Just recently started playing chess a bit more seriously. What can i do to improve my game?

Question

Hello everyone,
I Just recently started playing chess a bit more seriously. Currently I’m 21 years old, is it not too late for me to learn how to play chess very well? I was always fascinated about chess, since the first time I’ve learnt how to play them at the age of 14. Unfortunately I never had time and desire to improve my game until now. I became a member of chess.com (my friend suggested that this website is the best one for beginners/intermediates). What I’m mainly looking for is a sort of guide for beginners who want to start playing serious chess. I’m mainly concerned with openings and development; of course anything else that would improve my game would also be considered... I’m also willing to spend £10-15 a month to become an advanced member at chess.com if that’s going to improve my game. Another reason why I’m playing chess is to improve my logic, problem solving and other abilities that will be useful for my university degree.

Answer 1

Before throwing away your money, try the free stuff.





http://www.chesscorner.com/tutorial/learn.htm

http://www.logicalchess.com/resources/lessons/tactics/

and the sites in this search

http://chess.about.com/lr/tactics/356105/2/



Other ideas are

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=basic+chess+lessons&search_type=&aq=f

Answer 2

The best way to improve chess skills is to play more games, especially against more experienced and powerful opponents. Do not constantly play against the same pool of people, such as at a local club or amongst buddies, because this will eventually plateau your development. Enter in tournaments, etc.; facing really good players will make you better. Chess.com, pogo.com, and all these other sites where you can play chess against others is also a great way to improve. Of course, also play against computers, which think differently then humans do and can significantly enhance your game.



Otherwise, use the internet to find various discourses on openings, the middlegame, and the endgame. Studying the various openings, techniques, and strategies, coupled with their actual use, will make you a better player. If you want first-class instruction, go out and buy a book on chess; there are many excellent volumes for amateurs that were written specifically for what you are looking for. I recommend the "Complete Book of Chess Strategy" by International Grandmaster Jeremy Silman.

Answer 3

It's never too late to improve your chess game!

(1) Join a club. (No, not on line. A real one.) You'll get plenty of chances to play, and the possibility of discussing tactics, openings, endgame technique, etc.,

(2) Choose 2-3 openings for white, and 2-3 openings for black, and study them. Don't learn variations, but make sure you understand the principles behind the moves.

(3) Study endgames. Make sure you know how to mate with, e.g., K + R vs. K.

Chess enhances logic and problem solving skills for sure. The pattern recognition skills come in useful for, say, language learning too.

All the best -- you've chosen the best game im the world!

Answer 4

when i first started playing chess i absolutely sucked. The best thing that you can do to improve your skills overall is to play it a lot. Even if you lose you will gain strategies overtime and become a better player.

Answer 5

You will be good at chess if you love the game, join chess clubs. solve chess problems. read chess books. play against very great players. study the moves from the grandmasters!!

Answer 6

Learn chess strategies at this site which is made for beginners to advanced chess players.

Answer 7

Play your heart out

practice

believe in yourself

never give up

stay focused

think of your life as a chess game

and more

Answer 8

use a search engine like google (not yahoo) and type in chess strategies. there should be a plethora of good strategies

Answer 9

just do not play the first move that comes to your head. Think of the possible outcome and if it is less risky then all other possible moves then make your move.

Answer 10

play play play

Answer 11

It's never too late!



My advice if you really want to improve your game is study tactics/combinations and all kinds of checkmates again and again and again until you dream about them in your sleep studying tactics seriously for about 11 months will not only make you a better chess player but a deadly tactician!



http://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Deadly-Chess-Tactician/dp/1901983595



http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Chess-Workout-puzzles-Everyman/dp/1857445325/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269208957&sr=1-1



http://www.amazon.com/Chess-Tactics-Champions-step-step/dp/081293671X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269208990&sr=1-1



http://www.amazon.com/Tactics-Tournament-Player-Comprehensive-Course/dp/1889323020



http://www.amazon.com/Chess-5334-Problems-Combinations-Games/dp/1579125549/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269209190&sr=1-1



http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Checkmates-J-Gilliam/dp/034540307X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269209256&sr=1-1



http://www.amazon.com/Brilliant-Checkmate-Chess-lovers-library/dp/0879801107/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269209287&sr=1-1



Not an exhaustive list but they are the best books I know of on tactics!



It's important to also study system if you want to be a serious Chess Player:



http://www.amazon.com/Game-Chess-Algebraic-Siegbert-Tarrasch/dp/1880673940



http://www.amazon.com/Laskers-Manual-Chess-Emanuel-Lasker/dp/188869050X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269209485&sr=1-1



http://www.amazon.com/System-Chess-Classics-Aron-Nimzowitsch/dp/9197600539/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269209509&sr=1-1



Books and lessons from experts are only part of the answer of becoming better you must also seek out and play human opponents (computers are ok for sparring but they don't fight like people do it's not the same) who are better than you in slow games as often as you can opponents who can crush you badly and give you a very bloody nose are the best teachers at the board they'll play hard against you every game you'll get the sort of practice and experience that you need in order to become a respectable and deadly player yourself with time and hard work.



Good luck!



Edit:



I agree with the poster who said join a real club online is a waste of time because too many people cheat with chess engines and they use low tactics like letting their time burn to frustrate their opponents.

Answer 12

play in rated tournaments you will get better