Actionable Tips and Tricks to Improve at Chess 

Are you struggling to gain rating points? Wondering where you’re going wrong?

Wait a sec. I have the answers because you and I are on the same board…sorry…boat.

How to Improve at Chess: 8 Actionable Tips and Tricks

Let’s try to recall something.

What was the first thing that you did after learning chess pieces and how to set up a chessboard?

I, for one, jumped onto chess theories to learn opening, middlegame, and endgame strategies.

I learned everything I could, practiced but still saw no improvement in my rating. Recently, after a lot of pondering on how to improve at chess, I hired a chess trainer.

My chess trainer suggested actionable tips and tricks that helped me improve at chess significantly.

You can learn theoretical tactics anywhere but learn actionable tips and tricks right here.

1. Practice with Novice Players like You  

Just begun your chess learning journey? Don’t know anything about chess strategies?

Well, you’re not alone. Last year, I was in the same place, but that wasn’t our mistake.

Do you know what our mistake is?

My coach says, as a beginner, it’s good to dream big but stepping big all at once is not good for your learning.

Beginners make the mistake of directly practicing with highly rated chess players. 

Compete with beginner chess players like you who know nothing about theories and strategies.  After learning how to set a board, the next step is to play with novice players like you. Find players with an equal rating or go to local chess clubs and take membership.

According to my trainer, it’s best to start participating in chess matches after learning the basic rules.

However, if you begin to compete with highly rated chess players straightaway, it might ruin your confidence. Hence, your zeal and hope to become a good chess player.  

As every sculpture needs a sculptor, so does every chess player a coach to play the best games. Find the right mentor at EnthuZiastic to win every chess game.

2. Use Your Survival Instinct  

I felt clueless when I just began playing chess. Honestly, sometimes, I still feel clueless. So, I am guessing you feel the same.

You know what, it’s obvious to feel in such a way without knowing any opening or middlegame strategies.

Nonetheless, you can’t wait to play chess until you learn the tactics and strategies. Keep playing!

Visit online chess-playing platforms or the local clubs and play chess.

My chess instructor says, use your survival instinct while playing chess. 

If you know the basic rules and regulations, don’t wait. Participate in chess games as much as possible.

So what if you don’t know any tactics? Use your fighting instinct because chess is a lot more like life than you know.

Try to save your pieces. Try to attack your opponent’s pieces. Try to win.

3. Begin with Basics  

Are you confused about which chess strategy to learn first?

I am asking you this question because most chess beginners feel this way.

In our journey from a chess enthusiast to a player, finding the right tactics takes up all the time.

So, I am here with the basic strategies and tactics that you should learn before jumping into the hard ones.

After learning how to set up the chess board like a professional player, you must know the basics of attacking and defending.

Once you know that, you can move on to the following tactics:  

• Begin with Castling, Pawn Promotions, and En Passant.
• Introduce yourself to easy checkmates: Fool’s mate, Smothered mate, Supported mate, and Ladder mate.  
• Find out easy ways to claim draws: threefold repetition and 50-move rule. 
• Next, it’s time to learn one or two easy chess openings.
  • For white, you can learn Queen’s Gambit and Italian opening.
  • For Black, you can learn Sicilian Defense.   

4. Write Down Your Moves  

As I suggested to you earlier, don’t wait until you master the opening and middlegame strategies. Keep playing with competitors of your level but don’t forget to record your moves.

In many local chess competitions (that aren’t FIDE approved), the arbiters don’t enforce using the scoresheet.

I know some of them don’t even provide score sheets because most of these matches are for recreational purposes.

However, you must write down your moves on a scoresheet or at least a piece of paper.

If you keep a record of the moves, later on, you can analyze them. You can replay the match at home and find out what you could do differently.

Do you know why chess Grandmasters write their moves? Read this blog, to learn why.

5. Avoid Your Worst Game-Losing Mistakes   

Are you tired of losing games?

As a beginner, I was.

I was a chess fan until last year. I knew the basics and understood how chess worked. So, I began my journey by playing chess online.

I used to play for 5 to 6 hrs a day and ended up losing all the games.

In fact, I wanted to become a professional chess player because I grew tired of losing games.

But do you know why we repeatedly lose games?

It’s either because you’re playing with more experienced players than yourself, or you’re repeating game-losing mistakes. Either way, you should stop doing this to yourself.

First, play with players of your standard until you gain a little experience. Second, go through your scoresheet and find out your game-losing mistakes.

Practice, take help if needed, but stop repeating the same mistakes.

Chat with EnthuZiastic Chess Experts to avoid game-losing mistakes at chess.

6. Read the Right Chess Books   

Amateur chess players and beginners often think they can learn chess by reading chess books.

Why wouldn’t they?

After all, this is what we hear in stories about chess prodigies in popular culture.

Remember how Beth in Netflix’s Queen’s Gambit read Paul Morphy and the Golden Age of Chess!

Don’t read such books if you’re just beginning. Suppose you want to know the history of chess, lookup on Google or YouTube instead.

Moreover, my chess coach suggests chess newbies never start by reading a book. You may find the terms and references overwhelming and give up learning chess altogether.

7. Practice. Practice. Practice.

The practice may or may not make a man perfect, but it definitely aces your chess-playing tactics.

Practice whenever you get the time and whoever you get a chance with. Don’t play blindly. Try to learn from your mistakes.

In addition, don’t be scared of losing. Remember, failures are the stepping stones to success.

FAQs  

Should I study openings or endgames first, and how should I study them?

Before deciding which one to learn first, it’s important to understand the basics of both openings and endgames. This includes understanding basic concepts like pawns, moves, and strategies.

Additionally, it is helpful to study specific opening lines and endgames that you are interested in. Once you feel you have the basic understanding, you can decide which one to learn first in detail.

What is the best way to improve at chess?

There are many ways to improve at chess, and the best way to find what works for you is to try different things and see what works best.

This can include studying chess theory, playing against stronger opponents online or in person, or practicing specific chess positions.

In addition, it can be beneficial to practice chess puzzles and games to improve your problem-solving skills. You can also practice with chess software to increase your speed and accuracy.

Whatever you do, make sure to focus on improving your chess skills consistently. This will help you achieve your targets faster and become a better player overall.

Is there a difference between playing with others and playing against yourself?

There is a big difference, and it has to do with how you play. When you are playing against others, you are focused on the task at hand and are not worrying about yourself.

On the other hand, when you are playing with yourself, you are competing against yourself. You are trying to outdo your previous performance, and you are not giving 100% effort.

This can be a fun way to challenge yourself and see what you are capable of.

In the end, it is up to you which type of play you want to engage in. The essential thing is to choose something that is fun and challenging and will help you to improve your skills and abilities.

Conclusion

  

No matter how you learn chess openings and endgames, you will always need a chess coach/mentor/guide.

In fact, every chess player needs a mentor to provide the necessary actionable tips and trips. We never learn the practical aspects of chess without such advice.  

If you don’t have a chess coach, follow the above tips and tricks that my coach advised me.

Lastly, if you don’t have a chess instructor yet, hire an expert from EnthuZiastic.