Opening Tips For Beginners

These are important ideas to consider during the opening. This information is taken from, "Logical Chess Move by Move" by Irving Chernev.

A chess player should:

•Get their pieces out fast

•Move each piece only once during the opening

•Develop with a view to control the center

•Move pawns that facilitate the development of pieces

•Move pieces, not pawns

Trying not to snatch at pawns while developing is another good one.

As is "castle early and often"

Plus the idea that the first person who gets his rooks connected 'wins' the opening (I think this is a Seirawan-ism)

Also, not deveoping the Queen too early as she can be kicked around with a potentially huge loss of time! Its also not always obvious where the queen will be required until some trades have taken place and some lines have been opened.

I have been told to castle early but not to early. What do you think is to early?

1) Play soundly from the start of the game if your opponent sticks to general principles do likewise don't be the first to violate the rules

2) Whenever possible make a good developing move which threatens something

3) Do not bring your Queen out too early!

4) One or two Pawns in the Opening no more

5) In the Opening don't exchange without a good reason why

6) Don't sacrifice a very clear reason why

7) Castle as soon as possible preferably on the Kingside delaying it too long is ill advised keeping your King in the centre every game (intentionally not castling) is giving your opponents a map where to attack you from the start of the game and checkmate you if your stubborn they'll make you pay for that

8) Every move counts in the Opening any move that does not help accelerate your development or wastes time is to be avoided.

9) Don't block the path of development for your pieces

10) Think hard whenever moving a pawn because they move forward never back if you move them without care or sprinkle them around in an uncoordinated way they can create exploitable holes and weakness's that can cost you the game fast the stronger player will rip open your pawns structure like a can opener to get the King.