Thanks :)
Learning, but so frustrated! :(
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I would suggest Simple Attacking Plans by Fred Wilson https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090402/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review874.pdf , Winning Chess by Irving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld https://web.archive.org/web/20140708093415/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review919.pdf , Openings for Amateurs by Pete Tamburro http://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-of-pete-tamburros-openings-for.html , and Chess Endgames for Kids by Karsten Mueller.
the first task is tactics; to know when you can unavoidably win peices and pawns. once you learn what kinds of moves win a chess game; the generally strategy becomes clearer.
There's a small chess book by world champion Jose Capablanca called Chess Fundamentals, it's great for beginners, short concise tips and examples, Mikhail Botvinnik called it the greatest beginner chess book ever written, high praise from another world champion.
Aug 24, 2015
0
#7
People here don't like to hear this, but I believe studying openings helps a lot. Plans, pawn structures, piece placement, traps, position-specific tactics, tricks, and more all flow from the opening, and that covers just about everything. The trick is not to memorize moves, though, but rather learn and get a feel for the things to look for each of the main openings, at at least in certain unit configurations, at least for the first few moves.
One reason I believe opening study helps so much is that whenever I make a major change in my opening repertoire, it's like learning chess all over again. I had to learn to stop moving my QB out early as White in the Caro-Kann, for example, because I kept falling for ...Qb6, which attacked my undefended b-pawn. In another opening I had to learn to watch out for the Ne3# tactic after I started playing Nge2 instead of earlier Nf3. In another opening I had to learn to fianchetto with Bg2 instead of getting a useless position with my earlier Be2. Just one change in piece or pawn placement, and suddenly the tactics, tricks, and plans can change quite a bit.
Lucky you! The powers that be at chess.com decided to come up with some free Chess Mentor courses to give folks what they consider essential knowledge . Some of the more completely explained courses in the CM and well worth doing IMHO. Did I mention they were free?
http://www.chess.com/blog/webmaster/free-chess-mentor-courses
I know how you feel. My son and I both started to learn to play at about the same time earlier this year - he beats me easily nearly every time we play....which is a bit disheartening. But I think it's tough learning when you're older - your brain just doesn't work as fast. I have been playing some turn based games on here which suit me well because I have time to think about the moves and also actually move pieces around to see what the possible consequences of a particular move are. I have also done the chess mentor courses on here and have found them to be really fun and helpful.
I played chess many years ago, and have recently started playing again. I'd say I'm at a beginner level.
I play with my adult son, who seems pretty good.
I try to plan a few moves in advance, but he always knows what I'm planning and moves pieces so they'd capture mine (when I'm trying to line up to check the king, for example).
I feel like I'm sticking my nose out a bit, then running for cover.
Please help.
P.S. I feel like strategy is hard for me. I generally don't like strategic games, but I want to get better at this so I can enjoy it more (and win more!)