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Questions tagged [learning]

Questions related to learning how to play chess and improving your chess skills. This can also be used for questions concerning "learning" chess engines.

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3 votes
3 answers
113 views

How can I deal with low confidence and 'chess esteem' while I am learning to play, even when I repeat mistakes?

I posted a popular question a couple of days ago, and it brought up another topic that is worthy of a question. For reference, I've been playing 6–7 weeks, and my chess.com rating is a laughable ~300. ...
tomdot's user avatar
  • 233
10 votes
5 answers
3k views

As a novice, how can I improve at defending my pieces other than what I'm already doing?

I’m struggling with chess after about six weeks of proper learning, i.e. strategy other than how the pieces move. I get this is a short time. I’m working hard to try and learn, and joined a chess club ...
tomdot's user avatar
  • 233
0 votes
1 answer
105 views

Pawn exchanges in e4&d4 openings

I'm just learning. I'm at a loss to deal with the opening razzamatazz where white's pawns are at the centre and under attack by Black's pawns & knights-does one defend the pawns by bringing in ...
Twohander's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
158 views

Looking for a basic assessment

I'm looking for an app that after I play a game of chess (or 3) will tell me if I'm a beginner or intermediate. Not looking for an app to teach me or to assess the game move by move. Does anyone know ...
Chris's user avatar
  • 21
-2 votes
1 answer
130 views

What does FIDE rating 1800 entail?

I have a classical rating of around 2000 on Lichess. I’m aware that FIDE Classical time control is much longer than Lichess classical, so I just made it as some kind of reference point. I’m mainly ...
hedgehog0's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
207 views

Book series to improve

I have an Elo score of about 800 and I am looking for book series to improve (projecting even up to very high scores). Do you have any recommendations? Possibly even more than one series, so as to ...
Luckenberg's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
462 views

where can I find free chess books?

I need a website where I can find free chess ebooks? I would like to see a list of free books to download or read online.
mohamadi_arch's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
113 views

Does the Russian Chess Federation switching to the ACF actually make it harder for Chinese/Indian players to qualify for the World Championships?

Source "Thirdly, it is quite surprising that Indian and the Chinese federations agreed to this switch by the CFR, if they have (I have not seen the results of the vote), because it will lead to ...
Allure's user avatar
  • 24.9k
5 votes
5 answers
279 views

How to Learn Chess Comprehensively

I'm a pretty new to playing chess - I understand the fundamentals and can implement some of the basic ideas like forks and pins, but have never properly learned how to play. I'm looking for a ...
Kobo's user avatar
  • 51
2 votes
0 answers
47 views

Please advise which books are about strategy with explanations [duplicate]

I have many books that show openings, endplays, tactics, different puzzle to find best moves, databases with games, articles... All this stuff shows specific moves, which I have to find by myself. I ...
Tamila Ambeon's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
218 views

How effective are theory tables?

I'm currently 1700 ELO-rated on Chess.com and I'm interested in looking to learning some advanced opening theory to make my games more interesting. I've been looking at theory tables, specifically, ...
Arvo Ju's user avatar
  • 73
1 vote
2 answers
90 views

Does a reinforcement learning style model actually need to be combined with a search algo to produce the best moves?

I have recently been studying up on Machine Learning based chess engines and have begun to develop one of my own. I was wondering, realistically, doesn't the board technically contain all of the data ...
OldAmmo's user avatar
  • 19
22 votes
1 answer
3k views

Basic "mate in one move" puzzle - what am I missing?

I am extremely new to chess and have been working through some "mate in one" problems on chesspuzzles.com for practice. This one has me very confused though: The stated answer is: But why? ...
ConfusedInOneMove's user avatar
12 votes
4 answers
405 views

Playing chess with a mentally demanding job?

For those with mentally demanding jobs, how do you manage to play/study chess after work? I am a software engineer and I'm deep thinking pretty much all day long at work. I feel mentally exhausted ...
hexaquark's user avatar
  • 960
4 votes
2 answers
335 views

How to improve at chess by analyzing one's own games?

Analyzing one's own games can be a useful tool for improving at chess, as it allows players to identify their mistakes and learn from them. However, it can be challenging to accurately assess one's ...
Superluminal's user avatar
  • 1,943
3 votes
1 answer
629 views

Should I switch to a different opening?

