Never tried picking up a girl with chess, but might have to give it a try some time...
All in the delivery mate, all in the delivery. I hated 'chat-up lines' with a passion, but occassionally brought out a chess introduction. More for my own ammusement really. For another thread maybe
So Carlsen walked out of his presser after the game the other day - been universally panned for it. Tonights game will be more than intruiging. Looking forward to it.
I remember reading an article years ago about that moment when a son or daughter beats his father at chess for the first time - and that basically, the child is ready to flee the nest after that. The shift in emphasis changes. Can't remember who wrote it, but was a lovely story about a chess loving father and his kids. Mine are too young right now, but I remember when my wife first beat me, and I wanted her to flee too.
Never really played much as a youngster - i got interested in it when i was 16 but the chess club was a bit geeky for me back then. Was only when I left school that I started getting more and more interested in it. For a while I got slightly obsessed, going through games in the papers everyday, solving the puzzles, buying books, reading about it in libraries, buying a chess computer. And I spent hours learning lines... but I'm not sure if I ever really learned anything worthwhile. For about 8 years I must have played about 10 blitz games a day on the old chessclub site... 10 mins each side, and that probably ruined me. It's not a good way to learn about chess, but great fun. Lots of internet abuse from opponents. But held my own against an Israeli IM which I'm quite proud of - failed to see a really obvious mating opportunity in the deciding game which still irritates me 15 years later. Draw.
Am giving some thoughts to teaching 6-8 year olds the game at my sons school. About my level sadly. If the curriculum was up to me it would be taught in all schools at that age.