Tag Archives: beginner chess

Chess tips: Essential tips for beginners to control middle game

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Posted by ChessTeacher on December 18, 2009 – 4:50 pm
Filed under Guest Posts
Tagged as beginner chess, Beginner Chess Tips, ches tips, chess, chess games, chess middle game, middle game chess, middle game chess tips, middle game strategy

Guest Post by Paul

The most interesting and challenging part in the fascinating game of chess is the middle game. It is this part of the game that would witness the real battle between the minds of two players of same capability. Ironically, it is this part of the game for which there is not much literature or straight-forward short-cut formula that one can adopt. With constant practice, however, one can gain experience and expertise in the middle game strategies. Using online chess or playing chess using the computer and the Internet in online chess websites is one of the best ways to learn the game and also gain expertise in a relatively quicker time.

What is the middle game? Where it starts and where it ends? There is no concise answer for these questions. One can say that the middle game starts when the opening game ends and the middle game ends when the end game starts. This seems to be vague, but, in most cases, it is sadly true because there is very thin line of difference and there is not much clarity.

Typically, the opening game should come to an end in less than 12 moves by which a player is reasonably expected to have developed his pieces and taken positions. But that seldom happens in the game and there is no set rigid rule that signals the beginning of the middle game.

The middle game is the real battlefield in the game where one is expected to use all his knowledge and thinking capability to the maximum extent. It is a minefield full of tactics and strategies.

To have a better and challenging middle game, it is imperative that you have a good opening game where the major pieces are well developed, the king is in a safe and secure place, and there is enough scope for free movement of the pieces. If there is some inherent weakness in the opening game, then it is unlikely that you can have better control over the middle game.

I would like to share with you some of the tips that would be of help to you in approaching the game with confidence.

In majority of cases, the opening game follows some of the time-tested and proven opening theories or opening variations such as French Defense, Roy Lopez opening, King’s gambit, Caro-Kann etc., Many people would have memorized the first few moves of each variation and can move the pieces to appropriate square, with no second thought, in a flash. But this can be followed only for the opening part. Once you enter into the middle game stage, you should start thinking a bit more deeply and concentrate more on the positional advantages of the various pieces.

You need to think not about the materials on hand, but also the positional advantages of the pieces. For example, if you have your queen side bishop at c1 and the king pawn in e2 moved to e3. If there is also a pawn at b2, then your white bishop is cramped as it can move only to d2 square and nothing more can it do. Thus not just the material but also the position of the pieces and their merits and drawbacks relative to the position should be assessed and analyzed, so that you can chalk out your plans well.

Before zeroing on a particular move, you should, for a split second, place yourself in opponent’s shoes and see what type of response can he give to your moves. This analysis and consequences of the opponent’s response should also be analyzed and then proceed with your decided move.

You should also use the analytical ability and foresight for planning your next 2 or 3 moves. Having planned for the next couple of moves, you can proceed further in the middle game with confidence. However, you should always bear in mind that a plan should not be a rigid one. The success or failure of your next planned move is dependent not on your plan but mainly on the response from the opponent’s move in his turn. If he foils your plan or makes a counter attack, you have no other option but to put your present plan to the back-burner and start working on a new plan. This does not mean that you should cease from planning your moves. By careful planning, you will get a better perspective of the game, which is essential for deploying tactics and strategies.

Tips On How To Play Better Chess

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Posted by ChessTeacher on April 3, 2009 – 10:22 pm
Filed under Beginner Chess Tips
Tagged as beginner chess, chess help, chess ideas, Chess Strategy, chess tips, chess tricks, chess tutorial

Playing a good game of chess is gratifying, and winning while playing a worthy opponent makes it even better. There are several methods trainers and coaches have recommended for use to help players become better at their game. The best tip is to play more often and practice on a daily basis. This gives players more experience in the game. Practicing helps exercise your skill and puts your knowledge into a more practical situation, which means you are able to react better in a real game.

