en.lichess.org/78Mz9owu#0en.lichess.org/DBPB4idken.lichess.org/pOu3v38cAnyone have any advice ? Im trying really hard to become a better player but I feel lost in the early/mid game. Anything you could tell me on how to improve would be greatly appreciated. I keep getting advice like dont learn openings just learn endgame/tactics which Ive tried to do but Im still lost. Should I pick a solid opening and study it for a bit. What openings would teach me to learn to be a solid/fundamental chess player?
Who you are on these games?
(white)
en.lichess.org/DBPB4idk#45(black)en.lichess.org/pOu3v38c#38 (White)
So sorry I cant believe I forgot to put my color in original post. These are correct now^
First game you missed a mate in 1. Just simple things like that will help you improve. Learning basics of pinning and other concepts will help.
I was where you were, and just playing slow games and, for me at least, doing the training helped me improve. I went from 846 to now low 1500s so if you need help, I will try to help you when I have the time.
If I was you, I would try go and look at maybe 3 new openings I never tried and try to play them and see which one give me the most enjoyment from playing it. Don't ever go with your knee jerk reaction. When you made up you mind about where to move; recheck your decision and ask yourself questions like what can my opponent do to mess up my attacking plan. Are all my pieces developed from their original positions? Is my king castled? What helped my middle game was figuring out which side or middle to attack based on my pawn structure, side with most pieces, and my opponents side with the most pieces. I think most beginners just move a piece because it makes a cool symmetrical pattern on the board. You don't have to try and think 50 moves ahead. Some people say GM's can see 15 moves ahead, well if that was the case then how come no ones ever beaten stockfish without any odds? Try and watch two 1500's play a classical game. And try to pick up on their ideas behind their moves. The main thing is to have fun while playing. If you're not having fun then you're not going to learn. It's okay to lose. I'm guessing I've lost more games than you have even thought about playing. If I liked a technique or move my opponent made to crush me then I would try and remember and use it in my next games. Tactics, Youtube, Playing, Studying. <== Pick one or more of those options that you like to do and you'll improve. Everyone is different and finding your own path to improving will be self rewarding.
I suggest you improve your game in general before actually studying specific openings. That is, tactics, how to spot and exploit your opponent's weaknesses, and how to make plans. That being said, you should be familiar with some opening principles, such as developing your pieces and king safety etc. of which you seem to have some understanding already, although there are some moves I don't agree with, but everyone has their own style.
Overall, my first impression is that you were too passive in the opening. Here are some quick thoughts as I scrolled through your games.
first game:
The only thing you missed in the opening is 2.Nxe5. It seems like you were pushing pawns aimlessly. 10.b4 and 20.f4 left pawns unguarded. You should also look out for when your opponent leaves material unguarded or not sufficiently protected, such as the pawn on f6 which you could have taken with no compensation for black.
second game:
4...Bd6 blocks the d pawn, making it hard to develop your lsb. 6...b5 loses a pawn for no compensation. 15...Bxf4 loses a piece. Try to avoid this kind of blunder.
third game:
2.d3 is playable but blocks the lsb. 13.Nd5, what was the point of this move? After 11.g3, the light squares around your king are really weak, and black has the lsb ready to invade when given a good opportunity. 16.f3, again you are pushing pawns and leaving stuff unprotected.
What I noticed from looking through your games is some kind of miscalculation or rather not calculating at all. Sometimes you miss simple things like the mate in 1 in game 1. There you also moved your queen to a square where it could be taken immediately. SO I think it would be more important to start training this basics. Mate in 1, mate in 2 and some general concepts like pins and so on. Also you should check before you move, if any piece of your opponent is unguarded and especially, if a piece from you can be taken.
For the middlegame it would be optimal to play with a plan, but for that I think there are enough books out there for beginners.
At last I want to point out that it is important to analyse your games. Where have I missed something? What are typical mistakes, especially tactical ones. An engine can easily show you any tactical mistakes.
taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaactiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicssss
omg my eyes :)
but hey we've all been there
what opening? you need to solve tactics
a lot of them
when you master the first steps of calculation we can discuss about other stuff like openings, plans , if the weather is nice etc...