How Does a Beginner Chess Player Improve?

Question

I would like to know how (besides practice) people develop their chess skills? Do most people looking to improve their game actually learn about popular chess openings/tactics/moves or do they just figure EVERYTHING out on their own? I already know how to move all the pieces, I know the objective of the game, and the rules. But I keep losing on instantchess.com. Should I actually utilize written strategies? Do most people buy chess books and such?

Answer 1

yes we do. I have read about 6 chess books in my life.
The thing with those books is - much of the real lessons is written in standard notation, i.e. 1.) d4 d5 2.)nf4 b6...etc etc.....
Well this can be very difficult to understand without a chessboard to follow along with the moves. Of course doing so will help you immensely. But even so learning to read that stuff takes forever...
Unless you make a habit of writing down the moves of your own games...! This is huge. Figure out how that notation stuff works and write down your own moves....! I cannot express what a new dimension of chess this will open up for you. The board will suddenly become so much smaller. With just a little bit of study - you will always know what the "right" move is. Once you can see the board and instantly recognize the typically correct moves - then you are free to start becoming creative and achieving a deeper appreciation of the game... This is chess mastery 101 type stuff.

Here's another tip.
Victory is based on three elements.
Material...
Position...
Tempo...
Figure out what those three things really mean and it will improve your game.

And third - have a plan.
Look at the board and come up with your dream objective.
If you see his queen on the same row as his king - obviously you want to put a protected rook on that queen asap.
It may not be possible in one or two moves. But don't worry about that - concern yourself with what is the first move to accomplishing my goal?
Have a plan, keep your pieces protected, recognize the typical patterns, fight for space on the board, use tactics, tactics - tactics!

Answer 2

I study quick finishes in chess such as mate in 5-8 moves

Try studying games from tougher opponents like grandmasters

know how to play without a queen, these games have usually the best finishes

try the following sites to improve your chess game

have fun

Answer 3

I bought Chess Master on-line a couple of months ago. I like it because it has a really good tutorial and you can practice without having to have another player.

Answer 4

Yeah you can read about specific moves and it should help. Ever notice that in the paper they put a special move down by the comics, its to improve your game strategies.

Answer 5

play minesweeper, you should have it on your computer. It helped me alot.