Oh yes! Do the puzzles.
They're helping me understand this crazy game a little better.
I May Not Be Winning Much ... But I'm Surviving Longer. Progress....
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Oct 9, 2020
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#2
Oct 9, 2020
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#3
That's awesome man! It is a good feeling to make progress. And as long as you are enjoying your games and learning from them, then you are good! Keep up the excellent work and keep us all posted.
Oct 13, 2020
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#4
I always thought chess was boring. What got me playing was my two grandsons (9 and 7).
Game #1: My youngest grandson beat me by flying all over the board with his Knight. I realized I'd better learn the game if I was going to have any fun with these kids.
Game #2: I barely beat my oldest grandson. But I won because he messed-up; not because I played brilliantly.
Games #6 - #10: After doing some studying, watching several videos on youtube, taking lessons on Chess.com ... I am gaining some better understanding.
*Somebody* on these forums posted, "Do not lose to your children on-purpose." But he suggested beginning games down some pieces to give the kids some help.... These were great tips.
Each boy beat me when I allowed them to begin with me down my Queen, two minor pieces and two pawns. (I got to choose the pawn breaks(!). THEY each wanted my King's and Queen's pawns! "No!")
But this gave them confidence and enthusiasm. Cool!
For subsequent games ... "No more Mr. Nice Guy." I told them they could have my Queen, ONE minor piece and two pawns.
They've each improved....
Now they play me pretty evenly when I tell them they can start with me down EITHER my Queen and two pawns, or 2 minor pieces and two pawns. (So far they keep demanding my Queen. They've never tried taking two minor pieces.)
We're having fun, learning this crazy game together!
Oct 13, 2020
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#5
That’s funny you posted a progress report same time as me! And in mine I stated how you ever see progress reports on here! I’ll have a healthy serving of irony please! Lol but congrats man it’s a great feeling isn’t it! Keep up the great work and add me. Maybe us novices can give each other a fun game or 2!
Oct 13, 2020
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#6
Ha! I lose to my 8 year old grandson regularly....but....I let him cheat.
Btw,I highly recommend watching the John Bartholomew "Climbing The Ratings Ladder" videos,on You-Tube.....Pretty much anything this guy puts out is superb and will help you!
Also,if you'd like a superb book,for your level(I was there not long ago and sometimes return...Ha) .....Read "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Chess".
It helped me greatly and is a superb and interesting book.....Really great!
Good luck Gramps.-
Oct 13, 2020
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#7
Sawbonez wrote:
That's awesome man! It is a good feeling to make progress. And as long as you are enjoying your games and learning from them, then you are good! Keep up the excellent work and keep us all posted.
+1 - Yup!
I would suggest a few things to focus on to improve:
1. Puzzles! I see you have mentioned you have done this, but I think it's super important to emphasize this, as it sharpens your tactical skills greatly, and will (overall) improve your chess.
2. Endgame/Opening Theory: This is also incredibly vital. If you are up in the middlegame, then you could potentially lose for the endgame if you don't know how to follow through. Opening theory is also important, as it decides how your game will go. Explore different openings to get a feel of which ones you like!
3. Play long time controls! I'm not sure if you have been doing this (I'm too lazy to check 
) but I suggest playing a 30 min+ time control. It really improves your game!
@11PopPop, good luck on your journey, and I hope I helped! 
11PopPop wrote:
A little over a month playing this game, I think I'm getting better. I have played 60 games....
The Chess.com lessons -- and John Bartholomew's Fundamentals videos on YT -- have been a BIG help. I am doing better at ... controlling center squares ... leaving (fewer) pieces undefended ... coordinating my pieces ... and avoiding trades which do not give me clear advantage. (BTW, if you're a beginner and you're NOT a Gold Member, you're hurting only yourself, if you ask me.)
I'm not WINNING a lot of games. (Ha!) But I AM competing better and lasting longer.
Now if only I would stop getting "tunnel vision" and DO BETTER at seeing those Bishops my opponent parked off to the side which I forgot about...!
One other thing you can do to help you learn chess, is look at some common openings! these openings give you somewhere to start and are helpful when you're starting your games!
Oct 14, 2020
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#9
Its a good thing that you are doing well . I wish you keep progressing further and keep enjoying the game
Amazing! Keep up the good work
Oct 14, 2020
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#12
Y'all are certainly encouraging! Thanks!
Tumpai, FFStepdad, Aida_Amin, CantFind -- Wow! Everybody! -- thanks for your tips and encouragement. FFStepdad, I sent you a friend request ... but you're already rated in the range I gasp about thinking of reaching.
Oct 14, 2020
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#13
One humorous note: My 9 year old grandson plays BETTER if he's trash-talking. (He's actually pretty clever about it!)
I told him he should keep UP the trash talk. When he's quiet, he -- for some reason -- seems to concentrate so much ... his tactics fall apart.
11PopPop írta:
A little over a month playing this game, I think I'm getting better. I have played 60 games....
The Chess.com lessons -- and John Bartholomew's Fundamentals videos on YT -- have been a BIG help. I am doing better at ... controlling center squares ... leaving (fewer) pieces undefended ... coordinating my pieces ... and avoiding trades which do not give me clear advantage. (BTW, if you're a beginner and you're NOT a Gold Member, you're hurting only yourself, if you ask me.)
I'm not WINNING a lot of games. (Ha!) But I AM competing better and lasting longer.
Now if only I would stop getting "tunnel vision" and DO BETTER at seeing those Bishops my opponent parked off to the side which I forgot about...!
that's nice!
11PopPop wrote:
One humorous note: My 9 year old grandson plays BETTER if he's trash-talking. (He's actually pretty clever about it!)
I told him he should keep UP the trash talk. When he's quiet, he -- for some reason -- seems to concentrate so much ... his tactics fall apart.
xD I do too! I trash talked vs a 2000 and ended up with a winning position. Ofc I knew the 2000, I don’t trash talk against random opponents lol
Oct 14, 2020
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#16
Altough you are a total stranger to me, congratulation!
I'm sure that you are helping your grandchildren improve a lot while also improving yourself, good job!
You might not even understand how much playing vs higher rated ppl helps, I play my grandfather a lot and he is mostly the key to my improvement, hopefully all the great people on chess.com help you improve 
Oct 14, 2020
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#17
Geez!!! (I'm sure none of you ever does this.)
I just "snatched defeat from the jaws of victory!" ONE poorly thought-through move mid-game and ... KA-BLOOEY!
I think I'll find a Tic-Tac-Toe site....!
11PopPop wrote:
I think I'll find a Tic-Tac-Toe site....!
Totally recommend it! xD
A little over a month playing this game, I think I'm getting better. I have played 60 games....
The Chess.com lessons -- and John Bartholomew's Fundamentals videos on YT -- have been a BIG help. I am doing better at ... controlling center squares ... leaving (fewer) pieces undefended ... coordinating my pieces ... and avoiding trades which do not give me clear advantage. (BTW, if you're a beginner and you're NOT a Gold Member, you're hurting only yourself, if you ask me.)
I'm not WINNING a lot of games. (Ha!) But I AM competing better and lasting longer.
Now if only I would stop getting "tunnel vision" and DO BETTER at seeing those Bishops my opponent parked off to the side which I forgot about...!