Tuesday, 10 August 2021

Things toConsider Before Getting Chess Trainer

What do you need to learn chess and play like a professional? It begins with a chess training platform where you can find the best coaches providing online classes to chess aficionados. This portal is designed to deliver a common ground where chess coaches can find enthusiastic players to teach and escalate their skill level. If you are looking for a chess trainer, you will have to enroll in an online training program!

Things to consider

Here is what you need to consider for finding the right chess coach:

1.  The right chess tutorial portal

The first step is to choose the right chess coaching portal where you can find the best coaches in the country. It is the authority of the chess portal that will handpick profiles as coaches considering the experience and the method of teaching. You will easily find the best coaching portals online that display the experience of the coaches.

2.  Right to pick

Find the ideal coaching that lets you pick the right coach with absolute flexibility. In fact, choose a chesstrainerwho is available and flexible with the online coaching dates. This is you can ensure that your chess classes will not be a challenge to accomplish.

3.  Trials

One of the best methods of choosing a chess coach is to utilize the free trials offered by the chess coaching portals. Use them accordingly to find out the right coach and understand the level of compatibility. In this way, you can discover the ideal chess trainerfor your level of learning chess.

Verdict

Remember that experience does not define the capability of a chess trainer.You will have to take a class to understand his level of patience and professionalism. Find the most reputed chess coaching portals to discover the best trainers in town! 

Monday, 12 July 2021

How to Learn Chess Strategies Online?

Technology has brought us closer making the world smaller. These days, online platforms can be used to learn anything. Chess aspirants are seeking excellent coaching sessions online from the top mentors at their convenience to excel in this venture. They learn chess strategy from the chosen mentors and utilize it to win games. Let us find out how you can learn such strategies:

Tips to follow

1.      Choosing the right platform

It is obvious that you will need an online chess portal to get in touch with the top mentors in this field. Here is what you need to do. Search for the best online platform first by seeking demo classes from all the available portals. You will get a chance to assess the best portal for your venture.

2.      Seeking compatibility

Not all aspirants will like the same chess coach to seek and learn chess strategy. It has to be checked thoroughly by following trial and error methods. Make sure you check the experience of the coach in mentoring chess aspirants. Take the classes and realize your compatible level. When you are compatible with a mentor, your learning process will become even better.

3.      Learning chess strategies

Every chess tutorial platform will need an online teaching interface with a chess software board. Here, you will learn chess strategyand apply it. In fact, you will need this platform to practice applying the chess strategy with your fellow players. The more you practice the better you will understand the implication of the chess strategies.

4.      Understand the weaknesses

Every strategy has strengths and weaknesses. Identify them and work to counter the weaknesses. Learn how to utilize these strengths in the best way possible.

Follow these steps to learn chess strategyunder the guidance and supervision of a chess mentor you have chosen on the tutorial platform!

Friday, 11 June 2021

How Can Chess Openings Improve Your Game?

 Many chess aficionados think that learning chess openingsis not as important as learning excellent moves developed by top-notch chess players across the world. Well! This is not the fact. Chess moves and openings are important in a similar way. An avid chess player must learn all kinds of moves to begin, play, and end a game. In fact, chess openings are a crucial part of the strategy that will be developed and used by a chess player during a board game.

Why should you learn chess openings?

1.       Control

Nothing is more important than learning control in a chess game. A player who is always in control of the checkered board is probably going to win. It all begins with the opening move. Hence,learning chess openingsis very crucialto gaincontrol on the board and to tackle the opponent’s move from the start.

2.       Advantage on the home field

If you are opening agame, you have the ball on your court. Your opening move is going todecidethe entire game. Good chess players will try to trick theiropponent to follow their leads and fall ina trap. This begins with the very firstmove you make. Get the advantage on home field by learning chess opening moves.

3.       You need to avoid traps

Anopponent canalso come withnew opening moves. In such a case, youcanget baffled to see a new move on the board. Worry not! Onceyou learn new tricks and moves, you will stay calm and wait for the opponent’s chance.

Hence, learning chess openingscan improve your game in these ways! 

