How does one get started in Competitive Chess?

Question

All I know about chess is I love to play it, and would like to improve and start competing in tournaments or some sort of competition.

Are there organizing bodies; a ranking system?

Where do I go to learn more strategies, ect?

I'm in the Pittsburgh area.

Answer 1

if u look online u can find one in your area...i'm not sure since i play thru my school...

for me...the best way to learn was to play...i got my butt kicked a bunch of times...but i learned from my mistakes...i studied my games to see wat went wrong and tried to not make the same mistake again...i also tried to play a lot of different people...that way i could face different styles of play and tactics...

try to develop your own style and strategy...if u learn thru a book and someone else has read it and knows how to recognize and attack that strategy u're toast...u're better off trying to figure out wat works for u and developing a style of play that compliments your mentality and level...

Answer 2

yes there is. it's called the united states chess federation, it's website is www.uschess.org it has lots of info

Answer 3

There are several chess clubs in the area - Squirrel Hill, Monroeville, Mt. Lebanon.   There are also clubs at Pitt and CMU.

If you're in the burbs, Murrysville, Vandergrift, Washington and Peters Twp. might work better for you.  You may even join a couple, since you can find games different nights.  You're sure to find someone of an equal skill level, and you can continue to play better opponents to improve your own game.

Answer 4

Official tournaments in the United States are run by the US Chess Federation. Their web site is uschess.org, and it includes links for "clubs" and "tournaments", both of which are listed by state.

I'd recommend finding a club and showing up to play a couple of casual games against people before diving into tournament play. Don't be afraid to play in tournaments, though. You'll probably lose most of your games at first, but playing is the only way to improve.