Wednesday, 4 March 2015

Learn the Right Chess Setup and Rules

Chess has very specific rules, with each piece moving in a unique manner. Understanding these rules as well as the way that each piece is designed is a must if you want to learn the game and be good at it. Every novice chess player must learn how to set a chess board properly. A game of chess has two armies, each with 16 pieces, opposing each other across an 8x8 board. The smallest pieces or the pawns man the second row of each army, while the larger pieces occupy the first row. The royal pieces, also known as the king and queen sit at the center of the army, flanked by their bishops, knights, and rooks on both sides.

The object of the game of chess is to trap the leader (king) of the opposing army. This is called a checkmate, where the king is rendered defenseless and without any safe move. This said, learning how to play chess is more than just understanding its basic rules, tactics and strategies play a big part in getting good at the game. Strategic plans often revolve around material, space, positioning, development of moves, and king safety.

Chess games typically go through 3 different phases, namely the opening, mid game, and end game. The opening phase is often used to setup and formulate plans, while the middle game is where larger battles are waged between the armies. The final phase begins when there are only a few remaining pieces or forces on the board.

Learning chess is easy when you have expert chess trainers and coaches to help you learn about the basic and advanced principles of the game. If you are serious about improving your chess game, it is best to find a venue where you can seek help and training from highly skilled mentors.


Chess Tutor Improving Your Chess with the Master

Getting an expert chess player for a tutor is one great way to improve your chess skills and establish a strong game play that you can build upon as you play other opponents. There is no better way to learn a sport than hiring the help of an experienced and skilled player to impart knowledge to you. While chess programs and applications are great in terms of giving you algorithmic moves that will truly challenge your tactical skills and strategies, learning from a human coach still offers greater merit, especially when he or she has exceptionally high chess skill level.

Finding a chess school or a club to participate in is the best way to improve your game skills, learn how to analyze boards, and discover chess techniques and tactics that you can use in order to gain winning edge. Here are some things to remember when hiring a chess tutor:

1. Find a chess master who does not only spend time to play with you, but who analyze your games and help you understand how different opponents think or how they will react or respond to every move you make. A coach who only plays with you, but does not take time to analyze your game will not do much to improve your analytical skills, which is much needed when gauging your and your opponent's strengths and weaknesses.

2. Good opening strategies are beneficial, but if all your coach does is teach you opening sequences, this may hurt your ability to develop defense strategies and tactics for the mid and end game.


3. Your coach should also know how to point out your mistakes constructively and fix your errors so that you can develop better tactics for real games.

Improve Chess Playing Skills with These Essential Training Tips

Everyone learns differently, but all can also benefit from basic tips that can help improve anyone's skills set in playing the highly tactical and strategic game of chess. Doing tactics training is one of the most important things you should pay attention to if you are serious about chess. In fact, it is a key element in any chess training program. When you want to improve your chess trainings and methodologies, remember to keep them focused. Too many chess players rely on solving chess puzzles and problems for training without any overall view of a specific skill they want to improve. While chess problems and puzzles do help a lot in improving your mind's sharpness, training will work best if you have a specific area of focus.

Chess tactics trainings can generally be divided into three major focus areas, namely, tactical patterns, tactical awareness, and tactical themes. Tactical patterns refer to how the tactic in question is to be executed. Tactical themes answer the question, which elements of the position enabled tactical possibility, while tactical awareness refers to knowing when to search for tactical combinations.


When doing chess tactics problems or puzzles, it is important that you are aware of what you want to achieve. This means mindfully analyzing tactical themes and patterns that made each particular tactic possible in the puzzle. A good rule of thumb is never moving on to the next problem until you have figured out these things. This kind of tactics training will not only help you better recognize tactical themes and patterns, but also hone your tactical awareness, making the approach a holistic method. If you can summarize the tactical solution that you just performed in a short sentence, you will have understood the essence of the tactic. 

Chess Basics and Strategies that Dominate the Game

Chess is for the most part a game of tactics and strategy, where each player commands his own army of chess pieces. Essentially, a chess game comprises of three stages—the opening, middle game, and endgame. It is in the opening that players are supposed to bring out their forces, positioning and preparing them for the ensuing combat in the middle game. The middle game portion of chess begins as opposing players maneuver for positions where they can carry out their strategic attacks and counter attacks, leading to the final stage or the end game. This is when fewer pieces are left on the board so that it is safer for the kings to expose themselves and join the battle to the finish.

