I have bad issue! Plz Help! - Chess Forums

Jajakilroy

May 4, 2017

0

#1

Alright, I'm having issues. Been at chess for 2 years with small breaks So far the only thing I've really been studying is openings and Tactics. I've came to now know the difference between what knowledge is and what understanding is. Yes two years and this is my key break through. I have huge knowledge of openings and variations. My tactic ratings fluctuates from 1300 on bad days to as high as 1500 on good days.

How ever I am learning one thing. I don't know Jack S000 about understanding the openings. And I am also finding out I'm losing many games simply to bad positioning. My positioning gives almost nothing in return for tactical advantages. <.< Well not like I would notice many of them even if they were there. I've put in well over 150 hours into Tactical training and I still can't see them during a game even though I can get it as high as 1550 at times.. So, is it my openings, my tactics, or my understanding of a position that is kicking me in the nut SaK.

One flaw I've came to notices is when my opponent starts his trades I will jump in solidly knowing my opening isn't complete. I know I am leaving huge holes in my defense it's humiliating when I've noticed I am losing games in ridiculous openings that I know should be in my favor.

Any help will be hugely appreciated. Any suggestions will be praised. THANKS!!

Sqod

May 4, 2017

0

#2

Welcome to the club. In my opinion almost all opening books are highly deficient in describing the plans, piece placements, default moves, etc. for openings, so I've been forced to learn and annotate everything myself, in my own way, in my own repertoire, usually the hard way. As far as I can tell, it's a case of "If you want it done right, do it yourself." I sent you a message with a suggestion about posting an opening. Also, we'll probably see a paste of a suggested book list here soon.

EuweMaxx

May 4, 2017

0

#3

I also was not able to break the 1400 barrier, I am 1600+ now and I think atleast I can give you some advice on how to reach that level.

Now,

You need Tactical Nirvana...

By that I mean that to apply the positional understanding you first need to eliminate tactical mistakes from your games, you also should be able to spot any tactics as soon as it pops up..

How to do that? I read that you have already done a significant amount of tactics, continue doing that, and add to that the practice of basic tactics patterns, believe me it helps. There is one free site which gives all of the basic tactical patterns do all of them 100s of times, until you remember every single one of them.

This is very important-------> whenever you get a tactics wrong, (after trying 2-3 times) see the solution and then replay it 3 times, and then replay the whole tactics in your mind. (This technique was suggested by IM David Pruess in one of his twitch streams)

I have seen at my level(including me) that people will start good with nice openings and all then after 15 mins in the game they overlook some tactical shot and lose material, and after that the game changes.

I will also suggest reading the book : "Logical Chess Move by Move" by Irving Chernev

I read this statement in one of the threads here : You should learn how to walk first, then only you will be able to run

I know and believe that you have a good positional understanding but to use that you need a tactical breakthrough, a tactical liberation. The tactics trainer here will reflect it when it will happen.

Hope this helps

The_Chin_Of_Quinn

May 4, 2017

0

#4

It helps to see tactics grouped by theme. Also, you should never guess on TT. Try to find the solution all the way to the end. Importantly this includes the opponent's best defense. Be sure the moves you calculate for the opponent try to spoil your plans. For example you might notice that if you sacrifice your rook in front of their king, and they capture it, then you can checkmate... so don't assume they'll capture the rook. Assume they see the checkmate idea and will try to stop it. Anyway, here's a tactics book:
https://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-Tactics-ChessCafe-Chess/dp/1888690348

During games, when it's your move, you need to first consider the position as a tactics puzzle. Calculate forcing moves (checks, captures, and threats) no matter how suicidal they seem at first. If one move order doesn't work, try calculating a different one. After you determine there are no tactics, then switch out of puzzle mode and now look for ways to improve your pieces, make your king safe, gain space, or whatever else. Learning strategy will help here. Here's a book:

https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Chess-Strategy-Ludek-Pachman/dp/0486202909

After games, compare the opening against a database. For example this is chess.com's

https://www.chess.com/explorer

Find out who left book first, and what the most popular moves are. If you did play a normal move, but were dissatisfied with the position, explorer popular alternatives. Do this for every game you play, and over time you'll learn the openings you play.

