Chess Advice for Beginners

Without a doubt, chess is one of the most mentally demanding games out there.

After nearly a year of studying chess strategies and receiving lessons, I can confidently say this.

As Bobby Fischer once put it, chess is a battle on the board. The goal is to outsmart and dominate your opponent’s mind.

It’s a duel of intellects.

However, just like with any other complex skill, chess is full of hidden tips and tactics that can give you an edge.

Only when a player spots them, masters them, and uses them effectively can they truly excel at chess.

Here are some key pieces of advice for any future Magnus Carlsen.

1. Control the Center  

Recently, I’ve spent a lot of time reading various books and learning about opening tactics and the middle game.

From Giaochino Greco to Aron Nimzowitsch, I’ve explored many chess thinkers. The recurring theme in all their works is this – control the center.

If you want to command the board and anticipate your opponent’s actions, learning to control the center is essential.

This is why players study Queen’s Gambit Declined before fully understanding the Queen’s Gambit itself.

Nobody likes to lose control, not even when playing as Black.

2. Master Your Pawns  

François-André Danican Philidor famously said, “Pawns are the soul of chess.”

Every beginner should learn to value pawns, as their arrangement often determines the outcome of the game.

3. Build a Solid Pawn Structure  

Pawns act as the foundation in chess. You must use them to create a strong defense.

By studying famous games and delving into chess history, you’ll grasp the importance of having a structured pawn formation.

A robust pawn structure will help you maintain control of the board.

Take, for instance, the Boleslavsky Hole pawn structure in the Sicilian defense.

Remember, once a pawn moves, it cannot go back. Whether it was a good or bad move, you have to live with it.

Tread carefully.

4. Avoid Isolated Pawns  

Think of pawns like a swarm of ants – they’re only useful when they work together.

If your opponent isolates one of your pawns, it creates an easy target, like a weak spot in a fortress.

This could lead to an unexpected route for your opponent to attack your King.

5. Be Smart When Sacrificing Pawns  

In chess strategies such as King’s Gambit or Evan’s Gambit, sacrificing a pawn is often necessary.

However, beginners should learn to do this wisely. A misstep can cost the entire game.

6. Handle Doubled Pawns with Care  

For beginners, the concept of doubled pawns can be confusing.

To clarify, let’s say you’re playing as Black, and a Black pawn captures a White piece diagonally, landing in the same column as another Black pawn.

For White, the pawns on c3 and c4 serve as an example of doubled pawns.

Typically, doubled pawns create a weakness in your structure, opening gaps for your opponent to attack.

But if used correctly, they can also provide opportunities for development.

This concept is crucial in the Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation.

7. Watch Out for Passed Pawns  

The key thing to remember about passed pawns is to ensure your opponent doesn’t have one. If you have a passed pawn, make sure it makes it to the eighth rank.

Passed pawns are pawns that have moved beyond the reach of opposing pawns or pieces.

With a bit of care, they can be promoted to a queen, bishop, rook, or knight.

However, handling them is tricky. Passed pawns can be a major advantage or a liability, depending on the situation.

As Aron Nimzowitsch put it, “A passed pawn is a criminal who must be kept under lock and key.”

8. Don’t Rush to Use Your Queen  

After covering the basics of pawn play, let’s discuss how to use the queen.

The queen is the most powerful piece, capable of moving in both straight lines and diagonals.

It’s tempting for beginners to bring the queen into action early to create threats on f7 or f2.

But I advise against it.

Take your time to develop your pawns and other pieces, like the knights and bishops.

Stick to well-known opening strategies instead of rushing in with the queen.

Use it only when absolutely necessary.

9. Unlock the Power of Your Rooks  

Though rooks are hard to use early on, you should aim to free them as soon as possible.

A rook is a strong asset, able to travel across long distances on the board.

I recommend castling early to activate your rook.

You might also push your a-pawn (with proper planning) to open lines for your rook. This can be unexpectedly effective.

For more insight, check out strategies for using rooks.

10. Don’t Rely Too Much on One Piece in the Opening  

I’ve noticed many beginners, including myself, overuse a single powerful piece during the opening. For example, they move their knight to c3, and then again to a4, e4, or e2.

That doesn’t make sense, does it?

Instead, focus on moving all your pieces to develop them one by one.

11. Prioritize King Safety  

While other pieces have multiple roles, the King can only move one square at a time. Often, players overlook the King’s safety.

But never forget that winning the game depends on keeping your King safe.

Make sure your pawn structure provides cover for your King.

In some situations, an open center may also offer safety for your King, but only if you have firm control over the center.

12. Explore Lesser-Known Strategies and Rules  

Chess is one of the oldest games in history, originating in India as “chaturanga” during the 8th century.  Dive into chess history, studying ancient theories and tactics.

While it’s useful to follow popular strategies, your opponent may also know them well.

That’s why learning less common strategies can give you an edge and unsettle your opponent.

Similarly, mastering lesser-known rules, such as three-fold repetition, promotion, touch move, and the 20:40:40 rule, can help you catch your opponent off guard.

13. Attack in the Middlegame, Win in the Endgame  

Once your pieces are developed, and you’re into the middlegame, it’s time to attack.

For beginners, the middlegame is where you should focus on offense.

When you’re ready, shift your attention to the endgame strategy, especially if you have passed pawns near promotion. Instead of rushing towards a checkmate, take your time. Plan your attack carefully.

As Nigel Short wisely said, “Modern chess is too preoccupied with pawn structure. Forget about it; checkmate ends the game.”

Frequently Asked Questions  

How can I improve my chess skills?

To boost your chess abilities, follow these steps:

– Master the rules and strategies.

– Play chess games and solve puzzles.

– Study basic chess openings and endgames.

– Avoid just memorizing; practice to truly understand the concepts.

– Consider playing online chess for more practice.

How do I free up my rook?

You can push your a-pawn with a sound strategy to open up lines for your rook to move freely.

What is castling, and do I need both rooks for it?

Castling is a move that involves both the king and a rook, where the king moves two squares toward a rook, and the rook jumps over to the square next to the king.

No, you only need one rook for castling, and you can choose either rook to complete the move.

What is the 20:40:40 rule in chess?  

The 20:40:40 rule suggests spending 20% of your time on the opening, 40% on the middlegame, and 40% on the endgame.

Ready to start your chess journey?

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Final Thoughts  

While learning chess strategies is important for beginners, adding these hidden tips to your repertoire will help you succeed faster.

Review these chess tips and, above all, practice consistently.

Play lots of games against other beginners and work on solving chess puzzles.

Good luck on your chess journey!