I could use some advice. I haven't been playing very long, so I'm not very good. I've been reading some books and tring to improve, but to no avail. When I win, I feel like it's luck, instead of my own ability. I tend to make fantastic blunders and get trapped before I know it. I was just wondering if anyone had some advice on what the best way to make some forward progress here. I'm not looking to be a GM or anything, but I would like to be able to enjoy the game, instead of becoming frustrated. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
--H
Just want to add my 2 cents... and tell you what you are going to learn to do...
Here are the important things. You can't always stick to these basic rules, but they will help.
Try to gain control of the center.
Try to move your major pieces once each... rather than chasing something around with a knight or Bishop. If you will need to move that piece again, try another move.
Try and keep count of how many attacks the other guy has on your pieces... try to count how many attacks you have on them.
Try not to double your pawns up... but try to double your opponents pawns up if you can.
If you are White... try and keep your White Bishop... Same for Black with Black Bishop.... this is a good friend for your Queen on the same color squares.
Try to castle quick... and try not to move the pawns out in front of the king... keep them protected. There are lots of opens that call for you to move these pawns... but sometimes the toughest pawns are just 3 in a row right where they started.
Don't move the Queen around too much... and try to develop all the other pieces first.
When you start trading, try to keep count and follow through the whole exchange... Look out for surprises like hidden checks and pieces being pulled away from what they were doing before the exchange started. Perhaps there is a better move than a trade... like you could go off on your own attack.
Try to trade when you pull another piece away from what it was doing.
If an opponent's pawn is gone, try to line a rook up on the missing pawn.
Learn to mate with just a king and a Rook!
Learn to keep your pawns alive.
Learn to move your King around like a Queen... Once most of the pieces are off the board this guy becomes very important. I actually have won a game a bishop behind with Queens still on the board... my King was 7 squares across the board and in the middle when I forced a mate at Yahoo.
This is not OTB (over the board) chess. Use the analyze feature and poke around. Even get Winboard and load the game up and go through some moves.... try to figure out what the other guy might do next... With all the sites Ivan gave you you have plenty to learn. I've been playing for 8 years now... I like my rating... and can see it going up.
There is a ton more than that I bet I think about... it will come with time. Enjoy the game!
Remember we learn more from a game lost. If you win a game try to figure out why the other guy lost.
Phla-