... If they wish to improve, analysis of their own games, learning how to get better at analysis, and studying combinations would make them stronger.
As part of learning, aren't beginners commonly encouraged to look at illustrative games?
All books are not the same, but the style, the form they follow is directed toward the club player. I love chess books. But each player has to decide the best way to improve. I can tell you from experience that opening books and manuals per se do not foster rapid improvement. One simply has to play, serious, OTB chess. No bullet. No 3 min chess. OTB chess.
Mistakes are part of learning, which is why I stress, as does Grandmaster Yermolinski ---Spongy---to play an opening before studying it.
All books are not the same, but the style, the form they follow is directed toward the club player. ...
Does a title like "First Steps …" suggest somewhat of a departure from the usual direction?
... I can tell you from experience that opening books and manuals per se do not foster rapid improvement. ...
In this thread, do you see someone advocating "opening books and manuals per se"?
... One simply has to play, serious, OTB chess. ...
In this thread, do you see anyone advising against "serious, OTB chess"?
... No bullet. No 3 min chess. ...
In this thread, do you see anyone advocating "bullet" or "3 min chess"?
... I stress, as does Grandmaster Yermolinski ---Spongy---to play an opening before studying it.
"... Suppose, there's a theoretical line I consider useful for expanding my opening repertoire. For such cases I've got my standard operating procedure. I select a few games played (and, preferably, annotated) by top players and look at them carefully. ... I realize, of course, that my knowledge is much greater than one of a rank-and-file player, and that helps me to apply the methods described above. ..." - GM Alex Yermolinsky (1999)
Perhaps, for some, a reasonable modification would be to start by looking at some games in a First Steps book?
The problem I have seen with alot of 1500(otb, uscf) players is they get those books, learn about an idea usually played in that opening variation but which is a mistake to play in the position before them. If they wish to improve, analysis of their own games, learning how to get better at analysis, and studying combinations would make them stronger.
It can be difficult for players, until they reach a certain skill level, to self identify what they should work on to improve their skill level. It makes it hard to focus on what most needs improving when you know you need to improve in all areas of chess.
After a certain level of skill, which is unique to every chess player, but almost certainly over 1600 or perhaps even over 1700 USCF, they'll feel comfortable with their skill level in certain areas, or at least comfortable enough that they can identify what areas of chess they need to focus on improving.
Another one of these "Boasting About Your Kid" threads...
Can you boast an 1100 rating?
... If they wish to improve, analysis of their own games, learning how to get better at analysis, and studying combinations would make them stronger.
It can be difficult for players, until they reach a certain skill level, to self identify what they should work on to improve their skill level. It makes it hard to focus on what most needs improving when you know you need to improve in all areas of chess. ...
As part of learning, aren't beginners commonly encouraged to look at illustrative games?
... If they wish to improve, analysis of their own games, learning how to get better at analysis, and studying combinations would make them stronger.
It can be difficult for players, until they reach a certain skill level, to self identify what they should work on to improve their skill level. It makes it hard to focus on what most needs improving when you know you need to improve in all areas of chess. ...
As part of learning, aren't beginners commonly encouraged to look at illustrative games?
Depends on their skill level. They have to enough grasp of chess that they could follow the analysis of an illuatrative game.
For lower level players, illuatrative game positiona are much easier to follow and digest.
In any event, illuatrative ganes usually only illustrate the section of the game that's germaine to the topic being discussed.
... If they wish to improve, analysis of their own games, learning how to get better at analysis, and studying combinations would make them stronger.
It can be difficult for players, until they reach a certain skill level, to self identify what they should work on to improve their skill level. It makes it hard to focus on what most needs improving when you know you need to improve in all areas of chess. ...
As part of learning, aren't beginners commonly encouraged to look at illustrative games?
Depends on their skill level. They have to enough grasp of chess that they could follow the analysis of an illuatrative game. ...
Are there books that contain games with explanations intended for beginners?
... For lower level players, illuatrative game positiona are much easier to follow and digest. ...
Are illustrative games found in many beginner books?
... In any event, illuatrative ganes usually only illustrate the section of the game that's germaine to the topic being discussed.
Necessarily referring to First Steps books here?
"... Throughout the book you will find many examples (and exercises, to keep you busy!) involving forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks, discovered checks, double checks, removing defenders and so on. ... Take in the first few moves and the key ideas, and then try it out in your games! …" - GM John Emms (2018)
Are there books that contain games with explanations intended for beginners?
Try using a search engine.
Are there books that contain games with explanations intended for beginners?
Try using a search engine.
I didn't ask for names. I asked about whether or not there are such books. Apparently, you do not want to dispute that they exist.
Are there books that contain games with explanations intended for beginners?
Try using a search engine.
I didn't ask for names. I asked about whether or not there are such books. Apparently, you do not want to dispute that they exist.
I wasn't planning on looking for any.
... learn about an idea usually played in that opening variation but which is a mistake to play in the position before them. ...
Are mistakes part of the normal learning process?