Improving your Game - High Level Plan for new(ish) players - Chess Forums

LordChecksalot

Nov 24, 2017

0

#1

Looking for general guidance on how to improve chess skills for a beginner. I know the fundamentals (rules, basic tactics (forks/pins, etc), pawn positions), but I'm really struggling to improve. Looking for high level guidance on areas to focus/study and, most importantly, in which order to do so (ex. first memorize openings, then study master games, etc.).

Any advice from a serious player would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for your time! New to this game and I need to figure out a way to stop taking beatings on the board.

KeSetoKaiba

Nov 24, 2017

0

#2

I too am "new-ish" to chess, but seem to be improving relatively quickly. I am only a 1400ish player, but I have several friends of mine who are between 1600 to 2000. I suggest first doing the daily puzzle, tactics, and lessons on chess.com if possible, as many people do not take advantage of these great resources. Personally, I believe that openings do not really need to be studied too much until at least about 1500+ rating (although I know a good amount of theory despite my lower rating). Tactics are incredibly important to chess, I believe (of course, I ironically have a low tactics rating). My personal advice to improve is to practice basic endgames, and to simply develop in the opening to reach the middlegame, then tactically gain in the middlegame to reach an endgame favorable to you that you have looked at. Of course, maybe this works for me, but not your play-style. I suggest taking the chess.com quiz to see what play-style/personality you are, then improve on your strengths, not so much weaknesses (I do not have the hyperlink for this quiz, but it is relatively easy to find). I hope that I do not come across as pointing out the obvious, with long responses - this is simply what I do. Additionally, my idea for working on strenghts comes from the book, Strenghts Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath (from Gallup). I do not know if this helps you, but I hope so. I also hope that some higher rated players will respond to your question, as I am eager to learn chess too.

ChrisWainscott

Nov 24, 2017

0

#3

Analyze your games. Play slow games and then analyze them to death.

sammy_boi

Nov 24, 2017

0

#4

FWIW I'd recommend starting here (or something similar):
https://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-Tactics-ChessCafe-Chess/dp/1888690348

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The basic areas are openings, strategy, tactics, and endgames. The above book will take care of tactics. After that consider a book on one of the other 3. The order doesn't really matter. Some people suggest doing endgames first though. Yasser Seirawan's Winning Chess Series has a book on each topic plus a few more. You'll easily find them if you google.

Common homework from coaches is to play over GM games and solve tactics. Often recommended is to start with earlier games, and specifically with Morphy. Check out the links to the 3 matches he played (Anderssen, Lowenthal, Harrwitz) http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=16002

The point isn't to understand every move they play as much as it's to expose yourself to what a good game looks like. Morphy is known for his flashy attacks and sacrifices, but what made them possible is his commitment to fast development (he was following the opening principals before anyone really knew they existed!) Play over just a few games a day at a fast pace (5 to 10 minutes a game) without worrying about understanding everything. Picking 1 move per game you were impressed with is good. Over time having seen so many games builds up good experience.

Other than this, it's important to play long games. Ideally over the board (OTB) tournament games.

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Some common pitfalls

- Playing lots of blitz and bullet.
- Memorizing lots of openings moves / switching openings often
- Being passive while studying (books, video, or something else). Instead try to be engaged. For example pause a video at an interesting position and evaluate the position, what would your move be? Take notes while reading a book, and revisit interesting or instructive parts.
- (older players) neglecting tactics because strategic ideas are interesting
- Only playing or only studying (you need to do both)

sammy_boi

Nov 25, 2017

0

#5

I took the first two wins, and first two losses in your history (that were over 35 moves and live games) and analyzed until you'd made 2 or 3 big (and easily fixable) mistakes, then I went to the next game.

Goram

Nov 25, 2017

0

#6

check out GM Smirnov's video's especially the old videos.He has a degree in psychology and he focuses on beginner's to advanced player's building block

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vFtUZo86JI

LordChecksalot

Nov 28, 2017

0

#7

I'm blown away at the thoroughness of everyone's comments. This is incredibly helpful. Thank you so much. This will definitely alter my current approach at getting better.

Now time to study some GM games!

Ashvapathi

Nov 28, 2017

0

#8

Below 1000,

Opening:

1) play e4 or e5

2) develop your minor pieces

3) castle

Middle game:

1) dont blunder your pieces especially your queen.

2) take opponent's enprise pieces when he blunders.

Endgame:

1) learn to mate with queen and rook.

2) learn to mate with two rooks.

3) simplify when ahead on material and push your pawns especially passed pawns.

General:

1) play lots of blitz

2) piece drills especially horse.

kindaspongey

Nov 29, 2017

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#9

andrewnox

Nov 30, 2017

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#10

There are plenty of resources at your disposal. Use them all!

Some suggestions I haven't seen mentioned yet, all free:

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/ - they have a great FAQ including suggestions for training, books, etc.

https://www.ichess.net/masterclass - they have an email course, I found it useful getting pointers in my inbox with specific topics to focus on.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM-ONC2bCHytG2mYtKDmIeA - Saint Louis Chess Club youtube channel, has some great lectures, (they have a playlist of videos aimed at beginners). In fact, there are some great channels out there that will help you - Simon Williams (GingerGM), Chess24, John Bartholemew.