03 Nov 08
Originally posted by lordgledhillThanks for the link but I find those puzzles so frustrating without an explanation as to why sacrificing a bishop for a pawn is correct 😕
I've always been told tactics are important for a lower level player so I would definitely take a look at this website - it's helping me (slowly).
http://chess.emrald.net/index.php
Cheers,
lordgledhill
03 Nov 08
Originally posted by Ah PuchI agree with the others that tactics study is probably the quickest way to improve your game. Since the online tactics servers are frustrating you, maybe you should consider getting a good, introductory tactics book that can explain the ideas behind the tactics. I thought Dan Heisman's "Back to Basics: Tactics" was very good. (review link below) Try to get the second printing, which has corrections to the first printing typos. Also, you could go to Dan's recommended books page on his web site to get more ideas for tactics books.
Thanks for the link but I find those puzzles so frustrating without an explanation as to why sacrificing a bishop for a pawn is correct 😕
Dan's Novice Nook articles are really good, too.
Review link:
http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review585.pdf
Dan's Recommended Books Page:
http://danheisman.home.comcast.net/~danheisman/Events_Books/General_Book_Guide.htm
Dan's Main Web Page:
http://danheisman.home.comcast.net/~danheisman/Main_Chess/chess.htm
03 Nov 08
Originally posted by Ah Puchdon't bother too much about "controlling the board" right now. stick to online databases for openings to get decent middlegame positions, and study tactics all the way.
I want to improve my game, how?
I'm just looking for some quick pointers about how to control the board. Any and all tips welcome 🙂
03 Nov 08
2 edits
You need to learn to hold on to your pieces and avoid bad trades. I've looked at two of your games and in the first one you traded your queen for a rook and in this game you gave your queen away.
Game 5413271
If you are going to get better, you need to make sure you don't give your pieces away.
One other thing from this game, if you can trade a knight for a rook, do it. It is called winning the exchange.
03 Nov 08
1 edit
Originally posted by EladarI agree. That's why I liked Dan's tactics book so much. It's more than just a book of tactics problems. He also has a section on counting, which is a very important topic for novices and almost never mentioned in other chess books. Dan also discusses piece safety and avoiding "hope" chess. (Hope chess is failing to look for checks, captures, and threats before making your move, and also failing to see if your opponent has any checks, captures, or threats that he can make in response to your move.)
You need to learn to hold on to your pieces and avoid bad trades. I've looked at two of your games and in the first one you traded your queen for a rook and in this game you gave your queen away.
Game 5413271
If you are going to get better, you need to make sure you don't give your pieces away.
One other thing from this game, if you can trade a knight for a rook, do it. It is called winning the exchange.
03 Nov 08
Originally posted by Ah Puchthat's the exact reason why you should be doing them every day. when you get something wrong, study the position until you understand exactly why. (in every single one of those puzzles you either win material, mate, or get a draw in hopeless position. there are no saccing bishop for a mere pawn -type of scenarios, you always win either wood or a draw.)
Thanks for the link but I find those puzzles so frustrating without an explanation as to why sacrificing a bishop for a pawn is correct 😕
there are no shortcuts.
03 Nov 08
Originally posted by Ah PuchFrom looking at some of your games, my first piece of advice is to develop your king side pieces early in the game. I see a lot of your games where your king's bishop and knight are still sitting there in their opening positions 8-10 moves into the game. Unless there's a compelling reason to do so in an individual game, this is not a good idea.
I want to improve my game, how?
I'm just looking for some quick pointers about how to control the board. Any and all tips welcome 🙂
Also, while your king side pieces are undeveloped, don't play g4/g5. You expose your king in that way, especially if your f pawn has moved also.
To start becoming better, start playing simple developing moves early in the game: Nf3/Nf6, Bc4, Bd3, g6+Bg7 (as black). Simple opening moves like that will prevent a lot of your mid game headaches.
03 Nov 08
Don't worry about getting your rooks out too early. They work a lot better when the board is clearer. In Game 5608305 for example your opponent uses his very well. He castles so that one of them is centralised and then he pops the other on the open e and f files and with only two or three moves he's got a great big line of control right into your territory.
Castle and control open files. Works for me.