Chess for Beginners

Author: beginchess

  • Poor Thinking Process

    The best thing I can do for my chess is to improve my thinking process, which is one of my greatest weaknesses. Below are some of the reasons why it my thinking process just plain stinks.

    1. Not considering the consequences of a move at least 3 ply deep on every play.
    2. Focusing too much on my plan, and not worrying about my opponent’s plan.
    3. Not following a standard though process method.
    4. Not considering the most aggressive candidate moves.
    5. Poor candidate move selection. This includes.
      1. not considering aggressive moves
      2. retained image errors.
      3. Worrying about misconceived threats, or not choosing candidates because of worries about King safety.
    6. Not looking for tactics during my opponent’s move.
    7. Not looking at the whole board. This leads to underutilized pieces at best and a surprise checkmate at worse.
    8. Poor evaluation of the position.
    9. Playing without a plan.
    10. Playing too much blitz. Not that blitz games are bad, but they do not allow you to apply a though process and it does not allow you to practice your analysis and evaluation skills. All improving players should stay away from blitz until we have developed a consistent and applicable thought process via games played at long time controls.

    That’s it for now, I’ll add more in time. Feel free to leave comments on how you can improve your thought process.

  • USCF Online Ratings Calculator

    USCF Online Ratings Calculator

  • Annotated Game: Lordofthedance versus Chessbuzz

    Round 2 game of the July Monthly Standard Tournaments on ICC.

  • Back to Basics

    I have come to the realization that there comes a time in every improving players game where we try to apply all we have learned yet we end up losing more games than we win. The improving player needs to realize that reading more chess books, learning a new opening or practicing obscure endgames is not going to improve their game.

    The improving player’s game will be better served by simplifying their chess and going back to basics. Here are five things we can do that should lead to improved results:

    1. Improve your thought process. Make sure you look for checks, captures and threats on every move, and always consider what your opponent is trying to accomplish and what move they would make if it would be their turn instead of yours.

    2. Improve your ability to analyze. Consider at least three half moves before making a move. If the position leads to a forced tactical continuation, and you are unable to calculate until the position is quiet, then choose a ‘safer’ strategically based move that will require less analysis and calculation.

    3. Do not force the situation and instead play for small advantages. Ensure that there are no weaknesses in your camp, while at the same time scanning for weaknesses in your opponents side.

    4. Calculate several candidates before making each move, and always expect that your opponent will play the best move. Remember that once you found your move, try to look for a better one (unless you are in time trouble).

    5. Play less blitz games. Blitz is the number one reason we develop bad habits which hurt our thought process. Blitz causes us to not analyze and think the position through. Play longer games (at least G15/5) instead of blitz, these longer games will allow you to work on your thought process and analysis skills. Once those bad habits have been eliminated, you can then return to blitz play as a much stronger player.

  • Educational Chess Games Part II

    I haven’t given up on compiling the list of educational games, but it was more difficult than I first thought. I have come up with a list of approximately 150 games from different sources, and I have narrowed it down to the 50 you see here. I tried to keep at least one version of each theme, but I wanted to keep the number of games manageable.

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  • Annotated Game: Indiana-Jones – Chessbuzz

    Indiana-Jones versus Chessbuzz is another game where I take a beating from a GM on ICC. I think I’m getting a lot out these games, as I learn how GM’s take advantage of the smallest advantage and eventually dismantle the weaker player. I think the most educational part is annotating the game afterwards.

  • Tactics Online

    Chess Tempo is a new online tactics site, it is still in testing, but it is definetly worth a visit. It is similar to the Chess Tactics Server, but you do not have the time penalties CTS has, so you can think about the position a bit longer.

  • Educational Chess Games

    It is common knowledge, that in order to improve your chess game you should go over annotated master games. To get the most out of this exercise, the master games that we go over should should contain memorable patterns and/or combinations that we can later recall and apply in our own real game situations.

    I am beginning to compile a list of educational games, and I would love to hear your recommendations. Leave a comment with the participants, year, venue and the lesson it is teaching, and in a future post I will make a PGN available for download which includes all these games.

  • Chessbase Light 2007

    Download your free copy of Chessbase Light 2007!
    UPDATE: Please see the update and expanded chess database post including a download link to the latest version of chessbase light.

  • Fischer versus Spassky Documentary

    Fischer versus Spassky Documentary