I've been able to play since I was very young but I have never taken it too seriously. I just used to play my dad when I was little. Now having not played for years I would like to become good at chess. What is the best way to learn.
I've been playing blitz chess on gameknot.com quite a bit and I'm noticing that controling the center and been sure that you can bring out all your pieces is important. But I can't see that far ahead most of the time.
Are there places you can play on line in real time but not such short games as blitz chess? maybe 30-60 minutes for all your moves
will playing the computer on OSX help my tactics?
I don't know really. I've been winning just under half the blitz games I've played but I don't think I have played enough people to know. I read some of the forum games about sacrifices and although I thought they were very cool, I didn't spot any of them.
I consider my self good, but it's easy to think that and then get your ass whipped by everyone who plays you.
Oh and I can't seem to beat the computer on OSX but from what I gather it is rather good
Originally posted by jugglingeekTactics are the first thing one should concentrate on. There are many good books with puzzles and so forth, and a multitude of material on the net. If you make a point of solving a handful of problems every day you'll find yourself improving enormously, jugglingeek. This is something I really should be doing myself. 😉
I've been able to play since I was very young but I have never taken it too seriously. I just used to play my dad when I was little. Now having not played for years I would like to become good at chess. What is the best way to learn.
...[text shortened]... ll your moves
will playing the computer on OSX help my tactics?
Correspondence chess is an excellent aid for improvement, too. Spend a good deal of time on each of your moves, delving deeply into each position. Compliment this with some longer real time games (someone else will supply you with some good sites, I'm sure) and you're on your way.
Here are a few good links:
http://www.logicalchess.com/
http://www.princeton.edu/~jedwards/cif/intro.html
Play over high level master games with good annotations. This will serve you on all levels: openings, middle game, end game. Not that you'll see anything like it in blitz. In blitz, tactics rule! The trouble with blitz is that you think it's chess. Then you play a normal game with someone and you get fidgety and end up playing superficial moves and losing. Watch your balance. RHP is a good antedote for blitz.
Not that you'll see anything like it in blitz. In blitz, tactics rule! The trouble with blitz is that you think it's chess. Then you play a normal game with someone and you get fidgety and end up playing superficial moves and losing. Watch your balance. RHP is a good antedote for blitz.[/b]Are you saying that Blitz is nothing like real chess and is not good practice for longer games over the bored with a real opponent.
Is playing computers good practice because I find that I end up in a lot of the same possitions because I use the same opening.
The opening I use as white is: g3,Bg2,Nf3,0-0,d3,c4. Is this a good opening. Obviously I vary it depending on black's moves
Originally posted by jugglingeekBlitz is quite a different game.
Are you saying that Blitz is nothing like real chess and is not good practice for longer games over the bored with a real opponent.
Is playing computers good practice because I find that I end up in a lot of the same possitions because I use the same opening.
The opening I use as white is: g3,Bg2,Nf3,0-0,d3,c4. Is this a good opening. Obviously I vary it depending on black's moves
Yes, that's pretty much a King's Indian Attack. A good opening.
If you can join a chess club then that would be great. the games are much longer, we have 30 min games mon and sat and then 2 hr games on thursday. I learnt a lot from these Over the board games(OTB) then i did from blitz. I still suck at blitz but OTB at 30+ min i'm decent. You can find longer games at ICC. you can download it for free for 2 weeks. its at www.chessclub.com