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Author Topic:   Chess counsel
BMG
Member (Idle past 209 days)
Posts: 357
From: Southwestern U.S.
Joined: 03-16-2006


Message 1 of 17 (414771)
08-06-2007 9:49 AM


Hello. I have recently taken up chess. It's a game I played sometimes when I was a kid, but now have taken a more serious approach. I want to learn the different stategies and tactics that are employed, and how best to use each in certain situations.
I am a member at gameknot.com, and fairly routinely have my ass handed to me by more experienced, and brighter people.
My questions are: if you play chess, what advice would you give a novice? What websites, books, exercise books, etc. would you recommend I take up?
I have seen a few tips that are fairly common, and from what little I understand, are in no particular order:
1- protect your king
2- control the middle
3- develop your pieces (knights, bishops, rooks(sp?)
Lastly, I did see the EVC chess competetion thread, and saw this thread first, seeing it to be fit for these questions, as well.
Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by Zawi, posted 08-06-2007 10:11 AM BMG has replied
 Message 3 by Omnivorous, posted 08-06-2007 5:35 PM BMG has replied
 Message 4 by tudwell, posted 08-06-2007 9:37 PM BMG has replied
 Message 9 by Modulous, posted 08-12-2007 1:56 PM BMG has not replied
 Message 11 by Phat, posted 11-19-2013 8:24 AM BMG has not replied

  
Zawi
Member (Idle past 3630 days)
Posts: 126
From: UK
Joined: 12-02-2004


Message 2 of 17 (414775)
08-06-2007 10:11 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by BMG
08-06-2007 9:49 AM


You really have to be familiar with openings if you're playing against Gameknot dudes. This site is tonnes of fun Chess Opening Explorer (seems to be down atm)
But don't forget to study how the openings actually work, otherwise you'll get surprised by the more unpredictable openings of novices.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by BMG, posted 08-06-2007 9:49 AM BMG has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 5 by BMG, posted 08-07-2007 3:25 AM Zawi has not replied

  
Omnivorous
Member
Posts: 3978
From: Adirondackia
Joined: 07-21-2005
Member Rating: 7.3


Message 3 of 17 (414860)
08-06-2007 5:35 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by BMG
08-06-2007 9:49 AM


What I've been doing...
Here are a couple of sites you might find useful.
I've been trying to rebuild my game after being away from it for many years. In addition to the sites below, Wikipedia includes nice analyses of many openings (search by name) along with links to other chess sources.
Chess Tutorials--A nice list of both free and paid online tutorials, sorted by free/paid.
Error 404 (Not Found)!!1--A list similar to Chessopolis' but not sorted by free/paid.
Another great source is your local public library. There are loads of vintage chess books (and a few recent ones) in most libraries and most of what they cover is still as relevant now as it was many years ago. The obscure branches of openings yield new analysis almost daily, but the main lines have been well established for many decades.
You can also purchase tutorial software--I think Chessmaster has a tutorial mode, though I haven't used it.
Also, play through games you've lost again. When you reach a spot that turned disastrous for you, figure out what you did wrong and what you could have done instead: this is a really good way to stop making the same mistakes. I play through my Gameknot losses at least a couple of times each.
Finally, play, play, play--I have a half dozen or so Gameknot games going at any one time, and I've slowly improved my rating to just above 1500. I also play against a tablet chess computer that at its highest setting routinely kicks my butt: computer opponents are a great way to learn to stop making careless errors--they never fail to punish obvious errors, and they let you take them back and move on.
I'm also Omnivorous on gameknot, and if you want to challenge me to an unrated game, I'd be happy to include commentary along the way. I'm no master, but I know basic openings and tactics fairly well.
I'll tell you how I think you went wrong when you do, and I'll make pretty good excuses when I do.

