Starting Out

Hi people!

I'm just getting into chess seriously after playing casually for years. Has anyone got any tips to get a really good foundation of chess knowledge etc, or a way to learn where I wont pick up bad habbits? I've baught books in the past which are great but it can be hard to read about a scenario that never comes up in my begginer games. I find that the moves are much less thought out when I play so the movements in the books etc never come up to practice or execute.

Any advice is welcome!

Thanks! :)

The study plans are a good place to start: http://www.chess.com/article/view/study-plan-directory

Here is my study plan, which I've put on my website:

Overview

Links to aspects of the plan

Sample Study Plan

Hope there is something you find useful.

Hi, here are some good chess improvement habits and what to avoid:

Play

1 Join a local chess club. Play OTB chess.

2 Play slow games (games over one hour, ideally more) and analyse with strong players after the game. (Only use an engine after you have milked everything you can from the positions.) Try to learn one or two main things from each game. Avoid blitz generally.

These two are the most important.

Study

3 Study tactics, effectively. Many ways to study tactics, online sources/books. The repetition of 'lower level' core tactics is a good method. Also seek out 'defensive' tactics. Avoid Tactics Trainer here, not good for a developing player. Not good full-stop. 50%

Do other stuff. 50%

4 Learn the basic endgames. Silman's endgame book is good.

5 Play over master games. Good beginner annotated game collections. (Chernev's Logical Chess is a good start)

6 Learn opening principles (see above book) and lightly look at general openings you might fancy.

7 Pick up some general ideas on strategy (which comes from reading game collections, but also read one or two blog posts of Silman maybe.)

8 Watch good chess videos or read and do other things which interest you.

Thanks for all the help :) I'll work through all of these tips!