Learning defense

I'm ever so gradually improving play when starting as white.  I seem to struggle more when starting as black.

Other than 'play more games as black and analyze them' (which I am gradually doing), what advice do you have for improving?

I have read that beginner/amateur players should not focus on learning openings, instead emphasizing fundamentals such as piece development, center control, protecting the king, improving vision, avoiding hanging pieces, etc.  Should I spend a little time working through openings for black?

Other thoughts on what to prioritize as I try to educate myself and improve my play?

Except for the first 3-5 moves, it is useless to study openings at the beginning. Opponents will play something suboptimal and you will not know what to do. That is why everyone is saying that beginners should follow the opening principles, and develop fast. After you advance, you can look for some variations on Youtube and look for some free videos and superficially get to know them (those you play the most). But not now, perhaps when you are around 1 300 and start to get the hang of things you might consider doing it.

Other advice? Do you practice tactics at least a little bit? Learn some basic endgame stuff like king opposition, Philidor position and learn how to draw it, Lucena position - learn how to win it etc. 

Apart from that you should study chess as well, either by reading a book or watching some youtube content.

Oh I see that you are diamond member... then it is even easier. You should do all the lessons and watch the extensive video library you have at your disposal. I am pretty sure you have a lot of learning material at your disposal (go through easier videos first of course, see what is ok for your level, as I have no experience with all the features you have).

Thanks for the feedback. 

I'm gradually working through the lessons here and at lichess.org, solving tactics puzzles here and at chesstempo.com, as well as reading some on the side (Fischer teaches chess).  Just slowly plugging through the ton of content.  I just wasn't sure if there was content in particular I should prioritize to improve my defensive play/starting as black.  

Also appreciate your beginner's guide.

You're welcome.  As long as you do all of that, eventually you will feel that you are getting better. There will probably be some tough losses along the way, just try to forgive yourself and keep going.  

I agree. Knowing the first few moves of the mainline of a couple of openings is sufficient for a beginner. Then just play opening principles to complete your development. At least that's all I've been doing for the last 11 months. You'll pick up opening knowledge naturally as you play more. A habit beginners have, and it takes continuous effort to break it, is playing with their best pieces. By this I mean they develop a few pieces then spend time shuffling them round the board trying to attack stuff. Instead get everything developed in the opening so you can control space, create threats, and coordinate your pieces to support each other. Also recommend John Bartholomew's chess fundamentals series.

Thanks.  I subscribed to JB on YouTube previously, but haven't yet started watching the videos.  I feel like a learn less by observing and more by doing.  Nonetheless, I'll take a look.

I'm less apt to fixate on my most powerful pieces, but much more likely to try to avoid capture when it would be prudent to sacrifice.  When challenged, I tunnel vision on the challenging piece and miss options like forced moves via putting my opponent in check, etc.

I dont feel I learn much from you tube. I prefer to study books. what JB is good at in the chess fundamentals series is pointing out stuff to think about and work on. He is good at signposting. So I go away with a list of things to work on and habits to change. Quite how to do that is another problem, but putting a name to things that need improving is half the battle. Tunnel vision is normal. It takes time to learn not to be too attached to a particular move or to be able to find better moves. Experienced players will often look at a couple of candidate moves on each turn. Even if the reply is obvious, I always look for a better inbetween move, something that might hold the tension and improve my position, sometimes I surprise myself. Longer time controls are good for developing these techniques as it uses up thinking time but you will speed up with experience.

I find his standard series useful because he explains his way of thinking, and that alone is amazing in my opinion. If you pick up a few ideas here and there, you will be better. Of course you can do books as well. Chess Network series beginner to chess master is very useful, some videos I would watch multiple times after a while of course. The last 2 are extensive about tactics and trades for instance. A couple of hours of pure gold.

I don't see a lot of games on your account. Playing chess more often wouldn't hurt. From my quick look into some of your games, giving away pieces is still a huge issue. 

You can't play black effectively on classical principles alone.  The teachings of the hypermodern school (attacking the center with pieces, rather than occupying it with pawns) are essential to achieving better results as black.  Counterplay (counterattack), not the struggle for a static equality, is the best defense.

Thanks Cat.  I've played the bots quite a bit, but not so many real-life games.  I'll adjust accordingly.  

Very few things are "essential" at the sub-1000 level. Chess was played just fine before these theories existed. I'm not saying they aren't useful additions to chess theory, but the theories you choose to use really aren't what make or break improvement at this point. Not giving away pieces is almost always the #1 thing to deal with at this level. 

Yeah, definitely focus on those. Bots are very different from people, and in general you are playing chess to face people anyways. Plus chess.com leaves the games vs people up on your profile, gives you more to look back on later. 

When analyzing, post your thoughts on your moves, etc. You can post those games here, (especially the close ones/ones you lost). Look for things like hanging pieces, both from you and your opponent. One of the first things you should focus on is removing games where you just give away pieces. Doing that alone should improve your games. It's the first big barrier to break, and once you do it becomes easier to look at other things. No matter how good a plan you have, or how strong your opening is, if you do something like give away your queen, it can erase all the small things you did before that. It's the most common cause of failure I tend to find at this level. 

Reviewing some of your games you are struggling with double attacks by the queen and two attackers on one target.  Your problem is tactical not lack of opening knowledge.  

I agree with the advice to play more rapid chess games.  Go over your game a look at when you lost a piece and determine how you might of prevented it.  

Thanks everyone for taking the time to point me in the right direction!  After watching Bartholomew's YouTube chess fundamentals #1 on undefended pieces, I was a little horrified on how I play with limited regard for mutual defense, more of an eye on offense. 

I'll spend some more time on very basic tactics until I can see them more readily, and get a few games in to accelerate my learning.  Games versus people have higher stakes (in my mind) than bots, so I guess that's the way to go.