Thursday, 10 June 2021

Know the Best Way to Learn Chess Openings

 One of the fascinating board games that have been ever invented is chess. It has been played for hundreds of years and has been developed using different methods and practices. This board game takes the real test of your patience, time, mindfulness, and thinking capabilities. You need to see the future and play your turn to intimidate the opponent and win the game. This is where you need to find ways for learning chess openings.

How can you learn chess openings?

The ideal way to learn how to open in chess is by getting trained under a chess master. Learning chess openingswill become a lot easier when you have an achiever to train you during your leisure hours. It is then your passion for chess will be fueled. Remember that you will need a proper platform where you can learn how to open chess and play with good players to escalate your skill level.

To find an online platform, you will need to scout on the internet. You will discover many portals for chess training. Get the demo classes done and note down the pros and cons of every chess tutorial portal. Choose the most suitable portal as per your availability, level of chess masters, and level of learning. Concentrate on the tutorial fee and compare. Choose one portal and introduce new to the world of chess.

Get in touch with the best chess tutors online and check their credentials. Take classes online as a beginner for learning chess openings.

Verdict

This is how you can get into playing chess seriously. Not only learning will do the trick. You will also have to practice these openings on a real board game. The online portal will provide opponents to practice. It is the best way for learning chess openingsand to become a better player in the future.

Thursday, 8 April 2021

How toPlay Chess forBeginners - Know Every Basic Rules

Playing chess will never be old when you have the right platform and partner. You need to learn exciting moves and give a twist to your game plan. This will surely make every board you play more fascinating and exciting. If you are a newbie, learn from the best platform regarding how to play chess for beginners.

How to play chess?

Chess is a game of two minds. Reading the mind of the opponent and thinking of what his next move will be is no less than an adrenaline rush. In fact, your calculations related to every single move will give you satisfaction when they come true. Here is how you can make yourself an outstanding chess player someday. Learn how to play chess for beginnersand give it a good start:

·         Learn how to set up the board

Follow the international rules and earn how to set up a chessboard. Find out where the pieces go and how they move. This is the first step of learning chess. Practice and remember the moves of all pieces and kick-start a fascinating journey in the chess land.

·         Think of it as an army

Whether you like to start with black or white, consider the chess pieces as your army. Learn how every soldier, the queen, and the king move on the chessboard. This is the way to start and learn how to play chess for beginners.

·         Practice online

You will find a plethora of software and digital platforms where you can play chess and practice. Don’t get disheartened if you lose. It is a part of the learning process.

Final words

Learn how to play chess for beginnersfrom a professional coach from the very first stage. Your idea of playing this board game will remarkably change!

Wednesday, 10 March 2021

Finding Best Tips andTricks toLearn Chess Openings

Do you aspire to become a reputed chess player? Do you want to shine like the grandmasters of chess? For that, you will have to be anintelligent and sly chess player with deceptive moves and excellent tricks up in your sleeves. You will also have to learn chess openingsto confuse the opponents. Here is what you can do to learn opening chess skills:

Steps to follow

·         Know different pieces and their moves

The first thing you have todo as a beginner is to remember the chess pieces and learn how they move on the checkered board. You can easily remember rolesof every piece by following international rules and find out how to learn chess openings.

·         Seek an expert’s guidance

This is the second step that will make you better than the average players. From the very first day, follow a chess coach. You can find them online. In fact, you can also register on an online platform to seek classes from expert chess coaches. There, you will learn how to play chess in a strategic way. The organized way of teaching chess will bring out the right talents hidden in you. In fact, you will also learn how to open in a chess game and make your moves.

·         Practice and use the tips and tricks

There are innumerable opening moves you can apply in a game. It all depends on what you are thinking and how logically you can defend your moves on the board. Hence, practice and knowledge are both important. For this, you will need a dedicated routine and an online coaching session to find out how to learn chess openings.

Why wait then? Find the right mentor and make your move to become a chess player.

A Brief Guide on How to Play Chess Online

Although the setup feels different, many people are still interested to learn to play chess online.They are not using a physical chessboard and pieces or seeing their opponents live, yet they think that online chess schools are effective.