Plan to practice for longer periods by playing an hour’s long game. This maximizes your skills in thinking, solving problems, and planning how to use and execute your game within a given time.

Studying is equally important in improving your game. You can opt to have a collection of some of your favorite players. This guides in studying their maneuvers, how they planned their game, and their style of execution and ending the game. This helps you refine your skills by using similar moves in trial games and practice sessions. Games that can be useful to improve your skills include long and blitz games.

Always review your game as a follow up to how you last executed your game plan. This is important in evaluating your progress. Going through your games is helpful in improving on your weaknesses. You get to learn from mistakes made in your previous games which can be avoided in the future.

Quality and meaningful evaluation from a more experienced player is even better as they may get to make better analyses of your game than a personal analysis. Playing computer chess programs is helpful in improving your skills. Having chess coach trainer practice with you regularly helps to build your confidence and give you the support you need along your quest. It doesn’t have to be expensive; some one who plays much better than you and has experience in the game can be helpful. Other resources you can use to get good training and support are online lessons.

Lessons are useful in reviewing and evaluating your skills and should be done constantly for their effect to have a positive impact on your game. Trainers can help design games to work specific areas in your skills as they see fit.

To help you execute your game easily to guarantee you a win, you have to develop your own set of good tactics. This is only possible by practicing constantly and applying your tactics whenever you can during trial games to see how they work. This involves learning how to scheme your opponent’s game, polishing up your intuition and playing up your opponent’s mistakes.

Resources that can be used to improve your tactics include books that give tactical exercises and use of online chess program software; some are available for free. Make a point of constantly learning different and new tactics. Use acquired tactics as often as possible when practicing your game; it builds up your confidence to use them in a real game situation.

5 Top Beginner Chess Tips

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Posted by ChessTeacher on April 1, 2009 – 3:18 pm
Filed under Beginner Chess Tips
Tagged as beginner chess, Chess Strategy, chess tips, chess tricks

As a beginner in chess, you may be confused by all the rules and piece values that you forget which moves or tips to keep in mind. Chess is a game of strategy and you need some beginner tips to kick start your game with.

When playing chess, to be on the top of the game you need to know the motive behind your opponents every move. Ask yourself why is he moving to that side? What piece is he trying to attack or eliminate? After eliminating my pawn what does he benefit? These are some of the few questions that you need to ask yourself and find answers. When you find the answer you can then think of your own move to make. When he threatens your knight he might be trying to get to your king, therefore put up a strong defense force. As a beginner thinking ahead of your opponent will get you far because as you play the game, two people are involved and thinking only about yourself will land in a disaster.

When playing, you are not supposed to overthink about your opponents move. I say this because there are times when you will play against a good opponent. Since your mind knows that he is well acquainted with the game and knows many strategies you focus a lot of his moves. Due to fear, you start thinking that every move he makes is to attack you. When he moves a pawn you spend so much time analyzing why he only moved a pawn and as a result time is lost. Find your balance between thinking ahead of your opponent and playing without fear of your opponent.

When your opponent eliminates your key piece do not spend time worrying or thinking that you will eventually lose. Remember when you mentally give up on a game, your thoughts and clouded and you are not in a position to spot an opening out of the dilemma. Since your opponent at this time expects you to have lost hope, prove him wrong. Pick yourself up, fight on and since your opponent does not expect his he will most likely make a mistake too.

As a beginner you find yourself spending so much time deciding where to move to. For every one move you will take almost 5minutes waiting to spot the perfect place. You have to realize that in chess sometimes there is just no perfect spot. To keep moving as a good pace try to move to a less preferred spot or safe spot. While you opponent decides on where to move, you can use this time to think of another better space to move to.

As you play chess, use something called X-ray vision. This basically means that you look at the chess board be able to easily spot traps or potential moves. Have the ability to see the whole game as you look at the board to avoid getting surprise check or checkmate moves.