Learning basic strategies and tactics to help you dominate the game and your opponent is important if you want to improve your game. There are many things that you can do to improve your strategy and overall game plan every time you set out for battle:

·         Always look at the moves of your opponent. There is always a reason why each move is chosen in chess. Figuring out why a piece is moved a certain way is critical in determining your next move, so that you won't leave any of your piece in danger or prevent threats from reducing your strategy's strengths.

·         Always make the best move possible. When moving a piece, make sure that the square you are transferring its position to is a better square than where it is on previously or whether or not the move will increase the effectiveness of another piece. Ask yourself whether you are able to defend against the opponent's threat and if the piece is protected from attack.


·         Lastly, always have a plan. This will ensure your preparation for attacks that may threaten your victory.

Online Chess School to Improve Your Chess Skills

There are many ways to learn chess and no one way is as effective as the other, depending on who is being taught. Just like there are infinite possibilities to win the game, there are also countless ways to learn the game and no one can learn techniques and tactics in the exact same way that any other individual, because humans have distinct thinking patterns. While chess has specific rules, the way that each player applies these rules is distinct to each individual, which is why the game is both a challenge and an opportunity to stretch your mind to think and process at its best and come up with the most powerful strategy and tactic that your opponent cannot beat.

Chess is all about learning how to think strategically, logically and purposefully. With the right motivation and the desire to learn, it is easy to learn how to play this game well. Educational web resources are the best places to start if you want to learn the game and improve your skills. Find a website and resource that provides you with a thriving chess community where you can learn from other members and at the same time have access to experienced mentors who can coach you and mold your skills.


Studying chess online is one of the most efficient and practical means to learn chess and develop your skills, especially when you want to join tourneys and become a pro player or better yet, a grandmaster. Find an online chess school that is not merely an online club, but a community where you can enjoy playing and learning how to improve chess strategic and tactical skills through programs that are tailored to your needs. Choose an online resource that provides you with an effective platform for mastering your game.

Give Your Kids an Advantage by teaching them how to use Chess Learning Software

Chess players should always be on the lookout for optimum ways to enhance their chess play. Even and especially at a younger age, they should develop a habit of honing their skills, practicing their tactics and thinking so they can be prepared for any battle. More than chess theory, it is important that your child learns how to apply tactics for actual games, where anything goes.

Today, it is easier to get your child the chess training they need through online chess programs and courses that allow proper training based tailored for their needs. If your child is only starting to learn how to play chess, then basic programs and software packages will be enough to teach them the ins and outs of the game. Those who want to get serious about the game also have advanced options. Here are some things you need to know when looking at chess learning software packages, services and programs for your child:


  • Find a program or web application that will run smoothly on your PC platform. Dated operating systems might not be able to run newer software or programs due to system restrictions. This is why it is important to find a program that will work perfectly on your computer.
  • Know what you and your child are getting. Software products and packages will most likely allow you to play against AI or a computerized opponent, which can be great for learning certain chess theories. However, it is still best to find a service where you can play actual people and chess masters, as they can more effectively teach and train game plays.
  • Choose a program that connects you to a great community of players and mentors who can help enhance your chess skills.

Join Chess Tutorials and Maximize Your Chances of Winning

If you are serious about honing your skills in chess, joining tutorials and taking up formal lessons are great ways to apply your learning and address your weaknesses. Today, you will find many online programs that offer chess tutorials from experienced players and well respected mentors who have enough skills and knowledge to impart to all their students and trainees. When selecting a chess school, find one that offers a variety of programs that you can join according to your playing level, your needs, and the kind of skills you want to develop.

Chess tutorials offer great benefits for those who truly want to develop their knowledge of chess principles, strategies, and tactics that can help them win games. Regardless of your skill level, there is much to learn in chess. In fact, even the most seasoned players can learn a thing or two from grandmasters of late. Tutorials are a fun and exciting way to improve your skill level and increase your chances of winning every game you play. One of the best things about online tutorials is that they offer great flexibility, in that you can choose the number of training hours you want to have each day or month, your study group size, and the most convenient schedule to meet your lifestyle. The best chess schools offer this kind of flexibility, and will even tailor fit your training program to match your exact needs.


Chess beginners benefit the most from chess tutorials, particularly those who have never played the game before. However, even experienced players can also gain greater knowledge by taking up more advanced programs and learning from the best in the game. Anyone with a keen interest in the game of chess can choose to learn its fundamental principles and develop skills to become a good player.

