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Started By
Message
Chess beginner needs help
Posted on 3/3/14 at 8:41 am
Posted on 3/3/14 at 8:41 am
I've never played chess before and I'm looking to get into it. I've been searching the web and watching YouTube videos but there is so much information to absorb. All of the different theories and strategies are very "frightening" to me as a beginner. Is there an ebook I can read to help a begginer or a series of videos to watch? TIA 
This post was edited on 3/3/14 at 11:49 am
15
Posted on 3/3/14 at 8:45 am to JAE20
quote:
All of the different theories and strategies are very "freighting" to me as a begginer
Connect 4 is what you're looking for.
Posted on 3/3/14 at 8:46 am to JAE20
quote:
begginer
This post was edited on 3/3/14 at 8:50 am
Posted on 3/3/14 at 8:47 am to JAE20
Better than an e-Book - get "Chess Fundamentals" by Jose R. Capablanca.
I learned more about the basics of chess - particularly the centre strategies than I did from any other single source.
Of course now, kids memorize opening books through hundreds of variations - I'm too lazy to do that, so I continue to play casually and informally. But, "Chess Fundamentals" should give you a good start.
I learned more about the basics of chess - particularly the centre strategies than I did from any other single source.
Of course now, kids memorize opening books through hundreds of variations - I'm too lazy to do that, so I continue to play casually and informally. But, "Chess Fundamentals" should give you a good start.
This post was edited on 3/3/14 at 8:48 am
Posted on 3/3/14 at 8:47 am to Pettifogger
I posted this from my iPhone neglecting to to check for errors. I apologize. Posted on 3/3/14 at 8:47 am to JAE20
Just never take any checkers off the back row
Posted on 3/3/14 at 8:48 am to JAE20
Just giving you shite. I'm terrible at chess, so I can't help. I got schooled in chess when in muni lockup one time, but I didn't learn much.
Posted on 3/3/14 at 8:48 am to JAE20
Former 1800 player here.
Once you get the rules down, get a "chess for beginners" book of some sort, they're everywhere. Once you get that down and start playing some games, get a basic tactics book or two. Fred Reinfeld's books are classic and they helped me plenty.
But you gotta play. Lots. And get your teeth kicked in. Go online to chessbase.com and get their Chesster series of programs for kids, and later get Fritz to help you review your own games. Just starting out I'd stay away from "blitz" games, you need time to think and then review after.
Once you get the rules down, get a "chess for beginners" book of some sort, they're everywhere. Once you get that down and start playing some games, get a basic tactics book or two. Fred Reinfeld's books are classic and they helped me plenty.
But you gotta play. Lots. And get your teeth kicked in. Go online to chessbase.com and get their Chesster series of programs for kids, and later get Fritz to help you review your own games. Just starting out I'd stay away from "blitz" games, you need time to think and then review after.
Posted on 3/3/14 at 8:49 am to JAE20
A thousand years ago when I learned I used Chess Tactics for Beginners -Fred Reinfeld
Great book.
Do you know the all the rules? If so I'd recommend a chess club, if you have the time.
Great book.
Do you know the all the rules? If so I'd recommend a chess club, if you have the time.
Posted on 3/3/14 at 8:50 am to foshizzle
quote:
Fred Reinfeld's books
Beat me too it.
Posted on 3/3/14 at 8:54 am to foshizzle
Thanks a lot. I've been reading for about 4-5 hours learning the basics and rules along with some very basic opening moves. This is quite overwhelming. I'm always interested in learning new things but due to the comment about playing "a lot" that makes me think I will always be terrible due to the lack of time I'll have to apply to learning all the intricacies.
I'll look into Fred Reinfield's book, I'm just hoping to be decent
I'll look into Fred Reinfield's book, I'm just hoping to be decent
This post was edited on 3/3/14 at 8:56 am
Posted on 3/3/14 at 8:58 am to dbt_Geaux_Tigers_196
Yep, Reinfeld's stuff is older than dirt but it still works. Some of the newer books and programs may or may not be easier to learn from, I don't know.
But to the OP - the point is that before you get into any planning the first thing to do is to learn how to quit losing your pieces left and right. That takes practice and lots of tactical puzzle-solving.
Occasionally I'll play someone in my family who is "just learning" as you describe and I don't do anything special, I just wait for him to make mistakes. Usually he's dropped his knight or bishop by the tenth move and it never gets better.
Even at the master level you'd be surprised how many games are decided by some tactical blunder, it's just that the mistakes are harder to spot at that level. There's less planning than you think.