I have been using the queen's pawn game, Chigorin variation ever since I started chess. I am in my school's chess club now and my teacher tells me to use the queen's gambit instead. I know that the ...
CAN GÜLLÜ's user avatar
8 votes
4 answers
926 views

Books that explain fundamental chess concepts

I am a recreational chess player, hoping to understand the game a little more by reading chess books. I am looking for books that explain each and every move like Understanding Chess Move By Move by ...
David Dinh's user avatar
29 votes
8 answers
4k views

As an amateur, how to learn WHY this or that next move would be good?

I am a typical amateur in Chess, played as kid a bit with my Dad and some friends, never got really good or invested much time, but always "a bit" interested in the game, so I play from time ...
Matthias's user avatar
  • 407
3 votes
1 answer
77 views

What is the point of a5 in Sveshnikov Nd5 variation?

I am currently learning Sicilian Svenshnikov. Today, I came across a new line with Nd5 variation. First, we move a4 to kick the white knight and then play a5. I couldn't quite understand the point of ...
Abhyuday Vaish's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
861 views

References: description of what it is to learn an opening

My question is not exactly about what advice you have for me so that I can learn openings better, although that is indeed a goal of mine. My question is more about wanting to have either an abstract ...
Chris Sanders's user avatar
6 votes
4 answers
643 views

Is 10 minute time control too fast for me as a beginner?

Every day I usually play one or two 10+5 games for fun and to try to train my decision making. 10 minutes seems to be the recommended time control for a beginner. However, for a long time I've felt ...
qwr's user avatar
  • 3,336
10 votes
2 answers
1k views

How many openings should I study simultaneously? [closed]

I want to start studying a few openings. Say I am currently most interested in the King's Gambit as white, and want to play it as often as possible. (This isn't particular to the King's Gambit, I just ...
Arthur's user avatar
  • 632
0 votes
2 answers
153 views

What goes through the mind of a chess player in the endgame?

What goes through the mind of a chess player in the endgame? After learning how to move the pieces, after understanding how the game is divided into stages, and after finding that openings can provide ...
ArcanisGK507's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
159 views

What goes through the mind of a chess player in the middlegame?

What goes through the mind of a chess player in the middlegame? After learning how to move the pieces, after understanding how the game is divided into stages, and after finding that openings can ...
ArcanisGK507's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
125 views

As regards the opponent's moves, what things do you usually pay more attention to in the openings?

As regards the opponent's moves, what things do you usually pay more attention to in the openings? After learning how to move the pieces, after understanding how the game is divided into stages, and ...
ArcanisGK507's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
244 views

What practices do you recommend for handling openings and variations?

What practices do you recommend for handling openings and variations? After learning how to move the pieces, after understanding how the game is divided into stages, and after finding that openings ...
ArcanisGK507's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
134 views

What helps you choose the right opening?

What goes through the mind of a chess player in the opening? In particular, what helps you choose the right opening? After learning how to move the pieces, after understanding how the game is divided ...
ArcanisGK507's user avatar
6 votes
4 answers
283 views

Will writing a chess engine help my chess?

At first the premise seems absurd - the computer engine relies much more on brute-force search (Shannon's Type A Strategy) over selecting a few strong lines with heuristics (Type B Strategy). But can ...
qwr's user avatar
  • 3,336
11 votes
4 answers
4k views

How to pass 1000 elo

Currently my chess.com rating is fluctuating between 1000 - 1050. What are some common pitfalls that players in this range make and how can I capitalize on them? I've been playing for about 5 months ...
Jared's user avatar
  • 119
-3 votes
1 answer
169 views

How does lichess lessons compare to chess.com's? [closed]

Both Lichess and chess.com have lessons that I have tried out briefly. I have the perception chess.com (paid) lessons (https://www.chess.com/lessons) and even Youtube lessons are much broader and ...
qwr's user avatar
  • 3,336
5 votes
5 answers
325 views

Where can I find exercises where the best move isn't always a tactical one?

I know solving a lot of tactics problems has its benefits, but also its limitations. In a real game there is no way to know if a tactic is present — maybe the best move is defensive. I am seeking ...
Ian Olsen's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
345 views

Is this a suitable training scheme for my level?

I've been about 1700-1900 Lichess Blitz and 1900-2000 Lichess Rapid for several years, and I'm looking to start some formal chess training (something I've never done before at all.) Currently, I'm ...
TheAnonymous's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
602 views

“Rating” going up too fast [closed]

I am a chess beginner. I love playing Blitz games (especially 3+0). I play on Lichess.org. My “Lichess blitz rating” (currently between 1040 and 1060; not giving exact value for privacy) has been ...
insipidintegrator's user avatar
14 votes
7 answers
4k views

Should I learn openings as a beginner?