Online chess classes have been a boon, especially during these trying times. And, they are most-preferred mode now with the youth. What the players say is thatonce you get the hang of it, you will see all its benefits and even appreciate its advantages over traditional chess classes. So, do you want to learn to play chess online? Here's a brief guide for you.

 Find a chess learning software

Does the online chess school that you are considering use a chess learning platform? If not, then how are they going to facilitate chess lessons? Having learning software makes it a lot easier and fun to learn to play chess online. The best platforms have all the essential features that students need in an interactive class, including virtual classrooms and live chats so you can hear, see, and speak with the other members of the class. Some even let you record your game, observe matches, and join a competition.

Choose a good trainer

So, you've found a school with chess learning software. Great. The next question is this: do they have qualified instructors? The quality of a chess trainer affects the quality of your learning. Thus, considering their trainer's experience, rating, and background as chess players is a must. If you want comprehensive online chess lessons, find a school that has coaches who have a grandmaster level certification.

Join a class as well as tournaments

Having one-on-one training with a coach can help accelerate your learning. Nevertheless, learning with others also has its own merits. For one, it gives you a lot of opportunities to gain new friends. So, consider joining a group class. Consider joining tournaments, too. That way, you can practice techniques and test your skills against real opponents.

Monday, 11 January 2021

How an Online Chess Tutor Makes Learning Easier

 Just as chess players use different strategies to win the game, online chess tutors use different techniques to teach their students in the most efficient manner. How different are online coaches from face-to-face chess coaches? And how do they make sure that you will improve your skills fast, even when lessons are done on the internet?  

 

Teaching chess virtually

Online classes offer accessibility and convenience. They are perfect for those who want to learn chess but don't have the luxury of time to enroll in a face-to-face class. Thanks to online chess tutors, you won't have to worry about traveling to a physical location and making it on time for your classes. As long as you have an internet connection, you can study and play anywhere.

 

Using online learning software

Even though you are not meeting faceto face, your online chess tutor can still discuss the lessons in detail, using a learning software solution specifically designed for teachingchess. It's not a regular online class where you will just video call your coach and listen to the instructions. It's an interactive one. Using the learning software, you can take part in lectures, take courses in different groups, and even play tournaments with other members.

 

Creating personalized instruction 

Like any good coach, an online chess tutor can personalize the lessons according to a player’s requirements. Your tutor will evaluate your skill level and create a personalized instruction plan that will improve your strengths and address your weaknesses.

 

Letting you interact and play with other members

To test your abilities and brush up your skills, your online chess tutor will let you play against other players using the learning platform. Sometimes, it will be someone who has the same level of skills and knowledge as you. Sometimes, it will be someone better than you. By facing different kinds of opponents who use varied chess openings, strategies, and playing styles, you will improve your problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and more. 

Wednesday, 4 November 2020

Importance of Online Chess Classes for Kids and Teens in China

 

Chess is a strategy game involving various pieces, moves, and strategies that may be hard for beginners to grasp. The world-recognized sport takes several years to master. Many of today’s chess grandmasters have been training since they were kids.

Does taking chess lessons in China at an early age make any difference? Find out the importance of online chess classes for kids and teens:

  1. Early childhood education is essential to developing any skill. Children have an immense learning potential; this is why most kids acquire walking, climbing, and multiple languages during the first years of their life. Learning chess isn’t any different, as long as the children are taught in a kid-friendly method.  
  2. Chess lessons in China for kids are taught by coaches who are child-oriented. Thanks to their many years of experience, they know how to teach chess fundamentals simply. Most mentors have international titles and championship medals, ensuring that their teaching methods are world-class. 
  3. Online chess lessons in China are incredibly convenient for children. Since the classes are conducted in a virtual learning space, kids are safe and comfortable in their own homes. Parents can choose a schedule and program that is the most suitable for their children, allowing them to attend lessons at their own pace.  
  4. The success rate of online chess lessons in China is high. Students from all over the world have grown to become rising stars in international chess tournaments. Most of these kids started classes at the ages of 7 to 9 and are now recognized for their talents.  
  5. Does your child have ADHD? Chess lessons can help them in ways that might surprise you. The game encourages kids with ADHD to develop their focus, memory, patient, ability to resist external provocations, and more. 

