Grasping a better understanding of chess - Chess Forums

M4RS_official

Oct 5, 2017

0

#1

so I have been playing chess since I was 4 thanks to my father. I have a pretty poor understanding of theory in my opinion and yeah I guess I could stand to read a few books and study some openings but I'm just sorta lost on where and how to get into theory. For instance (I'm a 6-700 for reference) I do tactics every day, and obviously when I see a fork or a half decent attack I make the right move. but more often then not I get stumped and even when the computer shows me the correct move I fail to recognize why it's correct. I could spend an entire day playing chess and not get much better or see what I'm doing wrong (still have a blast doing it though). I guess I just don't really understand the process of analyzing a position, there's so many possibilities I'm not sure what to rule out and I know I shouldn't rule anything out I just am not sure where to go from here. I understand chess I just have no clue how to get less shitty at it heeelllpp :P

Martin_Stahl

Oct 5, 2017

0

#2

Yeah, read a book or some lessons on tactics. Also read up on opening principles; you don't need to get into very much theory unless you just happen to have a phenomenal memory. Would also be helpful to do some basic endgame study but if you are having trouble with tactics, doing additional work there will likely give you the most benefit for the time spent.

Brontide88

Oct 5, 2017

0

#3

Experience is the best teacher. Play as many games as you can, preferably against higher-rated opponents & at the slowest time limits possible. Bullet & blitz are fun but don't help you improve at all. They can even stunt your progress because the simple tricks that work often at fast chess don't fool anyone at slower controls, so you develop bad habits.

kindaspongey

Oct 6, 2017

0

#4

Candidate35

Oct 6, 2017

0

#5

Have you tried working on the endgame and focusing on end game tactic puzzles? Sometimes chess gets noisy and confusing with all the pieces on the board and you can learn a lot more with fewer pieces in play. Bruce Pandolfini has a nice tactics book on Amazon for like $8 called 101 winning end games. I recommend that.

kellythekingkiller

Oct 6, 2017

0

#6

Brontide88 wrote:

Experience is the best teacher. Play as many games as you can, preferably against higher-rated opponents & at the slowest time limits possible. Bullet & blitz are fun but don't help you improve at all. They can even stunt your progress because the simple tricks that work often at fast chess don't fool anyone at slower controls, so you develop bad habits.

Great advice!!

kellythekingkiller

Oct 6, 2017

0

#7

somewaitforever wrote: so I have been playing chess since I was 4 thanks to my father. I have a pretty poor understanding of theory in my opinion and yeah I guess I could stand to read a few books and study some openings but I'm just sorta lost on where and how to get into theory. For instance (I'm a 6-700 for reference) I do tactics every day, and obviously when I see a fork or a half decent attack I make the right move. but more often then not I get stumped and even when the computer shows me the correct move I fail to recognize why it's correct. I could spend an entire day playing chess and not get much better or see what I'm doing wrong (still have a blast doing it though). I guess I just don't really understand the process of analyzing a position, there's so many possibilities I'm not sure what to rule out and I know I shouldn't rule anything out I just am not sure where to go from here. I understand chess I just have no clue how to get less shitty at it heeelllpp :P I have been playing for about 20 yrs. I had natural ability as a kid and that caused me to not have any opponents, even my mother. I picked up chess again at 23 and have been playing pretty steady for the past 20yrs. I was fortunate enough to get the attention of a much stronger player. He said that I had great natural ability and couched me for free for a while. I felt and was blessed to have the opportunity to play and discuss chess with a player 800 or more elo points stronger is a privilege. I feel like I should pay it forward! I will coach and study with you, if you have the desire to learn, work and listen. Good luck and get back to me if would like to become a stronger and wiser player.