Nuggets of Chess Wisdom

A knowledge of combination is the foundation of position play. This is a rule which has stood its test in chess history and one which we cannot impress forcibly enough upon the young chess player.

A beginner should avoid the queens gambit and the french defense and play open games instead ! While he may not win as many games at first, he will in the long run be amply compensated by acquiring a thorough knowledge of the game. - Richard Reti

taken from his book: Masters of the Chessboard

I completely agree with this. Starting off with closed openings and never learning to play the open games will seriously stunt your growth. Because even closed openings become open eventually.

I like those alot. I hope you don't mind me adding my favourite nugget.

"Play the opening like a book, the middle game like a magician, and the endgame like a machine."  -  Spielmann

When beginner advice for the opening is requested I like to follow Reti's thinking.

It's a lost cause here I have found though. Every weak sister is recommending complicated and sophisticated openings, their favorite opening regardless of the fit for a beginner, and the opening from a book they have heard about.

Really, though, a player can keep it very simple and easily be 2000 CC here before there's any need to acquire anything else.

Blumenfeld's rule:

"It often happens that a player carries out a deep and complicated calculation, but fails to spot something elementary right at the first move. In order to avoid such gross blunders, the Soviet master B. Blumenfeld made this recommendation:-
When you have finished your calculations, then examine the position for a short time 'through the eyes of a patzer'. Ask whether you have left a mate in one on, or left a piece or a pawn to be taken. Only when you have convinced yourself that there is no immediate catastrophe for you should you make the planned move."

Kotov.

(Slightly abridged by me to take account of a change in the rules and to avoid confusion)

One of my favorite nuggets: Sit on your hands.

"When the win is in sight-sit on your hands!"- S. Tarrasch, 1891

Yeah, actually assess and analyze before moving, even when the win isn't in sight.

"In positions of strategic manoeuvring (where time is not of decisive importance) seek the worst-placed piece. Activating that piece is often the most reliable way of improving your position as a whole."
        MARK DVORETSKY & ARTUR YUSUPOV, Positional Play

 “Help your pieces so they can help you”... Paul Morphy
 "Move that one of your pieces, which is in the worst plight, unless you can satisfy yourself that you can derive immediate advantage by an attack"... Anderssen

         Should be an Axiom!
  Activate your worst placed Piece!

I like this a lot. I give up so many 'won' games it's not even funny. I'm much, much better at reaching winning positions than I am at winning games!

Have a Plan...

"Even a poor plan is better than no plan at all."... Mikhail Chigorin

"It is not a move, even the best move, that you must seek, but a realisable plan."... Eugene Znosko-Borovsky

When in doubt, push a pawn - rooperi, 2009.

You'll see. 100 years from now they're all going to be quoting that

This is a good thread for me. As I know how to play chess and enjoy it. Ive come here to actualy LEARN how to play it better instead of just making a move that looks good :P.

 I doubt it... you can't move them Back!