Can anyone give me advice on how to better play chess. I suck at strategy simply because in theory I know what it means but practically cannot formulate one. I keep getting beat and it is extremely frustrating. Whatever part of the brain you use to play chess is probably way underdeveloped and I need some help on developing it. Any advice is welcome. I feel as though I'm in a constant battle with Chess and everytime it's insulting my intelligence!

Well I think you need practise but if that is not it then you just need to be patient don't be afraid to take forever.

pyromanik78 wrote:

  ...id get all the pieces and be chasing people around the board to no avail.  so so frustrating... 

 

ps....im still rotten though!!!!!!

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I often do the same thing.....I had my boyfriend the other night chasing him all over the board until I caused a stalemate....aarrrgghhh! He told me I sucked because I couldn't checkmate him....

Can you give us an example of a game where you went wrong so we can see exactly what you need to improve on?

Feldmm1 wrote: Can you give us an example of a game where you went wrong so we can see exactly what you need to improve on?

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Here are the "coordinates" or whatever they are called, for my last game;

1. Nf3 e6 2. c3 Qf6 3. Na3 b6 4. b4 Bb7 5. d4 c5 6. g4 cxb4 7. Nc4 bxc3 8. Bh3 Na6 9. O-O Rc8 { That was stupid  }  10. Nd6+ Bxd6 11. a4 Nb4 12. Ra3 Nc2 { Another stupid oversight  }  13. Qxc2 Bxa3 14. Bxa3 Bxf3 15. Bd6 { Now here's the dumbest of them all....and to think I didn't see it coming. geez  }  15... Bd5 { Do we even have to guess what's next?...  }  16. Qb2 cxb2 17. Rb1 Rc1+ 18. Rxc1 { Dummy  }  18... bxc1=Q+ 19. Bf1 Qfh6 20. e4 Bxe4 21. Be7 Qh3 22. f3 Qcxf1# { Put out of my misery  }0-1

This is also posted as a game in the forums under "Extremely Frustrated."

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO SPOT WEAK SQUARS HAS ANYWUN GOT ANYTIPS ???  

logic chess is a good book to give you an overall game stratagy, pick a few games you like and memorize them.

 

Weak squares are those squares which are not protected by pieces or pawns in your land that your opponent take over 

i am also awful at chess.  it is very demoralizing.  thank god i'm good in bed, otherwise i would feel truly inadequate.

Try to convert your mating attacks into winning endgames and it migth be more easy to mate. It is very important to know how to mate with king and queen and king and rook.

mvh Fredrik 

I say PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE 

I think I looked at the game on your other thread, but I had to go for 2 days and I am too lazy to go back and see it. I will play a game or two with you if you want and then I can give you some tips.

On the other hand, I just looked at your rating, so you might be better than me. :)

Feldmm1 wrote: On the other hand, I just looked at your rating, so you might be better than me. :)

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Thanks....but I doubt it. I will challenge you to a game.

A few strategic things to do are:

1) Don't bring your Queen out right away.

3) Don't move your King Pawns out, or don't move the Pawns that are on the right of your King out.  You might want or have to castle Kingside and find that you don't have any protection because you moved your Pawns out that would have otherwise protected the King.

4) Memorize an Opening and use that one until you profect it. If you are playing black, one of the best Openings is the Sicilian Defense.  If you are white, the Roy Lopez is a good Opening. Just memorize a good Opening for offense and defense.

5) After moving into your Opening, after your opponent moves, take time to look and see if the piece that he/she moved can threaten any of your pieces.  Also go back and see where he/she moved their piece from and see if that location secretly opened up a spot for one of their other pieces to capture or threaten one of your pieces.

6) After you're into your Opening, before moving, check to see if any of your opponents pieces are unguarded and can be captured and attack that piece. That will cause your opponent to go on the defense and you will have the upper hand.

7) Play games that are at least 10 minutes or more in time.  As you are learning to play chess and learning strategy, you want to have time to think.

It is important to remember to ask yourself, why did he/she move their piece there and let me see where they moved the piece from to see if they opened up a place for another of their pieces to attack me.  Plus, before I move, let me see if they have any unguarded pieces so I can work toward attacking it and put them on the defense.

By taking time to do this and not moving right after they move, will save you a lot of captured pieces.  Some times we are so eager to move, we miss why they moved, and by the time we find out, we've lost a valuable piece.

Well, that's all I have for now.  Hope this helps!