lichess.org
Donate

What are the top 5 tips you would give a chess player just starting out?

PureProgressionFTW

@shadow1414 said ^

(@)PureProgressionFTW: 'Playing less frequently (only a few games a week) you won't build enough momentum' ~ That momentum can be build up via game analyzes.

Game analysis very important but should be combined with lots of games as what you miss in a game stings & you're more motivated to remember it than seeing moves in analysis only. Playing & analysis are complimentary.

@shadow1414 said [^](/forum/redirect/post/IjqV1Qpk) > (@)PureProgressionFTW: 'Playing less frequently (only a few games a week) you won't build enough momentum' ~ That momentum can be build up via game analyzes. Game analysis very important but should be combined with lots of games as what you miss in a game stings & you're more motivated to remember it than seeing moves in analysis only. Playing & analysis are complimentary.
kindaspongeyedited

"... For many people with little time for chess the default option is internet blitz, in which the players have five minutes or less for the entire game. I cannot warn too strongly against taking this route if you want to improve, the problem being that playing too many games at a fast time limit will corrupt the decision making process. Instead of playing good moves, a player honed on blitz will look for moves he can make quickly and perhaps bring himself closer to a win on time. ...
... you need to keep to time limits in which the chess position is more relevant than the thinking time, and, ideally, much more relevant. I actually believe that only Grandmasters (2500+) should play five minute blitz, ... 1500 players should have at least 25 minutes thinking time for a game -- or a rough equivalent if they are using an incremental time limits. ..." - 10 Great Ways to get Better at Chess (2010) by GM Nigel Davies

"... For many people with little time for chess the default option is internet blitz, in which the players have five minutes or less for the entire game. I cannot warn too strongly against taking this route if you want to improve, the problem being that playing too many games at a fast time limit will corrupt the decision making process. Instead of playing good moves, a player honed on blitz will look for moves he can make quickly and perhaps bring himself closer to a win on time. ... ... you need to keep to time limits in which the chess position is more relevant than the thinking time, and, ideally, much more relevant. I actually believe that only Grandmasters (2500+) should play five minute blitz, ... 1500 players should have at least 25 minutes thinking time for a game -- or a rough equivalent if they are using an incremental time limits. ..." - 10 Great Ways to get Better at Chess (2010) by GM Nigel Davies
futurechessgoat

@RemRus said ^

will do more games this year and next year

Next year? In order to play 15 games you need 3 months?

I can do 15 games in 1-2 weeks. I am planning on playing consistently this year and next year, depending on if my new work schedule can in the games which should not be too difficult

@RemRus said [^](/forum/redirect/post/db6QFHaX) > > will do more games this year and next year > > Next year? In order to play 15 games you need 3 months? I can do 15 games in 1-2 weeks. I am planning on playing consistently this year and next year, depending on if my new work schedule can in the games which should not be too difficult
shadow1414

(@)kindaspongey: What reason is there to assume that Kindaspongey knows that a player will need time for, 'seventy-five moves'?

(@)kindaspongey: What reason is there to assume that Kindaspongey knows that a player will need time for, 'seventy-five moves'?
kindaspongeyedited

@shadow1414 said in #34:

(@)kindaspongey: What reason is there to assume that Kindaspongey knows that a player will need time for, 'seventy-five moves'?

I am not aware of any reason "to assume that" I know "that a player will need time for, 'seventy-five moves'".
By the way, if you want to publicly address a question to me, it seems like a strange choice to do the "(@)" thing.
https://lichess.org/forum/general-chess-discussion/i-am-stuck-at-2000-what-should-i-do
"... [Site "https://lichess.org/LyVAN1It"] ... [Black "martinmodern"] ... Moves 1-23 were played at an average rate that would have made sense if it had been expected that the game would last for 233 moves. ... In a 10+5 game, one could average 13 seconds per move and have enough time for 75 moves." - kindaspongey (#6, about a month ago)
"... I am not advising specifically 13 seconds per move. I am just using that as one example of how one might do better than averaging ~8 seconds per move for 1-23. ..." - kindaspongey (#8, about a month ago)

