Been playing loads of chess the last month or so. Was an enthusiastic but shit player as a kid, didn't learn anything except the rules, then got bored of beating my half cut dad every weekend.

Played @phonics a few times recently while we were both off our tits, which sounds like the premise of an awful Vice podcast but was a good laugh and renewed my interest. Last few weeks all I've done extra is read BOBBY FISCHER TEACHES CHESS and watch a load of "TOP 10 WORST MISTAKES CHESS NOOBS MAKE" style youtube videos, and my ELO rating has skyrocketed. Mr Blue Skyrocketed, if you will.

I'm now on ~800, which is still like the chess equivalent of having a 50 golf handicap but chess.com tells me I've played a few games at nearly grandmaster standard, which is definitely not a way for them to cynically motivate me to pay for their premium package. Not a chance.

Any other players, lapsed or otherwise? plz play me xx