How do you become a good chess player?

[Brent]

I hit my chess peak a few years ago and haven't been able to play worth beans since. What happened was the idea came to me to send a knight after a rook and I beat the computer in 10 moves and beat my Dad using the same strategy. Yes, I actually considered beating the computer to be noteworthy. Anyway the same strategy doesn't even work any more no matter who my opponent is, maybe I don't remember correctly how I did it.

I haven't had the attention span to get anything out of chess books.

I thought my main problem was being unable to think ahead, it's good to hear I don't need to.

I haven't really even tried to play chess in a while, but I did try a chess variant and am curious about other chess variants that I've heard of.

I'll have to keep alertness in mind if I try chess again anytime soon.

I kind of keep the center of the board in mind when I do play, but If I remember correctly even that strained my brain.

I think i'm not the only one who's suggested that the Civ4 Editor should be able to model aspects of chess.

[BustaMike]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Play like the AI on my dad's chess game - when a piece puts your king in check, knock it off the board, and when you get into checkmate randomly move your king to a different square.

That is terrible advice.

[FrustratedPoet]

I think he knows that, Busta.

[BustaMike]

But it's AI... it's gotta be good

Plus, I was drunk last night when I wrote that... I can't be expected to pick up on every bit of sarcasm when I'm barely reading things in the first place

[reds4ever]

The purists are going to hate this but......



If youre playing a poor player, take white and throw everything you've got at his pawn on f7 from the word go!

You'd be amazed how many casual players struggle to beat this tactic, you also won't be amazed how many good players will eat you for breakfast if you try this tactic! So use it wisely!

Another tip that works for me (I'm like you, I enjoy the game but i'm no great shakes at it) is that it's a lot easier to attack than defend as a novice. also, any move you can make that limits your opponents choice of next move is *generally* a good thing (ie. use forks and pins)

[Dis]

the computer can beat my ass any day of the week.

don't try to tell me computer AI's suck. they can beat the best chess player in the world. This isn't civ3 fellas.

I can only beat them on the easy levels.

[FlameFlash]

Playing a lot is my own recommendation.

I used to play it a lot... got my butt handed to me almost every time. But eventually you start seeing where you were making mistakes, correcting them, and thereby start improving.

I remember the last game I was able to play against my dad I had him almost beat, he just came from behind and surprised me with a knight. Learned not to underestimate knights that day, heh.

[The diplomat]

As the saying goes, "practice makes perfect".

But don't just play lots of games. Practice thinking right. In other words, practice taking your time thinking about what move you should make, what move your opponent might make. Don't rush. Be careful not to rush into an obvious move. In chess, often the least obvious move is the best.

I would certainly emphasize learning to think ahead. In chess, the player that thinks the furthest ahead almost always win. If you don't think ahead, you will never beat a player that does.

[The diplomat]

As I mentionned before, stay away from the obvious moves. If a move is obvious it is probable wrong. I played a game on chessmaster 8000 yesterday that illustrated that. The computer sacrificed his queen and a knight for no apparent reason, or so I thought. But 20 moves down the line, he had a rook and 2 bishops really giving my king a headache. I was able to barely avoid a mate by gettig a draw through repetition.

[RGBVideo]

How do you become a good chess player?

I don't know, I haven't practiced enough.

So... wanna play?