Chess Tips I

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If you make your chess moves without following any principles, then you lose quickly
and you don't even understand why you have lost.
You will lose again and again because you keep making the same mistakes over
and over repeatedly. The chess tips on my website help you to improve your game and
finally start winning.
To demonstrate my point play a game against this chess program below. You will find
that you have no chance, because as a beginner (or home player) you don't follow any
chess principles and probably play the first move that comes to your mind, without
understanding the position at all.
TEST YOUR SKILLS - Beat this Chess Program
Study Weak Chess Moves
As a beginner you should play many different opening systems as this will expose your
mind to chess positions of various kinds. If you stick to one opening approach it will force
your mind into a fixed way of thinking.
Chess is not a fixed approach, but far too complex and rich in possibilities to play just
one opening system with White. You will narrow down your chess experience to a fixed
perspective as you avoid other structures of opening play.

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Spectators Crowding Around the Exhibition Chess Match

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To understand "the truth" in Chess you should vary your chess experience. What I mean
is, don't play the same chess openings for the rest of your life. Especially if you play
inferior opening moves all the time, you will lose points in the long run. This is proven by
game statistics, as you cannot possibly be as successful with inferior opening setups.
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Use X-Ray-Vision in Chess

When you analyze your chess game it is sometimes hard to see all chess combinations
that are hidden within a particular position.

If you miss a hidden trap of your opponent, then you lose instantly a piece or a pawn or
even worse, you might get checkmated. Or you miss a strong combination which would
have won the game for you right away.
For that reason, it is a big help, if you use X-Ray-Vision in your chess games.
To apply X-Ray-Vision in chess means, that you never look at the chess pieces, but to
their energy lines. If you see a knight then you visualize the squares in your mind that
are controlled by this knight. But you never look at the square, where the knight is
placed itself, because this square is not controlled by the knight! It just sits on it, that's
all.

If you use X-Ray-Vision here as White, you might

find this difficult winning move. Re8+!! This move
wins the queen and the game, as White has more
material and the better position. The king in the White moves and plays 1.Nxd5! cxd
middle will come under strong attack. 1.Re8+!
2.QxB! Great isn'it? (Bobby Fischer KxR (the knight is pinned and can't capture!) Now Predrag Ostojic 1970)
2.Bb5+ c6 3.QxQ and White wins the queen and
sooner or later the game. (Budovskis, Inesis Atars, Pablo, 1970)
X-Ray Vision does help you to discover hidden moves and prevent that you are running
around mentally searching like a blind duck. Try it in your next games.
The first Thought - This is the most important of all chess tips.

After your opponent has moved, what do you think first? Many people think they are the
center of the earth and that planet earth is evolving around them. They only think about
themselves and in which way they can overrun the opponent. The opponent simply
doesn't exist in their minds and they only worry about their own moves and plans.

Some players might even think how great they are and that they are going to win just
because they have the higher rating. This arrogant attitude will be punished in a chess
game in no time at all.

If you think first about yourself and your own moves and possibilities, after your
opponent has moved, then it is time to change this way of thinking completely, or you will
never become a good player. You are going to lose many games just because of your
attitude. Learn from the following chess tips.
After he has made his move, the right way to think is:
What is he threatening? What does he want? How can I stop his plans or at least
reduce their effects on my position.
Make sure that you work out his plans or you might get into real trouble. He might
threaten a fork and you see nothing or he plans a sacrifice that would destroy your
kingside.
When you understand the move of your opponent completely, then you can think about
your own moves and ideas.
Remember, you are not the boss in chess. What I mean is that your opponent is very
important too. The game is not just evolving around you. If you just think about your own
moves in a game you run right into a disaster.
For players who really want to get better.

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Be a Fighter

Fight on move after move and don't play only half-hearted when you are in a bad
position. If you lose heart you don't see your saving moves because your mental abilities
are reduced. If you fight on, your opponent might make a mistake because he does not
expect such hard resistance. In the long run such an attitude will save half a point here
and there. Instead of losing, you might make a draw or even win, because he gets tired
and makes a blunder.

Don't get into Time-Trouble as this will get on your nerves and paralyzes your
mind.

