Questions from a beginner

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Avatar of lonarkesa

Hi. I've been playing chess for a week or two (~1200 on ) and I have a few questions not answered in the (great) FAQ.

At what point is it necessary to learn openings? Mostly I just try to develop pieces and control the center without a specific plan - is this OK?
What are the endgames I should know? I currently know K+Q, K+R and R+R. What are the most common, and where's the best place to learn them?
What is a good Elo goal to aim for if I'm playing and doing tactics for 1/2 - 1 hour per day?
Thanks.

Avatar of Toldsted

You don't have to learn openings. Sound principles should bring you to 1400 elo (wich is around 1600-1700 here).

Actually you will learn while playing. At some time you will have trouble with some opening moves from your opponent, that is either giving you a bad score or are very popular. Then it may be time to study these moves (= this opening) and find out where you can improve either your own moves or your understanding of the resulting  positions.

You should know the most basic pawn and rook endgames + the basic endgame principles. The best place to learn are vere individual. But any endgame beginner course should be a fine beginning (books, online, video etc.).

Don't set an elo goal. Set activity goals and celebrate when you have learned someting new and usefull.

Avatar of RussBell

Improving Your Chess - Resources for Beginners and Beyond...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/improving-your-chess-resources-for-beginners-and-beyond

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell

Avatar of tygxc

@1

"At what point is it necessary to learn openings?" Above 2500

"Mostly I just try to develop pieces and control the center without a specific plan" ++ OK

"What are the endgames I should know?" ++ KQ vs. K, KR vs. K, KP vs. K, KBB vs. K, KBN vs. K, KQ vs. KR, KR vs. KP, KQ vs. KP, KR vs. KN, KP vs. KP, KNN vs. KP, KRP vs. KR...
There is a book "100 endgames you must know"

"What are the most common" ++ Rook endgames

"What is a good Elo goal to aim for" ++ 1500 is easy: hang no pieces or pawns
2000 is possible with 1 year of hard work