I was a rank amateur just a few months ago (as in: I didn't know how the horsie moves), and I'm still a total amateur, but I've found that it's nice to play the computer with a lot of time. I'd set up a board and play against the AI (I'd think for about 15 minutes, it would think for about 30 seconds), but take your time-- you'll lose every single time, but it's still satisfying to give the CPU a run for it's money.
Using a chess engine to improve.
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Dec 11, 2015
0
#3
Engines are fun to play with (especially if free and adjustable - ELO,rating from 500/800-3000+,time - yours per move vs. computer). Good ones: SCID,Stockfish,Arena,Critter,Ruffian - there are dozens (perhaps hundreds?). You should check out how the elire players use them as well as patzers (like me).
Dec 11, 2015
0
#4
One of the most useful features of a chess program/engine is the ability to set up the board to a position you want to practice. I don't know if SCID does that, but if it does then you're in luck. I believe there exists a huge lack of documented *knowledge* (in contrast to merely *data* in the form of recommended moves) in opening books, so it seems every player has to write his/her own book of opening knowledge from scratch for each opening played, or even in general. Playing many games from a given position is the only good way to do that.
For example, in the old days when I played the Ruy Lopez as White I kept falling into Noah's Ark Trap because I didn't know I needed to play c3. More recently when learning the Caro-Kann as White I kept forgetting about Black's attack ...Qb6 so I had to remember to have a way to protect my b2-square before moving my QB out. King's Gambit players need to know not to play fxe5. QGA players need to know not to play ...b5 to protect the extra pawn. Each opening and each variation has its own general knowledge like that, which in my experience is taught only sparingly in opening books, if at all.
if you're on Scid and you're a beginner...
make it show you the best 20 moves in a given position and try to visualize each of them (esp. those that are blunders) for both white and black.
then try to learn to calculate (just visualize the first 6-8 pys for each variation). this will help you tremendously to calculate and really understand what's on the board.
finally, try to see what moves will you be more likely to replicate in a real game (this way you'll build yourself a style consistent with how your mind works in real time).
p.s. get your hands on games with lower ratings (more blunders, more thrill).
Hi everyone! I recently used downloaded the free chess engine, SCID. I'm still toying around with how to really use it, but I'm starting to get the hang of it. I know that there is a lot of talk about using chess engines to improve your game. So far, I've primarily used to to explore variations and analyze games that I've played. How could I best use this type of software to improve my game? I'm pretty much a complete beginner, rated just over 800 on chess.com live chess servers. Thanks in advance!