Real things always push back.
-William James
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Join the World Community Grid with Team EvC!
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This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by BMG, posted 08-06-2007 9:49 AM BMG has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 6 by BMG, posted 08-07-2007 4:35 AM Omnivorous has not replied
 Message 12 by Phat, posted 11-19-2013 8:32 AM Omnivorous has replied

  
tudwell
Member (Idle past 5979 days)
Posts: 172
From: KCMO
Joined: 08-20-2006


Message 4 of 17 (414902)
08-06-2007 9:37 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by BMG
08-06-2007 9:49 AM


Some other general advice (though as always there will be exceptions):
  • Place your rooks on open files.
  • Keep your knights near the middle of the board. They have significantly fewer spaces to move to at the edge.
  • Don't bring your queen out too early.
  • Castle as soon as possible. This safeguards the king and activates a rook.
  • Don't bring your rooks out too early. They're much more effective later in the game when the board is more open.
  • Knights are better in tight, closed games. Bishops are better in more open games. Keep this in mind when trading pieces.
  • Pay attention to your pawn structure. (You might want to read the Wikipedia article on it, or else check out some books from the library. It's pretty important.)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by BMG, posted 08-06-2007 9:49 AM BMG has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 7 by BMG, posted 08-07-2007 4:40 AM tudwell has not replied

  
BMG
Member (Idle past 209 days)
Posts: 357
From: Southwestern U.S.
Joined: 03-16-2006


Message 5 of 17 (414943)
08-07-2007 3:25 AM
Reply to: Message 2 by Zawi
08-06-2007 10:11 AM


You really have to be familiar with openings if you're playing against Gameknot dudes.
I've only played on gameknot for a couple of months, but, yes, I've asked a few people when, after beating me rather easily, what I should do to improve my game; they echoed, "study the openings".
Thanks Zawi.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by Zawi, posted 08-06-2007 10:11 AM Zawi has not replied

  
BMG
Member (Idle past 209 days)
Posts: 357
From: Southwestern U.S.
Joined: 03-16-2006


Message 6 of 17 (414945)
08-07-2007 4:35 AM
Reply to: Message 3 by Omnivorous
08-06-2007 5:35 PM


Re: What I've been doing...
That's a wealth of information. I have only looked partially through the Chessopolis site, and there were still tons I have yet to search. I will look at the google sites when time allows, as well.
With regards to a chess match with constructive criticism, I am in. That sounds like a great way to improve my game. [wining] The only thing that turns me off a bit is the time allowed between turns. Three days seems a bit long, and Blitz chess' ten minute totals seems a little short. [/wining]
Thank you.
Abe: My login is infixionevc.
Edited by Infixion, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by Omnivorous, posted 08-06-2007 5:35 PM Omnivorous has not replied

  
BMG
Member (Idle past 209 days)
Posts: 357
From: Southwestern U.S.
Joined: 03-16-2006


Message 7 of 17 (414946)
08-07-2007 4:40 AM
Reply to: Message 4 by tudwell
08-06-2007 9:37 PM


Pay attention to your pawn structure. (You might want to read the Wikipedia article on it, or else check out some books from the library. It's pretty important.
Pawn structure is definately something I need to sharpen. I only know that pawns should not be stacked - one on top of another, where they are both fairly vulnerable - or side-by-side - don't know the term, but this also leaves them open to attack.
Thanks for the advice: I need as much as I can get.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 4 by tudwell, posted 08-06-2007 9:37 PM tudwell has not replied

  
Admin
Director
Posts: 12998
From: EvC Forum
Joined: 06-14-2002
Member Rating: 2.3


Message 8 of 17 (415831)
08-12-2007 1:46 PM


Back to the present...
Thread restored to today.
Edited by Admin, : Change author.

  
Modulous
Member
Posts: 7801
From: Manchester, UK
Joined: 05-01-2005


Message 9 of 17 (415843)
08-12-2007 1:56 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by BMG
08-06-2007 9:49 AM


Hope this helps...
Study openings.
Study classic games with commentary.
Study openings.
Learn to play blindfold chess - or at least CVT.
Study openings.
You need to know your openings and the pitfalls and strengths behind each one. Learn everything you can about one opening, follow a load of games with that openings, study it some more and try and play that opening 'blindfolded' for as many moves as possible.
Enjoy it...otherwise there's no point.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by BMG, posted 08-06-2007 9:49 AM BMG has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 10 by Phat, posted 11-19-2013 8:15 AM Modulous has not replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 10 of 17 (711451)
11-19-2013 8:15 AM
Reply to: Message 9 by Modulous
08-12-2007 1:56 PM