You'll also want to learn how to win the Queen vs. King or Rook vs. King endgames. The techniques are pretty simple but having an extra R doesn't help if you don't know how to deliver mate.
But to the OP - the point is that before you get into any planning the first thing to do is to learn how to quit losing your pieces left and right. That takes practice and lots of tactical puzzle-solving.
Occasionally I'll play someone in my family who is "just learning" as you describe and I don't do anything special, I just wait for him to make mistakes. Usually he's dropped his knight or bishop by the tenth move and it never gets better.
Even at the master level you'd be surprised how many games are decided by some tactical blunder, it's just that the mistakes are harder to spot at that level. There's less planning than you think.
You'll also want to learn how to win the Queen vs. King or Rook vs. King endgames. The techniques are pretty simple but having an extra R doesn't help if you don't know how to deliver mate.
Posted on 3/3/14 at 9:07 am to JAE20
Don't spend any time at this stage with books on strategy--they are all beyond your level. You need to focus on learning how to set up forks, use rooks to control adjacent files/rows and trap a king, positioning of knights near the center early, and not overdeveloping your queen too early. All of these beginner strategies are explained online.
Get a good chess app and play at the lowest level until you beat it consistently. Move up one level and continue until you beat it consistently. Rinse. Repeat. You will learn to implement the above strategies.
Do not play against a person who is significantly better than you. You will be hopelessly outclassed and get frustrated. Only do this if the person (and you) are willing to play and have him interrupt at every move and explain what you did good or bad, alternatives you had, his own strategies, etc. This takes a good friend who is a good teacher and knowledgeable about chess, but is the best way to learn.
Know all the rules, especially castling, advancing a pawn to the last row, and capturing a pawn en passant.
Good luck, it is a fun and fascinating game once you get the hang of it.
Get a good chess app and play at the lowest level until you beat it consistently. Move up one level and continue until you beat it consistently. Rinse. Repeat. You will learn to implement the above strategies.
Do not play against a person who is significantly better than you. You will be hopelessly outclassed and get frustrated. Only do this if the person (and you) are willing to play and have him interrupt at every move and explain what you did good or bad, alternatives you had, his own strategies, etc. This takes a good friend who is a good teacher and knowledgeable about chess, but is the best way to learn.
Know all the rules, especially castling, advancing a pawn to the last row, and capturing a pawn en passant.
Good luck, it is a fun and fascinating game once you get the hang of it.
Posted on 3/3/14 at 9:08 am to foshizzle
I finally got the two bishops mate but never the bishop/knight mate. I guess I didn't have the patience, very frustrating.
To the OP, one good thing about playing a lot of different people is it will eventually help you develop your 'style'. Anywhere from wide open 'tactical' chess to closed, prodding 'positional' chess. It's odd but your personality has a lot to do with the style of play you're best at.
To the OP, one good thing about playing a lot of different people is it will eventually help you develop your 'style'. Anywhere from wide open 'tactical' chess to closed, prodding 'positional' chess. It's odd but your personality has a lot to do with the style of play you're best at.
Posted on 3/3/14 at 9:09 am to JAE20
online chess games
Posted on 3/3/14 at 9:14 am to JAE20
Mess around on chess.com. You will find articles, videos and online play with people just starting out like yourself. They also have a good app. Go to Amazon for some beginner books. I have some at home and will update post when I get back.
This post was edited on 3/3/14 at 9:18 am
Posted on 3/3/14 at 9:17 am to JAE20
Reading about opening moves and the like is intimidating. Just go play and you'll incorporate all that stuff as you progress.
Posted on 3/3/14 at 9:20 am to JAE20
quote:
All of the different theories and strategies are very "frightening" to me as a beginner.
play online on a server where you get rated and can play opponents similarly rated. Yahoo games used to be fantasitc for this back in the day. Just play a bit and pay attention to your opponents opening moves and how each opening series lends itself to certain approaches and attacks during the game. After you've done this a while, the written explanation of strategies will make much more sense. It also helps if you have a board and play out the strategies as you read them.
I read two great books back in the day and will try to find the titles tonight.
Posted on 3/3/14 at 9:22 am to foshizzle
quote:
Former 1800 player here.
Scale of Impressiveness: IRL 8 / OT 4
Posted on 3/3/14 at 9:23 am to Putty
quote:Agreed. Also, use a physical chess board when you're playing online. It's helps you visualize what's going on.
It also helps if you have a board and play out the strategies as you read them.
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