#chess course for beginners

[chesstrainer24]

Master game-changing strategies from online chess trainers! Learn advanced tactics, improve decision-making, and elevate your Chess game.

Do Read: Game-Changing Strategies You’ll Learn from Online Chess Trainers

[chessbrainzind]

 Mastering the Royal Game: A Comprehensive Guide to Selecting the Perfect Chess Course for Beginners

Through ages people got interested in chess which is a great game and the main concentrate of intelligence. Choosing the best chess course for beginners can translate into overcoming a mere pastime, and building lifelong passion for those new to this exciting journey. Of course there are a lot of different approaches to development as a chess player, and inclusive the variety of opportunities for gaining fundamental senses in the vast sphere of the chess education which potentially can transform beginners into self-confident players and skilled at the display of the strategy.

1. Knowing the Fundamentals: What Qualifies as an Excellent Chess Course

Chess classes are not an exception to the way that the idea of personalization has transformed teaching methods. Every student has different learning styles, backgrounds, and cognitive strengths, and the finest beginning courses acknowledge this. These courses may accommodate individual demands by providing customizable learning routes, which guarantee that every student advances at their own comfort level and pace.

 2.Wholesome Skill Development: Going Beyond Simple Motions

A top-notch chess training for novices teaches more than just the fundamentals of capture and movement. It offers a comprehensive method of skill development that takes psychological readiness, tactical awareness, and strategic thinking into account. The most successful classes expose pupils to the more complex strategic and philosophical aspects of chess, which make it an intellectually stimulating activity.

3. Support and Community: The Social Aspect of Learning Chess

Despite being frequently disregarded, the social component of learning chess is essential to a beginner's experience. The best chess classes foster lively, encouraging groups that offer inspiration, chances for peer education, and a feeling of community. By providing forums for communication, information exchange, and support among members, these communities enhance the educational process beyond traditional classroom settings.

4. Innovation and Technology: Contemporary Methods of Teaching Chess

Beginner chess instruction has changed significantly as a result of the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies. Modern chess classes use cutting-edge resources and platforms to improve accessibility, engagement, and interaction. Technology has created previously unheard-of chances for skill improvement and strategic exploration, from augmented reality chess boards to advanced analysis tools.Immersion learning experiences that surpass conventional teaching techniques are being produced by virtual and augmented reality technologies.

5. Traditional Techniques and Contemporary Innovation

Good chess courses frequently blend cutting-edge learning technologies with time-tested teaching strategies that have worked for decades. Beginners are certain to gain from both historical information and state-of-the-art learning resources thanks to this fusion of traditional wisdom and modern methods. A thorough learning experience that takes into account various learning preferences and styles is produced by fusing traditional chess concepts with contemporary teaching methods.

Conclusion

For novices, selecting the best chess school is crucial since it can influence their entire chess career. The top chess course for kids provides much more than just fundamental education; they offer a thorough, individualised, and cutting-edge educational experience that fosters strategic thinking, boosts self-esteem, and ignites a passion for the game that lasts a lifetime.

[arjunchessacademy]

Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival Glimpses.

A celebration of brilliant moves, intense matches, and global talent. A memorable event for chess enthusiasts everywhere.

chess classes near me in bahrain

[theorphicangel]

levi thinks he loves you.

it’s taken him a while to figure his feelings out. of course you were kind enough to understand. to not take his reserved manner personal and to give him space.

but now that you’ve given him time. he’s figured it out.

the realisation totally came upon him unexpectedly.

the feeling occurred randomly, on a quiet saturday afternoon. the two of you sat on the couch, playing a 1v1 videogame.

he’d let you take the first win of course, letting you boldly celebrate around your apartment, unbeknownst to you that this would be your first and final win against him.

he was just warming up.

by the third round, the warm living room filled with your spews of curse words. sitting down on a huff, you placed your controller down, crossing your arms in frustration.

