Four Core Weaknesses Every Chess Player Must Overcome by Silman

Four Core Weaknesses Every Chess Player Must Overcome by Silman 

Over the years of coaching, I’ve noticed that most players—whether beginners or advancing competitors—struggle with the same four key areas of chess improvement. Understanding and addressing these will transform your game:

1️⃣ The True Purpose of the Opening
Many players spend hours memorizing opening lines, but very few understand why they are making certain moves. The real purpose of the opening is not to win immediately—it’s to develop pieces harmoniously, control key squares, and prepare for the middlegame. Without this understanding, opening knowledge becomes fragile and easily forgotten.

2️⃣ Lack of Planning & Thinking Processes
Chess is not about making the “best move” in isolation. It’s about creating a plan based on the position. Players often move from tactic to tactic without a guiding idea. Learning how to evaluate positions and build a logical plan is the bridge from intermediate to advanced play.

3️⃣ Elementary Endgames Neglected
Even strong club players can misplay basic king-and-pawn endings or fail to convert simple advantages. Endgames teach precision, calculation, and patience. They also improve your understanding of earlier phases of the game, since knowing what type of endgame you want helps guide your middlegame strategy.

4️⃣ The Connection Between All Three
Openings, middlegame plans, and endgames are not separate “boxes” of knowledge. They are deeply connected. The way you play your opening shapes your middlegame plans, and your plans should ideally lead to an endgame you understand well. Mastering this chain is the key to consistent improvement.

💡 Takeaway: Chess improvement is not about memorizing more openings or playing endless blitz games. It’s about building a complete foundation—openings with purpose, clear planning, solid endgame technique, and understanding how they connect.

If you want to push past plateaus and truly master the game, consistency and structured training are the answer.  If you want to improve your game with Fide trainer please contact me at dpolimac@gmail.com or book your free trial https://scheduler.zoom.us/darko-polimac/coaching-with-darko-    

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