If you are one of those players that get into time trouble on a regular basis then you
should get this problem under control. Prepare your openings well and play the first 10
to 12 moves in just a few minutes.
Time trouble is like a disease for some players. They just can't control it. There are
psychological reasons for getting repeatedly into time trouble in tournament games.
You have a strong opponent.
This makes you think twice about every move he does and you check constantly
everything that happens on the board. You see dangers where there is nothing at all.
You have hallucinations. Your mind is blocked by fear. You can't think properly. Because
of that you rethink variations over and over to make sure that you have not overlooked
something. This all costs time. Relax and forget about the opponent. It's just a game,
you don't lose your life when you lose.
Just play your usual game. What can happen? Nothing much, you just might lose a
game of chess, that's all. Your life is not dependent on that game. If you keep that in
mind you stay relaxed and play well.
The position of the game is not after your taste.
You don't like this variation at all or this whole setup. You don't understand the position
and can't find a plan. This makes you think longer. Tell yourself mentally that this position
is fascinating and that you love to find good moves.
You are sad about missed opportunities in this game.
You constantly think about it. This cost time and nerves and clouds your thinking. Tell
yourself that you consider this game from now on as a completely new game and that
what has happened a few moves before is not important anymore. You are going to play
well from now on.
Don't waste all your time trying to find the best move.
You might never find it and lose on time. Imagine how much time and energy you would
need if you try to find the best move every time it's your move.
If you see a good move, check it and have a look around if there is a better one. If not,
just move and then think on your opponents time.

Grandmaster Igor Smirnov (UKR) has developed a

UNIQUE Chess Teaching SYSTEM
If you have read chess tips I then continue here. Chess is not just about winning or
losing. It is a game of honour and fairness. It is like a philosophy, a way of life.
When you become a chess player, this game will have a certain influence on your
life and on your way of thinking.
Keep on playing, then you will understand what I mean. But there are sometimes tricks
used that can upset your mental balance. Just get to know them, that will be sufficient.
Don't use them, as your opponent deserves a fair game. The following tricks are not the
way a chess player should behave, don't you think? Read more about Chess Tricks
Your Emotions in Chess
Chess Stories
Chess Posters
Chess Jokes
Decline Draw Offers

Psychological Chess Tips

When you are winning ...
There is a saying in chess:
Nothing is harder than winning a winning position.
If you have a winning advantage don't let it slip away. Be patient and make good moves
to secure your victory. Cut down the counter-play of your opponent. Don't take any risks.
Don't think: Hey, my position is a sure win. No problem! If you think like that, you
become arrogant and your brain is falling asleep. And it will be hard to wake it up again.
Follow these chess tips here to win more games:
When you are winning your brain is losing attention. Your alertness and your
willpower are going downhill.
Just one mistake is enough and you have spoiled your winning position. You might fall
into a deadly trap. It might end in a draw or you might even lose this game. Your
opponent doesn't want to lose so he will fight like hell until the bitter end. But your brain
has switched off already. So don't fall asleep! Beware of traps.

When you reach a winning position you should tell yourself: "Hey, I am winning! I have to
be very careful now. Now I must play my best chess! I must play even better than
before! I have to be alert and fully awake or I lose or just make a draw."
Don't take every Gift in Chess

Many chess players are materialists. They take every pawn or piece that is offered to
them without using their brain.
Please understand that sometimes a pawn or a piece is poisonous. It is a gift to you
made by your opponent to get something else in return. For example he might get a
devastating attack going at your kingside or he might win your queen by offering you a
pawn.
However, when you get offered something for free in chess your alarm bell must ring! Do
analyze if this gift is really free or poisoned. It's not christmas yet!
Get the best chess books.
For Beginners I recommend Logical Chess - Move by Move by Chernev because
every move is explained here.
Another good book for beginners that received very good reviews is the Complete
Idiot's Guide to Chess.
If you want to become a serious chess player then get high power
DOWNLOADABLE chess teaching videos by Grandmaster Igor Smirnow.
The following diagram shows that you should be careful and not grab all the materal you
can get. Chess is not a purely materialistic game but to get a good position is important
as well.
Example: See this position below! Black moves.