I'm very new to regularly playing chess while actively trying to improve (only ever played here and there casually before). I'm ~600 rated on chess.com and many times I feel like I'm making mistakes/...
AVS's user avatar
  • 251
1 vote
2 answers
249 views

What are some middle game chess books that are good for beginners? [closed]

What are some great middlegame chess books that are for beginners that will help me to improve my middle game in chess? There aren't a lot of books on the middle game.
Ramsey Rashelle's user avatar
5 votes
6 answers
2k views

Recommended books that explain each move

Usually, chess books show moves like this: several-many moves, and then, explanation. Sometimes, however, I don't understand the meaning of some moves. It would be great if there was a book in which ...
Sam's user avatar
  • 169
4 votes
3 answers
284 views

Is there such a thing as a criterion-based diploma or certification in chess skills?

The vast majority of chess titles today are fundamentally competitive. To be a "master" of any kind according to bodies like FIDE is defined in terms of being able to beat others rather than ...
Robert Columbia's user avatar
23 votes
3 answers
3k views

Where can one find a complete chess curriculum?

Has anyone ever produced a complete chess curriculum? E.g., with textbooks, learning objectives, comprehensive syllabus, test bank, quizzes, etc.
Wassim Saeed's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
285 views

Does opening preparation contribute a lot in winning games?

It is often said that Opening preparation is considered one of the most vital things a chess player needs to learn when they start getting better(above 2000 elo). Many chess players are known for ...
Abhyuday Vaish's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
248 views

Does chess intuition take over when you can't see all of the moves ahead? What does chess intuition look like?

This is a broad question about intuition and chess. I imagine that there is a limit to how far ahead even the best chess masters can see into the future, and how far they can stretch their memory. ...
yhkiz's user avatar
  • 31
2 votes
1 answer
476 views

Computerized Chess games Analysis

I am looking for the ultimate chess game analysis tool I used lucas chess which is great but lack some details, I also tried creatica https://chessgame-analyzer.creatica.org/ which is good also but ...
Wassim Saeed's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
294 views

Explanation of Hard Puzzle #34

Wikipedia defines a chess tactic as: In chess, a tactic refers to a sequence of moves that limits the opponent's options and may result in tangible gain. I'm having a hard time understanding a ...
PaulMorphy's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
438 views

What are some good tactics books?

I am looking for books with exercises to improve at tactics. It seems that there are lots of options. My definition of what constitutes a “good” tactics books is variety. Even if the book focuses on a ...
hb20007's user avatar
  • 1,052
5 votes
2 answers
376 views

How to improve at calculation and visualisation?

My Lichess rapid rating is around 2100 and I'm quickly realising how poor my visualisation skills are, causing my calculation to be horrible even just two or three moves deep. I have worked on The ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 1,002
19 votes
5 answers
6k views

Making my own chess engine for a college project

I'm starting my college project to build my own chess engine. The problem is that I have no clue where to start or what to read. I found videos on YouTube but I don't want to be a copycat. I want to ...
Ahmed M.Osman's user avatar
9 votes
3 answers
1k views

Collection of short endgame rules

Are there any resources with a list of short endgame facts and rules ? For instance : "2 connected pawns on the 6th rank always win against a rook" , "rook's pawn results often in a ...
hexaquark's user avatar
  • 960
5 votes
3 answers
287 views

Does learning chess make you smarter?

I noticed that a lot of chess experts state or imply that teaching kids to play chess is good for them. I wonder if there have been any reliable studies of this (As in, randomized controlled trials)? ...
MWB's user avatar
  • 430
0 votes
2 answers
270 views

How do I overcome chess anxiety?

I love this game! It's beautiful! I love watching it on twitch, youtube, etc. I love reading about openings, learning tactics, and solving puzzles. However, I get so tense and anxious when I play. It ...
hwood87's user avatar
  • 357
3 votes
0 answers
122 views

What's the limit to how much someone can improve without hiring a chess coach? [closed]

I'm about 2000 on Lichess and I'm wondering how much farther I will be able to get without the help of a chess coach. I feel like you can only get so far with the help of a chess engine's analysis, ...
James Ko's user avatar
  • 1,917
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

Why hasn't the rating of full-time chess streamers improved?

Analyzing the five titled players from this question: Anna Cramling's rating appears not to have budged in the last year, presumably because of COVID. Andrew Tang's rating appears not to have changed ...
Allure's user avatar
  • 24.9k

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