Saturday, 10 October 2020

Chess Opening Strategy—Learn Game Winning Techniques

 In chess, the first move is very crucial. A player should already have a chess opening strategy in mind even before starting the game. 

 

One of the most popular chess opening strategies is the famous opening line 1.e4 where the pawn opens the way for the white bishop while also taking control of the center. 

 

The center is composed of four squares in the middle of the board (d4, d5, e4, e5). Experts say that having control of it is like taking the ground in a battle. When you have control of it, your pieces become more flexible in moving around the board. Take, for example, the knight. If it is at the center, it can have up to eight choices of moves that are much greater than when it is in other positions.

 

Another common opening is 1.d4. It is very similar to 1.e4 except that it gives way to the queen and the other bishop. It also controls the center. Using this opening line can help you put your pieces into position as you plan your attack and take hold of your defense. 

 

Early in the game, your chess opening strategy should also be a move to maximize your chess pieces. Many of them are behind the pawns, so they should be let out, but this doesn’t mean that all pawns should move. Some should remain to guard the king. 

 

The rooks, which are at the corners, can be developed through castling. The earlier you castle, the better because you put your king in a safe corner while developing the rook at the same time. The rook is powerful, so you should utilize it as much as you can.

 

Knowing some chess opening strategies strengthens your footing in the game. The openings mentioned here are just the tip of an iceberg. There is still much to learn, and you can learn them all by enrolling in classes conducted by experienced chess tutors online. 

Wednesday, 9 September 2020

Online Virtual Chess Classes for School Kids – An Effective Way for Children to Get Good at the Game

 As social distancing becomes the new normal because of the ongoing pandemic, many parents and teachers and looking for ways to keep their kids entertained and occupied. Online virtual chess classes for school kids may be just the escape and the mental challenge they need in these stressful times. There are so many benefits to learning and playing chess online. Here's everything you need to know if you're interested in enrolling your child in online virtual chess classes for school kids.

 

At what age can my child start? 

 

Some kids are capable of learning the basic aspects of the game at just four years old. Generally, kids have to be old enough to know the basic alphabet and count to learn the chessboard squares' names. The kindergarten age is perfect.

 

Anyone can learn how to play chess. Even students with disabilities can reap plenty of educational and psychological rewards from chess training.

 

What are the benefits of online virtual chess classes for school kids?

 

Online chess training is the safest way to learn the game during this time. These online lessons encourage developing a child's "higher-order" mental skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, planning, decision making, and creative thinking. Studies have repeatedly shown that chess practice can improve a child's general cognitive ability and scholastic achievement, specifically in mathematics.

 

The benefits go beyond academics, though. Online virtual chess classes for school kids also reinforce effective attributes, including patience, perseverance, and prudence. It underscores the virtues of fairness and honesty. The chess (and the chess community) is civil, following an ethical code that encourages players to be respectful of each other. 

 

There is no doubt that online virtual chess classes for school kids are some of the best programs you can enroll your child in during this coronavirus pandemic and well after it. It's a great way to ensure that they are having fun while learning safely at home.  

Wednesday, 10 June 2020

Chess Strategies Beginners – Improve Your Strategies and Tactics


Every chess game is different depending on the strategies and your opponent will use. If you are new to the game, it makes sense to learn chess strategies for beginners to familiarize yourself with the basics and to learn to properly apply tactics. That said, think of learning chess as similar to learning to communicate in a new language. You need to get used to playing under different conditions and be able to use the appropriate strategy and tactics to excel.

One of the common mistakes of beginners is interchanging strategies and tactics. Although they go hand-in-hand as you learn strategy, there are significant differences to them. Chess strategy involves setting and achieving the game’s long-term goals, and tactics is focused on the immediate maneuver. They go together because tactics are keys to achieving strategic goals, and tactical opportunities are according to your previous playing strategy. Learning and mastering these on your own may be overwhelming, but there are online lessons that can help you.

Chess lessons are an excellent way for beginners to learn and master strategies. If you are one yourself, you will be guided by professional and experienced chess coaches. They are constantly up-to-date with the evolving tactics involved in strategic play, so if you want to be able to apply strategies more effectively, it is recommended that you play chess online and get guidance from a qualified coach.

