15 Jul 05
Originally posted by kris1234Get a copy of MCO and slavishly copy moves ;o)
i always get stuck on what to do on the first few moves of the game can anyone reccomend a site that explains some tactics
Your best bet is to get a general openings book - the best for a total openings beginner is called First Moves by Pritchard (I think) it's quite cheap and explains what you are trying to achieve. It's aimed at both adults and children so you have to put up with some poor jokes but it stopped me being quite so pedantic in my opening play.
15 Jul 05
Originally posted by kris12341. Open with either the e-pawn or the d-pawn.
i always get stuck on what to do on the first few moves of the game can anyone reccomend a site that explains some tactics
2. Wherever possible, make a good developing move which threatens something or adds to the pressure on the centre.
3. Develop knights before bishops.
4. Pick the most suitable square for a piece and develop it there once and for all.
5. Make one or two pawn moves in the opening, not more.
6. Do not bring your queen out too early.
7. Castle as soon as possible, preferably on the king's side.
8. Play to get control of the centre.
9. Always try to maintain at least one pawn in the centre.
10. Do not sacrifice without a clear and adequate reason, eg.:
* it secures a tangible advantage in development
* it deflects the opponent's queen
* it prevents the opponent from castling
* it enables a strong attack to be developed
15 Jul 05
Originally posted by rbmorrisWow! You plan on writing a book?
1. Open with either the e-pawn or the d-pawn.
2. Wherever possible, make a good developing move which threatens something or adds to the pressure on the centre.
3. Develop knights before bishops.
4. Pick the most suitable square for a piece and develop it there once and for all.
5. Make one or two pawn moves in the opening, not more.
...[text shortened]... t prevents the opponent from castling
* it enables a strong attack to be developed
I agree, except for #10. For beginners, forget about sacrificing anything in the opening (talking about serious games where you really want to win). Sacrifice in the middlegame if there's an opportunity, and even then, sparingly until you gain experience.
Game 1032028
This game proves that you are too inexperienced to afford any sacrifices.
16 Jul 05
Originally posted by kris1234Don't worry - we've all blundered our queen's away at some point. I disagree mildly about beginners not sacrificing material. After all if you never do it you'll never gain an intuition as to when a sacrifice may be available. But if you are going to go for a sac. spend about half an hour (really I mean spend a long time) working out the lines and checking that the sacrifice is any good - you have to find defences for your opponent - don't assume that they'll crumble when faced with your apparent brilliancy. Here's a case in point where I missed the saving pawn move for my opponent: Game 793754 and then found myself a rook down against someone I didn't want to be a pawn down against... You will find that you will sometimes end up just giving your opponent material for no real gain, but sometimes it'll work and you will win games from it.
wasnt the queen move stupid
17 Jul 05
1 edit
Originally posted by kris1234Hi Kris,
i always get stuck on what to do on the first few moves of the game can anyone reccomend a site that explains some tactics
Don't worry too much about the openings. Concentrate on tactics for now, but not just opening tactics.
Openings exist so you can get to a playable, and hopefully winnable middlegame. But tactics exist so you can swipe your opponent's pieces off the board. 🙂
Find an opening or two you'd like to play as white. Something that suits your taste and attitude for chess. Then play it about 10,000 times. Screw up a lot, fall into traps, lose early and often, and eventually you'll stop making mistakes and start whupping folks with it.
Same philosophy applies to black.
Study tactics every chance you get and I guarantee your openings will improve.
There are tons of great sites all over the web for tactics and chess. Do a google search for chess tactics and find some sites you like. Plus there are hundreds of books in all of the major books stores in every city in the US. Lots of resources out there to help you out.
Good luck!
18 Jul 05
I am a chess newbie, and I have ChessMaster 9000 on my Mac Mini based on a recomendation from a friend. CM9K, and probably other chess games, has games by grandmasters with commentary on each move. Although the full strategy is way beyond me, the insight to how they look at moves was interesting, and hopefully helpful.