10 tips for Analysing your Chess Games

One of the major ways of studying chess in our Russian “chess school” in the nineties was analyzing your own games. That got me into believing that this is the best way to improve your game. I started doing it without computer, on a piece of paper, but obviously over time tried to use databases as much as possible for maintaining and updating a collection of my games. I also helped several students of mine to learn how to analyze their games in effective ways, so here are a few suggestions that you might find useful:

1. Maintain a database of all your games. I keep several databases: my games with standard time controls, rapid time controls, internet games
2. As soon as possible after the game has finished – put down thoughts you had during the game. That will help you later to remember and understand the reasons for your mistakes.
3. Let the computer engine run through the game in blunder check mode – that way you’ll know immediately about the major blunders you and your opponent made
4. Identify the critical moments of the game. How many times does evaluation of position change, and advantage shifts from one side to the other?
5. Analyse the opening, update your opening repertoire if necessary. Evaluate the position after the opening, to decide whether your openings need “repair”
6. Do not just analyse in terms of variations. Give verbal evaluations of critical positions. If white is better – say why. That helps you to better understand the true meaning of each position. That also makes you stop looking at the computer evaluation and think on your own for a few seconds.
7. When you’re done analyzing – summarize your the game. Why did the game end the way it did? Where was it decided – opening, endgame, tactical blunder?
8. Over time – look at the trends in your games. Do you lose more points in openings or in endgames? Is there anything you can study in particular to improve those trends?
9. Go back to your games, even years after they were played. I do that just to practice my analytical skills, and very often I find surprising how much new little details I can discover (e.g. the endgame I thought was drawn – is actually winning, etc).
10. As already mentioned – don’t fully rely on the computer engine. Try to find moves and ideas on your own, and only then let the engine give you hints. It is ok to guide the engine, but make sure you’re still the driver.

Chess Tricks

Hey whats up guys, I am here with a whole bunch of new chess tricks! I’ve recently been playing quite a bit of chess and have run into some good techniques and little tricks that might help you in your next game. The first thing I’ve been experimenting with is castling, moving the king and the rook over each other. It is the only move in chess where two pieces are moved in the same play. This move is great to use early on in the game.  Not only does it move the king into a safer, more protected position, but it also puts the rook in the better position to play on offense and defense as well. I have found with a good defensive set up you can really take advantage of your opponent. While your opponent can barely do any damage to you, you can be attacking their weak spots (assuming they have any). Also very simple trick, but one to also remember, is watch which lanes you are opening when you move a piece. Many times I have made the mistake of moving one of my pieces ignorant of a great diagonal lane the enemy can later take advantage of. Always remember to keep a good defense and use the colors of the squares to your advantage. As a result, always keep in mind the opposite. Watch your opponents moves and see if they open any good lanes of attack. It is common that players will miss these vulnerabilities in their defense and taking advantage of these lines could put you a head and lead you to victory, which we all strive for. These are just a few of the many things I have been experimenting with lately. Experimenting different tactics is the best way to familiarize and improve your game style.  I hope these chess tricks help you on your way to victory the next time you play chess, until next time, bye!

