Korean Job Discussion Forums

michaelm · Joined: 23 Apr 2007

I am thinking of moving to Korea for a year to teach English, but I'm an avid chess player and want to make sure I can get my chess fix while I'm there. I checked online and found two chess clubs: one is the Bongcheon Chess Club
in Seoul and the other is the Ilsan Chess Clubin in Goyang. Does anyone know if there are strong players at either club and if the clubs have many members? Thanks so much in advance for any info!

excitinghead · Joined: 18 Jul 2005

Unfortunately chess isn't popular here, because Korea is to "Go", or "Baduk" as its called here, as Russia is to chess. There's not too much interest in other board games when you're the best in the world at one of them!

I heard about Bongcheon Chess club from a friend on the Chessbase server, he said they weren't very good, but that was over a year ago. That's all I know sorry, so by all means still give either club a go.

I'm also an avid player, my rating was 2100 when I used to play over the board 7 years ago, so if you're ever interested in playing over the internet via Chessbase or somehow, give me a buzz.

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

A little off topic, but I've been trying to learn Chinese Chess. It seems more complex then regular chess (which I've always been terrible at) so I'm not sure why I think I'd be any better at it.

I've asked the English coordinator at my school to buy an inexpensive chess set as some of the students do know how to play.

Homer · Guest

I have been playing Korean chess (changi) in Busan for a few years now.

I learned by going to the nearby park where all the old Korean guys hang out and playing chess with them. I go every sunday and play a few games. These guys are a wealth of information, stories and experience....not a chess club per se but it works for me.

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

I've seen some some instructions on the internet about Korean chess. It's suppose to be quite similar to Chinese Chess.

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 3:52 am Post subject:

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Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

VI,

Oh god...you'd have to teach me some strategy first. I can be beaten in a few moves...I'm THAT bad.

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 4:05 am Post subject:

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ChopChaeJoe · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Location: Seoul

Man, I love playing chess, but boy am I terrible. I teach someone to play and they beat me 2 out of three games. People have told me that there is this thing called strategy. i can't find it.

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

Chopchae,

Don't feel bad, I've got the same problem. I know how to move the pieces, but have never learned how the strategy works in the game.

I can sit down play one of the kids at school and win, but that's not saying much for my chess playing abilities.

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 6:40 am Post subject:

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michaelm · Joined: 23 Apr 2007

Thanks everyone for the information on Chess in Korea! Excitinghead, I didn't realize Go was so popular in Korea. By ChessBase do you mean Playchess.com? I have Fritz 9 and I've played there before, but my year free subscription ran up, so now I've been playing on ICC. My OTB ELO is about 1700, but I'm probably stronger than that as I haven't played in tournaments for a while and I've been studying a fair amount. Currently, I'm reading Mark Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual. It's honestly the best chess book I've ever read, but it's incredibly dense and it's taking me forever to get through it. After I finish it, I plan to read more of his books as he has an incredible ability to explain concepts in a clear and concise way. My goal is to get to a USCF expert rating--if I can accomplish this someday I will be ecstatic. Do you ever play on ICC Excitinghead? Would you be up for some blitz at a coffee shop when I come to Korea?

excitinghead · Joined: 18 Jul 2005

Jeez, am I late in replying sorry. Are you in Korea by now michealm?

I did mean playchess.com. I'm still on my year's subscription from buying Fritz9 so I'll stick with it for the time being, but I checked ICC a while ago and it looks like you have to pay for that too, so to be honest I don't really see the point of switching for now. But I might consider it if we can arrange some regular games, on Sundays or something.