“I’m not playing anymore.”

it’s a lie that you and him both know. and for Levi the second he asks for an update in your shared world on Minecraft this loss of yours is already forgotten.

maybe that’s what he loves about you.

he loves the way you scrunch up your nose in annoyance once you lose a game with him. whether it be a videogame or chess.

which always ends in you, crying out for mercy that you’re a beginner having no experience in chess despite knowing the rules for the past year.

he loves the way you refuse to change. you’re as stubborn as he is, not afraid to butt heads. it’s only now that he’s met you that he’s learnt that communication and understanding is what works for the two of you.

he loves the way you have a soft spot for any stray cats that you see on the street. he loves the way you look up at him with your own puppy eyes begging to take them in as your own.

and if he had let you, he’s sure there would be hundreds running around.

he loves the way you announce your little random facts, or the way you get excited and kick your feet once the protagonist and the love interest in your book finally kiss, and how you’ll listen with deep interest of how his day went at work. Adding in your own input here and there.

he loves the way you show your affection. a simple kiss on the cheek always does the trick in getting him embarrassed. yet somehow always leaves him in wanting for more.

and he loves the different ways that his name can slip from your tongue. the stark contrast heard between your tone of frustration and the sweet tone that you have once he’s between your legs.

he loves the way your half lidded eyes stay focused on him, his name all high pitched and breathy as he sees you through your climax .

it all hits him now and it’s definite.

he loves you.

reblogs and comments are much appreciated!

taglist: fill in the form here to join!

@notgoodforlife @youre-ackermine @lovolee3 @the-milk-anon @imkumichan , @levi-supreme , @leviismybby @bejewelledd @searriously @luvjiro @cometlevi @humanitys-strongest-bamf @idkks4m @secretmoneybearvoid @clownysr @thevelria , @lamees_004 @clownysr @burningxaces @loveackermannn @sad-darksoul @crazychaoticizzy @sleepyfairyxo @elnyrae @kamona-levi @spyraaaa

[theweepingangelofcas]

Hi ,I hope your health is great ! I just discovered your writing and I really liked it! I was wondering if I could request something, I'm a chess player so I always thought what it would be like to play with Albert Moriarty, or teach him how to play (though he's so smart and he must know how very well) so can you write about that ? thank you so much for your time ! ( i hope it's not much trouble) <3.

Have a good day/night .

This was so fun to write! But I will warn you now, though I can play chess, I am terrible at it lol

**********************

Beginner's Luck - Albert Moriarty x Reader

This man has been raised as a noble.

He's had a stellar education. Hours upon hours of studying. And, par for the course of his upbringing, he's quite the brilliant chess player.

But, when you misheard him and thought he'd never played before, he didn't have the heart to correct you.

When you'd asked him if he played chess, he had answered fairly simply.

"Yes. I have." But, between the chatter of the nobles around you, you must've misheard him. You were dragging him to the nearest game room within moments, squealing at the idea of teaching him how. How could he correct you? Neither of you had wanted to go to this event. The nobility of the area had arranged it once you two got married, something of a wedding party that neither of you wanted. You hadn't been this happy all evening. He couldn't tell you the truth. He couldn't tell you how he'd almost always won every single match. That's what had him here, sitting across from you with a chess board set up. You were going over the rules, starting your own plays and "guiding" him on how to retaliate. And though you were by no means bad, he did have to hold his tongue on other, better plays that could've been made. "And the pawn can only go forward and diagonal, right?" He prayed that his confused tone sounded convincing enough. You nodded, clapping your hands in delight, "Yes, Albert! You're learning so quickly, I'm so excited for you! This can be our new game." You moved your knight to take his pawn, and he faked a scowl. But, before he could stop himself, he saw where you had made a fatal flaw. The moving of your knight had left your queen open to attack. He didn't even think before he moved his bishop over, winning the game. One problem. You hadn't explained what a bishop did yet. You looked up at him, an eyebrow raised. Chuckling awkwardly, his hand wiped a nervous bead of sweat from his brow, "Uh... Beginner's luck?"

[gmchesscoach]

10 Tips for Beginners in Chess

Chess is an ancient game of strategy, where patience, planning, and practice go hand in hand. Whether you’re picking up the board for the first time or want to improve your basic skills, here are ten essential tips for beginners that can help you advance and enjoy the game even more.

1. Understand the Rules Thoroughly

Before diving into strategies and tactics, make sure you understand the fundamental rules of the game. Familiarize yourself with how each piece moves and the unique moves like castling, en passant, and pawn promotion. Knowing the rules will help you see the bigger picture on the board.

