Learning Chess
The Beginner’s Guide to Chess
“Every chess master once was a beginner.” — Irving Chernev
Chess is one of the most ancient games in the history of humanity and the concretization of the demolishing war between two minds. A game that requires full concentration, dedication, talent, and mental sharpness. Infinitely different possibilities fit into a 64-square board.
How is it possible to learn a game with infinite possibilities and improve yourself as an amateur chess player?
In this article, I will share tips to guide people who want to start playing chess. Step by step, I will share my knowledge about the game. I will start with resources to learn about the basics, and the article will end with tips on how to become an audience to enjoy the beauty of the game.
If you want to take up a new hobby in your life and take on challenges that improve your mind, here are some steps you can take to get started with this game…
Learn the Brief History
The game of the kings and queens becomes even more attractive when its deep-rooted history and philosophy are understood. Chess originated in India in the 6th century AD and spread from there to the Persian lands, than all over the world in time.
TEDed has an animation that explains the history of the game. Brief, and fun.
Learn the Fundamental Rules
The second step is to learn the basic rules. Here are some of the basics that can be quickly understood before you start playing competitive chess.
Board Setup
Notation and Coordinates
Pieces and How They Move
Special Moves: Promoting, Castling, En Passant
There are many useful resources to learn at a basic level.
Understand the Basic Tactics
After learning the fundamentals, you are ready to move your pieces over the board! Learning the basic tactics and concepts will be very helpful in improving your play. The basic chess concepts and tactics include...
- Stages: Opening, Mid-Game, and End-Game
- Time Controls
- Checkmate Patterns
- Controlling the Center
- Winning Trades
- Double Attack, Discovered Attack, Pin, Fork, and Skewer
- Pawn Structure and Piece Coordination
…and many more. As far as these are topics that can be improved over time, you will improve by playing more and more games. But there are very useful and attractive resources that can be found on the internet. Even from the Greatest Himself! Garry Kasparov published an educational video series for beginners in 2020.
I will share all the streamers and resources that I know in another article.
Play the Game!
While completing the first 3 stages, the most crucial step to be taken in parallel will be playing matches with opponents of your own level. Playing games on online platforms is an opportunity that can be easily reached today. Some of the most preferred platforms are as follows.
Opening an account on these platforms and starting to play with opponents will be the most important step. After you sign-in, you will have to decide which time control to play with.
If you need brief information about the time controls, I’ll explain below.
Bullet: It is a time control seen on online platforms. Each player is given less than 3 minutes. It is usually 1+0 or 1+1. (Meaning: 1 minute time and 1 second addition after every move.)
Blitz: It is defined by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) as a time control under 10 minutes. But on online platforms, it is usually between 3 minutes and 10 minutes.
Rapid: While the 10+0 to 30+0 time control range is generally defined as “Rapid” on online platforms, 10+0 to 60+0 time controls are considered rapid time control by the FIDE.
Classical: Time controls over 30 minutes are usually defined as classical time control in online platforms. Meanwhile, in tournaments organized by FIDE, a 90-minute initial clock and adding 30 seconds after every move is the classical time control.
For a beginner, pushing the limits and calculating patterns may require some time. More time you spent will bring deeper calculations and it is going to improve your vision and calculation skills. I would recommend starting with Rapid time control to have enough time to think and absorb the patterns and continuations.
Analyze Boards & Puzzles
As you play more games, open the analysis board for your finished games, briefly examine what mistakes you have made, and improve with computer recommendations.
It’s also helpful to solve puzzles and regularly watch educational videos based on your level. Here is an example of a puzzle.
Become a Fan!
Watching great players will broaden your horizons. You can’t imagine how smart and sharp these minds are! Watching the clash of astonishing minds over the board is a great step forward for this new hobby.
More than 100 million unique viewers watched the championship match between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand in 2013!
To become a fan and viewer of chess, here are the terms to learn.
- World Chess Championship
- Ratings, Standing and ELO
- Candidates Tournament
- Grand Chess Tour
- Former World Champions
We can say that it is quite difficult or incomplete to love this game without indulging in the direction of the show. It’s a pleasure to watch the champions and witness the amazingly thought-out games!
Conclusion
Chess is not just a game. It is a sport, an art, a lifetime hobby, and infinity defined in 64 squares. Let’s take the first step to becoming a chess player!
It is for every mind.
