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How To Win at Chess
Chess players have different opinions on lots of questions: Which is better, 1.e4 or 1.d4?; Who was the greatest player of all time?; Is blitz play good or bad for your overall game?
One question has an answer that everyone agrees on: Which is better, winning or losing? No one plays chess with the objective of losing, but chess games are lost every day. We've all heard the quote, 'A good loser is still a loser'. It's better to be a winner.
Here are a few resources to start you off you on the winning path. Knowing them is no guarantee that you'll win, but not knowing them is a sure guarantee that you'll lose. Difficulty: Hard Time Required: It's up to you. Like any skill in life, the more time you spend on chess, the better you will play. Here's How:- Learn the Basics : The principles of good chess are presented in our second Essential, called
The Tools: Basic Chess Concepts.
The most difficult to master are:
These principles are second nature to all good chess players. If you expect to win, you must know them.
- Don't Lose in the Opening : This is the only winning technique that we'll discuss in negative terms. You only win in the opening when your opponent makes a terrible tactical mistake, a '??' move. If both opponents play the opening correctly, neither will win. One player might get a solid advantage, maybe even a winning advantage, but it must be converted to a win in the middle game or endgame. • See our Essential:
for a tutorial on the basics of the opening.
- Win in the Middle Game : Most chess games are won and lost in the middle game, where your imagination is your greatest ally. Whether formulating a deep plan or calculating a tricky combination, you need to be well rounded in all facets of this most difficult phase. The
are pattern recognition, combinations, plans, double attacks, open lines, King safety, Pawn structure, and piece placement. Your imagination will be even more powerful if you possess the fundamentals of chess knowledge.
- Win in the Endgame: Some of the most difficult positions have the fewest pieces. How can you expect to handle 32 pieces when you have trouble with 5 or 6? The
are forced checkmates like King and Queen vs. King, Pawnless endgames, a single piece against a lone Pawn, single pieces of equal value with a lone Pawn, and King and Pawn vs. King. Everyone tells you that endgames are important, but few players ever study them. Be different! An hour spent on the endgame is worth more than an hour spent on the openings.
- Win Tactically :
You'll never be a good player if you overlook mate in two moves or simple wins of material. Sharpen your tactical eye with
from real games. Puzzles are great practice even when you only have a few spare minutes. A specific position may never occur in your game, but the theme definitely will. Tactics occur in all phases of the game.
- Study the Games of the Great Players : Step through
with a diagram and commentary for each and every move of particularly instructive games. Openings, tactics, positional play, and endgame principles are explained from a chess master's point of view, but with beginning and intermediate players in mind.
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