2. Learn Piece Values

Each chess piece has a value that can guide you in exchanges. Generally, pawns are worth 1 point, knights and bishops 3, rooks 5, and the queen 9. While the king has no numeric value, as it can’t be captured, understanding these values will help you make better decisions about which pieces to keep and which to exchange.

3. Control the Center

The four central squares on the board (e4, e5, d4, and d5) are crucial in controlling the game. By placing your pawns and pieces to influence these squares, you’ll gain more mobility and limit your opponent’s options. A strong center allows for more flexibility and a solid foundation for attacks.

4. Develop All Your Pieces Early

A common mistake for beginners is focusing too much on just a few pieces, especially the queen. Instead, work on developing all your pieces, especially knights and bishops, as soon as possible. This will give you more options for attacking and defending.

5. Don’t Move the Same Piece Multiple Times Early On

In the opening phase, avoid moving the same piece multiple times unless necessary. Moving one piece repeatedly wastes valuable time that could be used to bring other pieces into the game. Strive for efficiency in the early moves to maximize your control over the board.

6. Protect Your King

Never neglect the safety of your king. One of the best ways to ensure this is by castling early, which moves the king to a safer position and connects your rooks. Avoid leaving your king exposed to direct threats, as it can lead to a quick loss.

7. Be Cautious with Pawn Moves

Pawns are the only pieces that cannot move backward, so think carefully before advancing them. Reckless pawn moves can create weaknesses in your defense, especially around your king. A solid pawn structure is crucial for a strong defense and effective control over the board.

8. Consider the Opponent’s Threats

Chess is not just about executing your own plans but also about responding to your opponent’s moves. Every time your opponent moves, take a moment to consider what they’re trying to accomplish. This habit will help you anticipate threats and avoid costly mistakes.

9. Practice Basic Tactics

Tactics are short-term sequences of moves that can give you a decisive advantage. Learning common tactics, such as forks, pins, skewers, and discovered attacks, can help you find clever ways to gain material or put your opponent in difficult positions. Practicing tactics can give you an edge even over more experienced players.

10. Analyze Your Games

After each game, especially if you’ve lost, take some time to review it. Look for mistakes, missed opportunities, and areas where you can improve. Many online chess platforms provide game analysis tools to help you understand your weaknesses and strengths. Reflecting on your games is one of the fastest ways to improve.

Final Note: Learning from a Grandmaster

For those serious about taking their chess skills to the next level, learning from an experienced player is invaluable. Grandmaster chess coach Valery Filippov offers online chess lessons tailored to players of all levels. His insights can help you understand complex strategies, refine your openings, and improve your endgame skills. With his guidance, you can progress faster and develop a solid foundation to enjoy chess at a higher level.

[ihopeinevergetsoberr]

hii!! idk if you’ve been asked this before (if u have, sorry) but how did you learn chess? really been wanting to learn and your knowledge seems grand!

actually my knowledge is not grand at all lol- i was a tiny baby beginner when i first started writing the c(o)unterpart, so i would say that all chess stuff in there is pretty basic. but anyway, i started playing chess myself, i consulted and played with a friend who used to play professionally (girlie has a FIDE rating and all). i would recommend getting into some basic chess theory first–learning openings, maybe finding some good courses. then you can try solving chess puzzles (it’s ESSENTIAL)-there’s plenty of good beginner books for that. chess youtube is full of entertaining creators!! i like me a good funny, educational gotham chess video (the ‘how to lose at chess’ playlist is amazing, he covers a lot of beginner games and he’s quite funny). anna cramling and her GM mom pia cramling are my darlings and i love them, totally recommend checking out. but yeah i basically learned through playing myself and analysing every game. ALSOOO try finding some friends to play bughouse chess with. i don’t want to explain how bughouse works here, just look it up, but it’s both very fun and really helps you understand the game better! and idk that’s all i got. i hope this was helpful :)

but yeah i really did learn chess just to write a smutty fic… my dedication is something else istg

[creatonationforyou]

Top 8 Chess Strategies Every Beginner Must Learn to Win More Games

Chess is not just a game; it is intelligence and strategy. For beginners, understanding the basic techniques is the foundation to improve and succeed in many games. Once you get these basics right, you can transition into random moves and playing with purpose and accuracy.