Beginner Chess Strategy

If you be among the number of those searching for a beginner chess strategy, then look no further. Compiled below are a few of the most essential chess strategy concepts that anyone just understanding how to learn chess should know. Take into account that beyond these, there exists a series of other things you can do as well. Understanding that, we can proceed into the basics. Among the best pieces of beginner chess strategy concepts that may be offered is that you need to take your time. More often than not, people just move quickly to progress amongst people. You’ll want to consider the board and understand not only what benefit there is to the move that you’re making, but all the repercussions that could occur by making it. In addition, unless you are psychic, you don’t know what moves your opponent will be making which makes it important you adjust your chess strategy to their movements as well.If you are doing this, after each turn plan your next few moves in connection to what is important to do if you opponent makes a specific move. This entails you playing from both sides of the board in mind. While it might seem like a very time consuming task, it can help you to have edge over the player that plays move by move. In fact, this could be an essential beginner chess strategy tip that you attend to. Just don’t allow yourself to be led into a specific route by your challenger. Keeping what you know now in mind, we proceed to another important piece of chess strategy. Never attack your opponent until the time is right. You’ll want to ensure that during the game play process you only place minor piece in jeopardy. That way you have them later amongst gamers when you really need them most. Understand that even if you get an “easy attack” it may be a part of the other players strategy. Some advanced players will suggest you sacrifice a knight or even your queen to move ahead amongst people. That couldn’t be more mistaken. You will find that both these pieces are essential to game play and at best, you should only sacrifice pawns if it is needed for a bigger attack. That way you keep the edge on the game that is being played. Just remember, your challenger will likely understand this point as well.If you follow the beginner chess strategy tips which have been provided, it will be possible to find more success in the games you play. Keep in mind that as you grow more advanced, you will understand and learn different strategies that will keep your opponent on their toes, which is exactly where you want them.



Over the past few weeks I have been spending a lot of my time on Youtube watching a great channel I happened to stumble upon. The name of the channel is kingscrusher, heres the link http://www.youtube.com/user/kingscrusher. He currently has over 2000 great informative videos related to chess. He has live gameplays, analysis, and tons of other great stuff you can learn from. If you are currently interested in learning chess or trying to improve your game, I strongly suggest you watch a few of his videos. You can learn a lot from watching others play and maybe integrate some of the things you see that work for him into your own gamestyle. I hope this helps somebody out, bye!

General Chess Tips

Chess is a game which can employ an infinite number of different strategies and tactics to beat ones opponent. Every player needs to discover their own style, trial and error is one of the best ways for a player to learn what works and what doesn’t. A number of different styles all can lend themselves to a great game of Chess and each of those styles can perfectly fit different players and personalities. However, as different as each Chess player is, there are a number of tips that each and every Chess player, beginner to expert, should follow and keep in mind throughout the game. The most important part of playing a smart Chess game is always paying attention. It sounds simple, but this is actually the downfall of many players. They miss an opponent’s move or are so concentrated on what their next step might be that they miss something crucial and ruin their entire game. In addition to paying attention, it is important that the player should always be thinking ahead. You don’t want to be reactive but proactive in a game of chess.  Having a plan is important in constructing a great Chess strategy, but being adaptable is also important. Whenever an opponent makes a move, it is important for a player to fully evaluate that move, trying to determine why it was made. Players don’t make Chess moves simply for the sake of moving, there is always a reason and a plan behind the move being made. Figuring out the opponent’s plan is a key part of playing a smart Chess game. If a player can figure out an opponent’s plan before it has been fully hatched, it is possible to thwart the plan ahead of time. This can throw the opponent off and buys the player more time, for they now do not need to rush to react to an event that played out on the board. It is also vitally important for any player to realize just how much the pieces on a board are worth. Each Chess piece has been given a ranked number based on how important they are. Pawns are considered to be worth 1 point each, while Knights and Bishops are worth 3. Rooks are 5 and Queens are 9 points each. Knowing these point values are handy because they can help players keep in mind what is important when it comes to strategy. A Queen is very valuable, as it has the most range and can do the most damage, yet two Rooks can accomplish even more. Many times, sacrifices need to be made in a Chess game and knowing which piece is better to sacrifice will help in the long term of the game. Keeping the endgame in mind is always a smart investment as well. For example, if a sacrifice needs to be made between a Bishop and a Knight, it is good to keep in mind that a Bishop has a farther range during the endgame. However, on the other hand, this may not be of much importance if the Knight will help more in getting a player to the endgame. There are a lot of things that any good Chess player needs to juggle during a game. Practice is the best key in building all of these skills. Keeping these few tips and tricks in mind during a game will show drastic improvements in any player’s results.

Surprising your opponent in the opening !

We'll take a look at two positions where GMs (with the White pieces) were able to find a strong move before the 20th move of the game. Here it is not a matter of finding a combination but rather attacking chances early on. In both games, Black was not able to defend succesfully afterwards.