@shadow1414 said in #34: > (@)kindaspongey: What reason is there to assume that Kindaspongey knows that a player will need time for, 'seventy-five moves'? I am not aware of any reason "to assume that" I know "that a player will need time for, 'seventy-five moves'". By the way, if you want to publicly address a question to me, it seems like a strange choice to do the "(@)" thing. https://lichess.org/forum/general-chess-discussion/i-am-stuck-at-2000-what-should-i-do "... [Site "https://lichess.org/LyVAN1It"] ... [Black "martinmodern"] ... Moves 1-23 were played at an average rate that would have made sense if it had been expected that the game would last for 233 moves. ... In a 10+5 game, one could average 13 seconds per move and have enough time for 75 moves." - kindaspongey (#6, about a month ago) "... I am not advising specifically 13 seconds per move. I am just using that as one example of how one might do better than averaging ~8 seconds per move for 1-23. ..." - kindaspongey (#8, about a month ago)
ChessPriyome

@futurechessgoat said ^

https://globalcrimefeed.com/the-blueprint-of-the-board-a-high-value-tactical-manual-for-chess-beginners/

My biggest common mistakes from playing is moving too quickly

and then you say ...

If I take my time to analyze, I usually do well and have more pieces and a stronger position, but I run out of time.

So you lack game context when it comes to thinking/time management. Welcome to the club that is not exclusive in the least.

You have essentially 5 kinds of moves in chess you need to be able to consider if time is an ongoing issue for you (which is part of your training, by the way):

forcing moves - should take you a few seconds. These include Recapturing a piece, Escaping check, obvious theoretical move that cannot be avoided. You take the short time to look for 'tweener moves that may be there, otherwise play your move.
Normal move - no immediate tactics involved; piece improvement, routine development, etc. Longeer than a few seconds or so
Positional Decision - take a few minutes if you got it - pawn breaks/structure changes, piece exchanges, transition into an endgame.
Tactical Position - Sacs, Combos, King Attacks, Complications. As much time as needed that you can comfortably afford.
Critical Position - "If you fail here, you will lose" kinds of positions. Take as much time as you need within th confines of the game. If you choose poorly here, the game is probably over.

Also, when do you know its right time to castle?

If your king can castle safely and you don't see a specific benefit from waiting, then castle. Quick check for castling:

CASTLING CHECK
Is my king safe in the center? Can the center open? Is the center closed? What do I gain by waiting? Are queens still on the board? Is my opponent developing threats?

IF NO CLEAR REASON TO WAIT, then Castle.
IF CENTER IS CLOSED, Consider delaying castling.
IF OPPONENT CAN OPEN THE CENTER, Castle immediately

Also, how often do you think a beginner getting back into chess should play?

Playing constantly and never studying, or studying constantly and never playing are both bad. You need to find the sweet spot, FOR YOU. A 50/50 ratio is a good place to start and you cannot go wrong with that.

For every long game you play, Play the game. Analyze it yourself first. Then check with an engine. Take notes, if you are want to do.

Books have been written on how to analyze a chess game (Alex Yermolinsky - The Road to Chess Improvement, Dan Heisman - The Improving Chess Thinker, Jonathan Rowson - Chess for Zebras). Find a simple method then contine to refine it. But NEVER end session in "play mode". you should at least analyze your losses (hopefully right after if life does not get in the way) and log them so you can track how you are losing and what issues this may expose in your game. This will focus your study sessions to "correct" those deficiencies. It's the classic Feedback Loop for improving anything.

Like anything in chess, as you develop your intuition you will become more proficient at the game. I would avoid bullet and blitz (unless for just fun), concentrate on Rapid/Classic play, and take it seriously when you do it.

The road to hell is littered with good intentioned chess players.

