10 Things Every Chess Player Regrets Not Having Done Sooner

Every chess journey is different and every chess player chooses the path that fits them best. Some have a coach to guide them in their training, while others create their own working schedule.

However, there is probably always something every chess player wishes he/she had done or studied sooner. In this article we have tried to gather a list of these things; some are from our own experience and some from our colleagues’.

If you have done most of what is listed below, we can only congratulate you!

1. Learning chess history

Nowadays most players are focused only on the tangible aspect of the game itself. However, when you hear a Grandmaster or a chess-educated person talk about the chess classics, the World Champions or the World Championship Matches you can only feel admiration and wish you knew half the stories.

2. Dedicating more time to endgames

Capablanca said that one should start studying chess with the endgame. However, for some reason, his message does not appeal to the majority of youngsters. But when you reach a certain experience you realize how having a better endgame knowledge would have been extremely useful.

3. Stop playing online blitz

While it’s hard to regret something that is fun, most players actually regret having spent countless hours in front of a computer blitzing out moves, when this time could have been used for a more productive activity. Don’t get us wrong; playing blitz as part of a training session can be good; knowing when to stop is the key!

4. Hiring a coach

When you hire a coach you not only get access to a service that helps you improve your chess skills, but also to the knowledge of a far more experienced player who will help you with advice, enrich your chess culture and give you a different perspective of the way you look at chess.

5. Studying the classics

This is always a pending task. A modern chess player has almost no time to study the classics nowadays. With all the competitions and the theory learning, this is no longer a top priority.

However, it takes only one look at books such as Kasparov’s “Predecessors” or Marin’s “Learning from the Legends” to see that there is a whole world to discover.

6. Playing in big events

Being part of a big chess festival and share with the greatest players of the world gives you a different perspective. It is always fun to play a tournament with over 600 participants and meet new people or watch the games of your favorite players on-site.

Big events also give you the chance of facing some of the players you admire, something we’re sure every chess player would be delighted to do.

7. Studying the main lines

Most players spend too much time avoiding the main roads, only to realize after some years that there are no shortcuts. The sooner you learn to play the main lines, the better. It’s never too late to start. We have a comprehensive opening section.

8. Analyzing your own games

Your own games are a great source of knowledge and self-improvement.

It is well known that analyzing them deeply is the road to getting better, but not everyone does it.

9. Finding a studying partner

Having a studying partner helps you find motivation. It is always easier to train when you have someone to share your ideas with and, why not, get competitive with during the training sessions.

10. Investing more time into training

Playing chess is fun when you are well prepared, but it can be a nightmare if you are not. It is very important to study by yourself [here is how] and gain more knowledge that you can later apply in your tournament games.