In this blog we will discuss the top 8 chess techniques that every beginner should learn to improve their game Plus, see how KingCompiler, the first chess course, can guide you in making these techniques in the exact same way.

1. Control the center from the beginning The center of the board (squares d4, d5, e4, e5) is the most important area in chess. Controlling it gives your piece more strength and power.

How to do it:

Start by moving pawns to control the center (e.g., e4 or d4).

Rotate your knights and bishops to have a mid-field effect.

At KingCompiler, students learn the importance of central control through practical exercises and expert guidance.

📢 Welcome to Chess Academy! 🌟 🆓 We’re offering FREE Trial Classes for all levels — beginners to advanced! 🎓 Why Choose Us? ✅ World-class coaching by experienced players and coaches ✅ Interactive online sessions with personalized attention ✅ Build critical thinking, strategy, and focus ✅ Suitable for ALL ages and skill levels 🚀 Book a Free Trial Class at: https://forms.gle/M1x5dVL5tru5QSSw5 ���� WhatsApp us at +91 9903600848 ♟️ Let the game begin!

2. Make your pieces first A common early mistake is not getting pieces (knight, bishops, etc.) fast enough. Leaving them idle can hinder your chances of winning.

Key tips:

Prioritize the development of his army and bishops.

Avoid moving the same piece repeatedly in the opening.

KingCompiler ensures that beginners understand the importance of progress and teaches effective ways to get pieces in play.

3. The King Puts Safety First (Castling) . Protecting your king is an important option. Leaving your king out can leave you vulnerable to previous attacks.

What you need to do:

Protect your king by the gates of the castle in the morning.

Avoid unnecessary pawn behavior with the king.

KingCompiler teaches beginners the importance of king defense and how to balance offense and defence.

4. Avoid moving the same piece repeatedly in the opening Repetition wastes time and gives your opponent a progression advantage.

Why it matters:

Any move should help create a stronger position.

Avoid “block-fitting” without a clear purpose.

KingCompiler’s class list emphasizes efficient block movement and proper programming.

5. Create a solid pawn system Your pawns are the backbone of your position. Weak pawn policies can lead to long-term losses.

Best Practices:

Avoid isolated, double, or backward pawns.

Target connected pawns helping each other.

KingCompiler trains beginners to avoid common pitfalls in order to build robust pawn systems.

6. Learn the basic checkmate system Checkmating an opponent is the main goal of chess. Beginners should focus on creating basic prototypes e.g.

Back-Rank Checkmate.

King and Rook Checkmate.

Checkmate in King and Queen.

In KingCompiler, students use this model until they create a second product.

7. Understand the relative value of each piece Each piece has a specific value (e.g. Pawns = 1, Knights/Bishops = 3, Rooks = 5, Queens = 9). Understanding this helps you make better decisions about change.

Key tips:

Avoid unnecessary changes unless they benefit you.

Always consider piece price and position.

KingCompiler provides guidance exercises to help players figure out when and why to swap pieces.

📢 Welcome to Chess Academy! 🌟 🆓 We’re offering FREE Trial Classes for all levels — beginners to advanced! 🎓 Why Choose Us? ✅ World-class coaching by experienced players and coaches ✅ Interactive online sessions with personalized attention ✅ Build critical thinking, strategy, and focus ✅ Suitable for ALL ages and skill levels 🚀 Book a Free Trial Class at: https://forms.gle/M1x5dVL5tru5QSSw5 📱 WhatsApp us at +91 9903600848 ♟️ Let the game begin!

8. Transition Smoothly Between Opening, Middle, and Endgame

Beginners often struggle with connecting the phases of a game. Understanding how to transition is essential for long-term success.

Tips for a Smooth Transition:

Focus on piece activity in the opening.

Look for tactical opportunities in the middle game.

Master key endgame principles like pawn promotion and opposition.

At KingCompiler, we guide beginners through each phase with step-by-step instruction and real-game scenarios.

Why These Strategies Matter

Mastering these eight strategies will:

Improve your decision-making.

Build your confidence as a chess player.

Help you win more games against opponents of all levels.

