Really Very New at Chess
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I'm really new at Chess. I remember my brother trying to teach me when I was 8 years old, but I was more of a Checkers or Nintendo kinda guy. I'm not sure what sparked my recent interest in the game, but I'm really enjoying it-- though it's taking a lot of effort. I've even bought a Chess set!
I really like the community here, too!
I'd really like to move beyond the highlighted best moves and be able to see a move or two ahead myself. I'm wondering what advice would you give to someone just starting out? When did you start playing? What advice do you wish someone would have given you?
I found a really great Chess quote that pretty much summarizes Chess for me. I think it was uttered by Vishy Anand or something but the exact origin is unknown. It goes something like this: "I move to where the King is going to be, not to where he has been"
I interpreted meaning from it, but I'm not sure if it means exactly what I think it means.
I encourage you to join this discussion about this mystifying quote: https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/can-someone-explain-this-chess-quote
And of course best of luck with your Chess, and bye for now.
Watch some videos for beginners, that helps a lot. And play at least 10 min games, any faster won't help you learn
Jun 11, 2017
0
#5
There is nothing wrong with doing some exploring. I did it, played ridiculous moves, and I don't regret it. Also when I was learning there was no internet, so...
If you're a bit more serious there are a few ''pillars'' of learning:
Tactics, knowledge, practical play.
Try to solve some tactics that go a few moves deep, this can be online.
Use books or online videos for beginners, but don't go too fast. Pause the video and do the moves in your head if you have to or you will forget. It is very relaxing to sit back and watch, just remember to focus once and a while.
Play games, preferably not all blitz and bullet.
Jun 11, 2017
0
#6
Im not that good but since it worked for me, it should work for you. Other than what the others told, take the free lessons in this website too. Though it would be more helpful if you had the paid ones, the free ones still helped me. I was a lower than 800 before and other than learning openings I also took the lessons here and now i believe im in 1000s, still low but at least I improved
Jun 11, 2017
0
#7
And like Airyaydayway(if I got that right), keep playing games,but play more classicals and rapid than blitz, or at least play 10 minute blitz. But never isolate yourself in bullet, its fun, but it doesnt really help your learn.
"..., you have to make a decision: have tons of fun playing blitz (without learning much), or be serious and play with longer time controls so you can actually think.
One isn’t better than another. Having fun playing bullet is great stuff, while 3-0 and 5-0 are also ways to get your pulse pounding and blood pressure leaping off the charts. But will you become a good player? Most likely not.
Of course, you can do both (long and fast games), ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (June 9, 2016)
https://www.chess.com/article/view/longer-time-controls-are-more-instructive
Possibly of interest:
Simple Attacking Plans by Fred Wilson (2012)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708090402/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review874.pdf
Logical Chess: Move by Move by Irving Chernev (1957)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708104437/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/logichess.pdf
The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played by Irving Chernev (1965)
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/most-instructive-games-of-chess-ever-played/
Winning Chess by Irving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld (1949)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708093415/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review919.pdf
Back to Basics: Tactics by Dan Heisman (2007)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708233537/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review585.pdf
Discovering Chess Openings by GM John Emms (2006)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
Openings for Amateurs by Pete Tamburro (2014)
http://kenilworthian.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-of-pete-tamburros-openings-for.html
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/openings-for-amateurs/
https://www.mongoosepress.com/catalog/excerpts/openings_amateurs.pdf
Chess Endgames for Kids by Karsten Müller (2015)
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/chess-endgames-for-kids/
http://www.gambitbooks.com/pdfs/Chess_Endgames_for_Kids.pdf
A Guide to Chess Improvement by Dan Heisman (2010)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708105628/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review781.pdf
Seirawan stuff
http://seagaard.dk/review/eng/bo_beginner/ev_winning_chess.asp?KATID=BO&ID=BO-Beginner
https://www.chess.com/article/view/book-review-winning-chess-endings
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627132508/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen173.pdf
http://www.nystar.com/tamarkin/review1.htm
Thanks everyone! These are some great resources and I'm excited to learn more!
Jun 13, 2017
0
#10
When I learned, I was around 12 (1967). My father taught me and we enjoyed the occasional game for years. He always beat me, until one day when I was 15. I was white, but I was playing pure defense. I took the longest time studying the entire board to make sure nothing was exposed and even thought ahead a few moves on virtually every piece on the board. Eventually he made the first mistake and I gained a bishop. After that I became even more cautious, since this was the first time I was ever ahead. I managed to hang on to the lead by making even trades and ultimately won. Essentially, at the beginners and middle level, chess is all about mistakes, blunders and best moves. Just like the analysis tells us when we run it after a game. I remember that game so well, because it was the last game of chess my father ever played.