chess no theory

Hello guys, newbie here.

What site (or online book) do you suggest to learn chess-theory -for a begginer?

Thanks a lot

Giovanni - Brazil

#20
Fischer and Carlsen progressed the same way: playing games against themselves.
Humans lack the time to play 700,000 games.

They also played a hell of a lot of games with other, stronger players. And read books. Capa almost flunked out of Columbia because he spent so much time playing blitz games with everyone he could

"Fischer and Carlsen progressed the same way: playing games against themselves."

HUH?

#24
They both talked about that in interviews.
Carlsen even said he made most progress doing that.

Good point, but in my point of view someone can make a better master piece.

Many people are under the impression some of the "chess prodigies" learned and played chess all by themselves.

One man's graffiti is another man's art

Wouldn't that just reinforce the good and the bad?

even if you don't read books and don't actively work on the theory, you will eventually draw general principles from your own games and identify recurring situations ; one could say that it's still a kind of "do-it-yourself" theory ...

It's not as if you need to learn the Philidor endgame and 20 moves of Semi-Slav theory to reach 1000 rapid

I have no idea, but I imagine it would lead to analysis paralysis for most people above the learning curve.

I dont doubt people play chess against themselves.  But using that method to improve?  If you have no reference point  of what is good and bad?

For the vast majority, I'd say definitely. There may be an exception or two in the world (maybe autistic) who just magically comprehend the patterns.

But the point is, neither of these players "progressed" from a beginner on their own.

Im sure their are some "rain man" out there that would just pick up chess patterns with no issues,  But yes, For the rest of us you dont improve by just playing chess with yourself.

#33
The reference is the outcome of the game. Say Carlsen white wins against Carlsen Black. The he goes back to find the losing move of black and tries a supposedly better move. If that loses too, then he peels back further. This process does indeed make one stronger. It sort of bootstraps strength out of nothing but time and effort.

Are you referring to the Carlsen of now or the Carlsen that first learned chess?  I ask because im trying to understanding the reference point of knowing what a good move is and what a bad move is?  And if its the Carlsen that first learned chess, then how does he know what moves to play that lead to a win?

Perhaps it's genetic? I read his father played chess also. Probably didn't teach him a thing so as to reinforce self learning. I also read he hated losing to his sister, maybe he's disqualified now?

#37
It was the young Carlsen around a rating of 2000. For more information you need to retrieve his interview on that. I guess it is in the period when Carlsen decided he no longer needed a coach.
#38
Most good chess players hate losing. That is one of the factors that motivates them to put in all the hard work.

Both didn't progress by leaps and bounds by playing games by themselves and not having exposure to "theory".

As for the hatred of losing... it probably motivates the best of the best more than others.