Try this, for starters:
https://www.theblitz.club/articles/Artic...ries/cid=6
You can also try the search function on the forum, for past discussions. It's not all that rare that an old discussion gets revived for further consideration.
Finally, you can ask your own questions here, now.
As for the activity level, it's summer in the northern hemisphere. That might have something to do with it's being quiet.
So, have you asked anyone for a game, yet? That's the single best way to learn. It may sound like a running gag, but it's really true. And it's more fun than playing the AI, guaranteed.
And the next time a tournament is started, just get on that ride. Not every player is a veteran, although some tourney masters pair people by their statistics. But either way, you'll learn the game and get a feel for your strengths and weaknesses.