Position I: White to play




















In the first sicilian position, White could routinely continue by 1.Rae1 or 1 Nce2. However, GM Mitkov was able to surprise his opponent ( rated more than 120 points above him) and start the attack immediately. What did he play ?



Position II: White to play




















In the second position, GM Akopian found a very strong move. While the game lasted 20 moves longer, this move created defensive problems for his opponent who lost material quickly after that. This is certainly the key moment here, although there is no forced win. What did he play here with White ?

opening traps

There are probably a couple of thousand of those opening tricks& traps. Here are three to solve :

Position 1 arises after: 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 Qc7 7.Qe2 Nf68.O-O Ng4 9.Bb3?

Position 1: Black to play and win



















Position 2 arises after
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 Be7 4.Nbd2d5 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 c5 7.c3 b68.Qa4 O-O 9.Ne5
Black played 9..Nxe5? Why is it such a bad idea ?

Position 2: Black plays 9..Ne5? and loses quickly


















What did Black miss by exchanging a pair of knights with 9..Ne5?


Next position:
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4Nd7 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Bd3Be7 8.Qe2 O-O 9.Bg5 b6?

Position 3: White to play and win

What is a "chess opening"?!

"When you see a good move, wait - look for a better one." - Emanuel Lasker, 2nd World Chess Champion

Chess opening moves are of great importance as they determine the course of the game. Better chess opening moves will help you in winning the game easily. The chess game is divided into three phases: the chess opening, the middlegame, and the endgame. The chess opening consists of the first moves, when both players endeavor to develop their forces into the sphere of action where they will exercise the greatest power against the opponent´s defenses. The middlegame is the developed phase of the game and then comes the endgame, when kings start to take an active part in the struggle. There are several different opening moves, varying widely in character from quiet positional play to very aggressive. All the openings are classified by the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings. In some opening lines, the exact sequence considered best for both sides has been worked out to 30–35 moves or more. Professional players spend years studying openings, and continue doing so throughout their careers, as opening theory continues to evolve. A new sequence of moves in the opening is referred to as a "theoretical novelty". When kept secret until used in a competitive game it is often known as a "prepared variation", and can be a formidable weapon even in top-class competition.

Chess opening goals

The main purpose of opening play is to obtain the best position when playing as White and to equalize when playing as Black. The idea behind this is that playing first gives White a slight initial advantage; for example, White will be the first to attack if the game opens symmetrically (Black mirrors White´s moves).
Playing the chess opening aimlessly may result in your opponent getting a huge advantage.
For most openings, the fundamental chess strategic aims are similar:

• Develop your pieces - rapidly mobilize the pieces on useful squares where they will have impact on the game, keeping them in harmonious communication.
• Move your king to safety - king is vulnerable due to his initial placement in the middle of the chess board, which is usually reduced by castling.
• Control the center - control of the central squares allows pieces to be moved to any part of the board relatively easily, and can also have a cramping effect on the opponent. It is not always necessary or even desirable to occupy the center by pieces physically; in this way, and that too broad a pawn front could be attacked and destroyed, leaving its architect vulnerable; an impressive looking pawn center is worth little unless it can be maintained. Instead the center can be controlled from a distance, breaking down one´s opponent center, and only taking over the center ones.
• Prevention of pawn weakness - most chess openings strive to avoid the creation of pawn weaknesses such as isolated, doubled and backward pawns, pawn islands, etc. At the same time, some other openings sacrifice these endgame considerations for a quick attack on the opponent´s position

There is also a psychological element in choosing a chess opening to play: try to drag the opponent into types of positions with which you are more familiar and more comfortable playing than him

Chess Opening history

Changes in the chess rules in the late fifteenth century increased the speed of the game, consequently emphasizing the significance of opening study. Chess books were used to present chess opening analysis at that time. But the chess opening theory was given only in the middle of nineteenth century, when many opening variations were discovered and named in this period and later.
The oldest openings tend to be named for geographic places and people (like Sicilian Defense or Grunfeld Defense), later openings tended to be named after nationalities (like Spanish or French Openings). More prosaic descriptions include Two Knights and Four Knights. Descriptive names are less common than openings named for places and people.
Chess players´ names are the most common sources of opening names, although the name given to an opening is not always that of the first player to adopt it; often an opening is named for the player who was the first to popularize it or to publish analysis of it.