Great and Innovative Ways for Beginners to Learn Chess Online

Chess is a tough game, but it isn't necessarily that hard to learn. In fact, you can get all the concepts and principles of the game down with just a quick crash course from an avid player. However, the difficult part of learning chess, is in skill-development and knowing about strategies you can use to actually win the game. The web is an incredible place to learn about anything and everything under the sun. This powerful information resource is also one of the most exciting places to look for ways to learn all about the game of chess. With the many great benefits of chess games, especially in the cognitive development of children and adult players, many online developers have come up with great ways to make the game accessible to those who want and are willing to learn:


  • Chess games – There are many different types of online and offline chess games you can access and download via the web. These games range from classic chess games that you can play against the computer or against other live players to themed games and those that use different rules and formats of chess. There are also games that take various chess concepts and incorporate them into a game, often meant for chess training.
  • Chess videos and animations – Simply watching chess games online can help you evaluate and analyze strategies and tactics used by master players. There are also chess animations, most of which are educational in nature that can help children learn chess in a fun manner.
  • Chess resources – You will also find a plethora of chess resources online through web portals that specialize in the game. These may include instructional resources to chess games, videos, and programs that you can use to play and learn chess online.
  • Chess lessons – There are also great chess schools that operate over the web, offering interactive lessons via the internet so you can learn chess right at the comfort of your own home.

Learn the Best Chess Board Games that Can Make Your Mind Sharp

A typical game of chess in itself is a highly mentally stimulating game, allowing you to sharpen your mind with each round of play. Around the world, there are many different variations of the game that play on the unique principles and mechanics of the traditional version. Some alter some of the rules of classic chess, while others utilize completely different mechanics, and even chess boards. The following are some of the most popular versions of chess games you can study and learn besides classic or traditional chess:


  • Fischerandom Chess (Chess 960) – The rules of this chess game coincides with classical chess, except the initial position of the pieces and the rules for castling. Pawns are placed in their traditional positions, but other major pieces can be randomly set up, given that the two bishops of a player are positioned on opposite colored squares and the king, somewhere between the castles pr rooks. Black pieces should be placed equal and opposite to white pieces.
  • Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) – Played on a rectangular 9x10 chess board, Xianqi is distinct from Western Chess in that pieces are placed on the intersections, not the fields. Opposing players start the game with pieces including the king, 2 guards, 2 elephants, 2 rooks, 2 horses, 2 cannons, and 5 soldiers.
  • Amazon Queen Chess – Same rules as classic chess, only the queen can move as in traditional chess and as knight.
  • Super Bishop – in a chess game with a super bishop, the piece cannot only move diagonally, but can also shift one square to a side that is perpendicular to its further movement.
  • Dice Chess – Players alternate moves after throwing a die. The value of the draw corresponds to the piece that can be moved: 1 for a pawn, 2 for the king, 3 for a knight, 4 for a bishop, 5 for a rook, and 6 for the queen. If there is no legal move with the piece drawn, the turn is lost. 

Adopt Advanced Chess Strategy to Beat Your Competitors

One of the most important things you should learn and understand in order to become a good chess player is the importance of strategy. Chess isn't only about moving pieces on a board. It is also about the development of their positions to create combined placements for efficient defense and attack tactics. Each move you make must be carefully evaluated so you can gain advantage over your opponent.

For strategy to work, you also need short term adjustments or tactics. Tactical moves are crucial in making small adjustments to make sure that your overall game plan can respond well to your opponent's performance. Making moves and adjusting tactical responses according to the moves made by your opponent, while analyzing their implications on your overall strategy is how you increase your chances of winning.

A game of chess has three phases—opening game, middle game, and end game and each requires good strategy in order for you to get a good handle of the game. During the opening game, your goal should be to achieve a position of strength. This can be done by placing your pieces in the best possible positions. An opening strategy can be formulated according to your own preferences. You can be defensive or aggressive or you can position your pieces to give you a chance to capitalize on the moves and/or mistakes of your opponent.


The middle game develops from the first attack you make after achieving your positional advantage through your opening strategy. Trading off and sacrificing of pieces and pinning your opponent's mobility are often the main objectives of a middle game strategy. Just the same, the middle game involves a great deal of tactical adjustments in order to counter play the opponent's attacks. Naturally, the player with greater positional advantage has a greater chance of winning the upper hand in the end game. Here, your strategic objective must be to immobilize the opponent's king and gain victory.

Get Tips and Essential Information about Chess from Online Chess Classes

Technology is at its peak. In fact, everyday human activities mostly revolve around technology and the web these days. The internet has popularized many online communities, from gaming guilds to learning communities, and many other groups that come together to share common interests. Online chess clubs are great examples of these kinds of communities along with chess schools that offer affordable training and coaching services that allow students to learn the game and learn how to play well.

