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Decoding Chess for Beginners: The Do's and Don’ts of Chess

Decoding Chess for Beginners: The Do's and Don’ts of Chess
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ChessX Flashpod: Do's & Dont's of Chess, Part 1
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In the thirteenth installment of the Chess for Beginners series, we will discuss The Do's and Don’ts of Chess. We encourage you to read the complete blog to gain the most from this discussion.

The Do's

The very first thing to do is to keep asking yourself questions. These questions should revolve around:

  • What is my opponent up to?
  • What are the motives behind their moves?
  • Why are they moving the pieces that they are?
  • Can I capitalize on my opponent's mistakes?

By continually asking yourself these questions and more, you can make progress in the game.

During the middle game, it is crucial to identify targets in your opponent's play. This phase requires attacking your opponent strategically. Keep a vigilant eye on their key pieces such as the queen and bishops, aiming to capture them as early as possible.

Simultaneously, monitor your own key pieces to prevent potential losses. Once you pinpoint your opponent's weaknesses, strategize and capitalize on them promptly.

It is important that you not lose your queen when you are trying to attack the opponent’s king. Trading your queen will turn into a big disadvantage for you. Try to hold on to your queen and take out your opponent’s queen using your knight or bishop.

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It is fine to lose these pieces but not the queen, however, if you are in a good position to take out your opponent’s king by sacrificing your queen (like in Legal’s mate) then do so.

The best strategy with your pawns is to push one during the end game and force your opponent to sacrifice a key piece to prevent the pawn from developing into a queen. The further in rank a pawn goes, the more value it develops in the game. It is best to push connected pass pawns together.

Don’t get overconfident during a game. If you think you have everything going for you and end up making a mistake, then you will probably lose all your confidence. Don’t overestimate your strategy; this is especially important if you are playing with a bona fide opponent. The opponent might know what you are up to and counter all your moves.
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There is no point in going about a game using one of the checkmate strategies that we already saw with someone who has been playing chess for a long time. You might end up in a position where you cannot use any other strategy and have given away the game.

Do practice well before you attend a competition. Practice by yourself and also practice with an opponent. Memorizing some of the common situations will help you play well and fast. Make use of all the tactics that you know and use them throughout the game.

The Don’ts

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ChessX Flashpod: Do's & Dont's of Chess, Part 2
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An essential aspect of chess is avoiding the placement of two or more pawns in the same file, commonly referred to as doubling. It is crucial to maintain connected pawns and ensure they are not overly scattered. While it's imperative to claim the center of the board early, achieving this should involve not only your pawns but also incorporating other pieces such as knights and bishops.

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Another key strategy is refraining from moving your king too early in the game, as doing so typically exposes it to potential threats. It may be difficult to recognize the vulnerability created by an early king movement. As previously mentioned, early castling is advisable, accompanied by positioning 2 to 3 pawns in front of the king for protection. The rook adjacent to the king should serve as a guardian and should only be moved when absolutely necessary.

If your opponent poses a threat to the rook, take precautions by placing intervening pieces to safeguard it. Be cautious not to fall into traps set by your opponent, particularly when considering sacrificing the rook to capture their piece with the king.

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One important thing is to not compete without consuming enough nutrition. Eat foods that are rich in brain-nourishing nutrients such as nut oils. You can also consume fresh fruits and vegetables, which will help you think well. Carry an energy bar with you as well as it will help you remain energetic all through your game.

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