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.org.uk/content/openings-advicehttps://devonjuniorchess.org.uk/content/opening-dos-and-donts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UAHjZsrVw0 Opening traps http://devonjuniorchess.org.uk/content/opening-traps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx7TmtMkg_U Next steps for U11s https://devonjuniorchess.org.uk/content/how-play-opening-2 TACTICS Tactics advice https://devonjuniorchess.org.uk/content/middlegame-tactics-adviceKnow all the basic tactics https://devonjuniorchess.org.uk/content/middlegame-tactics-advice#6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83oae4kRfnMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvr94Dinfr4 https://devonjuniorchess.org.uk/content/middlegame-tactics-advice (U11) A course in chess tactics http://devonjuniorchess.org.uk/content/course-chess-tactics Practice spotting tactics https://lichess.org/training Check after…
3. If you are one or two pawns ahead, exchange pieces but not pawns.
8. The easiest endings to draw are those with opposite coloured bishops.
o Never give up. There is always hope if you fight. Don’t play for one last cheap trap and then resign. Play the move that will make your opponent groan, the move you would hate to see if you had the advantage. Defend with endless determination.
* If you have the Bishop pair you must try to open up lines for them, and deny the opposing Knights any central posts.
o Don’t stop looking for your own opportunities. Many games have been lost that could have been drawn or even won (don’t I know it!). But also, people resign with a saving move available on the board – they were just going through the motions until resigning, instead of planning their comeback.
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.