There are several chess strategies for beginners, but don’t worry, as your coach will teach you the most advance ones to help you master the game. Here are some important strategies to know:

  • Don’t let your opponent open a file on the king if you have castled.

  • Avoid moving a piece several times during opening. Allow the other pieces to develop before you move it again.

  • Make sure your pieces are developed in a way that allows them to coordinate properly with one another.

  • Gain control of the center of the board to get the advantage of better attacks and more play.

  • Prevent communication between the pieces of your opponents.

Thursday, 7 May 2020

Essential Tips to Improve in Chess

Learning chess on your own can be challenging. For beginners and intermediate players, the information on different openings, strategies, and tactics could become overwhelming. That said, here are some essential tips to help you improve in chess more effectively:

  • Sign up for lessons – Consider signing up for chess lessons online where you can learn conveniently anytime, anywhere, while being guided by a professional and experienced coach. Their guidance will help you analyze your moves and understand chess openings and other essential factors to help you improve.

  • Learn chess openings – The opening encompasses the first moves. It is where you and your opponent must work to develop your respective forces with the goal of overpowering the other’s defenses. There are many different openings, which greatly vary in their character. You will find that some are aggressive, and some are focused on quiet, positional play. The Encyclopedia of Chess Openings have classified all openings, and to improve in chess, you may also want to look into it. Even professional players continue to learn openings throughout their careers because opening theory keeps evolving.

  • Stay up-to-date with chess strategies and tactics – Both are dependent on each other, as strategy is concerned with setting and achieving your long-term goals in the game and tactics are the means on how to execute them with moves. Tactical opportunities occur according to the previous strategy, and strategic goals are achieved with tactics. Chess lessons and consistent practice can help you improve in chess on this aspect.
  • Play with others – Online chess platforms offer a safe and secure environment where players of every level can challenge others and play on a virtual board. You could even play with someone whose level is more advanced than yours to see how you would fare.
  • Practice – Practice makes perfect, and that also applies if you want to improve in chess. So, keep playing versus a computer or virtually with other players, including your coach.

Tuesday, 7 April 2020

The Definitive Guide on Choosing a Chess Coach for Kids Online

Is your child showing interest in playing chess? Maybe you should consider getting a personal chess coach online. While it is possible for talented kids to learn it on their own, there’s no substitute for having a professional trainer guide and help them develop skills in strategizing and planning. Having someone who can evaluate their games and create custom training plans can make all the difference in your child’s success. So, how do you choose the best online school or chess coach for your kid online?

  1. Find a reliable online chess school that has been around for years

With the availability of online chess schools today, how do you pick one? The key factor to consider is reputation. You need to find the most credible and highly recommended school or teacher out of all the options. Take into account the testimonials, feedback, and success stories of their students. In general, chess schools that have been around longer, have better teachers and a more structured curriculum that is proven effective.

  1. Explore the learning platform

Chess trainers provide online lessons in different ways. Those from recognized online chess schools use their own learning platform where your child can communicate and take lessons from an instructor. Not all learning platforms are the same. Some will let you register free while others require payment. Some also have lectures, tournaments and group courses that kids can take part in.

  1. Get to know their coaches

Like any parent, you want your kid to learn from the best chess players and coaches in the world. That's why you need to review the credentials of the coach before enrolling your kid in an online program. Many parents look for experience and recognition in a coach—and both are important. However, aside from these, you should also ask about the chess instructor’s teaching style. You want someone who is patient and is good with beginners.