Black is winning as he is up in material. But he is greedy and captures the pawn on f3

without switching on his brain beforehand! White played Rf1 winning the knight and the
game.
Defend like Hell

If you run into a bad position, defend it as good as you can. Use all your mental strength
and willpower. Don't lose hope as your opponent has probably lost some of his attention
already because he knows, of course, that he is winning. It is possible that his brain has
fallen asleep already, he just didn't realize it yet. If you put up a trap he might fall right
into it.
You as a defender must react to his moves and must remain wide awake. And you have
to find sometimes the best move to survive. Whereas the attacker has no problems at all
finding good moves, as it is easy to attack, but very difficult to defend. Especially if you
have to find so called only-moves (the only move to survive).
Defending bad or even lost positions will give you a hard time. It is a normal process that
you lose hope and you tend to give up. Become aware of that. Don't lose concentration
but try to hold up your willpower to find saving moves and put up dangerous traps or
change the structure of the position completely, if possible. This might upset your
opponents thinking.
A good defense can win a game just the same way as a strong attack. Never forget that.
Don't say to yourself: "I am losing!" This will block your thinking process and you will lose
faith in your ability to hold this position. Just tell yourself: "I am going to defend this
position like hell now!" "I will play my best chess now!"

In the position above (Aleksei Suetin-Makarytschew / Open Championship/Moskow

1983) Black had played the opening badly, is a pawn down and has a losing game.
Grandmaster Suetin (White) knows that he has a winning game. His attention decreased
rapidly. He had to make a move. Black is threatening Rxc2+.
Suetin just had to play something like Rd2 or Ba4 but he plays mechanically b3??. Just
a few seconds later he realizes his dreadful mistake and resigns immediately.
This is just an example. Loss of attention happens among grandmasters as well.
Here are some chess tips that are concerning your attitude towards the game and other
players.
Never get upset at your Opponent

Some chess players seem to be aggressive. They are knocking the piece on the board
when making a move. They believe a move is much stronger if they place it with a loud
knock. Or they press the piece very hard on the board and screw it. Don't worry about
those players as they are usually pretty weak. This is my experience. Once I had a
game where the player was even reading a newspaper while playing. I was feeling
getting upset, but I calmed down and concentrated on my game. Fortunately he lost.

Chess Tips on: When you have lost.

Don't shoot your opponent because he has won. These chess tips will prevent
that you end up in prison. I'm just joking...
It is sometimes hard to lose in chess. I am the first one to admit, but life goes on. No
reason to cry. (ha-ha-ha) This sounds funny doesn't it?
Okay, I try again:
Every player loses. This is normal. But it is not normal to worry about your loss all day
long and to think about your loss while playing your next game.
When you have lost a game, have a quick look at the position to find out why you have
lost, to satisfy your desire of knowing what has happened. Your opponent does often
help you and might give you useful chess tips about the way you have played the
position. After that go to bed or eat something, talk to friends or go for a walk. Relax.
Forget this game. If you are not able to put that game aside in your mind and relax, then
this game will cost more points as you might lose the next game as well because you
are still upset. If you play in a tournament you need to be refreshed to play the next
game.
A few days later you analyze your game and find the reason why you lost. Just learn
from your mistake and never make the same mistake again. Don't try to win the next
game just because you lost the last one. This is a big psychological mistake. The next
game has nothing to do with the one you lost before. You can ruin the position of the
next game, just because you want to win desperately to make up for the lost game
before.
If you cannot detach yourself from your loss you will lose the next game as well because
>b>your mind is not in present time. You are not wide awake, aware and fully alert
because you have taken the loss personally.
Don't take a loss personally! You are not an inferior person because you lost! You just
lost a game of chess, that's all! Forget about it! The next game is waiting.

Never underestimate your Opponent

Even when your opponent is rated lower, don't underestimate him. This is the biggest
mistake you can make. Respect his strength and play your best chess. If you don't take
him seriously your brain might fall asleep and you are not attentive. You might fall into a
trap and lose.
Never overestimate yourself! These chess tips will prevent that you behave like
a fool.

