Many club players believe that tactics is the main reason they are stuck at that 1200, 1400, or 1800 level. And they are mostly correct. The ability to solve tactics greatly increases your chances to conquer the next rating bracket.
What could be more powerful than training tactics?
The answer is simple. Working on your calculation skills.
According to a legend, Napoleon Bonaparte knew the names of all of his soldiers. I am not sure if this is true or just a myth, but I can assure you that in chess, it is not enough to know the names of the pieces to win.
You should also be aware of their best qualities and weak points. The better you know your pieces the more suitable employment on the board you can find for them.
The Dragon Variation is considered one of the best attempts for countering White’s ambitious 1.e4 move.
If you’re playing for a win with Black and won’t settle for a draw… the Dragon Variation is the opening for you.
Many ways can help improve at chess, but most players tend to prefer studying openings. It is the easiest way indeed: the exact moves you prepare at home are likely to happen in one of your future games.
With middlegames, it is more complicated. It is impossible to predict exactly what positions you will have on the board in your future games. You can’t memorize middlegames. You have to understand them.
If you think simple rook or king + pawn endings are all there is to learn when it comes to chess endgames…
You are WRONG!
Endgames are the most technical phase of the game. Where the first move might give you an advantage, the second one might be neutral, and the third one might make you lose the game.
The attack is one of the most beautiful and interesting aspects of chess. It is also a skill that everyone can and should master to improve at chess.
Many rules could help with that. First of all, you should always remember the attack has to be energetic and fast. That is why different sacrifices become so powerful. It often comes as a trade of material for time and helps to speed up the invasion.
Dutch Defense is characterized by the moves 1.d4 f5 when Black is using the flank pawn to control the center. It breaks the symmetry and gains space on the kingside. Later, this can provide good attacking chances against the White king. Such an approach usually leads to double-edged positions and is good for playing for a win. That is why many modern grandmasters opt for it when seeking a combative play.
Chess is a versatile and beautiful game. There are many aspects of it that people find interesting, but the attack is the most notable one.
Attacking players have always been admired in the chess world. Their bravery, aggressive play, brilliant combinations, and stunning results have always attracted many fans. Some players have never achieved any significant results over the board but went down in chess history thanks to their outstanding courageous games.
Many people think of chess mastery as something unachievable. It is understandable: they constantly see high-rated players making brilliant decisions, knowing all the possible openings, and seeing tactics in no time. This creates the wrong impression that these masters were too talented initially, making them get to such a level. Of course, talent would make things easier, but it is still nothing without hard work. To become a chess master, you should invest much time for sure. But what if that is not the only requirement? Are there any more secrets?
Myth busted: even if you are below 1500, you still need to learn endgames. Period.
Let’s face a fact. If you are spending your waking hours studying the opening theory or solving chess puzzles, and…
… ignoring or stalling your ENDGAME studies, you will never get good at playing chess.
