Say one thing that was a game changer for you • page 1/1 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

I mean one thing that helped you to improve your chess significantly.

For me, it was to learn an opening. Before that, I couldn’t play online games, because I was spending too much time to decide what my next move could be.

Learning an opening helped me to know the basic moves, the plans behind it, and tramps.

I mean one thing that helped you to improve your chess significantly. For me, it was to learn an opening. Before that, I couldn’t play online games, because I was spending too much time to decide what my next move could be. Learning an opening helped me to know the basic moves, the plans behind it, and tramps.

Hydrovich

Getting introduced to the concept of imbalances.

That obviously changed the way I look at the board, and was the biggest leap I've had in chess understanding since I started playing chess.

Getting introduced to the concept of imbalances. That obviously changed the way I look at the board, and was the biggest leap I've had in chess understanding since I started playing chess.

DoomedBishop

I can't say I have improved a huge amount, but I did improve a bit after reading ABC's of Chess. I learned to occupy, attack, or defend the center. I also learned a bit about knights and bishops. A former friend taught me how to mate with a king and rook against a lone king. He also taught me that losing your major pieces isn't always the end of the world. One can defeat a rook with a knight if there are pawns on the side of the one with the knight (especially if the player with the rook has ONLY a rook). I also learned that two pawns, if advanced far enough, can defeat a rook. Okay, I know this is all beginner stuff, but please go easy on me. Finally, I have learned some opening moves which allow me to keep an even game (or better) at times.

I once automatically brought out the knights without thinking. Now I try to bring out what I need at the time.

I can't say I have improved a huge amount, but I did improve a bit after reading ABC's of Chess. I learned to occupy, attack, or defend the center. I also learned a bit about knights and bishops. A former friend taught me how to mate with a king and rook against a lone king. He also taught me that losing your major pieces isn't always the end of the world. One can defeat a rook with a knight if there are pawns on the side of the one with the knight (especially if the player with the rook has ONLY a rook). I also learned that two pawns, if advanced far enough, can defeat a rook. Okay, I know this is all beginner stuff, but please go easy on me. Finally, I have learned some opening moves which allow me to keep an even game (or better) at times. I once automatically brought out the knights without thinking. Now I try to bring out what I need at the time.

DoomedBishop

Oh, sorry...I forgot that you wanted ONE thing. I gave a few examples...

tpr

Blunder checking.

Terry38a

Knowing Daniel Naroditsky..

tinaseiskaffee edited

Undefended pieces, making sure every piece is defended at all times, even when its not immediatly attacked. Credit to John Bartholomews (@fins) Video on that

ChessPriyome

Attending a real, live chess club.

You get to discuss chess in real time. Hands down the best experience for chess is a real, face-to-face OTB chess club. for the socially awkward it's a learning experience as well.

Online chess pales by comparison. There is no argument you can make against that.

Attending a real, live chess club. You get to discuss chess in real time. Hands down the best experience for chess is a real, face-to-face OTB chess club. for the socially awkward it's a learning experience as well. Online chess pales by comparison. There is no argument you can make against that.

Terry38a

yeah OTB is veryy needed

verylate

hard to pick one thing, as my own progress (and occasional regress) has been influenced by a variety of factors at different times over the past half century. Arguably the biggest was the discovery that there were actually books written about chess, and my school library had a few. Once I started reading, chess got hold o my sense of curiosity, and I was hooked.

Then there was my discovery of the city chess club downtown. I didn't actually learn very much from the masters and experts there, but it certainly opened my eyes. And it made me competitive. Unfortunately, my association with the club ended when I left to go to university, and I was basically absent from the game for a long stretch. But sometime near the end of that absence, I met with Roman Pelts, who was coaching experts and masters at the time. His advice to me was pretty basic: in order to improve, it is necessary to do 2 things. One must study, and one must play. Both; neither is a substitute or the other. It took a while or me to get what that meant, but eventually I got it.

hard to pick one thing, as my own progress (and occasional regress) has been influenced by a variety of factors at different times over the past half century. Arguably the biggest was the discovery that there were actually books written about chess, and my school library had a few. Once I started reading, chess got hold o my sense of curiosity, and I was hooked. Then there was my discovery of the city chess club downtown. I didn't actually learn very much from the masters and experts there, but it certainly opened my eyes. And it made me competitive. Unfortunately, my association with the club ended when I left to go to university, and I was basically absent from the game for a long stretch. But sometime near the end of that absence, I met with Roman Pelts, who was coaching experts and masters at the time. His advice to me was pretty basic: in order to improve, it is necessary to do 2 things. One must study, and one must play. Both; neither is a substitute or the other. It took a while or me to get what that meant, but eventually I got it.