2013 Chess update and commentary.
CVT sounds interesting....sometimes I feel as if I already play chess blindfolded though....I have been losing easy games that I should have won.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 9 by Modulous, posted 08-12-2007 1:56 PM Modulous has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 13 by Jon, posted 11-19-2013 3:57 PM Phat has replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


(1)
Message 11 of 17 (711453)
11-19-2013 8:24 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by BMG
08-06-2007 9:49 AM


Top Ten Rules to the Opening!
BMG, long inactive EvC Member writes:
My questions are: if you play chess, what advice would you give a novice? What websites, books, exercise books, etc. would you recommend I take up?
I have seen a few tips that are fairly common, and from what little I understand, are in no particular order:
1- protect your king
2- control the middle
3- develop your pieces (knights, bishops, rooks(sp?)
I have read up on chess, and the advice I got was very similar:
Top Ten Rules to the Opening!
There are many rules and principles for the three different stages of a chess game, but the focus of this article is how to "get out of the gates" in a hurry!
Rule #1 - Develop Your Pieces!
Development means "to build and create". Development, loosely translated to "chess terms", means that in the beginning of the game you need to develop your position by getting all of your pieces out as fast as possible. Using your entire army is an absolute must when playing chess at a high level.
Rule #2 - Develop Your Pieces!
Wait a second, isn't that the same rule... Hmm, that's weird. Anyway, what I'd like to point out with rule #2 is which pieces you should be developing first: In general, your "minor" pieces should come out first. The minor pieces are your Knights and Bishops. They're the easiest to develop, and because your Rooks and Queen can't really get into the game until later (see rules 5 and 8) you shouldn't be thinking about moving "the big guys" until the "little guys" are in the game.
Rule #3 - To Develop Your Pieces, or Not to Develop Your Pieces? DEVELOP!
Yes, development really is that important! Develop, develop, develop your pieces... Without the help of all your dudes, how can you expect to win? With rule #3 I'd like to talk about where you should be developing the pieces: Though rule #7 will reiterate this idea, establish in your thinking now that the best place to develop your pieces is toward the center. Below you will see a fun example of what, in a perfect world, might be the "best" way to develop your pieces:
Rule #4 - Don't Move a Piece Twice Before Move 10!
After reviewing the first three rules and seeing an example of how one might want to complete their development in a perfect world, this next step should be easy to understand. Just look at the last example and imagine how crazy someone would need to be to move their Knights back and forth while their opponent developed. Well, trying to battle the enemy army by only using one piece at a time would be just as nuts. For example:
Rule #5 - Don't Bring Your Queen Out Early!
If either player is truly following our first four rules, and has therefore developed all of the minor pieces, the last thing you would want to do would be bring your Queen out too early. Think about it: The Queen is worth more than any piece besides the King. Some would say that the Queen is more important than your mother (just joking, for any kids reading this laughing). If the Queen starts mixing it up with the little guys, her chances of getting lost along the way are pretty good. Here is an extreme example:
Rule #6 - Get Castled (Before Move 10)!
Generally, it should even be possible to castle before move 7, but I'm a nice guy and will give you some leeway. Getting Castled is one of the smartest things anyone ever did! Really, it is... Probably the best invention since sliced bread, or even the "Walk-In" Closet Tongue out!
Anyway, castling is the most efficient way to safe-guard your King, get your rook(s) into the game, and coordinate your army all in one move. I am not sure we really need a diagram here to teach us the importance of this move. Assuming you know the rules to castling (1-- You can't castle if you have moved either the King or the Rook(s); 2-- Can't castle out of check; 3-- Can't castle into or through check). Okay, you are ready to castle, so "just do it"!
Rule #7 - Attack (Develop) Towards the Center!
Imagine a basketball game where your team never went to the rim or never crossed the three point line. Now imagine a soccer game where the players on your team straddled the edge of the field, but never ran down the middle of the field towards the goal. The likely result of such a terrible team strategy would be a crushing defeat, and the punishment for passive "non-centralized" development in chess can be just as devastating. You need to develop your pieces to their most active squares possible! Below is one of my favorite examples of what could (exaggerated of course, but still instructive) possibly happen to someone after only one passive developing move.
Rule #8 - Connect the Rooks!
This rule is in place as a kind of reminder or "insurance plan". What I mean by this is that if you simply start following the rules of development, but somehow decide to get lazy along the way, this rule will remind you that your "plan of development" isn't complete until your Rooks are connected. If you read between the lines, what does it mean if your Rooks are connected? It means you have (1) developed your minor pieces, (2) gotten castled, and (3) finally brought your Queen out to a more active (but hopefully safe) square. If you have indeed connected your Rooks, than you have likely completed the first stage of the game...
Rule #9 - Develop Plans, Not Just Pieces!
Let's assume, for the sake of learning this rule, that you have grasped all the "basic" concepts of the Opening: You plan to develop your pieces; you plan to attack toward the center and you plan to do all this while keeping watch over your opponent's threats... So if we know now that you are going to develop and get castled as soon as you can, and that you no longer need to be reminded of those important steps, then here is what I would like you to think about: When you develop your pieces, try and develop them with "purpose".
What that means is simple: Instead of just getting the pieces out, start thinking about where and why you are getting them out. Develop your Knights looking to attack pawns! Develop your Bishops looking to pin Knights!! Develop your Rooks to open files (not to files that will never become opened)!!! The possibilities are endless!
These are the principles of higher level chess, and the beginning fundamentals of learning "Opening Theory", which essentially means playing the Opening and developing moves that are considered "theoretically best" by Grandmasters and World Champions. Here is one example of a "tournament Opening" with explanations:
Rule #10 - Attack "In the Direction" of Your Pawn(s) Structure!
What if I told you that one of the secrets to planning at a master level in chess was the pawns? Here is the deal: Your pawns are the only pieces that can't go back. Which means that every time they move forward, they are deciding something permanent about the game you are playing. Weaknesses in the pawn structure or formation are positional weaknesses, which means they're permanent in the position. Learning to recognize and then attack pawn weaknesses and the weak squares created by pawn moves, is the key to understanding positional chess.
So what does that quick introduction to positional chess have to do with the Opening stage of the game? The idea is that if a player looks for the open files and diagonals (or sometimes lack thereof) created by the pawns in the beginning of the game -- he/she will know where to develop the pieces. Pawns are telling your pieces exactly where to develop with every move and trade, so take the time to think about your pawns before developing your piece(s) to any random square.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by BMG, posted 08-06-2007 9:49 AM BMG has not replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 12 of 17 (711454)
11-19-2013 8:32 AM
Reply to: Message 3 by Omnivorous
08-06-2007 5:35 PM


