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How do I get really good at chess?

How can I get good at chess?

  • I just want to know how I can get really good at chess so I can beat opponents. :) Thanks!!

  • Answer:

    At your level, I would recommend playing A LOT and focusing on: - Game-winning tactical patterns - Improving your decision making at the board - And ENJOYING the game The last part is highly neglected by many. :D Let's take a look at them one by one: 1. Study Game-Winning Tactical Patterns At amateur level, tactics win games. It's not sophisticated opening strategy, endgame technique, etc. but simple and straightforward tactics. Once you learn them like the back of your hand, you will find favorable tactics in your games and be able to take advantage of them. 2. Improving Your Decision Making At The Board Favorable tactics occur if you have built up your position good enough. So to build your position up, you need to make good moves, and to make good moves, your decision making process should be streamlined. One course that nails down both and is geared for chess players who just learned the moves is: http://chesstechniques.net/gmchesslessons/gmsecrets.php It's by GM Igor Smirnov - it's rich with tactical exercises and the course puts emphasis on developing good decision making skills on the chess board. I HIGHLY recommend it. 3. Have FUN! Otherwise, why bother? :) I hope that helps.

Emily at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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1) Take lessons from a good Teacher who knows what he or she is doing http://www.chessstudy.com/ http://www.sofiapolgar.com/ChessLessons.aspx http://www.onlinechesslessons.com/ 2) Study useful books that will teach you how to think and play in a structured way and will help you become stronger tactically http://www.amazon.com/The-Game-Chess-Algebraic-Edition/dp/1880673940 http://www.amazon.com/Play-Chess-Endings-Eugene-Znosko-Borovsky/dp/0486211703/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338046178&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.com/Laskers-Manual-Chess-Emanuel-Lasker/dp/188869050X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338046214&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.com/Chess-Tactics-Scratch-Understanding-Edition/dp/1907982027/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338046275&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.com/1001-Deadly-Checkmates-John-Nunn/dp/1906454256/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338046503&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.com/1000-Checkmate-Combinations-Victor-Khenkin/dp/1906388709/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338046545&sr=1-2 Constant practice is a must to become a good player join a Chess Club play as often as you can to develop your skills play long time control standard chess at least 60-45 minutes per game 2 or 3 times a week against players that are better than you or will give you a good game all the time I don't recommend playing on the Internet because way too many players cheat with software for cheap thrills (they get their rocks off abusing honest players) if you really want to get better stay away from server chess too many sharks in the pool! Another way of getting better and becoming a good player is play lot's of correspondence chess (Kere's Alekhine even Susan Polgar played it) http://www.chessbymail.com/ This is one of the best places to play CC Chess by mail you can play at your own pace and take your time deciding your move the majority of players at CCLA play on the up and up. Good luck getting better and have fun learning Chess!

alec39

Solve every day some chess problems http://www.ideachess.com/

Ogam

If you want to really improve at chess, you must study endgame, tactics and positional play. Playing a lot is not enough, you must also study chess. It's like in golf,just playing will not make you a good player, you must also study the technique in golf like proper golf swing, posture etc.. Buy these two books below it will help your game, these books are appropriate for your level. Once you mastered it, you can buy another book..Another thing have patience, chess improvement takes time.. http://www.amazon.com/Play-Winning-Chess-Yasser-Seirawan/dp/073560603X http://www.amazon.com/Chess-Tactics-Champions-step-step/dp/081293671X

Ryan

"a journey of 1000 miles, begins with the first step" chess has three basic phases...openings, middle game, & end game each phase has different logics, tactics, & strategies get this book : author : yasser seirawan title : winning chess, openings

Mark

I like the advice from Alec and Mark, but in addition here is a link to a very good article by a well known chess coach. "My Top Tips for Chess Improvement" http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman133.pdf

liberal_60

In my own opinion, practicing will do nothing if you don't know whats causing you to lose, the 2 most important parts of chess are strategy and thinking ahead. The two kind of go hand in hand, before you move a piece, stop and think what you will leave open and think of the consequences later in the match.

Christian Goff

Keep on watching other peoples games and observe their moves then you pick up some strategies and stuff, nothing better than learning frontline..:-)!

TopLAD

The basic thing in chess is, every time your opponent makes a move, you need to really look at what possibilities open up for him. you don't only have to look at the new position of the piece he just moved and where it can go next, you also need to take a look at every single piece he has and where those can go, look at the board as if you see it for the first time after every move. if you keep that in mind you will improve your game instantly. because this is what makes the difference between a bad chess player and a "good" chess player.

Gijs

Practice practice n practice some more joina chess club maybe, get a game for pc or console that has tution or an electronic version

Tim

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