Thursday, 7 November 2019

Chess 101 – Chess Setup and Rules

To learn chess, you need to know and understand its rules and how to set up the board and its pieces. Part of the lesson is identifying how certain pieces should move and where they can go. There may be a lot of references to help you get started, but we have listed down the essential things you must know about chess setup and rules to make it easier for you:
  • Know the goal of chess – The ultimate objective of the game is the checkmate, which happens when you are able to trap the King of your opponent. Checkmate comes from ‘Shah Mat,’ a Persian phrase that literally means, ‘the King is ambushed.’
  • Basic setup – The chessboard has eight columns and rows, totaling 64 alternating color squares. A unique pair of number and a letter corresponds to each square. Vertical files are identified as A to H, from the left of White (queenside) to the right. Horizontal ranks are numbered one to eight, starting from the area nearest to White’s side. Every square is identified by a file letter and a rank number. Basic chess setup and rules call for the white Queen to be on a white square, and the black Queen must be on a black square.
  • Remember: White moves first – One of the most important things to remember in chess setup and rules is whoever takes the White side between you and your opponent starts the game. You will be taking turns, alternately moving a piece at a time. Movement is necessary, so you cannot pass.
  • What happens if there are no moves left? - If it is your opponent’s turn to move and they are not in check, but they do not have legal moves anymore, that is a ‘Stalemate,’ which means that the game has ended in a draw.
  • Every piece is allowed to move in a certain way – You may move a piece to another square or capture a piece of your opponent and replace it on its position. En passant, however, is an exception. A piece is unable to move through or over any other piece, except for the Knight.
Mastering the chess setup and rules calls for frequent practice and proper instruction from a qualified instructor. So, consider playing chess online and study with help from a chess instructor.

Finding the Best Chess Teacher to Learn Chess Strategies

Chess is certainly fun, but it can be hard to learn. It is a ‘mind game’ that requires you to make smart and strategic movements in order to win against your opponent or at least prevent a quick downfall. Have you considered hiring chess teachers to learn the right techniques?

It’s much easier to learn chess strategies when you have people around you who also play the game. But this is often not enough. Casual players often don’t have the skills to teach others; at most, you can only learn the basic movements of each piece and the game’s rules and regulations from them. If you’re serious about getting better at chess, it’s time to find a chess teacher.

Chess classes can be expensive and troublesome since it is mostly conducted in a classroom setting where you must leave your house. But fortunately, there are now a lot of websites where you can learn chess online.

When looking for classes, look for a site that is ranked as a leading online chess school. Make sure that they offer live sessions from real time chess teachers. These classes should be tailored to fit each students’ needs.

Be sure to join a class that is beginner friendly and caters to your age group. Also, if you are a person with special needs, look for an online chess school that has teachers who specialize in your needs. Most importantly, enroll in a class that is taught by a reputable online chess teacher who has many successful students in the field of chess.

Chess is not only a fun game-it has also been proven to be a great way to increase one’s IQ. It is also a perfect activity to teach your children as it can help them focus. Chess can be social, too, as it lets you meet new people and make new acquaintances.

Tuesday, 9 April 2019

How Effective is Chess Learning Software?

The world today is immensely different from three decades ago. From a world that has never heard about computers to one where computers can be worn and brought everywhere, technology has gone a long way in changing the way people process and exchange information, communicate, and do things in general—even the most basic chores. The rise of the computer age enhanced by the connectedness that the world wide web and the internet bring has given way to a brand-new world run by digital tools. A chess learning software is one such fruit of the information and digital age. The question remains, just how effective are these man-made tools in providing the training and learning that students need to get better in the game?

There are all kinds of chess learning software that float around the market, some offered for free online. Websites that provide chess learning resources are also widespread, providing chess enthusiasts and those who are serious about improving their skills with all kinds of tools and programs designed to help them succeed at their training goals. If you enjoy online modules and the gamification of learning, you will find chess learning software programs to be extremely beneficial in your quest to enhance your chess skills.

Chess tactics websites, for instance, are widely available online. If you are interested in enhancing your tactical skills, these are great places to practice as they provide a wide range of tools and practice modules that you can use to sharpen your skills. Opening trees are also quite popular with chess players, as well as chess engines that are designed to analyze games and help you work through common mistakes that you are committing throughout the course of your own matches or perhaps learn from other people’s mistakes. These, along with actual chess learning software programs that offer chess lessons are great tools for enhancing your skills and knowledge in/of chess.

Monday, 11 June 2018

Know the Chess Set Up and Rules of the Chess


While chess can be an intimidating concept, chess setup and rules are actually quite simple and easy to understand, if you only take time to really learn the basics. The first thing you should understand is that chess is a game played between two opposing sides, the black and the white side, each taking alternate turns, moving a piece at a time in order to capture the enemy’s king. The player on the white side moves first. This is one of the first and most important chess setup and rules you should remember as you learn to play the game.

