15 Unheard chess tips that will skyrocket your elo

Chess is a game where it is all about self-improvement, but one thing to understand is that if you take a grasp of the basic chess principles, you will skyrocket your elo. In this blog post I will share 15 chess principles that everyone should master, as that will help them immensely in their Chess progress.

Now normally people in these types of blogs, videos, posts, or articles put the most mundane principles in, and that can be found anywhere. But I am going to share with you principles that you don't hear often, so we might miss out on some basic principles. Without further ado, lets jump in.

Tip #1 : Make Unsound Sacrifices in a losing position.

This might apply for high rated players, but if you are losing the game, you can sacrifice a piece and complicate the scenario. This might make the player think and they might blunder or waste time. Dont make blunders, but sacrifices that may be graded an inaccuracy.

Tip #2: Activate your king

This is something I try to include in my chess games, as most of the times when you castle and you are in an equal endgame with minor pieces and pawns or a solitary rook and a pawn its much better to get your king out of its hole and get into the action straightaway. Its much better that you wont have to struggle in the endgame.

Tip #3: Use your king pawns to attack the same side king

When both sides are castled on the same side and are in a drawish position, it is better for the kingside pawns to start attacking immediately (for example, h4, a5) so that you can pry open kingside files. 

Tip #4 : Look at different move orders for the same tactic

People will look at a certain line for a prolonged time and then realize it doesn't work, and then play a weak move. Look at different move orders and dont focus on just only one.

Tip #5: dont be afraid to trade into drawn endgames

Sometimes you might be afraid to trade into drawn endgames, but you shouldn't worry. The worst thing that can happen is a draw, but even in high level games, you might find brilliant tactics or the opponent might unfortunately blunder a piece or pawn and hand you the winning advantage.

Tip #6 One minute = One pawn

This is very prevalent in Rapid, if you have 4 minutes and them 3 minutes, you still have an advantage even if your opponent and you are equal. Dont simplify the position, the goal is not to flag him but to make him do outrageous blunders because of none other than time trouble.

Tip #7 Look at outrageous moves in simple situations

Sometimes your opponent has calculated lines that are fairly straightforward, but what they haven't calculated is the outside borderline moves, so do take a look at them when you do anything like that.

Tip #8 Pawns are worthless if you deal checkmate, So sacrifice them

If you can sacirifice a pawn to put one of the pieces on a strong square they might be great. If they work they are great, but if they dont, then you will have a losing endgame.

Tip #9 Remove the Kingside Defenders

When you remove a Kingside Fianchetto or a kingside knight its really good. Its very easy to attack a kingside when you have only pawns and not any pieces that are over there. That will be easier.

Tip #10: Know your limitations

Do you see a line that looks like it might be beneficial but might be complicated? Dont play it, know your limitations in your chess game.

Tip #11: Punish lazy moves

If your opponent plays lazy moves, punish them, they can be exploitable and its up to you to punish those moves.

Tip #12 Learn opposition in a time scramble

Use chess.com's endagme trainer on this. You will be surprise you much you will improve to get draws in time scrambles

Tip #13: Learn Rook Checkmates in time scrambles

Same thing, its very important to learn rook checkmates as they are very common in endgames, so learn this to better your endgames especially in time scrambles

Tip #14 Dont make lose moves

Don't leave loose pieces, because its very important to make a system on your board in which every piece is guarded by another piece. This is very important when you are making middlegame strategies.

Tip 15: Enjoy chess

When you play Chess with tension and stress, you will always lose and even winning will not have the desired effect. It is much better to play every game lightly, and be calm during games so that you can find tactics easier.

Thanks for tuning in to today's blog, and tune in next time for another blog!