How KingCompiler Can Help You Master Chess Strategies

KingCompiler is dedicated to helping new learners excel in chess. Here’s how we can support your journey:

Beginner-Friendly Curriculum: Learn strategies step-by-step with clear explanations and interactive lessons.

Expert Coaches: Receive guidance from experienced instructors who simplify complex concepts.

Practice Matches: Apply your knowledge in games with feedback from professionals.

Tactical Training: Sharpen your skills with targeted exercises designed to reinforce key strategies.

Final Thoughts

Chess is a game of growth, and mastering these beginner strategies will set you on the path to success. Whether it’s controlling the center, developing your pieces, or protecting your king, each strategy is a building block for becoming a stronger player.

[sun-havenn]

Hi is this blog still active qwq I rlly like ur writing!! Is it okie to ask for some more soft Xyla/Darius headcanons? Maybe something to do w/ the ferris wheel/other withergate attractions or the farmer continuously beating Xyla at chess (+Darius reaction) lol my brainrot for the demon babes is rlly rlly bad 😞

yes of course! i'm sorry this is a little late, was forced to take a break for my final internship and exams. now i have more time and i'm still obsessed with the game!

feel free to leave any requests behind! i should be able to finish any request within a few days from now on :)

Xyla

The carnival is very dear to her. She's extremely proud of it, and, almost secretly loves any praise she gets for it. So it's not much of a surprise that you can find her there almost every day.

She likes relaxing after her work, and nothing is as relaxing as winning. She loves challenging you at all sorts of carnival games. She's had years of practice and will win most of the times.

Don't even think she'll go easy on you. Her second favorite thing is rubbing her win in.

The only game she's never won is the strength meter. How could she win from you, someone who spends most time plowing through earth and carrying heavy water cans? Still, she challenges you to it every time.

(It's because she likes how strong you are, and loves to see you display it. Not that she'd ever admit that.)

The ferris wheel is the only thing you don't do a lot together. Xyla doesn't find it quite as fun as the games, but she can see the romance in it. When you're invited for a ride, you know you're going to hear something sweet.

(In the ferris wheel, no one else can overhear her. Xyla has a reputation to uphold!)

Now for the chess! She never expected you to be good at it. The first three times you won, she called it beginners luck. Then, she accused you of cheating. You swore you weren't, that you just used to play a lot before you bought the farm. She never believed you and is a sore loser. After winning, you'd be ignored for a few hours, only to be challenged again in a few days.

Darius

He likes the carnival, but sometimes he gets the sense he wins the games because he's the prince of Withergate. While he loves the royal treatment, that took the fun out of playing the games.

But of course, he will go with you and play any game you want, all the while pretending that it was his idea in the first place.

Darius can easily pay for whatever game you want to play, or even not pay at all because he is the prince. You rarely let him pay for you, which he admires. Most people seem to want something from him, but you don't even want him to spend 15 tickets on you. in fact, you often insist on paying for him, which is something else entirely.

He is very big on winning you something. Anything, really. He'll spend the tickets he won on something to eat for you, or better yet, a silly plushie. Whenever he visits your apartment, he's surprised to find every plushie he's ever won you safely inside.

Darius doesn't care much for the ferris wheel. It was fun, but not so much anymore after a few rides. Now, if you're scared of heights, it's a different story. If that's the case, he'll drag you in there frequently just because he likes you close.

He gets the sense that he's protecting you. If only you weren't so strong and capable, then he wouldn't have to drag you into the ferris wheel to feel like he's protecting you.

Now, if you're so great at chess you keep beating even Xyla, he is extremely proud of you. People often ask him why he's so close with 'just a farmer'. He knows you're much more than 'just a farmer', and you shouldn't have to prove it to anyone. But the more people see you as capable in different ways... well, it helps your reputation as much as his.

When you win, he will be the one to brag and gloat. He'll compliment you, smiling bright and proud. He often gets so braggy that Xyla leaves. Not that Darius minds, it gives him more freedom to express just how marvelous he thinks you are.

[mr-sir-galahad]

What Does it Mean to Get 'Better' at Hypnokink?

In this recent webinar with @binaural-histolog (which was excellent, Binaural, ty), a lot of commenters brought up intermediate education, suggesting that there's adequate beginner instruction and plenty of advanced material presented at conferences and workshops, but that the middle was missing.