Moving on to the chess pieces, you will notice that each side is given a total of 16 chess materials of different types, each of which moves in a particular way. A piece isn’t allowed to land on a chess square that is occupied by a friendly or same colored piece. If your piece lands on one that is taken by an enemy piece, the material is captured and removed from the board. Pieces are not permitted to jump over another, except for the knight, which is also the only piece that can move in different directions and not just in a straight line.

The bishops can move for any number of diagonal squares, while the rooks can move horizontally or vertically. The queen, which is considered the most powerful piece, can move in a straight line either diagonally, vertically, or horizontally.  Pawns can only move one square at a time, except during its first move, in which case it can move two squares forward. It can never move backward and can only capture pieces by moving diagonally toward the next square forward.

Chess setup and rules at the start of the game requires each player having a light-colored square in their bottom right-hand corner. Starting from the bottom left and the bottom right squares, put your rooks, continuing inward with your knights and bishops on either side. The queen should always go on the square of its own color (white on light, black on dark) and the king should stand on the remaining square between the queen and the bishop. The second row in front of the larger pieces is reserved for all your pawns.


Points to Remember When Choosing a Chess Mentor for Your Chess Classes

Learning chess takes no more than understanding its basic rules and principles, learning its intricacies requires so much more than your dad telling you what each piece can do or how each piece is supposed to move around the chess board. When you want to get serious about a chess career, you need a chess mentor who can walk with you through your journey and teach you the ropes as you climb up your skill level. Perhaps you are finding no improvement despite hours spent in self-study or maybe you are in need of an experienced advisor who can help you understand more advanced concepts and develop a stronger repertoire of tactics and strategies. Here are some things you should remember when hiring a chess mentor:

• Experience is important. This said, experience doesn’t automatically make a grand master a good teacher. A successful chess master career doesn’t necessarily mean success in teaching. Choose a chess mentor who has an experience and a good track record in coaching other players. This means they are effective in imparting knowledge to their mentees. Teaching skills also improve with experience as they get to meet and work with aspirants of different skill sets and skill levels. 

• Find a chess mentor who brings attention on your needs. A good coach knows how to assess your skills and prescribe programs or trainings you could take to address your weaknesses and further enhance your strong points.

• Know your potential mentor’s expertise. Some coaches specialize in specific areas of the game. If you need to improve on a specific thing, such as openings or the middle game, you may also choose a mentor who has a good repertoire of strategies and tactics that you can learn to address your needs. 

• Is your potential coach an active chess player? Active chess players are also a great choice for a mentor as they are people who haven’t lost contact with their competitive side and is up-to-date with trends, novelties, tournaments, and other things of interest in the realm of chess.

Sunday, 8 April 2018

Learn Chess Openings in Several Ways

How to learn chess openings is a question many beginner players ask during their early career, and for good reason—chess openings dictate the tone of the game. Dominating the start of any chess match is always good as it provides you the advantage of strong positionings and enables you to be in a good place to start attacks on your opponent’s king. Learning chess openings can be equally challenging and rewarding and it often results in improved games and higher win ratings. 

A lot of people stick to one or two opening variations, making it difficult for them to switch to playing another tactic. This said, asking yourself how to learn chess openings time and again will help you expand your repertoire and give you a deeper understanding of valuable pawn structures as well as middle and end games. Here are ways to help you learn new chess openings:

• Develop a mental list of tactical themes and strategic ideas. Opening games revolve around tactical and strategic themes that follow certain sets of principles and structures. When you study new openings, make a mental mote of common pawn breaks, piece movements and maneuvers, as well as tactical shots. This way, you will be able to recognize similar patterns and ideas in your own games. This will also cause you to actively look for such patterns as you practice or as you go through actual games. Familiarizing yourself with tactical motifs and common strategies is a great way to learn new opening strategies.

• Play training games and actively learn from them. It’s been said that to improve in chess, you need to play as much as you can. This is also true when trying to learn new openings. Playing training games geared towards improving your opening strategy is also a smart way to hone your skills and way of thinking, as well as studying classical games played by grandmasters.