I am a total beginner with Chess and don't know a big lot about the ins and outs of the game (I used to play it with my Father when I was a child but I think he let me win lol).  I have played a few games on this site and I am slowly getting the hang of it.  I am just wondering how long it has taken people to really get to grips with Chess and have a sound understanding of it (although I would imagine you never stop learning no matter how long you have been playing for).  I would  like to know if there are any important things to remember...how to get off to a good start etc etc.  I would welcome anyone who would like to challenge me...but you must have patience with me lol...and maybe a little bit of advice, that would be much appreciated :)  Nicola

chess= minutes to learn, a lifetime to master. this has been said before,and i happen to agree with it. the serious chess player(learner) will acquire books from noted authors on chess and attempt to learn the tactics,strategy and openings(i highly recommend bobby fischer's learn to play chess book). as for myself; i have read and hopefully absorbed about 10-15 books on chess, attended chess class in college, and attended a decent chess club(which is now extinct), and of course, i play online(very helpful esp. this site). i wish you a lifetime of fun and learning and welcome to the world of chess!

There are many resources on the site which can help you improve your chess:

1) Try out our Daily Puzzle (http://www.chess.com/forum/category/daily-puzzles) to test your tactical vision in solving chess puzzles each and every day.

2) Read some instructional "Chess Articles" which can be found under the "Learn" link.

3) Submit your games to our "Game Analysis" forum where you can get help and suggestions from other Chess.com players (http://www.chess.com/forum/category/game-analysis)

4) Visit our "Books and Equipment" shop where you can find some instructional chess material to purchase.

5) Find yourself a chess coach in our "Directory" section.

6) Look at the "Downloads" section for some instructional chess material available to the public.

7) And finally...play some games! (http://www.chess.com/play/)

After a couple months my games began to resemble chess, though I'm still not sure I have a "sound understanding". Perhaps in my next life.

 

Good first steps are: 

1. Really focus on not giving away free pieces or pawns
2. Learn basic opening principles (not variations!)
3. Learn to checkmate with a queen or rook

 

If you want more practice, you won't go wrong studying mate-in-ones, forks, pins, skewers, or discovered attacks. I know of some free and excellent lessons.

I think that there were several things I had to learn to remember even though you learn them your first several games.  It takes a while before it becomes second nature to look for these.

1.  The way knights move.  I would keep forgetting that they would make that little L shaped move.  I would forget that they could jump over other pieces.  I would forget that you couldn't put a piece between them and your King.  You had to move your King.  I would forget that they can split or fork two different opponents pieces.  They are handy for putting a king in check and taking another piece after the King moves.  They also are very cool for placing your knight between a piece and your opponents, then moving a bishop, rook, queen behind them then moving your knight to attack another piece and uncovering the bishop, rook, queen to attack two pieces at the same time.

2.  The other thing that it takes a while to remember so it becomes second nature is the way pawns move and the way they capture is totally different.  The other thing is the fact that they can moves two squares on their first move.   Also remembering your opponent can promote their pawn during the game.  Most of the time they sit on the board so innocent and nonviolent.  You forget they have the ability to turn into queens, especially when you can place any piece in front of them and stop pawn promotion.

If you like chess, you'll never stop learning it. :) I'm not particularly good at it myself, but I only started about a year ago.

I have to second what likesforests said.

1. "Really focus on not giving away material" I've lost so many times just to simple blunders like putting a queen where you forget a knight can take it. And I've also blundered pawns. Lots and lots of pawns.

2. "learn basic opening principles" Though I started with learning the queens gambit.

3. "# with queen or rook" I rarely do any other, unfortunately. I guess I'm still working on that. Though some good advice is to try to trap your opponents king under his own pawns.

 And thank God for discovered attacks, nuff said. There's nothing like moving a knight from infront of your bishop and really attacking.

Nicola,

you should be able to play a decent game in about three years.

I went to friend's house one day. After playing a bunch of videogames we got bored. My friend said that we had only one more chice for games. CHESS! I freaked out cuz I had no idea how to play whatsoever, but, piece by piece, I learned. So TECHNICALLY it only took me ten minutes. I can't say that I've even won three games though.

Guys thank you!!  For your sound advice and for sharing your own experiences...it's nice to know that there are people out there that would like to pass their experience on and help...and not use my vunerability to stuff me in a game lol ;o)  But having said that, I would welcome a game from any of you...even though I may not stand a chance of winning just yet...it all helps me to learn :o) Chess certainly is a very complex game...I never realised just how much...but i'm looking forward to learning all about it...and hopefully I can teach my little ones some day too!  Nicola x

likesforests wrote:

After a couple months my games began to resemble chess, though I'm still not sure I have a "sound understanding". Perhaps in my next life.

 

Good first steps are: 

Really focus on not giving away free pieces or pawnsLearn basic opening principles (not variations!)Learn to checkmate with a queen or rook

 

If you want more practice, you won't go wrong studying mate-in-ones, forks, pins, skewers, or discovered attacks. I know of some free and excellent lessons.

---

Likesforests...I'm finding the link on 'excellent lessons' particularly useful...perfect for a total beginner like me, thank you :o)

Chess is rather amazing in this respect , in my opinion unlike any other game . One can learn the rules in a day , but it takes couple of months of play for them to sink in . Then after about year you get a better understanding of the game and are able to think about strategy and plans , without worrying about how pieces move . You will see that the longer you play , the more the chess board becomes clear . You are able to look at a piece and instantly see which squares it attacks by a single look at he board . This I think is one of the big obstacles to overcome for a beginner , if you are not able to recognise that your pieces are attacked  you will lose very quickly . And then there is a stubborness that comes when you are a beginner . You get so excited about your plan that you overlook any move that your opponent plays . Everyone goes through this -- the only way you learn is by losing and going over your losses to see where  you made mistakes . I have been playing chess for about 5 years and I have still a LOT to learn about the game . But that is what I find enjoying , is that no matter what your level you can always learn something new . Good luck and above all have fun :)

That's so funny that Doctor-Ice recommends Bobby Fischer's Learn to Play Chess book. Because that's how I learned it when I was 11 years old. I'm still mastering chess as well.

The gap between the best and worst chess players is probably wider than any other game. This is what makes it such a great game.

Chess is a combination of science, art, and math. It has near-infinite possibilities. This makes it interesting (not boring). If there can be finite set of rules then it should've been obsolete centuries ago. So, to be able to learn chess, there must be passion (to enjoy) and commitment (to learn, learn, and learn).

Basically, after learning the objectives of the game, the basic rules (moves, board, etc.) you should try to develop the following:

1. Opening (first 10 moves maybe) - control of the center.

2. Middle game - all the pieces should be activated already for mobility, flexibility, and coordination

3. End game - well, for me, this is actually the most tricky part because it involves much calculation, and you have little room for errors

 

If you are white, you have the initiative. Keep your opponent on the defensive.

If you are black, play defense and be patient to wait for the opportunity to counter-attack (usually when your opponent commit a weak move). Premature counter-attack is disastrous.

 

Try to study and master one or two opening methods per week, maybe. You can start playing Ruy Lopez (for white) and Sicilian Defense (for black). These two alone have several variations. You can then try other methods (gambits and defense).

I hope I contributed a two-cent worth, yummy Mummy.