Questions tagged [beginner]
Questions of interest to or relating to new players.
152
questions
8
votes
4answers
1k views
Why is it a blunder to capture this pawn even if its defender is pinned?
[FEN "1r1q1rk1/p4pp1/3p1b1p/2pQ4/4P3/P1P2P2/1P2B1PP/1K1R3R b - - 0 20"]
1... Bxc3??
In this position, I believed that the best move for Black is Bxc3. It’s a free pawn, creates a threat on ...
1
vote
2answers
128 views
Why is this rook move a mistake?
Recently I was playing a game on chess.com (300 rating) and after the game the engine showed that this move was a mistake, losing two points of material.
[FEN ""]
1. e4 a5 2. d4 h5 3. f3 f6 ...
2
votes
1answer
129 views
Why is 2…f6 a blunder in the Center Game?
[FEN "rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR"]
1. e4 e5 2. d4 f6
Stockfish says that 2…f6 was a blunder and recommends 2…exd4 instead.
I understand why 2…exd4 is the best move for ...
3
votes
1answer
103 views
Play/learn Sveshnikov Sicilian as a beginner?
I've read countless times, that beginners should not play the Sicilian.
On the other hand, one often reads that the opening does not matter for beginners.
There are many courses claiming the included ...
5
votes
1answer
802 views
Why is 4…Bb4 an inaccuracy in the Berlin defense?
[FEN "rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bb4?!
When White castles, Stockfish evaluates the game to be roughly equal. After Black responds ...
3
votes
2answers
298 views
Challenges of becoming a good chess player
Chess is a deterministic game. Hence in principle we can have a perfect strategy for chess, a strategy that prevents a player losing a single game (given that no mistake has been made). All chess ...
6
votes
1answer
268 views
Are there any online chess tournaments for beginners( or new players)?
I have been playing online chess for a long time on sites like lichess and chess.com. But I have never played in any FIDE or AICF organized tournament. In this pandemic are there any online ...
11
votes
1answer
1k views
How can white gain a slight advantage in this position? (puzzle for beginners)
Try solving the following puzzle authored by me (for beginners).
White to move and gain a slight advantage, despite being a Queen down for a bishop at present:
[FEN "2k1r3/pp6/n5q1/1N3p2/8/3B4/...
3
votes
3answers
348 views
What does the term LPDO (Loose Pieces Drop Off) mean?
I have been hearing the term LPDO (Loose Pieces Drop Off) a lot lately, which apparently is helping players in the beginning level. If so, does it prescribe some best practices and tips to help ...
-1
votes
2answers
107 views
Looking to improve my tactics and possibly develop an opening repertoire at the beginner/intermediate level [closed]
I am new to the game and I so far like it. I have watched people on the internet play, tried to copy their moves and have been maintaining an 800 rating on Chess.com and around 1000 on Lichess. I have ...
4
votes
3answers
3k views
What is a good strategy for blocking your opponent from checkmating you even though they always win? [closed]
I like to play chess against my Dad. He is almost a professional player. He always finds ways to checkmate my king. Every game I try new blocking strategies, but none of them work.
8
votes
2answers
3k views
Why is g3 a bad move here?
Why is the last move by white, g3 on the board below, considered a bad move? It was in a game that I played recently and my idea was to protect the bishop in f4 and give the other bishop more space to ...
2
votes
1answer
111 views
When you study chess what do you do to learn something new? [closed]
All my life i was never been able to progress past beginner level.
When i read a book or study a game i can't long term memorize what i do or what i read.
So in practice what do you do to progress ?
...
11
votes
3answers
4k views
Why is 1. d4 2. c4 3. b3 so bad for white?
I recently played a game that opened like this:
1. d4 c6 2. c4 d5 { D10 Slav Defense } 3. b3
[FEN ""]
My third move, 3. b3 is apparently so uncommon that Lichess doesn't have it in its ...
-1
votes
3answers
287 views
Why does the computer give me a high accuracy score?
My rating on chess.com is of about 1077 on rapid and today when I won a game against a player with slightly lower rating the analysis results said I played with 73 accuracy according to their best ...
-6
votes
2answers
378 views
What does this algebraic notation expression mean?
