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Chess Basics for Beginners 1. Opening Principles Control the center: Try to put your pieces in the middle of the board because they control more space and have more options to move. Develop pieces: Move your pieces out so they can help you. Pieces in the starting position can't really do much. Castle early**: Put your king in a safe spot by moving it next to its rook. This way, it's protected by its own pawns and pieces. 2. Piece Value Different pieces are worth different amounts. Queens are worth 9 points, rooks are worth 5 points, bishops and knights are worth 3 points, and pawns are worth 1 point. 3. Tactical Patterns- Forks: When one piece attacks two enemy pieces at the same time, so your opponent can only save one.- Pins: When one of your pieces attacks an enemy piece that's protecting a more valuable piece behind it, so it can't move.- Double Attacks: When one move creates two threats, like attacking two pieces at once. 4. Checkmate Patterns- Look for ways to trap the enemy king so it can't escape. For example, sometimes you can use your pieces to block its escape, or you can use your queen or rook to checkmate it on the back rank. 5. Pawn Structure- Pawn Chains: When your pawns protect each other in a line, making them stronger.- Pawn Islands: When your pawns are separated, it's like they're on different islands. Fewer islands are usually better.- Pawn Breaks: Sometimes it's good to push your pawns forward to break up the enemy's pawns and create weaknesses. 6. Endgame Fundamentals- In the end of the game, you need to use your king to help your other pieces. It's like bringing in the boss to help out when there are fewer workers.- Sometimes you can use your king and queen or king and rook together to checkmate the enemy king when there are fewer pieces left on the board. 7. Strategy- Controlling key squares: Try to put your pieces on squares that are important because they control a lot of other squares.-Piece Coordination: Make sure your pieces work well together and help each other out.- Staying active: Don't just sit back and wait. Try to make moves that improve your position and put pressure on your opponent. 8. Practice- Keep playing games to get better. The more you play, the more you'll learn.- After each game, look back and see what you did well and what you could have done better. This helps you improve.- Solve puzzles to sharpen your skills. It's like doing exercises to get stronger. 9. Patience and Persistence- Don't get frustrated if you don't win every game. Improvement takes time and practice.- Keep playing, keep learning, and most importantly, keep having fun! That's how you'll get better at chess.

If you're in your 1200s, queens getting out in the early game is very common. According to chess principles, getting queens in the early game isn't a good thing and can lead to losses. But most people in the 1200 level lose because their opponent gets their queen out in the early game. Ready to know how to defend against it? Watch this video by FM @michechess89! How To REFUTE Early Queen Attacks (And Destroy Scholar's Mate) | Chess Lessons For Beginners (youtube.com)