I learned how to play chess watching my friends playing. I guess that was when I was in high school in the late 50s or early 60s but I stopped playing the game because I was appearing in the movies, dancing and playing basketball. I just resume playing the game about more or less ten years ago.

Ray Duque III
New York City

an old primary school teacher taught me how to play when i was about 8 or so and he used to take away the king at first until i realised he was takng the proverbial, afterwards my dad taught me

I suppose you could say a kind gentleman called Osmosis taught me. He drip-fed me choice nuggets in my early teenage years, helped mostly by my best mate, his brother and father. They also turned me on to reading. I have a lot to thank them for and probably haven't done so sufficiently. Since then, I have learned as I went along, supplemented by the odd book here and there. WWW has also been an excellent source of learning.

Depends what is meant by being taught.   I was shown the moves by a school teacher while I was evacuated from London in 1940.   Then I showed them to my father when I returned to London.   He quickly became interested and beat me every time.   I lost interest in the game for over sixty years until several of my grandchildren recently asked me to show them the moves.   I then joined this site which has revived my interest, but can one consider that as being taught?   If so I am learning the hard way by losing.   I would like to know something about tactics etc.,   One is never too old to learn even at 82.

At first, books in chess taught me to learn to play this game. The match of masters on it have developed my skill to play the game. Also, watching and playing chess games have improved my skill to mate the opponent. As I recall, I am 13 yrs. old at that time when I learned to play chess. Sometimes, I don't like anymore to play it because I learned that some player got crazy. Why got crazy? Because chess is a tough game. Like crazy world?

At first, books in chess taught me to learn to play this game.  The match of masters on it have improved my skill to mate the opponent.  As I recall, I am 13 yrs. old at that time when I learned to play chess.
 
Sometimes, I don't like anymore to play it because I learned that some player got crazy.  Why got crazy?  Because chess is a tough game.  Like crazy world?

An old friend who was playing chess before me taught me the basic moves when I was around 11/12 and then it was a case of practice. It wasn't however until a few years ago where I met grand master jonathan rowson that my game has grown stronger.

Also from Aberdeen rowson played an exhibition match up here in his hometown and I kept him going for quite some time but inevitably lost. His tips and experience that he gave me on openings and defence was very helpfull and for some extra tips I look at his most memorable games over the years here http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=10949

Great player and very attacking which I enjoy