I am awful at chess, but good positioning alone has made me more competitive

With my crummy rating, I know that isn't saying much - I just started playing chess competively. I was around a 600 - 800 player for the longest time, as I was too lazy to study. I can calculate a few moves ahead if I take my time - but I never do. I always rush. And here lately, good positioning has saved my life time and time again.

After studying a few openings (4 knights variations) and playing Chessmaster, I have taken Chess a little more seriously, and while I am still lazy when it comes to taking my time and doing the calculations, positioning alone has kept me competitive - even in the games I have lost. Most of my games are played on Chessmaster, and I can beat highly  rated AI opponents that that used to crush me.

I don't know how many times I have wanted to go on the attack, and seen that a particular piece just happened to be in the perfect position. Or I make what I think is a bonehead move - but then I remember I have a well-positioned knight in perfect position to defend. It happens without me even thinking about it. I play chess brainlessly, and just fundamental positioning alone keeps me in games. The way it flows is incredible - it's almost like the more you play fundamental, position chess - the more the game rewards you. Position alone has improved my game dramatically.

I still suck way too much to be giving advice - but I thought if there were anyone out there that has had a hard time cracking 1000 (and there are, believe me), study positioning. You can suck at calcualtions, but just playing sound, positional chess will keep you in games. Centralized outposts for bishops and knights, center control, castle early (this took me forever to learn and that alone improved my game a lot - leaving your king in the center provides your opponent with way too many angles and oppurtunities - the king is a major liability).

Again, I don't presume to teach. I am just really excited to finally notice some improvement.

Now, I must learn patience. Have to learn to calculate. I will probably start with the end game so I can get used to it without as many variables.

hey

go on epicchicks

Can you post some example games? Would be interesting to see these formations. Good luck!

Sure! I will show you exactly what I mean. I will have to do it tonight. So if you want to, check in this threat sometime tonight or tomorrow and I will have some posted.

I agree with you. On my actual "training program" (which actually seems to be a bizarre experiment) I'm playing only against engines (except the CC games here and some 'unofficial' live games) and I know I'm changing my "style" since I started (december 2014). Now I just calculate some moves ahead and play. I feel there's no more intuition, long-term play, then often I get tired on move 30 and make a huge blunder. Let me show you some examples:

 

http://imgur.com/OQECMHu

This is my favorite opening. The computer played out of book and I was able to gain a decisive advantage very quickly. This same AI used to give me trouble but being well positioned made all the difference in the world.

Hilario,

I wish I was as good a player as you. Awesome games.

Thanks. Actually I haven't studied tactics until 1400 elo. I learned the basic patterns (double/discovered attack, pin, etc.) and tried to apply them on my middlegame, but without a tactical puzzles' routine. Therefore my game was much more positional and sometimes creative. So, based on my personal experience I tend to confirm your thesis.

What's the name of the opening and/or the moves?

I start with a center pawn thrust and usually go into a four knights game, the cpu usually responds likewise, scotch variation. That time the computer played out of book. I absolutely adore the four knights opening, and to the point it's probably hampering my learning.