Long games are essential, I have found. You need time to think over your moves, look for opportunities to apply your knowledge, etc. Also, check out articles here and at Dan Heismann's Novice Nook http://www.chesscafe.com/heisman/heisman.htm Quite a few people have recommended it, and I have found his info to be really helpful.
Thank you. Great article. I'm also sure I will improve my games soon.
Grazie. Sto seguendo un corso, per ora mi accontanto visto la mancanza di tempo.
E anche qualche partita per corrispondenza, che male non dovrebbe fare ;)
Not sure how old you are, but it certainly helps to play at a younger age. My best advice to you is to keep playing, study up on some tips; but overall, playing the game time after time, you will gain valuable experience, and get better from there.
People say you need to look at books, chess coaches, etc. This is all partially true, but many beginners are not ready to read books. (Most of them make no sense to beginner levels) You just need to play a lot of games to understand basic strategy. Don't expect to gain exponentially, but you will find a somewhat steady increase.
Did you really need to post this and couldn't just do a search on the forum? But to answer your question, the fastest way to improve is just study tactics, strategy means nothing if your hanging pieces or you missed winning a piece or mate. As for playing CC vs blitz, i'm sure you can do either or, but make sure you look at the games and try and find where you made mistakes or you think you could have improved. Record what you think and either post it back on the forums to get stronger people's feedback or a player at your local club.
I found some time to begin an analysis of some games. I'm still learning what my mistakes were. No, I'm not reffring to the stupid blunders ... I made some thanks to my shortage of time and inexperience.
Well, in the end I'm trying to spare some time to understend my games before playing another one. I thing it's the best I can do, at the moment.
And yes, my friend, you are true: the forums are a great source of knowledge too!
Thank you all.
curiousmind wrote:
Maybe I have to view things in a different way the I will improve.
I can tell from what you are writing that you don't know where to start. You need a place from where to begin. A place where your mind can say ok I understand what this general idea is and how it applies to chess. Well, there is such a thing and it comes in the form of a principle. The principle is:
Winning chess is strategically and tactically correct advance of the pawn mass.
And, then you think this is too general. Why the pawns, there are alot of other pieces on the board? The answer begins to dawn on you, when you realize that the pawns are the only ones that cannot move backwards. And, then you begin to look at pawn structures. Sure, they are the terrain over which the chess battle must be fought. The pawn structure is the mountains and the valleys of the battlefield. Any strategy must conform to the pawn structure or it is doomed to failure. There are alot more details, of course and they can be found in a book by Hans Kmoch, "Pawn Power In Chess". In the book he tells you about the 6 characteristic pawn structures that result from just about any opening. And, how to plan based on the pawn structure.
You now have the principle, the key idea, that enables you to wrap your brain around what chess is all about.
Well if you need any help improving, just message me, I guess you could estimate me around 1900+ USCF strength :D I have taught a few people here, and their average improvement was +350 points. I generally can help out for free except for analyzing the games, because I need a diamond membership for that.
Hope you continue to improve,
Pawn
I agree. Analyze the games, also looking at my pawn structure, is a great idea.
I saw a video on pawn structures. Very interesting but maybe not for a beginner like myself.
Well if you need any help improving, just message me, I guess you could estimate me around 1900+ USCF strength :D I have taught a few people here, and their average improvement was +350 points. I generally can help out for free except for analyzing the games, because I need a diamond membership for that.
Hope you continue to improve,
Pawn
Thank you but at the moment I only need to understand my own games.
You know, the basic ideas ... and something about my mistakes but I need to better understand why I played in such a way ;)
Hi. I'm a casual player, interested to learn chess not just play it for fun.
I tried to apply some opening's principles (center, space, developement) but I found myself a little confused after few moves. Maybe I have to play long games, not 5 minutes blitz at the moment.
I also noticed, my games are worst than ever. Maybe I have to view things in a different way the I will improve.
What's your opinion? TIA.