On Becoming a Chess Player
- Chess Improvement
Key Idea
Spend 50-60% of your time playing chess!
Key Idea
Avoid sticking to a single opening!
Key Idea
Focus on tactics! Spend 10-15 mintues a day practicing tactics
On Becoming a Chess Player: How to Level Up
As a Chess Grandmaster, I have often encountered questions from new players eager to improve their game. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started and thrive in the chess community:
Play Often:
– Spend 50-60% of your time playing chess games.
– Playing frequently helps you subconsciously process and improve your game.
– Aim to play against opponents within a few hundred rating points of your level for optimal learning.
Engage with Opponents:
– After each game, exchange a few thoughts with your opponent.
– Participate in post-mortem discussions to gain insights and learn from each other.
Variety in Openings:
– Avoid sticking to a single opening; it limits your learning.
– Switch openings every 30-60 games to expose yourself to different structures and ideas.
– Don’t change openings every game; give yourself time to understand each one deeply.
Here are some great opening courses to start with:
Opening Principles
Scotch Opening – Up to 1800 Level
Smash the French! (Up to 1800 Level)
French Defense (Up to 1800 Level)
Experiment with Time Controls:
– Try different time controls (blitz – not recommended, rapid, classical) to see what suits you best.
– Your preference may evolve as you improve, so revisit different time controls periodically.
Focus on Tactics:
– Studying tactics is crucial as chess is largely based on pattern recognition.
– Aim to solve 2,000-3,000 tactical puzzles to build a strong foundation.
– Spend 10-15 minutes daily on tactics, using apps or websites for convenience.
Here are some great resource to practice tactics:
Master Chess Tactics: Part I
Chess Tactics in the Opening Phase
Build a Chess Community:
– Find a community through online forums, clubs, or discord servers.
– Make chess friends to enhance your enjoyment and progress in the game.
– Engaging with others will keep you motivated and provide valuable learning opportunities.
Optional Recommendations:
– Inspiration: Follow what inspires you, be it books, videos, or specific players.
– Tournaments: Participate in tournaments to experience the competitive aspect of chess.
– Endgames: Practice basic endgames like king and pawn versus king, and basic checkmates.
Check out this amazing complete end game course: Mastering Chess Endgame Concepts
Things to Avoid:
– Computer Analysis: Do not rely on computer analysis or evaluations under 1200 rating.
– Playing Moves You Don’t Understand: Always play moves you comprehend.
– Memorizing Openings: Focus on understanding, not memorization.
– Blindly Following Advice: Test and verify advice from various sources.
– Over-preparing: Don’t delay tournament play by over-preparing.
– Ego Traps: Keep your ego in check. Focus on learning and enjoying the game rather than just winning.
By following these guidelines, you can significantly enhance your chess skills and enjoy the game to its fullest. Remember, the journey is as important as the destination. Good Luck!