Anyone wants to send me any advice, go right ahead. I love to play but I'm pretty useless! I'm over here in France, in the south - fabulous part of the world. Means I'll usually play you American guys when it's late in Europe. So - you're awake; I'm tired. Better for you...

"So - you're awake; I'm tired. Better for you..."

 

Exactly! We Americans are really smarter than we look.

 

Well, some of us...

 

 

Hey Cath...one of the great things about chess is that while the learning curve is steep, it's also continuous which means every game moves you along that learning curve.  So only advice I have - and I'm really only an "advanced beginner" is to play!  Since there is generally a fairly large time lag between moves, this site really allows you to think through your moves without the pressure of a live game...bon chance!

I just played through your game against HHCEO, and here's my advice:

 

1. Learn basic endgames... how to checkmate when ahead. I noticed you were not able to mate with King & Queen vs King.

The King and Queen Checkmate

The King and Rook Checkmate

 

2. Learn basic opening principles. You made a bunch of pawn moves when you should have been controlling the center and getting your knights and bishops into the game:

 Basic Opening Principles

 

3. Tactics - Stop hanging pieces! Every turn, ask (a) whether you can take any of your opponent's pieces or pawns and (b) whether your opponent can take any of your pieces or pawns. This takes practice, but will reap big dividends. After 12...Bxh1 you should have taken his queen. 15.Ne2 allowed him to take your knight. 50.Qe7 allows him to take your pawn. In games between stronger players, pieces are not easy to win.

These may sound basic, but they don't take much time, and really focusing on them will have a big impact on your game. I bet you will blow HHCEO out of the water the next time you play him if you follow these and he doesn't.  :)

If you can, get a copy of Chessmaster 10th Edition. It's an all in one piece of software that has a good basic training program built in, as well as rated and non rated play. It costs $20.00 USD. Other than that, follow the above advice and you'll enjoy the game. I am relearning chess after years away from the game, so in a sense, I'm a beginner to! Welcome!

Salut Cath, je t`envoie, ci dessus, un link trés sympa pour avoir plus d`idees, en espagnol mais..., à plus, JULIO: http://www.chess-poster.com/spanish/aperturas/aperturas.htm

ChickInCharge wrote: ...one of the great things about chess is that while the learning curve is steep, it's also continuous which means every game moves you along that learning curve.

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 Oh I don't know. I occasionally plateau, and every once in a while feel like I am moving backwards. At the beginning though, you learn very quickly. I think the trick is to be completely unassuming. That is why kids improve so quickly.

Keep going over your old games and see where you made mistakes and also what good moves you made.

Since I am so late posting to this topic I will be brief.

Advance Knights, Bishops and Castle to the protected side early.

I also try not to play to many games at once to avoid confusion.

When I want to study a game or prepare for a critical move I use a small magnetic board to see how moves change the game. (note all captures, moves and possibilities)

My best advice is : enjoy,have fun! but try improve at the same time,play someone more skillfully than you,one learn a lot from stronger players...