Questions tagged [beginner]
Questions of interest to or relating to new players.
190
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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 ?
...
- 29
11
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3
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4k
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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 ...
- 3,057
-1
votes
3
answers
523
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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 ...
- 125
-5
votes
2
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426
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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.
user26887
0
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3
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423
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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.
- 9
3
votes
3
answers
333
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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 ...
- 33
0
votes
5
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551
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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
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2
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148
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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
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2
answers
1k
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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 ...
- 43
5
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1
answer
227
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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 ...
- 181
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votes
4
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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 ...
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3
votes
2
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204
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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
1
answer
226
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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
1
answer
2k
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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
1
answer
182
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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.
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3
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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 ...
- 221
4
votes
5
answers
553
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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
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9
votes
4
answers
3k
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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 ...
- 333
9
votes
4
answers
2k
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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/...
- 333
9
votes
7
answers
5k
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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 ...
- 223
9
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4
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334
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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. ...
- 219
6
votes
1
answer
541
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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
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4
answers
2k
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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
2
answers
2k
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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?
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1
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1
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114
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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 ...
6
votes
3
answers
6k
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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 ...
- 1,098
2
votes
2
answers
183
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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 ...
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38
votes
12
answers
12k
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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 ...
- 531
4
votes
6
answers
467
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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 ...
- 230
11
votes
2
answers
2k
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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 ...
- 221
5
votes
4
answers
307
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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 ...
- 51
26
votes
3
answers
5k
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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 ...
- 6,816
5
votes
5
answers
3k
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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 ...
2
votes
2
answers
683
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 ...
- 137
0
votes
1
answer
142
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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 ...
- 9
1
vote
0
answers
68
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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 ...
- 111
11
votes
3
answers
11k
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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 familar ...
- 8,819
18
votes
3
answers
2k
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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. ...
- 307
4
votes
2
answers
814
views
What did I blunder at move 23?
I played a game recently on chess.com, where the most detailed analysis identified a single blunder in the game -- 23. d6 The analysis given by the computer suggested that 23 Qd1 was better, with the ...
- 143
0
votes
1
answer
490
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Any suggested check list for beginners? [closed]
is there a simple / basic / quick checklist that beginners can use when in super easy games? I am not worried about questions like pawn structure, applying pressure, maintaining momentum, I am talking ...
- 119
2
votes
2
answers
829
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What's next after first 5 months and 700 points? [closed]
I started playing chess in July. I was at a 600 rating on Chess.com for a month. I started playing seriously in August and have played regularly (at least a few blitz and rapid games everyday). ...
- 121
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votes
2
answers
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Recommended master games for teaching chess
I am teaching chess to beginners and am looking for recommended games to be discussed/analyzed together.
So the games should be relatively simple, short and ideally focus on one main theme (e.g. ...
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6
votes
5
answers
453
views
How should a beginner improve gameplay speed?
I am a fairly low skill player and am wanting to improve my game, but I feel as though I need to gain at least a bit more speed in my decision making to make better progress. I am a fairly analytical ...
- 163
4
votes
1
answer
434
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Why was this move in a puzzle?
I was on the chess.com app this morning doing the daily puzzle and it wanted me to play Re2. This is questionable to me, because it just delays the mate, but I figured I might have missed something. ...
- 143
5
votes
3
answers
396
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Kings gambit for white
I'm just a beginner at chess and am just starting to get into the king's gambit but there seems not to be much information on this line probably because I'm not very good and the same with my ...
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63
votes
14
answers
22k
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How should I make a 6 year old think more?
I have been teaching my 6 year old daughter chess for past 2 years. She plays reasonably well. She often defeats level 25 in Chess Lv 100 app and sometimes Level 6 in Chess.com app. So I am guessing ...
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8
votes
4
answers
651
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Chess engine with danger (mate) warnings for beginners?
I am new to the site and would appreciate help in this area.
At my current stage (beginner) I have started to draw or sometimes even beat the computer at low levels (ex. chess.com level1,2,3, lichess....
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1
vote
3
answers
660
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How is this stalemate?
My friend played this game as white and wants to know how this is a stalemate. I do not know much about chess and both of us would like to know more about this rule.
k7/2Q5/8/P2P4/1R6/8/2P3PP/6K1 w -...
- 29
14
votes
3
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2k
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Examples of harmony?
Recently my chess tutor used a word which in hindsight is very interesting: harmony. He mentioned I should not just develop my pieces in the opening, but develop them harmoniously. Since then, I've ...
- 1,117
5
votes
5
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1k
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Tools specifically for training at finding loose pieces?
There are of course lots of tactical trainers out there, but I'm wonder if there are any that focus solely on the basic skill of spotting loose or hanging pieces. It is of course a trivial exercise ...
- 10.5k