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Started By
Message
Anyone play chess?
Posted on 2/21/26 at 9:43 pm
Posted on 2/21/26 at 9:43 pm
Just picked the game up and been playing online. Getting my arse handed to me. Is the best way to learn just playing, or is there a better way?
29
Posted on 2/21/26 at 9:45 pm to mytigger
You can read a book on it, different strategies, etc.
Posted on 2/21/26 at 9:46 pm to mytigger
LINK
A few bits of advice:
* Don't spend a lot of time studying/memorizing openings. This is the #1 mistake of nerw players. Play open games (e4) whenever possible. Play one e4 opening as white, such as the Scotch Game or the Ruy Lopez exchange variation. As black learn one defense against e4 and one against d4. Play the Closed Sicilian as white. Avoid the mainline Sicilian defense as white or black -- too much work!
* Study endgames. Know what kind of ending you want to go into, or avoid.
* Learn about pawn structure. What betting patterns are to Texas Hold 'Em, pawn structures are to chess.
I haven't played in 20+ years, so any books I recommend may be hard to find. But these books are worth studying if you can find them (check Amazon or your local libraries):
How To Open A Chess Game -- various authors. Especially the chapter by Portisch.
Ideas Behind The Chess Openings -- Reuben Fine
My Best Games Of Chess -- Alekhine
My 60 Memorable Games -- Bobby Fischer
The Most Instructive Games Of Chess Ever Played - Irving Chernev
1000 Best Short Games Of Chess - Irving Chernev
Practical Chess Endings -- Paul Keres
Practical Endgame Lessons -- Edmar Mednis
Chess Endings Theory and Practice -- Averbakh
Pawn Structure Chess -- Soltis
Also, the tactical quizzes by Reinfeld et al to hone your combinational skills
A few bits of advice:
* Don't spend a lot of time studying/memorizing openings. This is the #1 mistake of nerw players. Play open games (e4) whenever possible. Play one e4 opening as white, such as the Scotch Game or the Ruy Lopez exchange variation. As black learn one defense against e4 and one against d4. Play the Closed Sicilian as white. Avoid the mainline Sicilian defense as white or black -- too much work!
* Study endgames. Know what kind of ending you want to go into, or avoid.
* Learn about pawn structure. What betting patterns are to Texas Hold 'Em, pawn structures are to chess.
I haven't played in 20+ years, so any books I recommend may be hard to find. But these books are worth studying if you can find them (check Amazon or your local libraries):
How To Open A Chess Game -- various authors. Especially the chapter by Portisch.
Ideas Behind The Chess Openings -- Reuben Fine
My Best Games Of Chess -- Alekhine
My 60 Memorable Games -- Bobby Fischer
The Most Instructive Games Of Chess Ever Played - Irving Chernev
1000 Best Short Games Of Chess - Irving Chernev
Practical Chess Endings -- Paul Keres
Practical Endgame Lessons -- Edmar Mednis
Chess Endings Theory and Practice -- Averbakh
Pawn Structure Chess -- Soltis
Also, the tactical quizzes by Reinfeld et al to hone your combinational skills
Posted on 2/21/26 at 9:46 pm to mytigger
Nice try Mr. G Man.
Posted on 2/21/26 at 9:51 pm to mytigger
I play. Like any skill, number one thing you need is lots of practice/repetitions. My recommendation would be to learn a very narrow opening repertoire (for white, only one of the e4, d4, or Nf3 opening systems, for black, a single move response system to each of the white opening moves) and get decent at those. For end game, learn the basic rook, queen, pawn endings, and how to mate with a few pieces (only rook, only queen, knight and bishop, etc). For middle game, just do lots of tactic puzzles. That’s most important. Beginners can make the most improvements just by getting better at tactics. Register on lichess and you can do unlimited tactics puzzles for free.
This post was edited on 2/21/26 at 9:55 pm
Posted on 2/21/26 at 9:53 pm to mytigger
I play every day. I usually hang around beyweem 700-800 on 3 minite games.
I've never studied openings or strategy. I like to come up with my own, no matter the outcome.
You're going to get your butt handed to you regardless of your skill level as you move up and down based on your elo.
I've never studied openings or strategy. I like to come up with my own, no matter the outcome.
You're going to get your butt handed to you regardless of your skill level as you move up and down based on your elo.
Posted on 2/21/26 at 9:54 pm to mytigger
Levy Rozman has a really good book for beginners called How To Win At Chess. If you like videos you can watch some Eric Rosen or chessbrah/Aman Hambleton. Alex Banzea does some good ones where he explains openings with "if they play this, then you play this" rather than burying you with theory.
Posted on 2/21/26 at 9:55 pm to mytigger
It's a tough game.
I studied some of Bobby Fischer's tactics, but playing a cpu than can do billions of computations per second can be difficult.
The human mind is still better. imo.
I studied some of Bobby Fischer's tactics, but playing a cpu than can do billions of computations per second can be difficult.
The human mind is still better. imo.
Posted on 2/21/26 at 9:56 pm to mytigger
quote:
Anyone play chess?
Yes. I believe they're called "nierds."
Posted on 2/21/26 at 9:56 pm to mytigger
quote:yes, I love the game. Don’t get to play as often as I’d like.
Anyone play chess?
Currently have my 5yo starting to fall in love with the game.
Posted on 2/21/26 at 9:57 pm to DownSouthDave
I also prefer 3 minute blitz with no increments.
Posted on 2/21/26 at 10:00 pm to mytigger
I taught my kid to play when he was 5. At age 8 he finally stalemated me. That was the end of my chess playing days.
Posted on 2/21/26 at 10:01 pm to mytigger
Learn a couple of basic openings and then study and practice the frick out of tactics. If you stick with it long enough to do that, you can move on from there.
Posted on 2/21/26 at 10:01 pm to shutterspeed
quote:Cécile Haussernot (born 22 October 1998) is a French chess player holding the title of Woman International Master (WIM)
I believe they're called "nierds."
Posted on 2/21/26 at 10:03 pm to mytigger
Not well, but yes. I enjoy it
Posted on 2/21/26 at 10:04 pm to Kafka
quote:
Cécile Haussernot (born 22 October 1998) is a French chess player holding the title of Woman International Master (WIM)
Whelp here’s to not helping me spend time to learn to be better at chess.
Posted on 2/21/26 at 10:05 pm to Kafka
Posted on 2/21/26 at 10:05 pm to mytigger
Watch Anna Cramling. Beauty, brains and the daughter of two grandmasters.
Posted on 2/21/26 at 10:06 pm to Kafka
Id rather play chest with her
Posted on 2/21/26 at 10:48 pm to Kafka
That's a fly-arse nierd.
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