So what should be in the middle? What does it mean to be 'better' but not... advanced?

The question matters. Fields tend to advance as they grow in the number of participating members, and without a systematic approach to knowledge, a clear idea of where one might go next, that funnel never gets built. Progression seems too hard or like magic and unbelievable, so newbies pile up.

I'm running into that wall myself, struggling for the last few months trying to get clarity on what the heck it actually means to 'git gud' when I realized that if I step back, I actually have experience on this from my previous work as a coach, teacher, and course designer and wasn't applying it.

D'oh.

The Skill Funnel

Different factors change the type of practice and performance that determine what is considered advanced or successful. Things like:

Timing: is the skill performed in real time (improv) or prepared in advance and presented (oil painting)

Clarity: is excellent performance easily measured by objective criteria like wins and losses (chess) or subjective (charisma)

Infrastructure: how high is the structural barrier to excellence? (humor compared to tournament play in Magic: The Gathering)

Real-time performance requires automaticity where preparation benefits from greater attention to detail. Objective skills require tuning to the game where subjective skills reward tuning to your audience.

These aren't the only measures, and they aren't fixed categories but spectrums that are constantly fluctuating:

The way I am training to play, most scenes will be live-but-negotiated, so I can rehearse and prepare but have to perform in real time. Whether the scene was good or not is entirely subjective and personal—between me and the subject—but within certain models, my performance could be assessed and graded. And the structural barriers to entry are incredibly low.

Tailoring Practice

On these measures, then, hypnosis is closer to coaching than coding, which suggests likely best-avenues for practice:

Practice: get very good at routines for common situations (inductions, common suggestions, etc.)

Preparation: learn how to best negotiate, plan, and stage so that performance in the moment is 'peaked' but remains flexible

Responsiveness - identifying the subject's experience in the moment and having responses that typically move things towards 'good'

Tailoring - learn ways to discover meaningful differences between subjects and tailor play

Variety - the ability to improvise a range of responses so you can play with the same partner multiple times without boredom

The skills would be very different for a content creator making files or a hypnotherapist, and starting with things that provide immediate return on things that I care about makes it clearer what I should practice.

[chessbrainzind]

What May Children That Are Learning Chess Stand to Gain from a Beginner Course?

For centuries and, in fact, millennia, chess has been holding people’s minds as a game that demands patience to win, as well as thinking and logical calculations. Apart from the regular process of mastering a board game, it may be quite fulfilling to teach kids to play chess. Kids can learn important skills that go far beyond the chessboard with the aid of a beginner chess course for kids, which can offer many advantages. This post looks at the advantages that kids can have when they start playing chess.

[arjunchessacademy]

Competing against top chess talents.  They showcased amazing talent and determination. From intense suits to exciting victories, their journey was a testament to their difficult work and the arena-magnificence training they received at ACA.  Their achievements are a source of immense pride for us.  Want to know more about their inspiring journey? Explore our website for detailed accounts of their triumphs and how ACA is nurturing future chess champions.

https://www.arjunchess.com/

[anarchist-chess]

Was there a particular blunder that kicked us from "can force mate" to "will definitely lose", or was our loss more gradual than that? ... is that even a thing in chess i never played it all that seriously

While at no point were there any forced checkmates for us (or indeed against us until near the end), according to the computer, we maintained an effectively even position until 20. ...a4 which loses a pawn, and while that was salvageable, we then failed to capture the rook with bxf8 with move 24. ...Rb1? which loses a rook for a bishop. As it turns out, the pawn promotion was not actually enough of a threat to go down the exchange with a rook for a bishop. It all slowly deteriorated from there, with few opportunities for recovery.

However, the game was even until then, which is pretty impressive, I think, as it means we were consistently playing the best or close to best moves before 20. a4.

In general, outside of beginner chess, a player doesn't switch from "about to win" to "doomed" particularly quickly. (This isn't to say very skilled players don't make bad moves that immediately change the entire course of the game often, but it's much rarer, and more commonly what they do is accidently cause a draw in a game they should have won.)

[lovecrafts-iranon]

9/11 is airplane day for most of Tumblr and of course I celebrate but for me it marks a year since I went to a chess tournament.