Classification of chess openings

The beginning chess position offers White twenty possible first moves. Black has twenty possible responses to White´s opening move.
Of these, 1.e4, 1.d4, 1.Nf3, and 1.c4 are by far the most popular as these moves do the most to promote rapid development and control of the center.
A simple descriptive grouping of the chess opening is:

• Double King Pawn or Open Games (1.e4 e5)
• Single King Pawn or Semi-Open Games (1.e4 other than e5 move)
• Double Queen Pawn or Closed Games (1.d4 d5)
• Single Queen Pawn or Semi-Closed Games (1.d4 other than d5 move)
• Flank openings (including 1.c4, 1.Nf3, 1.f4, and others)
• Unusual first moves

Open Games (1.e4 e5)

This is the most popular opening move in chess history – and remains such today. Bobby Fischer rated 1.e4 as "best by test". If Black mirrors White´s move and replies with 1...e5, the result is an open game.
1. e4 (and the mirror reply by black) have many visible strengths: immediately works on controlling the center, frees two pieces (the queen and a bishop). On the downside, it places a pawn on an undefended square and weakens d4 and f4 for White (and d5 and f5 for Black).
The most popular chess opening in this position is the Spanish Game (2. Kf3 Kc6 3.Bb5) and the Petrov´s Defense (2.Kf3 Kf6). In most variants these chess openings lead to positional balanced game.

Semi-open games (1.e4, Black plays something other than 1...e5)

In the semi-open games White plays 1.e4 and Black breaks symmetry immediately by replying with a move other than 1...e5.
The most popular Black breaking symmetry response to 1.e4 is the Sicilian (1...c5), the French (1...e6) or the Caro-Kann (1...c6) openings. In most variants these chess openings lead to unbalanced positions with sharp play for both sides

Closed games (1.d4 d5)

These moves offers the same benefits to development and center control that open games do, but unlike with the king pawns undefended after the first move, the pawns are protected by queens. This slight difference has a tremendous effect on the opening.
The most important closed openings are in the Queen´s Gambit family (White plays 2.c4). The Queen´s Gambit is somewhat misnamed, since White can almost always regain the offered pawn, if desired. In most variants these chess openings lead to positional balanced game.

Semi-open games (1.e4, Black plays something other than 1...e5)

There are several popular asymmetric to 1.d4 replies for Black, each one of them lead to unique system and formation. The most important here to mention are the Indian systems (1.d4 Nf6) and the Dutch Defense (1.d4 f5).
In most variants these chess openings lead to sharp unbalanced game with chances for both sides.

Flank Openings

The flank openings are the group of White openings typified by play on one or both flanks. White usually attacks the center from the flanks with pieces rather than occupying it with pawns.
The most popular flank openings are English Opening (1.c4) and Réti Opening (1.Nf3, characteristically followed by fianchettoing one or both bishops, and without an early d4). In most variants these chess openings lead to positional equal game.

