Why is chess stereotyped?

Why don’t people like to learn?

Because chess is not checkers, at their first attempt to learn chess, people are often confused with the immediate complexity of the game. Each piece moves in its own way, unlike checkers. The very first attempt at learning and understanding the rules is difficult. People who usually play any other simpler game cannot accept and they don’t want a game like chess because it looks complex. It will take anything between an hour or two to get familiar with the rules of chess. One has to take good care while teaching someone the rules of chess. Capturing pieces, the concept of promoting pawns, En Passant should be clearly understood.

“Chess is Mental Torture”- Garry Kasparov

After the rules have been learnt

It is an uphill task, there is no denying it. Any player would want to quit, it is the toughest stage in learning the game. People would have learnt by now, winning the game with “the four steps mate” or “the two steps mate”. One can aim at playing these preset moves with a complete beginner. Using the ideology with experienced players will not fetch a win. Many people try to win a match using these moves and get disappointed when they don’t work. People like to learn ‘tricks in chess’. Which I can say is a great way to start. Tricks can be fun, but as long as they work. Which in most cases don’t work against an experienced player. This is when people realize that Chess is something else, their notion of the game has suddenly changed. This is the turning point. Either one quits or one steps out of the box and starts thinking for self. Moving away from the ‘Preset moves’ ideology is very important.

Getting better at chess

After surviving the first few days of Chess learning..

One must not go and buy heavy chess theory, you are far from understanding the theory. It will only lead to mental indigestion and you quitting the game. It is often a nice idea to learn a few chess openings, practice with some one of your level or a senior. This will get you thinking better. You can witness a gradual progress in your game. It is the right time now to venture out and play some tournaments. You may not win, but you will learn. One should not be disappointed with their result. The competition is tough but interest and love for the game can take you places.

High IQ please?

Chess players boast about their high IQ. People hype a chess player’s IQ. You don’t require a high IQ to play, a little common sense will do. Chess is nothing but a fun filled game played with common sense rather than intelligence. Chess makes you intelligent. All the above facts and the way people tend to quit the game in early stages of their learning, adds to this stereotype that chess is for intelligent people. You must not shy away from pursuing the game. This stereotype will not find its way out any sooner, it needs challengers like you.