An Introduction to Winning Opening Moves in Chess

Good opening moves in chess provide you with better control over a specific area of the board (preferably the center), greater protection of the king, excellent mobility for different pieces, and more opportunities to capture opposing pieces, while reducing danger for your own. Possible chess opening moves and strategies in chess have been studied extensively over the years. Many sequences are widely used by seasoned players who have learned how to make them their own by adding inflections that enhance their overall strategy.

A good way to learn winning opening moves is to know common approaches. However, it is important to note that you have to study moves in a more in-depth manner before you can master them. The struggle for key territory is common in most openings. This is mostly concentrated in the center squares and in deploying pieces in their most useful positions. It is good to make direct as well as more subtle approaches toward your goals.

The following are examples of good openings:

• White can start by moving the King's pawn 2 spaces (e4). Playing e4 has much strength as it gives you immediate control of the center and frees two of your back pieces (a Bishop and the Queen). This opening move also leaves the Black with 2 options, either to mirror you (replying with an e5) to follow openings like the Ruy Lopez, Giuco Piano, or King's Gambit, or move to set up openings like the Sicilian Defense, Caro-Kann, French Defense, Pirc/Modern, or Center Counter.

• White can also start by moving the Queen's pawn to d4, which can in turn lead to openings like the King's Indian Defense, Queen's Gambit, Bogo Indian, Nimzo Indian, Dutch Defense, or Queen's Indian Defense.

• Opening moves other than e4 or d4 usually lead to other less used openings like the English Opening.

Learn Chess: The Ultimate Game of the Mind Online

Chess is primarily a game of the mind, which is why it is no surprise that many say it helps develop and improve intelligence. However, not many realize just how much of a brain boost chess is. It helps enhance many different parts of the mind and various aspects of intelligence, which makes it the ultimate game to learn if you wish to give your brain a good workout.

When people say chess tournaments, images of well-dressed players engaged in a highly focused match, but it is the every day, casual match that happens between friends and family members that can have the best rewards for your brain. Today, you can even play a heated game with good players online through various websites as well as through sites that offer formal chess training.

Chess is a truly beneficial game that enhances the mind in more ways that you can imagine. The following are some of the most fantastic benefits that chess players gain when playing the game:

• Memory enhancement –There are many researches and studies that suggest the benefits of playing chess to memory enhancement. The basic act of learning chess requires you to memorize very specific rules and playing styles. The more that you practice these rules and plays, the more that your brain works to strengthen and build your memory. Brain scans of chess players show the growth of more dendrites in the brain, which suggest greater recalling ability.
  
• Reduced likelihood of brain disease – The brain, just like any other body organs require exercise to keep it working optimally and maintain its health. Chess keeps the brain active as it requires a lot of thinking. In fact, chess as an exercise is said to decrease likelihood of many brain-debilitating conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia.
  
• Higher IQ – Chess players also tend to have higher IQ, which is why the game is often seen as a game for intellectuals. Playing chess helps enhance memory, maintain reading focus, increase creativity and imagination, and improve your overall cognitive processes.

Chess Lessons for Kids: An Easy Way to Learn Chess

Some parents may think hiring a chess coach or buying chess lessons for their kids is an unnecessary expense, when they can simply learn by practice. However, many chess enthusiasts and even professional tournament players encourage young learners to seek the help of instructors, as this is about the easiest way to learn the game and learn some techniques that can help enhance skills quickly. While it is completely possible for your child to learn chess without a proper teacher or by simply reading books and using other resources like videos and blogs, certain aspects of the game might be too complex for self-study.

Your child, for instance, may have some unique skills or game insights that he or she can improve on, given the right attention. An individually tailored study course or training regimen with a qualified chess coach will not only give your child the formal instruction he or she needs to learn the game, but also the guidance that he or she requires to enhance his or her individual game style. Avoiding formal instruction can be a huge mistake because by doing so, your child may not be able to identify his or her strengths and weaknesses, which when left unnoticed, can rot away or worsen.

There are numerous facilities that you can turn to get quality chess instruction for your child. Online schools and chess training centers specializing in the game are widespread. Finding the right one is only a matter of choosing a reliable facility with talented mentors and highly qualified instructors. Many expert chess players can swear by the great benefits of being coached at a young age and receiving instruction from trainers who know what they are talking about. The web is a great place to look for a good coach to help your child reach his or her full potential in chess.