An online chess class is a great alternative to attending a traditional chess school or a common chess club. Through online chess, you can enjoy all the benefits of a real chess class, ranging from quality mentors and coaches to valuable lessons, all in the comfort of your own home. Online chess lessons also allow you the flexibility to schedule your classes according to your own time.

Playing chess online helps you get exposed to different types of chess games as well as special rules and other variations and deviations, which can be very beneficial if you want to join tournaments that feature chess games other than the classic version. Another great advantage of online chess classes and online chess gaming is that they can be taken and played using many different platforms that enable advanced programs and applications.


Chess is a truly amusing and brain-twisting game that allows you to develop mental agility. Technology has enabled users to enjoy the game in many ways and even take formal lessons and training in the most convenient way possible. If you want to learn chess or teach your child about the game you love, find an online chess school or club that can provide you with this kind of flexibility, while offering quality lessons at affordable prices.

Become a Master from Beginner: Learn Chess Online

There are many ways to get better at chess and all of them involve consistent practice. So if you want master the game, you need to find a website where you can learn and get all the practice that you need to improve your game. Here are great tips on surpassing beginner level chess on your way to becoming a master:

  • Find strong players whose games you can study and analyze. Many experts advice their students to spend a great deal of time hanging out and soaking in the chess culture—which quite simply means learning how good players move and think and understanding why they make the choices they make, whether they are moving pieces to safety or preparing for attack. It is important to develop this kind of analytical thinking if you want to be a serious chess player. Make it a habit to analyzing chess plays if you want to improve your game.

  • Play as many games as you can—long time control games at first, until you graduate to speed games. Slow games allow you to analyze moves more carefully. This is an important step in developing your tactical skills. Playing slowly and developing a consistent strategy, while analyzing opponents and comparing possibilities is a crucial part of improving your overall chess skills.


  • Past beginner level, you can start to mix in speed games with your slow games and test your skills out. One way to hone your skills in chess is by playing online or enrolling in an online chess class. Being part of an online chess school allows you to get the best coaching and learn from highly experienced mentors who can teach you the best strategies to further improve your game to master and tournament levels.

Learn Online Chess Moves and Make Your Game Perfect

Practice and observation are the keys to improving your chess moves and acquiring new techniques that can make you a much better player. It takes effort to become good at playing chess, and learning online is one of the ways you can do that. Familiarizing yourself with the rules, the chessboard, and the chess pieces can be a good start. You can sign up for online lessons too. It’s now possible to learn chess online at any time that is convenient for you by joining a class that administered by chess experts.

Learning the values of each chess piece can definitely help you improve. For instance, pawns are worth a point each, while bishops and knights are worth three points. The queen is worth nine, while the rook is worth five. Playing online will make you understand why you should not sacrifice a piece unless you know you have a clear win, and why it is not best to trade a bishop and a knight for a pawn or a rook. Online chess can also help you determine the relative values of the pieces, such as when they are in certain positions. For example, a knight or bishop can be stronger than the rook in some areas. Knights and bishops are better developed than pawns. If you move your pawns too much, you can weaken the king and leave an opening for an attack.


Playing chess online can give you a better understanding of how you play and what your strengths and weaknesses are. With online learning, you can easily see if you tend to value a strong defence or if you tend to hold back and focus on attacking. You can also access the online chess school’s forum, if there is one, and socialize with other players who are taking lessons, just like you are. 

How to Make Chess Interesting for a Beginner

Chess can be challenging and intimidating for beginners as well as for those who lack confidence in their ability to play. There are many reasons why a beginner may not appreciate chess for all it is worth and miss out on the fun factor that they can enjoy from playing it. Understanding these reasons can help you come up with ideas on how making chess interesting for a beginner.

For starters, a beginner may think chess is too complicated. Many beginners develop a mindset that they are not good enough to play the game. If this is the case, you need to change the way they think about chess. Make it fun by playing casually with them. Some beginners feel that chess takes a lot of time to conclude, so they lose interest or become worried about the time because they have other things to do. Letting them play online is a good way to learn chess and make the game interesting. Through online instruction, they can learn at their own pace without any pressure, and at a time that is most convenient for them.

Many girls and women do not feel comfortable participating because chess is a male-dominated game, and they feel outnumbered. You can make chess interesting for them by talking about the male and female roles on the chess board. Explain what the queen can do, for example.

Beginners are likely to find chess fun and interesting if they take time to learn what the pieces are about and treat the board as if it is a battlefield. They could use their imaginations to think of strategies to make their 'kingdom' win the battle against the opponent. This type of strategy can appeal to players of all ages, especially children and even adults who are fascinated with medieval stories, and stories of kings and queens.