@futurechessgoat said [^](/forum/redirect/post/7PDJl1Sl) > https://globalcrimefeed.com/the-blueprint-of-the-board-a-high-value-tactical-manual-for-chess-beginners/ > > My biggest common mistakes from playing is moving too quickly and then you say ... > If I take my time to analyze, I usually do well and have more pieces and a stronger position, but I run out of time. So you lack game context when it comes to thinking/time management. Welcome to the club that is not exclusive in the least. You have essentially 5 kinds of moves in chess you need to be able to consider if time is an ongoing issue for you (which is part of your training, by the way): **forcing moves** - should take you a few seconds. These include Recapturing a piece, Escaping check, obvious theoretical move that cannot be avoided. You take the short time to look for 'tweener moves that may be there, otherwise play your move. **Normal move** - no immediate tactics involved; piece improvement, routine development, etc. Longeer than a few seconds or so **Positional Decision** - take a few minutes if you got it - pawn breaks/structure changes, piece exchanges, transition into an endgame. **Tactical Position** - Sacs, Combos, King Attacks, Complications. As much time as needed that you can comfortably afford. **Critical Position** - "If you fail here, you will lose" kinds of positions. Take as much time as you need within th confines of the game. If you choose poorly here, the game is probably over. >Also, when do you know its right time to castle? If your king can castle safely and you don't see a specific benefit from waiting, then castle. Quick check for castling: CASTLING CHECK Is my king safe in the center? Can the center open? Is the center closed? What do I gain by waiting? Are queens still on the board? Is my opponent developing threats? IF NO CLEAR REASON TO WAIT, then Castle. IF CENTER IS CLOSED, Consider delaying castling. IF OPPONENT CAN OPEN THE CENTER, Castle immediately > Also, how often do you think a beginner getting back into chess should play? Playing constantly and never studying, or studying constantly and never playing are both bad. You need to find the sweet spot, FOR YOU. A 50/50 ratio is a good place to start and you cannot go wrong with that. For every long game you play, Play the game. Analyze it yourself first. Then check with an engine. Take notes, if you are want to do. Books have been written on how to analyze a chess game (Alex Yermolinsky - The Road to Chess Improvement, Dan Heisman - The Improving Chess Thinker, Jonathan Rowson - Chess for Zebras). Find a simple method then contine to refine it. But NEVER end session in "play mode". you should at least analyze your losses (hopefully right after if life does not get in the way) and log them so you can track how you are losing and what issues this may expose in your game. This will focus your study sessions to "correct" those deficiencies. It's the classic Feedback Loop for improving anything. Like anything in chess, as you develop your intuition you will become more proficient at the game. I would avoid bullet and blitz (unless for just fun), concentrate on Rapid/Classic play, and take it seriously when you do it. The road to hell is littered with good intentioned chess players.
<Comment deleted by user>
CaptainColls

  1. Eat in a calorie surplus (bulking); your brain needs energy to make meaningful improvements.

  2. Chase what’s fun (bullet/blitz/standard/tactics/study, etc.); your brain needs to be engaged to learn.

  3. Get enough sleep; this will compound the positive effects of the calorie surplus and engaged play/study.

  4. Take a break when you get tilted, and don’t try to play through burnout; otherwise, you’ll make it worse.

  5. Once you gain too much weight, eat in a calorie deficit (cutting). You’ll be worse at everything physical and mental, but once you lose the weight, you can then begin bulking again and repeat the cycle.
    5a) To eat in a calorie surplus, you can keep it really simple and weigh the total amount of food you eat on a food scale. For example, 1000g of food per day to gain weight is what I do. You can adjust the number of grams of food you eat per day to be more or less depending on how the 1000g affects your weight. But if you’re trying to improve and willing to gain some weight for it, then make sure you’re in a consistent daily calorie surplus because that will send the strongest signals to your brain and body to make meaningful improvements.
    5b) To eat in a calorie deficit, I do the same as in 5a, but I eat 500g of food per day.

1. Eat in a calorie surplus (bulking); your brain needs energy to make meaningful improvements. 2. Chase what’s fun (bullet/blitz/standard/tactics/study, etc.); your brain needs to be engaged to learn. 3. Get enough sleep; this will compound the positive effects of the calorie surplus and engaged play/study. 4. Take a break when you get tilted, and don’t try to play through burnout; otherwise, you’ll make it worse. 5. Once you gain too much weight, eat in a calorie deficit (cutting). You’ll be worse at everything physical and mental, but once you lose the weight, you can then begin bulking again and repeat the cycle. 5a) To eat in a calorie surplus, you can keep it really simple and weigh the total amount of food you eat on a food scale. For example, 1000g of food per day to gain weight is what I do. You can adjust the number of grams of food you eat per day to be more or less depending on how the 1000g affects your weight. But if you’re trying to improve and willing to gain some weight for it, then make sure you’re in a consistent daily calorie surplus because that will send the strongest signals to your brain and body to make meaningful improvements. 5b) To eat in a calorie deficit, I do the same as in 5a, but I eat 500g of food per day.