oh oh....
I'm frustrated
Sort:
MarkofGreatness wrote:
If the computer is not responding in the normal fashion, "you should just look for the weaknesses of the computer’s opening and exploit them."
OK there is the subject I was trying to get to and couldn't spit it out lol weaknesses How do I see those i guess is my biggest issue, and not leave weaknesses myself
Thanks for that advice I do appreciate it =)
BlackBaron007 wrote:
... I watch the videos and learn openings, but when I attempt them against the computer they don't always follow what the GM's say a player might/should play and then I get stuck. ...
Most of the time, one faces a position with no knowledge of a specific move indicated in a book. One has to accept that as part of chess, and think of opening knowledge as a sometimes helpful aid.
"... For beginning players, [Discovering Chess Openings] will offer an opportunity to start out on the right foot and really get a feel for what is happening on the board. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2006)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
"... for those that want to be as good as they can be, they'll have to work hard.
Play opponents who are better than you … Learn basic endgames. Create a simple opening repertoire (understanding the moves are far more important than memorizing them). Study tactics. And pick up tons of patterns. That’s the drumbeat of success. ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (December 27, 2018)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/little-things-that-help-your-game
https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-to-start-out-in-chess
https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-to-play-chess
https://www.chess.com/blog/michechess89/8-tips-to-increase-your-online-rating
https://www.chess.com/news/view/rapid-chess-improvement
https://www.chess.com/news/view/a-new-years-resolution-improve-your-chess-with-new-lessons
https://www.chess.com/article/view/mastery-chess-lessons-are-here
"... In order to maximize the benefits of [theory and practice], these two should be approached in a balanced manner. ... Play as many slow games (60 5 or preferably slower) as possible, ... The other side of improvement is theory. ... This can be reading books, taking lessons, watching videos, doing problems on software, etc. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2002)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627084053/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman19.pdf
"... If it’s instruction, you look for an author that addresses players at your level (buying something that’s too advanced won’t help you at all). This means that a classic book that is revered by many people might not be useful for you. ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (2015)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-best-chess-books-ever
Here are some reading possibilities that I often mention:
Simple Attacking Plans by Fred Wilson (2012)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090402/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review874.pdf
https://dev.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Simple-Attacking-Plans-77p3731.htm
Logical Chess: Move by Move by Irving Chernev (1957)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708104437/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/logichess.pdf
The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played by Irving Chernev (1965)
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/most-instructive-games-of-chess-ever-played/
Winning Chess by Irving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld (1948)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708093415/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review919.pdf
Back to Basics: Tactics by Dan Heisman (2007)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708233537/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review585.pdf
https://www.chess.com/article/view/book-review-back-to-basics-tactics
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5856bd64ff7c50433c3803db/t/5895fc0ca5790af7895297e4/1486224396755/btbtactics2excerpt.pdf
Discovering Chess Openings by GM John Emms (2006)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
Openings for Amateurs by Pete Tamburro (2014)
https://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-of-pete-tamburros-openings-for.html
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/openings-for-amateurs/
https://www.chess.com/blog/ForwardChess/book-of-the-week-openings-for-amateurs
https://www.mongoosepress.com/catalog/excerpts/openings_amateurs.pdf
Chess Endgames for Kids by Karsten Müller (2015)
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/chess-endgames-for-kids/
https://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Chess_Endgames_for_Kids.pdf
A Guide to Chess Improvement by Dan Heisman (2010)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708105628/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review781.pdf
Studying Chess Made Easy by Andrew Soltis (2009)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090448/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review750.pdf
Seirawan stuff:
https://seagaard.dk/review/eng/bo_beginner/ev_winning_chess.asp?KATID=BO&ID=BO-Beginner
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090229/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review492.pdf
https://www.nystar.com/tamarkin/review1.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627132508/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen173.pdf
https://www.chess.com/article/view/book-review-winning-chess-openings
https://www.chess.com/article/view/book-review-winning-chess-endings
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708092617/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review560.pdf
Mar 14, 2020
0
#7
Don't play the bots. They play weirdly and in an artificial manner. They also move extremely quickly, which can make you feel hurried. I looked at your last 2 losses to the bot - you move in 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds etc it's not long enough to see things properly. You miss some tactics so do some puzzles, tactic training. Mostly though you miss hanging pieces and threats, you have to take your sweet time and make sure you see this stuff and avoid it. Concentration is the only way.