Unusual moves

First moves other than the king´s pawn (1.e4), queen´s pawn (1.d4), or flank openings (1.b3, 1.b4, 1.c4, 1.Nf3, 1.f4, or 1.g3) are not regarded as effective ways to exploit White´s first-move advantage and thus are rarely played. Although some of these openings are not actually bad for White, each of the twelve remaining possible first moves suffers one or more of the following defects compared to the more popular choices and cannot be recommended to play in "serious" games:

• too passive for White (e.g. 1.d3, 1.e3, 1.c3, 1.Nc3)
• gratuitously weakens White´s position (e.g., 1.f3, 1.g4)
• does little to aid White´s development or control the center (e.g., 1.a3, 1.a4, 1.h3, 1.h4)
• develops a knight to an inferior square (1.Na3 or 1.Nh3)

Fundamental Strategic Aims of Chess Openings

For most chess openings, the fundamental chess strategic aims are similar:

• Development : To place (develop) the pieces (particularly bishops and knights) on useful squares where they will have an impact on the game.
• Control of the center : Control of the central squares allows pieces to be moved to any part of the board relatively easily, and can also have a cramping effect on the opponent.
• King safety : Correct timing of castling can enhance this.
• Pawn structure : Players strive to avoid the creation of pawn weaknesses such as isolated, doubled or backward pawns, and pawn islands.
• Piece coordination: As each player mobilizes his or her pieces, each attempts to assure that they are working harmoniously towards the control of key squares.

Apart from these fundamentals of chess openings, other strategic plans or tactical sequences may be employed in the openings.

Chess Openings

A Guide to Chess Openings

"When you see a good move, wait - look for a better one." - Emanuel Lasker, 2nd World Chess Champion
Because of different chess strategic and tactical patterns, chess game is divided into three phases: the chess openings, the middlegame, and the endgame.
The chess openings contain the first moves, when both sides endeavor to develop their forces into the sphere of action where they will exercise the greatest power against the opponent´s defenses.
The middlegame is the developed phase of the game and then comes the endgame, when most of the pieces are gone and kings start to take an active part in the struggle.
There are dozens of different chess openings, varying widely in character from quiet positional play to very aggressive. In some opening lines, the exact sequence considered best for both sides has been worked out to 30–35 moves or more. Professional players spend years studying openings, and continue doing so throughout their careers, as opening theory continues to evolve

Fundamental Strategic Aims of Chess Openings

For most chess openings, the fundamental chess strategic aims are similar:

• Development : To place (develop) the pieces (particularly bishops and knights) on useful squares where they will have an impact on the game.
• Control of the center : Control of the central squares allows pieces to be moved to any part of the board relatively easily, and can also have a cramping effect on the opponent.
• King safety : Correct timing of castling can enhance this.
• Pawn structure : Players strive to avoid the creation of pawn weaknesses such as isolated, doubled or backward pawns, and pawn islands.
• Piece coordination: As each player mobilizes his or her pieces, each attempts to assure that they are working harmoniously towards the control of key squares.

Do you play poker? There are many similarities in strategies between chess and Texas holdem and chess players are starting to take notice. In both games, you must think a number of moves ahead and gather as much information as you possibly can. It's no accident that expert poker players such as Bob Chiaffone and Howard Lederer are great at chess.

Opening Chess Strategy

by Steve Lopez

Beginning chess players discover very quickly that learning how the pieces move is just the tiniest tip of the tip of the iceberg. It's usually sometime during the first several moves of their very first game that they find themselves saying, "What now?"
We're going to provide you with some very simple, easy guidelines in chess strategy for playing the chess opening. We're not going to talk about specific openings or give you strings of moves to memorize; these will be some general chess strategy principles which you should think about when starting a chess game.
As your chess career continues you'll also notice that there will be times when it's best to ignore some of these chess strategy and opening principles. Nothing here is carved in granite and there will be times later when you'll violate one or more of these principles. But for right now, these tips are good ones to follow during the first few moves of your games.
An underlying principle in the chess strategy of the chess opening is to try to control the center of the board. The board's center is typically defined as the four squares right in the middle of the board (shown here in red):

The center is important because your pieces tend to be more mobile the closer they are to the center. Here's an example using the Knight:

The centrally-placed Knight can move to (and control) eight squares. Now look at this Knight:

This Knight in the corner controls just two squares.
Center occupation and center control are the two principles of chess strategy which underlay almost all popular chess openings. White would like to occupy the squares d4 and e4 with his pawns, like so:

