Chess openings are a
set of first few standard moves that are termed as the ’book of moves.’ These
moves generally signify geometric notations, tree structures, etc. The Oxford
companion to chess lists about a thousand openings that characterize positional
play and gradually build up to tactical moves. A player who starts the game without a set pattern or deviates
from the stated theories is said to move ’out of book.’
A good opening ensures control over a wider area of the board for mobility of the
pieces and provides better protection to the king and other important pieces.
Moreover, a strategically planned game gives you the opportunities to capture
the opponent’s pieces and ruin their defenses. These are all categorized under
the theory of plans. To start with, you need to give a direction to your game
that is determined by the first few moves – the opening. In the mid-game, the
efforts are focused on gaining control over the board and knocking down defenses.
Towards the end of the game, strategize the way to checkmate the opponent. But,
it is always important to follow patterns and then figure out what the next
move should be. Observing and analyzing moves at every stage of a game is a
form of evaluation. This skill also helps in the real world with the ability to
plan and execute strategies for the important things in your life like saving
money, preparing for a final, or buying a new home.
People always learn
better when taught by an experienced teacher. For chess, a good tutor is
trained professional who has in-depth knowledge of the game. They not only know
what the best moves are but also how to teach them to new players. Experienced
professionals know how fast students pick up the skills and find areas that
need work. It is more than learning tricks and strategies with ease. To truly
master something, there is no easy path. But a tutor or coach can ensure that
what you learn lasts a lifetime. Online chess coaches are a viable source to
improve your skill set and have a better control over the game.
More than learning
what to move, it is important to learn why to do so. Once you start evaluating
your moves, you will start predicting the opponents’ moves too. With rigorous
practice games and continuous evaluation of every move, you will learn to
detect the direction in which the game is headed. Then you can plan a counter
offense or alter your defensive strategy. It is an all-around exercise for
development of the brain and the skills acquired are equally useful in life’s
other areas.