Strangemover wrote:
Don't play the bots. They play weirdly and in an artificial manner. They also move extremely quickly, which can make you feel hurried. I looked at your last 2 losses to the bot - you move in 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds etc it's not long enough to see things properly. You miss some tactics so do some puzzles, tactic training. Mostly though you miss hanging pieces and threats, you have to take your sweet time and make sure you see this stuff and avoid it. Concentration is the only way.
I have noticed that I feel hurried, which I don't like. I know I am suppose to take my time and look at everything. Not going to play bots anymore I'll do daily's and learn from videos and puzzles etc.
Mar 18, 2020
0
#9
A common mistake for new players is trying to memorize openings, and then when their opponent (human or computer) does something different they feel stuck.
Not that openings are bad. Memorizing the first 5 moves (5 for each side) in a handful of openings is totally fine... but the only reason GMs pump out tons of books and videos on the opening is because that's easy money. Amateurs want it even though it's not very helpful, and making opening guides takes less effort than other types of instructional material.
---
So start off with the opening principals.
https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-principles-of-the-opening
That way when your opponent doesn't follow the opening, you have a guide for what to do.
Then learn some basic endgames, strategy, and tactics.
Counterintuitively, openings are the last thing to focus on. And videos/books/etc where a GM gives you tons of variations are not useful for the reasons you've discovered yourself.
Mar 18, 2020
0
#10
A few notes on my previous post...
Feeling lost about where to move as a new player is totally normal... and will probably continue to pop up for years.
Some opening books are good, and some players use them to good effect but:
1) As a new player they're not useful to you yet
2) The market is flooded with shoddy opening material. Even when I was taking openings seriously I didn't use any of it. A database, looking at a lot of GM games, and an engine were what I used.
llamonade2 wrote:
A common mistake for new players is trying to memorize openings, and then when their opponent (human or computer) does something different they feel stuck.
Not that openings are bad. Memorizing the first 5 moves (5 for each side) in a handful of openings is totally fine... but the only reason GMs pump out tons of books and videos on the opening is because that's easy money. Amateurs want it even though it's not very helpful, and making opening guides takes less effort than other types of instructional material.
---
So start off with the opening principals.
https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-principles-of-the-opening
That way when your opponent doesn't follow the opening, you have a guide for what to do.
Then learn some basic endgames, strategy, and tactics.
Counterintuitively, openings are the last thing to focus on. And videos/books/etc where a GM gives you tons of variations are not useful for the reasons you've discovered yourself.
The last couples days I have been feeling like openings are just that, openings, and what you do after is all how you see the board and what your opponent might be thinking of trying. I've read Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess and I'm pretty good at end game if I can get the chance, end game is where I really start to think several possibilities ahead. Mid game is still tough but I get that you need to keep your pieces connected and not over work them guarding too...that's the tough part I think
I recommend anyone who would like to improve in chess or is even aiming for a master title to read GM Kevin Spraggets words on this issue.
There are so many good and important advices he gives here.
http://canchess.tripod.com/reflecti.htm
I checked the game you lose against computer.
1. You dont play book move from move 2 ( chess.com saying 2.Bb5 sideline as book move is misleading). 2. d4 is main line.
2. Practice to see hanging pieces.
You dont see free kt on b3. Instead you played Ra3 which is an unsafe square due to enemy bishop.
The first opening is a book opening and has been working well, I just have a bad habit of not taking my time I rush.
