Development - Rookie

~ "Random Note" is a new feature to my blogs as I can't cover all interesting facts in blogs. ~

Random Note *NEW!*: [My Chess.Com rating has never been over 1350. I lose most of my games. But yet I am not a "beginner"!]

Development

• Even grandmasters occassionally forget this simple, and important, principle and often pay the price
• It is generally considered better to develop your Knights before Bishops. This is because Bishops are long-range pieces and it's ofetn unclear where the best place is for it to be until a few moves have been played
• The Queen is best left at home in the early stages of the game, else she get surrounded and lost! Like the Queen, Rooks are considered to be major pieces but they start the game tucked away in the corners. It is therfore a good idea to castle early so that they can take part in the coming battle where necessary
• Here is an example where Black, after 18 moves, still hasn't moved his rooks or white-squared bishop and has payed the full price

*EXTRA!* Not making blunders and taking advantage of your opponent's blunders

• Always think of what your opponent is going to reply. Think of all the checks and captures and then you shouldn't be worried
• When you see an "obvious" blunder, think what is behind it? If you take it, will another piece be taken because you took that piece? Is there a plan to trap that piece? Is that piece the sole defender of a checkmate? If you find nothing, check again and only then you should make your move (unless it's Blitz or Bullet chess, where you still should make a quick check)
• Look carefully. I seldom don't make mistakes because I'm not careful.
• What do we mean by blunders? Comment!

Comment your feedback!

For more specific and advanced topics visit my Profile and look at my content!

Future blogs:

Endgames - Beginner ~ To be posted by January 30 2010

Checkmates - Beginner ~ To be posted by February 12 2010