What does this algebraic notation expression mean?
exd5
There is no such notation as x. There is only a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and h. I don't know how this algebraic notation works.
0
votes
3answers
212 views
How good is 1. e3 2. c4 as an opening for White?
How good is 1. e3 2. c4 as an opening for White? Afterward, developing the knight on b1 to c3, and developing the bishops too, it seems good. Castling is preferably done on opposite sides as well.
1
vote
2answers
166 views
What are some "quick start" openings?
First of all, I'm sorry if it looks like I didn't really research before asking the question, but I really did put in some effort and couldn't find a satisfying answer.
My problem is, I don't want to ...
0
votes
2answers
143 views
Dumb question, but what are some good chess resources to learn from?
I have looked in a lot of places, but I can't find good places to learn chess. I am at the stage where I know basic chess strategies, but my rating is still below average. I can't find a source longer ...
-1
votes
2answers
110 views
Why is bishop to h8 the best move in this position?
I don't understand how that move is a good move, much less the best move according to this chess.com analysis.
4
votes
2answers
461 views
Can the pawn take the rook in this position?
I have a question regarding the way that pawns are allowed to attack. Sorry I’m a beginner, but me and my friend are playing and I don’t want to make this move if I’m not allowed to. I have a picture ...
4
votes
1answer
223 views
I need help understanding this puzzle
With White to play, I have trouble understanding what goes on in this puzzle. First of all, how exactly Kh1 is preferable to Kxh2? I know that Black can give checks after Kxh2, but there really is no ...
28
votes
4answers
7k views
As a beginner, how do I learn to win in "won" positions?
I'm fairly new to chess (~3 months) and I have almost entirely been playing on chess.com where my rating sits somewhere between 1000 and 1100. Recently, I decided to sign up for lichess.org, where I ...
3
votes
2answers
189 views
Why should black trade knights in this position?
After playing the following game, Stockfish advised me to play ...Nxd2 after white played Nd2 (which I did not play during the game).
However, I am not sure why. Certainly, in the worst case, this is ...
6
votes
1answer
197 views
Why is a6 strong in this position?
I was spectating an online simul given by a GM (this game in particular) and as the game was played I was very surprised to see GM Chessweeb play 24... a6.
Here is the position.
[Title "Black to ...
2
votes
1answer
913 views
Alternatives to the paid analysis on chess.com [duplicate]
On chess.com we get only one full depth analysis in a day, which is very little. Is there a way to analyze more chess games and get all the accuracy metrics as well? Are there any other website which ...
1
vote
1answer
174 views
Beginner book that has endgame scenarios
I’ve been looking for free online books on endgame scenarios, since I'm very bad at them. So far, I haven’t gotten any luck.
By the way, I only know the pieces moves and some other basic stuff.
6
votes
3answers
1k views
Why does black have an advantage here?
I am studying now old Polish book "ABC Szachisty" ("ABC for Chess Player", informal translation) and the following example is given there:
[FEN ""]
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 ...
4
votes
5answers
542 views
Move comparison in this opening
In this opening, being White, I want to understand, for the next move, why is e4 not as strong a move as e3 or Nf3? I am a beginner.
[FEN ""]
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6
9
votes
4answers
3k views
What is so great about Bxa3?
I only have about 35 games experience , so please excuse blunders.
I am in the following position. My app (dr wolf) wants me to capture on a3. However I fail to see either the extreme threat posed by ...
9
votes
4answers
2k views
Why is Qf3 better than Nf3?
I am training with an app and have played about 10 games in my life, most years apart. However, now I became interested in the game.
I have this situation:
[FEN "4kbnr/p2npppp/1p6/4P3/q2N4/P6P/...
9
votes
7answers
5k views
How good can I get just by playing?
On blitz 3|2 I am rated around 1000. I love playing the game and usually I play with players around my level. I try to play against slightly better players. Assuming I am not reading chess books or ...
9
votes
4answers
305 views
What's an ideal game for teaching a new beginner?
I sent my nephew a chess set for his 8th birthday. He doesn't play yet.
When my children were small, I taught them to play by working through a simple game in which each piece was introduced in turn. ...
