won't help you.  However, I'm hoping that some
of the other resources I provided you might.  I still think that if
you perhaps carry along a portable chessboard with you as you drive,
it might be a viable way to learn.  Let me know if there's any further
clarification you have or I can provide you.

Best wishes,
Byrd
jpbischke-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars and gave an additional tip of: $2.00
Perfect answer.  Exactly what I was looking for!

Comments  
Subject: Re: Learning chess via audio
From: byrd-ga on 18 Oct 2003 05:44 PDT
 
Hello jpbischke,

Thank you so much for the five-star rating and most generous tip.  I'm
very glad you were pleased, and wish you all success in your learning
adventure!

Best regards,
Byrd

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy