Three golden rules

You're coaching chess to a club player. What are the three most important pieces of advice you would give, and why?

If you are playing a stranger in a bar never take en passant.
(it will cause a 'you are cheating' fight)

Do not lend out chess books (you won't get them back)

Always give a check...it might be mate.

Originally posted by @greenpawn34
If you are playing a stranger in a bar never take en passant.
(it will cause a 'you are cheating' fight)

Do not lend out chess books (you won't get them back)

Always give a check...it might be mate.

Unless you have an access to internet, nowadays. Long ago if I played a stranger I had to discuss about en passant rule to come to term before starting the game.

Originally posted by @pianoman1
You're coaching chess to a club player. What are the three most important pieces of advice you would give, and why?

Originally posted by @shallow-blue

And a bonus rule:
4. Drink beer after the game, not during.[/b]

1. Check all Checks. (both sides)
2. Look for Loose Pieces. (both sides)
3. Be aware of mating threats. (both sides)

1. Before you make your intended move, ask yourself, what is the likely reply?
2. Know the material point system and always be aware of the material balance.
3. Strive to be ahead on material.

1. Check all checks (both sides).
2. Look for pieces en prise (both sides).
3. Assume that your opponent will make the best move he knows how to.

On a more serious note there are no 'Golden Rules' and there are lot more than 3.

There are some 'Fools Gold' rules.
Bishops are always better than Knights.
Doubled or isolated pawns are always bad.
Rook endings are always drawn.
Bishops of opposite colour always draw.

Delete 'always; and insert 'sometimes'. or 'usually, but.....'

The only rule one could class as 'Golden' is try not to come to the board fatigued.
But players, due to extenuating circumstances, have had to do this and still won.

Three standard rules:

Am I winning or losing? (do I need to unbalance things.)

That looks like a good move....is there better? (when you start thinking like
this then you know you are getting better. The sit on your hands technique.)

Check all Checks (even the silly ones, it could and often has sparked off a sound idea.)

There are dozens of others, some belong only in the three phases of game. Opening , Middle-Game and Ending

Originally posted by @pianoman1
You're coaching chess to a club player. What are the three most important pieces of advice you would give, and why?

Chess is 90% observation.

Study the opening and you'll get slightly better middle games. Study the middle game and you'll get winning positions. Study the endgame and you will win games you should win and win/draw games you should have lost. Endgames in chess is like putting is to golf. You could have a 400 yard drive, but if you can't putt, what good is that advantage?

The will to find a better move is most important aspect of improvement.