How can I get better at playing chess?

Question

How can I get better at playing chess?

Answer 1

First: read up on the rules.  (Sometimes rules sheets have interesting hints.)

Next: Practice against computer.

Then: Practice against humans.

Each person, each computer has it's own strategy.  Read up on tricks, things like castling, or that other thing I don't know the name of.

Answer 2

play lots- speed games included- against humans and against silicon.  Don't neglect the endgame-get a really good tome that covers all of them (Batsford is good)  Experiment with openings and find ones that suit.  You can do your experiments online anonymously if you are worried about your rating dropping-a couple of sites below

http://www.itsyourturn.com

http://www.chessmaniac.com

Analyse your losses but not immediately after a game so you can do so dispassionately.  Study the masters and not just modern ones. The greats of yesteryear (Lasker, Rubinstein, Capablanca etc) can teach you a lot more than a few opening moves. Most of all ENJOY it-if you don't you're wasting your time...

Answer 3

you can watch it on t.v???

Answer 4

practice...

or cheat... lol

Answer 5

Well, I suppose that you could spend hours of your time memorizing plays and moves, but I don't suggest that. I am a very good chess player and have won many championships and all I did was play chess with other people and got a hang of the game.

Answer 6

Practice.Just practice.But, if you want to, you could cheat.

Answer 7

Well, i'm no expert but i'm okay and here are a couple of pointers.

1) Be suttle. If you have a plan, start if off, and then subtly support it for a few turns. Don't do anything too obvious.

2) Have a little empathy, per say. Put yourself in their shoes. Think "if i were to do this, how would they react?"

3) Use "second intention". Do a move so it appears as if you are trying to capture the queen, but then when they defend it, "reveal" that you really were set up to capture the knight

4) Use the knight. It has a power that no other piece has. Not even the queen. It is also very good at being subtle.

5) Fear the knight. Pay attention to it higher than all the other pieces, as it's not horribly obious if you are in the knights "crosshair"

Answer 8

Chess is like 90% preparation.

If you really want to get to the top you need to:

1. Make an opening repertoire and learn some openings by heart. [you don't want to waste your time thinking in the opening part of the game]

2. Learn the basic idea's in the opening. [for when you get an unknown position on the board you will know what to do]

3. Study all endgame positions from books. [this way when you get a winning position you are sure you are able to actually finish the game; since lots of opponents just don't give up even though they are losing]

4. Adjust your repertoire to the meta game. [if everybody is playing 1. e4 try to find a reply that best suits your playing style]

5. Always analyze your games afterwards. [ask someone who is better than you to help you do this, or use chess software]

6. The best way of excelling in chess is if you only play games in your repertoire. This way you will keep getting roughly the same positions on the board and you will know what to do in the middle game.

*Feel free to contact me if you don't understand something I said*

Answer 9

If it's only a hobby and you want to beat your friends, just read up on the rules and practice. This e-book should be a great help for non-pros for who chess is a pastime:

http://www.download.com/50-Chess-Tips/30...

Answer 10

There is training software that teaches tactics.  It is called CT ART 3.0.  It shows you progressively harder puzzles.  There is a book called "Chess" by Lazlo Polgar that does the same thing with mating puzzles.  You could also get chessmaster for your computer, it has drills.