Klepatus wrote:
I recommend anyone who would like to improve in chess or is even aiming for a master title to read GM Kevin Spraggets words on this issue.
There are so many good and important advices he gives here.
Thanks for that share!
Hi,I am 1800 chess player and I am have this question everytime I play with lower rated players.let me tell you ,I stream chess for 1200-1800 rated players
where I highlight opening mistakes ,middle game strategy and mindset of other player and solve tactics live with viewers to solve.I also play games with viewers
who wants to taste what 1800 rating looks like where as other high rated don't prefer to play or you ll not be eligible to send them challenge.
If you think I can help you to reach atleast 1800 rating in chessdotcom like me, drop me a follow on twitch.tv/corporatechessguy for live streaming,
send me a friend request on chessdotcom and you can also subscribe to my youtube channel ( https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=corporatechessguy).
Remember you will definitely get better and atleast able to figure out dangers in board when you play with others. Hope to see you around!
You can also share with other friends who have interests like you to grow.Thanks!
"... for those that want to be as good as they can be, they'll have to work hard.
Play opponents who are better than you … Learn basic endgames. Create a simple opening repertoire (understanding the moves are far more important than memorizing them). Study tactics. And pick up tons of patterns. That’s the drumbeat of success. ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (December 27, 2018) (Emphasis added.)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/little-things-that-help-your-game
"... Everyman Chess has started a new series aimed at those who want to understand the basics of an opening, i.e., the not-yet-so-strong players. ... I imagine [there] will be a long series based on the premise of bringing the basic ideas of an opening to the reader through plenty of introductory text, game annotations, hints, plans and much more. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2002)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627055734/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen38.pdf
"... most of the books put out of late by Cadogan, Batsford and Gambit are of really terrific quality, and they offer original material and writing which just can't be found elsewhere. …" - IM John Watson (1999)
https://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/odds-and-ends-2-improvement-and-the-openings
"... Once you identify an opening you really like and wish to learn in more depth, then should you pick up a book on a particular opening or variation. Start with ones that explain the opening variations and are not just meant for advanced players. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2001)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140626180930/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman06.pdf
"... The 'Starting Out' series takes a new and appealing approach to the task of presenting openings to the average (but not beginning) player. … They are what a player would want who desires to get a good taste of an opening without learning the gory details. Of course I have always preferred the more thorough and systematic opening books, and I feel that it is through the study of details and subtle differences that we come to really understand chess. But that's simply not realistic for many players, and in my opinion the series is as good an alternative as I've seen, since it will give players confidence and stimulate them to take the next step by investigating more 'serious' works. …" - IM John Watson (2003)
https://theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/by-publisher-part-2
"... I hope that this book will stimulate you into buying further books that are more specific about the openings and defenses that you might enjoy." - GM Yasser Seirawan (~1999)
"... Try to learn as much as possible about the openings you have chosen. Check through their main variations several times, using an openings manual. …" - The Soviet Chess Primer by Ilya Maizelis
"... Play over recent games of masters in books and magazines. …" - GM Larry Evans (1974)
"... numerous books on the French Defence have appeared, most of them written by very competent and insightful authors. As is the wont with modern opening works, these books usually centre their recommended variations around an instructive and/or entertaining game, without great depth but with sufficient detail to show the main branches and explain basic ideas. This is absolutely legitimate and is in fact the direction towards which I have gravitated in some of my own works ..." - IM John Watson (2012)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627015516/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen163.pdf
Mar 19, 2020
0
#18
squack.
I've been playing chess since I was about nine, I was serious about it when I was in grade school then it just drifted away, but continued casual play thru the years.
Now I am trying to get serious with it and learn but I am confused. I watch the videos and learn openings, but when I attempt them against the computer they don't always follow what the GM's say a player might/should play and then I get stuck.
1. Should I be playing the computer or not.
2. What is the next thing to do if the player/computer doesn't do that.
3. I'm not sure how to attack, do I play my pieces and keep them together?
Help =)