Since the Queen's Gambit show was released last year, I, and many other people it seems, have been on a bit of a chess train.

When I was little, I played a lot - I really enjoyed the game, and I ended up quitting when I was roughly 12-13, at about 1600 rating. It's been a long time since I really seriously started playing again, but I'm happy to say that I have! If you're interested at all in the game, whether it be learning how to play, or reading about the latest chess drama in the tournaments, or simply are curious to what this is all about, I'm going to link a few youtubers who have really popularized the game, and who I personally enjoy watching.

GothamChess

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqmv_sYo9MA

Levy Rozman, aka GothamChess, just recently hit 1 million subscribers on youtube. He's a fantastic personality from NYC, and an international master who does reports on games done all over the world, along with videos on tactics and strategies, and recaps of the major chess tournaments and events. Highly enjoyable to watch.

.

GMHikaru

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAtG585KUyY

Hikaru Nakamura, the grandmaster. He's one of the best players in the world, and arguably the best low time control player to have ever entered the chess scene. Regularly contends against Magnus Carlsen, leading champion, and overall very fun to watch. Lots of very dry humor, and honestly, seeing his analysis makes my head spin. He thinks nearly 40 moves ahead sometimes, and it shows.

.

Eric Rosen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BavcKHsyhtE International master Eric Rosen is a very strong player himself, and also very comedic and educational. His games really delve into more unique, underplayed lines, and his Stafford Gambit lines and traps rival that of a grandmaster. His videos are very informative, and they try to help players of all experience levels.

.

Most people play on the websites chess.com or lichess.org, which are both excellent resources to play against live opponents, and offer other resources such as analysis engines and studies. I mainly play on chess.com, and go by helsinki1673 - feel free to send me a friend request and we can play! I'm currently rated 1348, as of writing this (a far ways away from where I was as a 13 y/o D:) but I play daily, and am signed up for a tournament for over-the-board, in person chess later this month.

Overall, I'm glad that chess has made a comeback - it promotes critical thinking, and with streamers becoming more and more popular playing it, I'm excited to see how it changes and progresses. There's a lot of fun to be had, and good challenges with it.

.

~Hope to play with some of you soon,

Helsinki