...while Black's chess opening strategy is to occupy both d5 and e5 with his own pawns:

Both players are also trying to prevent their opponent from achieving his goal (so, in most chess openings, neither player actually achieves it), but it's a good opening chess strategy for which both usually strive. The pawns can't stand alone on these squares, either; they need to be supported by other pieces or pawns. Remembering this will help you to understand some of the principles we're about to discuss.
1) Good chess strategy suggests you make your first move with the pawn in front of either your King or Queen
Probably the simplest of all chess opening strategies. In both cases, you'll be opening up paths which your other pieces can use to get off of the back rank:

2) Good chess strategy suggests you make good developing moves, and generally develop your Knights before your Bishops
A good developing move is one which gets a piece off of its starting square. This is an important chess strategy: you want to get your pieces into the game (where they can actually accomplish something, either aiding your attack or defense) as soon as you can. And the reason why you'll usually want to develop your Knights before your Bishops is because it's easier to find a good place for your Knights:

This is an example of a "can't go wrong" Knight development; the Knights defend the pawns and control those strategically important central squares. Knowing the right spot for a Bishop often isn't so easy.
3) Good chess strategy suggests you try not to move the same piece twice in the opening
Don't move the same piece around aimlessly; the best chess opening strategy is to find a good developing square for it. After you've developed a piece, don't move it again unless you absolutely have to; concentrate on developing another piece.
4) Good chess strategy suggests that your King's safety is crucial; castle early if you can
A big exception to the principle of centralizing your pieces concerns your King. In the opening and middlegame, the center is the worst place for your King. Castling is a great way to safeguard your King - it gets the King away from the center and develops one of your Rooks at the same time. Top level chess strategy!
5) Good chess strategy suggests you don't advance more than one or two pawns in the opening, and definitely not a pawns in front of your castled King
You need to advance a couple of pawns so that your pieces can develop, but be aware that advancing lots of pawns will weaken your defenses. So the best chess opening strategy is to move one or two pawns in the opening (see principle #1), but not more. (There are exceptions to this; you'll learn them later.)
6) Good chess strategy suggests you make when you develop your pieces, try to make moves which threaten something
Here's a simple example. Both players have advanced their e-pawns - now it's White's move:

White decides to develop his Knight, and his move threatens Black's e5-pawn - accomplishing two goals of proper chess strategy at the same time:

That's a very simple example of making a good developing move which also threatens something. Now Black has to make a move which will somehow defend the threatened pawn.
7) Good chess strategy suggests you don't bring your Queen out early
The Queen is your most powerful piece but she can't win a game all by herself. She's also a very enticing target for your opponent early in a game where she can be easily trapped on a crowded chessboard. Generally, chess opening strategy dictates that the Queen is one of the last pieces you'll develop.
As you progress in your chess career, you will learn that there are always exceptions to general strategic principles. But for right now, as you're taking your first steps on the road to chess improvement, these chess strategy tips will help you avoid many catastrophes at the chess board.

Some Opening Principles and Chess Strategies

Quick List of Chess Strategies:
*  Avoid Moving a Chess Piece Twice During the Opening is a good chess strategy.
*  It is Better Chess Strategy to Develop the Knights before Their Respective Bishops.
*  A good chess strategy is to Develop Both Knights before the Queen’s Bishop.
*  A good chess strategy is Do Not Develop your Chess Pieces Exclusively on One Side.
*  A good chess strategy is as a Rule Do Not Play a Piece beyond Your Own Side of the Board in the Opening.
*  A good chess strategy is if You Have Castled Do Not Permit the Opponent to Open a File on Your King.
*  A good chess strategy is to Avoid Pinning the Opponent’s King’s Knight before He has Castled, Especially When You Have Yourself   Castled on the King’s Side.
*  A good chess strategy is to Avoid Making Exchanges which Develop Another Piece for the Opponent.
*  A good chess strategy is to Avoid Exchanging Bishops for Knights Early in the Game.
*  A good chess strategy is to Avoid Premature Attacks.