Why do I s*ck at chess?

[Jac de Molay]

Aside from my weekly Civ and Smac, I've started to play some Chess at Yahoo. And I've come to realize that, well, I suck...badly.

I'm getting smacked down by the lowest ranking members in the beginner rooms. And when I'm not getting creamed, they're telling me to hurry up because I take too long to think about and make moves.

I love the game, and my openings are decent. But after about the fourth or fifth turn, it's like a fog descends over the board and I carelessly lose important pieces.

- Can anyone offer simple, easy to follow advice to succeed after the opening?

-Can anyone point me to good websites or books that offer such easy-to-follow advice?

- Is there any sites where I can practice against a computer opponent and take my time?

Thanks in advance,
Jac.

[SnowFire]

This isn't what you want to hear, probably, but the best thing to do is play with a better, patient player. Play casually, where you cheerfully discuss the best moves for both sides, and allow take backs after you hang your queen or something. Listen to why the good player says that your suggested moves for him are faulty, or the obvious threat of his that you're missing when thinking out loud for your position.

That, and good chess books. Unfortunately, the best one I read was printed in 1953 or thereabouts and would be practically impossible to find.

As a disclaimer, despite all that, I'm still not that wonderful. In general, I won't make moves that hang a piece within 2 moves, and I comprehend enough basic strategy and positional ideas that barring no good moves on the other person's side (or blunders on my own), I can generally take games to a King & Pawn ending by forcing enough trades (and hope that I've developed my pawns better than my opponent).

[Nostromo]

Try "Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess". You can get it at the underdogs.

http://www.the-underdogs.org/

[MJW]

Show me one of you games.

[Smash]

Chess is very difficult and complicated game.It takes years of study and practice to acheive anything resembling mastery.You need countless hours of opening,middle and endgame study and play.And even then it is a struggle.There are no shortcuts really.

Having said that,the Reassess Your Chess book series by Jeremy Silman is an excellent chess learning system.

I would also advise just about anybody to take more time.Use your clock to the max.As a youngster,I was taught to sit on my hands to keep from moving too quickly.

[geeslaka]

You are channeling me whenever you play chess. Find a way to shut off the psychic connection.

[Urban Ranger]

Re: Why do I s*ck at chess?

Originally posted by Jac de Molay
- Can anyone offer simple, easy to follow advice to succeed after the opening?

You need to look deeper. Come up with combinations that net you either material, tempo, or position. Preferably all 3. I am not sure how easy that is, though.

Actually, IMO, you don't need to memorise any openings until later. Just concentrate on the mid-game first.

Originally posted by Jac de Molay
- Is there any sites where I can practice against a computer opponent and take my time?

Best play against a chess program. Chessmaster is very good.

If there is a local chess club, join. You can usually find people to teach you a trick or two.

[Harry Seldon]

Control the middle and try to make sure your pieces are defended heavily before you move. Try not to lose your patience when you play. If your going to lose a piece, try to sacrifice it to obtain an opponent's piece. Remember, losing is just a strategy to make future wins look more brilliant.

[Dis]

you can't suck as bad as me.

I always have trouble looking more than a few turns ahead. I can't figure out how to do it.

I think I only do well at Civ and SMAC is because of my intimate knowledge of the rules.

[Urban Ranger]

Well, usually you don't need to look ahead more than 8-10 turns. Your opponent usually doesn't move as you envision him to

[DrSpike]

The best route for a beginner is a good book, which will make you aware of the basics. I also would pop for Silman's books, which are the best entry level guides IMO.

[Sarxis]

It takes lots of study and practice to become great. Even if you are a prodigy, you will still need to do a good deal of work to play aside the best.

That's why I gave it up. Just too time consuming.

[Jaguar]

I learned from Play Winning Chess, Winning Chess Tactics, and Winning Chess Strategies, by Yasser Seirawin. At least I think that's what his name was. Anyway, I learned pretty quickly. And I was seven when I read those.

[Harry Seldon]

Showoff...

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by Jaguar Warrior
I learned from Play Winning Chess, Winning Chess Tactics, and Winning Chess Strategies, by Yasser Seirawin. At least I think that's what his name was.

I think it's Yasser Seirawan.