Top Chess Tips For Beginners
Starting out as a beginner is a great way to get into chess. There are many ways to learn how to play, but all of them start with someone who knows the game already. You can be an advanced player without knowing the basics!
Many people begin by learning the initial rules of the game before moving onto more complex concepts. This article will go over some basic tips that anyone can use to improve their chess. These tips will focus mostly on becoming a better beginner player.
You do not need to know any formal lessons or books on the game to become a good player. Many professional level players have limited knowledge at the higher levels, but still manage to put in lots of effort towards improving themselves.
This article will also talk about some strategies and ideas you can use to motivate yourself to practice. Learning how to play chess takes time, so don’t feel like you must spend hours every day studying.
But it is important to understand that practicing your moves slowly isn’t enough. It may take you weeks to realize this, but taking short breaks during your practices will help you retain what you have learned.
Always assume the worse
A common beginner mistake is trying to be too clever with your moves. Sometimes this can backfire and make you lose instead!
Just because something looks good does not mean that it is the best move for you at this stage of the game. You must consider what position the other player has left themselves in, how much time they have before the next move, and whether or not their own pieces are safe.
These things all factor into deciding which moves are optimal. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, then choose the least risky option until you feel more confident.
The most important thing is to keep thinking about the game, but also remember that beginners should try to avoid being overly creative unless needed.
Always try to improve your chess skills
There is always something you can do to improve your game, from improving your position evaluation to learning new strategies or systems. Even if you are already very good at the game, there are ways to hone your skill set.
Running through different games of yours many times will help you find patterns in how you play the game and what strengths and weaknesses you have.
Always keep an eye on the clock
A common beginner mistake is trying to do too much with the timer running down. You should make every move as quickly and efficiently as possible, but you cannot afford to be quick unless the situation calls for it!
If you are in a time pressure situation then you need to take your time and think through each step before moving. This will save you from making bad decisions or worse, giving up.
You must know when to press the button and when to hold off! If you have time then can manage your moves more effectively, use that time to plan out your next few moves.
Learn the rules of chess
The first thing beginners should do is learn how to play by learning the game’s rulebook! These are like step-by-step instructions telling you what to do next.
There are two main rulebooks that every beginner must know: the book with all the moves in it (called the “rulebook”) and the one that tells you how to handle disputes or violations of the rules (also called the “handbook”).
The handbook is way more important than the rulebook, as it covers everything beyond the actual gameplay. This includes things such AS FIVE RONGS OR A KING IN VERTICAL DIRECTION, WHAT TO DO IF YOUR KNIGHT IS BEING ATTACKED, AND WHICH COLOR CARDS ARE GOOD FOR MAKING BLOCKERS.
Know the different opening moves
The initial stage of chess is knowing which move to make first, also called an opening. There are many openings in chess, but some are more popular than others. Some of the most well-known opening styles are the Sicilian, Ruy Lopez, Queen’s Indian, Scandinavian, etc.
Knowing these openings can help you choose your next move! However, it is not enough to know just their names – you should learn what each one looks like and how they relate to each other. This way you will be able to compare and understand them better.
There are several ways to learn about the various openings. You can read a book that teaches all of them or go through online courses where you get guided lessons. Or, as with any skill, you can watch YouTube videos and study from there.
Whatever method you use, do not feel too stressed out! Even if you are still at the beginner level, you can already start practicing by looking up an open game and trying to work out what position it has reached.
Know the different endgames
The term ‘endgame’ refers to the stage of the game when both players have run out of moves. This is typically characterized by close proximity between pieces, or groups of pieces that must be coordinated in order to succeed.
The most common type of endgame is called a checkmate. Checkmates are usually caused either by a direct attack on one of your opponent’s king sides, or by them running out of tricks to try.
A second major category is the opposite one; what we refer to as an exchange-variant draw. In this case, neither player can force a win through normal means, but they might be able to get a draw if they spend enough time trying!
Another relatively uncommon kind of endgame is something we call quiet victory. Here, even though you don’t have any material advantage over your opponent, you achieve some sort of success and walk away with a good feeling. It’s hard to describe really, but it’s like winning a small battle while still being ahead on points.
Always choose the best opening move
The first thing beginners often get wrong is choosing their starting position, or what chess player calls an “opening” (the initial stage of the game).
From there, they usually make sub-optimal choices as to which side to place their next piece. If you are ever given the choice between a beginner-friendly option and a slightly more advanced one, always go with the easier one!
It will take you less time to learn the basics if you start off easy, and it can easily be forgotten when you’re so close to victory!
There are many free online chess apps these days that do not require any logins to use, making it very accessible to anyone. Many have simple modes you can play in without paying anything, too!
We recommend using OnlineChessClub.com because it is a very trustworthy site and has lots of features.
Choose your opponent wisely
As mentioned before, knowing who you are playing is the most important thing to know when you’re a beginner chess player! If you are looking to hone your game, choosing an unfamiliar opponent can be tricky.
You don’t want to pick someone that will give up too easily or play unfairly, but at the same time you don’t want to face too many challenges either. There is no perfect way to choose your opponents, so here are some tips to help you out!
First of all, make sure they have played chess before! This seems obvious, but it is very common to find beginners facing players with little experience. Even if they say they do not, chances are they really don’t.
Second, look them up on online chess sites or talk to people who play their chess about them. You should be able to tell whether or not this person has enough skill by how well they perform in past games.