Morphy is probably the best player for the beginning player to study. Alas there are precious few games to go on, for he lived before the growth in international tournaments and was denied a match by Staunton. Morphy more or less perfected the art of winning in open games: smooth, fast development, opening up lines…
U9s | U14s U9s Play slowly and carefully Know the basic tactics Practise spotting tactics by doing puzzles Always think about what your opponent can do to you! U14s Try to avoid mistakes Most of the games we see have unforced mistakes in them, and they usually decide who wins the game. But you can…
1. How to start well in a game of chess 2. Things to avoid: wasting time and 4-move checkmate U9s/U11: Open with a duck! [U14s] DCK = Develop, Centre, King (c) Develop Centre King Develop Send out your pieces one at a time, and move each piece once Don’t waste time (make only 2-3 pawn…
Topic page video OPENING How to start like a Grandmaster https://devonjuniorchess.co.uk/content/openings-advicehttps://devonjuniorchess.co.uk/content/opening-dos-and-donts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UAHjZsrVw0 Opening traps http://devonjuniorchess.co.uk/content/opening-traps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx7TmtMkg_U Next steps for U11s https://devonjuniorchess.co.uk/content/how-play-opening-2 TACTICS Tactics advice https://devonjuniorchess.co.uk/content/middlegame-tactics-adviceKnow all the basic tactics https://devonjuniorchess.co.uk/content/middlegame-tactics-advice#6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83oae4kRfnMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvr94Dinfr4 https://devonjuniorchess.co.uk/content/middlegame-tactics-advice (U11) A course in chess tactics http://devonjuniorchess.co.uk/content/course-chess-tactics Practice spotting tactics https://lichess.org/training Check after…
o If your best hope is for your opponent to fall into a trap, then you can play for a swindle, but only when you know you are losing. Otherwise, play good moves, not trappy ones.
* Everyone is vulnerable. Play without fear. Play to win from the first move against every opponent. That doesn’t mean, attack like a mad thing from move 1, but each move should be played accurately and seriously.
3. If you are one or two pawns ahead, exchange pieces but not pawns.
* If you have the Bishop pair you must try to open up lines for them, and deny the opposing Knights any central posts.
* Create a plan right away or you may drift. There is always something to do, e.g. improve the position of your worst piece. Appraise the position honestly. Avoid vagueness in assessment – don’t say “maybe I’ll get an attack on the Queen’s-side”, but “in three moves I can get my Knight to c5 and my rook to b1 to attack b7 – can my opponent defend in that time, or create a distraction?”
If your opponent is trying to win a level position, don’t get impatient and rush, and don’t get bored and go on the defensive, don’t be tempted into exchanges that give a little ground. Stay calm. Give the impression of great patience, that you aren’t going to blunder no matter how long they spin it out. And keep trying to play good and active moves, even if you think it’s only a draw.