1. Don't think, that you are a genius and the other players are just dumb heads!
2. Don't believe that just because you have a higher rating that you can't lose to a much
weaker player. The rating is just statistics. The player could be a young chess talent and
his rating has not yet caught up with his real strength. Or you might have a bad day and
your brain is not working properly. This can happen.
I tell you a little story now which will highlight this attitude:
There was a match around the year 1908 between the coffeehouse-player Burletzki
(who did not follow my chess tips) and a German chess master named Koehnlein. The
winner would be the player who wins the first six games.
Burletzki had great confidence in his own abilities but lost the first game.
Burletzki: "Shit! I've made a bad mistake."
The second game Koehnlein won again.
Burletzki: "You can't win them all!"
The third game Koehnlein won again.
Burletzki: "I am just in bad shape today!"
The fourth game Koehnlein won again.
Burletzki: "He doesn't play that bad."
The fifth game Koehnlein won again.
Burletzki: "I underestimated him!"

The sixth game Koehnlein won again.

Burletzki: "I think he plays as strong as me."
(translated from Beheim-Schwarzbach 1953,p 265/266)
I think the best advice is useless in this case above. Chess tips don't help here, I think.
But hey? Got the idea?
Read about the Laws of Chess

Always analyze your own Chess Games

This is probably the most important of all chess tips. Why should I study my own
games? The reason is to find typical mistakes that are related to your personality and to
your personal way of thinking. Your reasoning process runs always a certain way and
might produce the same kind of mistakes. To study your own mistakes and identify the
reason behind a blunder will change your way of chess thinking and you improve faster.
You gain additional chess knowledge which is very difficult to develop over the board.
This chess knowledge will lead to more points in the long run.

Chess how to play when your brain is locked? - Chess Tips

Chess Tips on food. What you eat is how you play. Eat to win!

You probably think: Hey Man! Don't tell me what to eat! Are you nuts? These are
strange chess tips that I give here, aren't they? Sooner or later you are playing long
serious games that might last up to six hours! How are you going to survive that keeping
up your concentration on a high level? If you get tired after four hours your level of
concentration drops and you will make most likely a disastrous mistake that might lose
the game outright.
When this happens you will be very angry at yourself for making such a blunder. How
can I lose like that in such a good position? How can I lose against such an idiot? Yes,
my friend, I know how it feels like. I have been playing chess for a long time now and
this is hard to take.
I give you some advise on how to protect your health. I know that not many will take it.
But I give it anyway. These chess tips might even lead you on to a good path and to
good health.

Don't smoke and don't drink.

Chess requires a strong willpower and nicotine and especially alcohol undermine your
will. You become addictive and the tar in cigarettes increases your risk of getting lung
cancer and bronchial disorders.
Bobby Fischer didn't smoke and drank milk and fruit juices and kept himself fit with
swimming.

Eat the right Food.

Get carbohydrates:
Noodles, rice, potatoes and whole-kernel corn bread.(forget about white bread and white
noodles)
Get protein:
Protein is needed to make skin, muscles and bones and fight diseases. You need:
Fish, cheese, yoghurt and quark. Sometimes meat.
Get vitamins and minerals:
Vegetables, fruit, milk and whole-kernel corn bread

Yes, Chess is a way of life. Follow my recommendations and it will affect your life as a
whole in a positive way and not just the game. Chess tips are good, but to follow them is
even better.
The following article will give you hints about the way you should think to find a good
move.
How to think in Chess?
Intuition in Chess

The positional feeling is part of the chess-thinking- process. It is a higher level of

logical thinking and belongs to intuition. Positional feeling does develop with chess
experience but depends also on the talent of a chess player.
If you have this talent then the right move springs to your mind before you even start
calculating moves. Logic and intuition in chess belong together like day and night and
are vital parts of the chess-thinking-process. If you find the right move in a chess game
by intuition, you experience a moment of joy as you have completed a creative process.
There are many positions where there is nothing to calculate. In this case the intuition
plays an important role to find the right move.
To improve your intuition you should play a lot of games, join a chess club and
participate in tournament chess. There you will find helpful players who give you useful
chess tips. This will increase your chess understanding which is the foundation of good
intuition.