6
votes
1answer
484 views
The best chess websites or apps to play on
I am a beginner. Is there any place where I can play online and improve my game? I know of sites like Chess.com but unfortunately you have to pay for them. My parents won't allow me to spend money on ...
4
votes
4answers
1k views
Not able to use rooks properly
While playing a game, I observe that I am not able to use my rooks properly. The reason is that I am not able to bring them out earlier as they occupy the corner position. This gives a lead to the ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
How should I improve my chesstempo tactics rating?
I was stuck on a chesstempo tactics rating of around1482-1509 for about 2 days. I reached my current level within 3 days. I want to improve to an 1800+ rating. How can I improve?
1
vote
1answer
109 views
Attacking moves
While playing chess against a computer I am able to analyse what the computer is going to move even at the highest difficulty level but I am not able to place good moves against the computer. Can ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
The Mosquito Gambit
[FEN ""]
[startply "5"]
1. d4 e5 2. dxe5 Qh4 3. Nf3
I reached this position after following the line for the Englund Gambit. Lichess says that this is known as the Mosquito Gambit. Is it a joke ...
2
votes
2answers
147 views
What programs (preferably open source) offer play against a computer with fine-grained difficulty-related adjustments?
My last serious attempt to get into chess ran into a basic difficulty with the program: with a bit of work, I got to a point where I could beat difficulty 1 or 2 on a scale of 10, but got consistently ...
37
votes
12answers
12k views
What should I do when I have no ideas and no strategies?
I'm really a beginner in chess, and I just know the rules. So many times in the game I have no idea what should I do. None of my pieces are in danger and I don't have any strategies.
What should I do ...
4
votes
6answers
436 views
What are good Android apps to learn chess from scratch?
Knowing nothing but the rules of chess, I'd like to start learning a bit more. Some kind of tutorial app for my Android smartphone would be perfect as I can use it anywhere. The app should give ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views
Beginner Tactics - Why Isn't This Mate?
I was playing on chesstempo and came across the following setup:
[FEN "k1r4r/p6p/5p2/3Q4/1R5P/PPqn4/3N1P2/1K1R4 b - - 1 1"]
With black to move. I was unable to solve this tactic - it seemed to me ...
5
votes
4answers
286 views
Where should I start?
So, I am returning to chess after not playing for about 10 years. I learned the basic rules when I was in elementary school and then didn't play for a while. I am starting to get back into chess and ...
24
votes
3answers
4k views
Did Bobby Fischer actually write "Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess"?
Did Bobby Fischer actually write his bestseller primer “Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess” (1966, 978-0553130539), or was it written by a ghost writer?
I often ask myself this question because it seems ...
5
votes
5answers
2k views
An aggressive counter for white vs Scandinavian Defense
My chess rating is somewhere between 400 and 500 and I have a lot of trouble countering the Scandinavian Defense. My first move is usually e4 but when my opponent uses the Scandinavian Defense (d5), I ...
3
votes
2answers
577 views
What is the right path to be followed on Chess.com for learning Chess?
I am a beginner in Chess. I know the basics but I have very very little practice as of now and I've shortlisted Chess.com to learn and improve my game.
I am yet to buy a premium subscription there ...
0
votes
1answer
129 views
Which chess courses should I start with? [closed]
I know the rules and played with my friends but without any knowledge of opening tactics etc. And all material I could find online was not in an ordered manner . So can you suggest some courses I can ...
1
vote
0answers
60 views
What's a good way to learn openings when coming back to chess as a former 1400-1600 player? [duplicate]
my question can be seen in the title. I used to play chess competitively in my teenager-years and would like to come back to it now. The important stuff is still in my head and I am not doing too bad ...
11
votes
3answers
9k views
Is the English opening the most suitable for beginners?
Here are my understandings of the English opening:
The English opening is as good as 1.d4.
Since it is less common than 1.e4 and 1.d4; it is more likely that an average amateur player is less ...
17
votes
3answers
2k views
En passant for beginners
When I started playing chess, I learned many of the rules of chess on my own.
I was playing chess online, and then I realised that pawns can capture in such a fashion. At first, it was weird to me. ...
