I need to improve my chess game? Any advice?

Question

Ive been learning to play and I have gotten much better to where I could even beat my boyfriend who has played his whole life. I have been reading books, playing on the internet, playing him and other friends and now it seems like I am actually getting worse. He is pretty much beating me everytime again and I am making dumb mistakes. How can I be getting worse after trying all this? Is there anything else I can do to become a better player? I have made it my new mission to become really good at chess. Thank you

Answer 1

I LOVE chess! I've been playing since I was a kid. Here's something to remember when playing it. It IS basically a war game, you know, how you are defending the king and all. OK, so that also makes it a psychological game, too ;-) Try to never loose your queen, as she is your most powerful weapon. Only risk a pawn if you stand to gain something bigger in return, though it may not happen immediately. I always back up my pawns on either side, so if my opponent takes one, I can take their piece. Most people make mistakes when it comes to the knights. They can trap a king quicker than any other piece! Use a rook to back up a king for checkmate.

Answer 2

Think ahead.

Answer 3

There are few principles

* The opening strategy should aim control the centre. You could use d or e pawns to use this. If you can control more squares than your opponent you have good chance to win.

* Knights before bishops. Use your knights in the board to be active before the bishops. Try to locate them on the centre or nearly centre of the board. Knights on the side is equal to they are dead.

* Avoid use of queen too early. If you use queen prematurely, you will spend the whole time to save the queen from pins and forks of the opponent. By the time your pieces will be undeveloped and the opponent will be in good position.

* Castle as soon as possible. This make the king safer. Preferably to the kingside. Queen side castling make more moves to achieve and also more space in the queen side make the king less safe. Sometimes you don’t need to castle,  for instance, in closed opening games. Closed opening games make the centre is more safer to the king than the side.

* Try to evaluate your position after each move. Choosing the best move will of course is the best way, but finding the worst move will also help to improve the game. Just another way of thinking.

* When you are ahead, trade pieces. When you are down, trade pawns.

* Keep a good pawn structure. Each pawn move makes weakness. Never ever underestimate pawns. They can become monsters during endgames. So don’t ever neglect them and loose them. Avoid isolated pawns and doubling of pawns. The square in front of the isolated pawns are the best place for the pieces from the opponent since this square is too weak.

* Try to exchange knights for bishops in the middle game and endgames.  

* After each move, think about a tactical possibility. One tactical shot can change the game 180 degree.

* Try to use the king as a defensive weapon in the endgames rather than simply allow him to sit and sleep.

* Try to learn different variations of each game. For eg. most of the move from white start with Ruy-Lopez opening or its variations. When you become more advanced, you should try to learn Sicilian and its variations like-Dragon, chinease dragon and so on...the best reply for black against whites opening.

Another important one- one thing at a time:- When you play chess, do only play,  no matter it’s a good move or bad move, don’t chat or discuss.

Answer 4

before you make a move, look at EVERY piece including your opponents, see what each player can do. dont try to protect too many things with one piece, you dont have to castle straight away; just see if you can make space.(then, when the opponent uses 5 moves to get into position for checkmate, you castle and they need a new plan)

and dont let pieces be taken. not even pawns!

Answer 5

This is from my school chess coach:

1.)  Take your time and THINK!

2.)  Think with your head, not your hands

3.)  Make your pieces safe

4.)  Look for the best moves

5.)  Look for ALL the grabs, ALL the checks

6.)  Develop your pieces in the opening

7.)  Control the center

8.)  Castle

9.)  Figure out what your opponent intends

10.)  When ahead material, trade pieces

11.)  When behind material, trade pawns

12.)  Play a LOT of chess

Answer 6

Three main things In chess

First look and try to gain more material, know point values

King- N/A

Queen-9

Rook-5

Knight/Bishop-3

Pawn-1

Second Protect the king, it woun matter if ur up by 10 points if you get checkmated you lose, the best way to do this is to castle and finally develp, and ATACK ATACK oh yes i almost forgot ATACK

Answer 7

Hi Mitch,

I went through the same feeling. One day I paid a Master for a class and asked him what you are asking here. His answer was simple: study each opening seriously, each variation, over and over like you would if it were math. And he said "pay attention" and when you play a game, think about your opponents' move while he is thinking. Never let concentration down. I did that for about six months and started playing much better. Then I bought a pocket pc and installed some chess programs there and kept practicing - not just moving but thinking about the best move. That helped me too. To me it was hard because I really had to take time to think deep about the best move so for a while it became a hard homework. Now, two years later, I play better. A few weeks ago I beat a Master - he was embarassed as it never occurred to him that I could beat him. If you buy a pocket pc, install CONVEKTA programs there (they have openings, middle-game and end-game programs). Each cost about $21 dollars. Since you have been reading books I don't think there is much more you need to do other than pay attention and play an hour a day. If you want to play online email me at barrosochess at yahoo.com and we can play "correspondence" (one move a day) or actual realtime game. take care

Answer 8

Plan your moves, be flexible enough to see where he is going to move after you do. Also if you can, in the beginning, mirror his moves then use your bishops and knights. Remember this is a game of strategy.