Thoughts on the tournament chess, which I've posted before:

-So first of all to remind everybody, I won every game I played and won the tournament and won money. So 9/11 is a reminder of a joyous occasion!

-However, winning every game put me at a very high provisional rating. So I haven't played any other tournaments since then because I want to actually be good enough to match my inflated rating.

-The idea of just going to another tournament *knowing* I would lose a ton of rating points fills me with extreme anxiety. I've avoided doing so for a year.

-I've had multiple chess coaches either not want to continue with me or not want to start because of this. They all think it's ridiculous that I would not want to go to a tournament and lose my awesome high rating.

-Their opinions have been chipping away at me and I've been lowering the level I would need to be at to attend another tournament, but it's still well above my current level.

-If I went to a bunch of tournaments I could be a chess poster. That could be my thing. I don't know of any chess posters on Tumblr. It would at least be something positive because a lot of my original posts are mopes. People would go that's lovecrafts-iranon the chess guy. I currently spend so much time playing online and studying chess that I am definitely a chess guy, but you can't really make posts without tournaments.

-I do not go to the local chess club because the highest rated guy there who is kind of the head of the club said he wouldn't play me if I kept refusing to go to tournaments. So I am unwelcome.

-I really love the idea of going to more tournaments (once I am good enough).

-I don't know if I can ever get to the level I'd need to be at, since adult beginners can only improve so much. I'd need to be 1800 USCF level. That's around my inflated rating.

[magnoliamy]

100 Days of Productivity 24/100

04/03/24

-Worked on titles and font selections for my zine -Bought my coworker a mini cake from the bakery I used to work at for his birthday tomorrow. Got to see my old boss and coworkers which was really nice -Came up with a chess learning schedule to be done with the beginners course on my chess app by the end of the month

[minecraft-llama]

Chess Blog Day #29 - Introduction to Chess Openings

Chess openings are the moves that you make to start a game of chess.

Chess openings are arguably the least important part of chess. Often players can make completely random moves for the first few moves and as long as their position isn't lost they'll be fine.

However, sometimes games are decided in the opening, especially in tricky openings or with opening traps. We saw before how for beginners Scholar's Mate can be hard to defend against.

Playing a good opening is also a great way to maximize your chances, and you have nothing to lose by learning some.

As players improve openings become more important, especially in slower games.

The reason I mentioned them being relatively less important is because many players spend too much time studying openings without winning many more games.

With that out of the way, let's talk about some opening principles.

The main thing you want to achieve in an opening is to control the centre of the board. This is why 1.e4 and 1.d4 are the two most common first moves.

The next thing you want to achieve is minor piece development. Most of the time you should move knights out before bishops. This is because knights only really have two good squares to go to, and most of the time they only really have one. Bishops, on the other hand, have many squares they can move to and so you should wait and see what your opponent does before committing them.

The next thing you want to do is castle. If you're in a position where you would prefer to castle long you will of course also need to move your queen first.

The final stage of the opening is connecting your rooks. This happens once you have castled and the queen, bishops and knights have all moved. The rooks defending each other is very often useful.

Now let's talk about how openings are named. If an opening name ends with the following:

Attack: (eg. Horwitz Attack) This is an aggressive opening for white.

Defence: (eg. King's Indian Defence) This is an opening for black. This is just convention because white goes first. Many "defences" are still quite aggressive. It's useful though because you can immediately tell which side an opening is for just by its name.

Counterattack: (eg. Traxler Counterattack) These are black openings that are definitely aggressive. Usually in response to an attack by white.

Opening: (eg. Spanish Opening) This is an opening by white that isn't quite so agressive.

Game: (eg. Italian Game, not to be confused with the Italian Job) Used to refer to openings for by either side. For some white openings it's used interchangeably with "opening" (Spanish Opening/Spanish Game, call it what you like).

Gambit: (eg. King's Gambit) This is used as a name for openings where one side sacrifices something (almost always a pawn, but sometimes a knight or even more rarely a bishop). This is mostly white openings but not always.

Countergambit: (eg. Falkbeer Countergambit) This is when one player plays a gambit but the other side not only declines the gambit but plays one of their own. It's the Uno reverse card of chess openings. This is mostly black openings but not always.

Now that we've covered the basics of openings, it's time to look at some.

Tomorrow: The Spanish opening.