Other than this and maybe some cursory wikipedia research, pretty much ignore the openings. Learn tactics, strategy, and work on basic endgames all while playing games for practice and reviewing those openings vs a database. Here's an endgame book:
https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Chess-Endings-Everyman/dp/1857443489

In addition to playing and learning, it helps to look at high level games. NOT because you'll understand every move (as a beginner I frustrated myself with trying to understand all the moves). But like in sports, art, language, or anything else really, just observing highly skilled practitioners can give you a sense for what good play looks like. Maybe you see how when masters are playing and enemy pawns are attacking each other... they don't trade for many moves. Why? It doesn't matter, but now having seen it you might try to experiment in your own games. Here's a annotated game collection:

https://www.amazon.com/Logical-Chess-Every-Explained-Algebraic/dp/0713484640

I realize this is quite a lot of work I've given. I'm sure a lot of enthusiasts think "4 books and playing/reviewing lots of games?! but I just want to have fun, that sounds like work!" And that's a legitimate reaction. But if you're curious what a structured approach looks like, you want to read 1 book on each of the following to get all your basics: tactics, strategy, endgames, openings, annotated game collection. This typically takes a few years for people devoting a small amount of time per day or week, but this is how you can improve a lot. I recommend starting with the tactics book (the first link). That alone is probably worth a few 100 rating points.

Kernicterus

Jul 26, 2017

0

#5

Hi doll. My personal advice is that you give more focus to the ENTIRE board. At our level...sometimes that is what we are missing. Also...know the squares...knowing squares causes a HUGE bump in your rating...next....3. READ BOOKS but only 3 pages at a time. They will teach you ideas but you need to process ideas...not just read on. That's my 2 cents! Good luck!

Jajakilroy

Aug 28, 2017

0

#6

THANKYOU SO VERY MUCH EVERYONE!

kindaspongey

Aug 28, 2017

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#7

"... Overall, I would advise most players to stick to a fairly limited range of openings, and not to worry about learning too much by heart. ..." - FM Steve Giddins (2008)
"... Once you identify an opening you really like and wish to learn in more depth, then should you pick up a book on a particular opening or variation. Start with ones that explain the opening variations and are not just meant for advanced players. ..." - Dan Heisman (2001)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140626180930/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman06.pdf
"... To begin with, only study the main lines ... you can easily fill in the unusual lines later. ..." - GM John Nunn (2006)
"... I feel that the main reasons to buy an opening book are to give a good overview of the opening, and to explain general plans and ideas. ..." - GM John Nunn (2006)
"... If the book contains illustrative games, it is worth playing these over first ..." - GM John Nunn (2006)
"... the average player only needs to know a limited amount about the openings he plays. Providing he understands the main aims of the opening, a few typical plans and a handful of basic variations, that is enough. ..." - FM Steve Giddins (2008)
"... For inexperienced players, I think the model that bases opening discussions on more or less complete games that are fully annotated, though with a main focus on the opening and early middlegame, is the ideal. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2010)
"... Everyman Chess has started a new series aimed at those who want to understand the basics of an opening, i.e., the not-yet-so-strong players. ... I imagine [there] will be a long series based on the premise of bringing the basic ideas of an opening to the reader through plenty of introductory text, game annotations, hints, plans and much more. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2002)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627055734/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen38.pdf
"The way I suggest you study this book is to play through the main games once, relatively quickly, and then start playing the variation in actual games. Playing an opening in real games is of vital importance - without this kind of live practice it is impossible to get a 'feel' for the kind of game it leads to. There is time enough later for involvement with the details, after playing your games it is good to look up the line." - GM Nigel Davies (2005)

https://www.chess.com/article/view/learning-an-opening-to-memorize-or-understand
https://www.chess.com/article/view/3-ways-to-learn-new-openings
https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-to-understand-openings

Brontide88

Aug 28, 2017

0

#8

Instead of reams of variations in dozens of openings, focus on learning the basic central pawn structures and the typical strategies used in each. Then you won't be left flying blind by unusual moves or move orders.

Keep practicing tactics & learn the basic endgames & the principles behind them. But mainly PLAY - but not blitz. Play as a long a time control as you can & against mainly stronger players (but not so strong as to blow you away, within about a class - 200 pts - above you). Practice is the key. But only if you play slower times. Blitz is fun, but it's harder to learn anything when both players are playing moves so fast.