13 Apr 07
1 edit
Originally posted by azalin76OK it's a big subject but a bit of everything is probably good to start with:
Is there any single best way to improve your Chess game?
I'm guessing no,
If so,
What are some things I can do to improve?
First few moves for a couple of openings (you are allowed to use a database for your openings here such as www.shredderchess.com and this can help you learn the opening ideas)
Chekmating ideas and endings.
Basic tactical ideas - pins, skewers, forks, discovered attacks etc.
Then go big on studying tactics with a good tactics puzzle book and/or the chess tactics server on the...www.chess.emrald.net and study a good endgame book.
PS Sorry it's not a "single" way...tactics or endgames!
At some point when you have an idea of the style of game you like then you might wish to study an opening in more detail to get really good at it.
I'd recommend all or any of Yasser Seirawans books or look through the threads here for other book recommendations. Note that I said "study" a book rather than read it...it takes a while to work through a chess book. Jeremy Silmans books and his website are also highly recommended. Beware of books that are too advanced...like learning a language it makes sense to start with the basics.
There are some good threads in this forum by RahimK called (I think) how to get to 1300 and how to get to 1400 etc. if you can't find it you could send him a PM and ask him to bumb the thread for you.
You might also join a chess club to play over the board (OTB) and enter some tournaments.
16 Apr 07
IM Cecil Purdy, the first World's Correspondence Champion and a writer praised highly by Bobby Fischer, once wrote than an infallible way to improve was by playing over well-annotated master games.
If you're under 1600, I'd start with "Logical Chess: Move by Move" by Irving Chernev. Then you might want to try "Understanding
Chess Move by Move" by GM John Nunn. Then you're ready for something like "My Sixty Memorable Games" by Bobby Fischer and "The Chess Struggle in Practice" by the recently deceased GM David Bronstein.
16 Apr 07
Originally posted by gaychessplayerIn addition to Mahout's very good advice earlier in the thread, I agree with gaychessplayer. It's hard to argue with Purdy. And someday I'll get around to reading these books.(Although I'm guessing that Fischer's book is pretty advanced, in addition to being hard to get.)
IM Cecil Purdy, the first World's Correspondence Champion and a writer praised highly by Bobby Fischer, once wrote than an infallible way to improve was by playing over well-annotated master games.
If you're under 1600, I'd start with "Logical Chess: Move by Move" by Irving Chernev. Then you might want to try "Understanding
Chess Move by Move" ...[text shortened]... er and "The Chess Struggle in Practice" by the recently deceased GM David Bronstein.
Just for information, I think that "The Chess Struggle In Practice" (TCSIP) is just an earlier, out-of-print version of Bronstein's "Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953" (ZICT). TCSIP is out-of-print and is written in descriptive notation, while ZICT is still available and is written in algebraic notation. (But be warned - the ZICT font is like a typewriter and is visually horrible!) Also, although both books are almost identical in content, they are two different translations from the Russian work.
16 Apr 07
Originally posted by azalin76If you subscribe I'll take you under my wing and help you. Normally I would suggest joining the Dune clan, but it's full, nobody wants to leave, and we now have a long waiting list. *sigh*
Is there any single best way to improve your Chess game?
I'm guessing no,
If so,
What are some things I can do to improve?
In order to give you some personal help I will need you to send me a personal message with your home email address. The chess lessons and game analysis that are required to send to you are not compatiable with the format here.
Arrakis
18 Apr 07
Originally posted by Mad RookYes, "Zurich International Chess Tournament" is in long- algabraic and translated my Jim Marfia, I believe. I find long algabraic probably more irritating to read than normal descriptive. In any case, the games and annotations are both outstanding.
In addition to Mahout's very good advice earlier in the thread, I agree with gaychessplayer. It's hard to argue with Purdy. And someday I'll get around to reading these books.(Although I'm guessing that Fischer's book is pretty advanced, in addition to being hard to get.)
Just for information, I think that "The Chess Struggle In Practice" (TCSIP) is just ...[text shortened]... lmost identical in content, they are two different translations from the Russian work.