Re: What I've been doing...
Hi Omni! We probably need to play a few games, though you would easily wipe the floor with me...as you always did. Jon and I have routinely played over the years at chess.com and I still own a 52W / 43L / 3D record over him, though lately I have blundered away some easy wins.....while he keeps getting better.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by Omnivorous, posted 08-06-2007 5:35 PM Omnivorous has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 17 by Omnivorous, posted 12-05-2013 10:24 PM Phat has not replied

  
Jon
Inactive Member


Message 13 of 17 (711501)
11-19-2013 3:57 PM
Reply to: Message 10 by Phat
11-19-2013 8:15 AM


Re: 2013 Chess update and commentary.
I have been losing easy games that I should have won.
Just what is that supposed to mean, sir? I am no noob.

Love your enemies!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 10 by Phat, posted 11-19-2013 8:15 AM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 14 by Phat, posted 11-19-2013 4:37 PM Jon has not replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 14 of 17 (711507)
11-19-2013 4:37 PM
Reply to: Message 13 by Jon
11-19-2013 3:57 PM


Re: 2013 Chess update and commentary.
Granted. You are every bit as good as I am....or better, lately.
Have you been watching the world champions lately? The way they move seems like the rest of us...for the first 4 moves or so....then they go to a level I don't even begin to understand!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 13 by Jon, posted 11-19-2013 3:57 PM Jon has not replied

  
caffeine
Member (Idle past 1025 days)
Posts: 1800
From: Prague, Czech Republic
Joined: 10-22-2008


(1)
Message 15 of 17 (711542)
11-20-2013 5:30 AM


I still think we need a new EVC chess tournament, since it is surely a thing of great offence to the gods and to nature that a player of my ability is the reigning champion of the board. Let me know if you want me to set one up.
As for the world championship, the problem is not just failing to understand the purpose behind some moves, I'm often stumped by how the games end. They sometimes agree to draws long, long before I'd have ended the game.

  
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