Look for the Enemy Guard

There is one clear and quite a lovely thing to say about Chess.com: If a person ever got bored here, then I fear there is no hope for them and the state of their mental activity!

 Just the amount of reading, the interaction with other players, and for me most of all is how I see my inner Chess person wax and wane like a full, quarter to a New moon. In other words, I have been learning a lot about myself given various and sundry situations….but most of that is for later. 

These are just beginner tips I learned that have really turned my game around. I was reading that from the onset of your first move (1) it's always a great idea (a must!) to look at the piece that is supporting and/or guarding your opponents attacking piece.

Example: Say your opponent opens with a standard 'Queen's Opening' (d2-d4; you respond d7-d5) get ready:

In reference to supporting or guarding our pieces is the most likely move: Opponent moves Ng1-f3; this is where this lesson I read begins: 

One should be looking immediately at (1) Ng1-f3; why? This is the supporting piece that is guarding your pawn at d4. Just as in any battle or war, if we get to the supporting pieces first, we virtually cut off the legs of our opponents or enemy. Therefore, d4 is now protected by: Nf3 who is guarded by Qd1 and Pg2. 

Another great idea about looking not only at the attacker but also its supporting guard is that this helps to see the formation, thrust, and plans of your opponent.

In finale, the source material I was reading espoused this ideal:

On the next move of e2-e4 (King's Pawn) the newly promoted 'Private' has left the ranks and is virtually out and unprotected. I rather doubt this could ever happen but the chain of events could be catastrophic: d5xe4xf3xg2xh1 that is the Private at e4, Knight at f3, Pawn at g2, and Rook at h1!

Just remember that all of these pieces that were put at risk was by the move of the arrogant 'Private'; and although he moved without consideration the other's saw to it to have guards therefore, it makes the above scenario highly unlikely.