Could you show us one of your games? That might help us give you some concrete advice.
Beginners Frustration!!
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" I visit here every day,but I still have this feeling I'm not getting something."
I think I may be onto the problem. Of course few things are clear-cut in Chess, & everything depends upon actual positions; but I believe there is a particular generality I've noticed among Chess players seeking to improve that may be applicable ... Not to be taken as gospel, but I think part of the answer may lie in the observation that: Improving Chess players quite often seem to display a tendency to actually Play Chess games. Sure, there's got to be more to it, but it does look like this may be something of a common thread that binds those calling themselves 'Chess-players' !? A possibility anyway ... }8-)
Ok, kidding aside now ... Why don't you play any games here on ChessCom ? If you always play a PC then the only kind of play you ever see is computer-like. It may be that the thing missing is "The Human Element". People as opponents will play much more diversely against you which should provide a lot more types of ideas that you can turn around and use yourself when you play others. Then you will see a much broader picture of types of strategies and styles of play. Perhaps you need to see a "style" that suits you and fires your imagination to want to play that way. It is quite possible that the way a computer plays is just not suitable for emulation for you, as it is not suitable for most players either. A PC will tend to be Tactical but lack any "Art" to its Strategies.
You might want to see some games played by Grandmasters too, just to see who's play most intrigues you. For me it was TAL. But other prefer a Karpov or Capablanca type player. At your stage it is not so much to understand all that they do perfectly, or all the analysis associated with it, rather just see the TYPES of things they do ... so you gain ideas to make your own, and try out for yourself.
Good Luck to you Chessfriend.
PS// About someone bringing their Queen out early against you. It is usually considered a mistake for them, because it can be attacked by smaller pieces. That is how to handle that matter. Don't chase their Queen with your pawns as that may create weaknesses, and is not as effective. Try to attack the Q with your pieces, using as many different ones as you can, rather than just chasing her with one or two. In that way, you get to bring many pieces out that will be used later as the game develops, while they will only have their Queen in play. And by using many pieces to do it, they can tend to protect each other from the Queen too.
[If you do need to use a pawn in the Q chase, try to use a center pawn since that will free your Bishop(s) to come out afterward.]
Keep your pieces tight together too while attacking their Queen, rather than scattering them about the board. [That would be what they are hoping for, that you would leave pieces unprotected that they can try to grab with the Queen.]
So instead, move your pieces as an Army moves. Each unit working to support others and advancing together. Rather than using pieces as if each one was a single rifle shot taken at the "enemy" but then forgotten like a used bullet.
Thank you very much!! I never really considered my trusty,but inhuman PC game as a factor in my frustrations!! I am playing a correspondence game on here now and I will get more involved on this site.My problem with that was I wanted to "polish" up my skills via the PC game and then enter the foray here.Feeling every bit like the awkward neophyte/new kid in town I feared looking like a jackass.I am glad you have taken the time to write me,your advice has helped me see things with a new perspective!! Thank you,BaronDerKilt!!!! :)
Marremont
Jun 24, 2009
0
#6
Hi Marremont!
Sounds like all good advice above!
I too refrained from playing here for quite a while because I was uncomfortable with my skill level—that of a complete novice.
I sought to advance myself with chess books.
I have come to realize that a chess player not only needs books, but many, many games to advance in skill.
I heard that a Master chess player plays about 100,000 games before he comes to some of the deeper understandings of the 64 squares.
My advice to you is to play as many games here and in person as you can (I find that it is quite a different experience looking at an actual physically manifested 3D chessboard with a live player on the other side).
Also, get started with some chess books! I have a list of chess books on my blog here on this site:
http://blog.chess.com/Anacletus_Ignis/classic-chess-books
Best wishes,
Aaron
Here's a suggestion. When you are searching for another person to play a game on Chess.com you can limit the search to player's close to your own rating. For example if your rating is 1000 you may want to search for players rated from 800 to 1200. Of course the incentive to play higher rated players is that your own rating goes up more quickly if you beat them.
Jun 24, 2009
0
#8
use the tools on the site!
that's what they are here for - to teach!
I'll start by saying that I love this site and all that it offers.I am really trying to learn a game I've always had a "mental block" with.I have a really good PC game I play on and I visit here every day,but I still have this feeling I'm not getting something.Yes,I know it's early going,but I just wish I thought more like a chess-player.I play slow and deliberate now because I realize this isn't a game of rash moves..that,I've learned,but,gosh,are there any tips/moves for locking down the opponent's Queen?? I feel like a rambling jackass for asking that,but I really need some good ways to imagine and strategize.I REALLY want to learn this game (I told my wife that this is my "golf game" to use an analogy!!) so any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank You All So Kindly,
Marremont