Chess courses for beginners. Online chess training. The heroes of the game are chess pieces

The page presents a selection of chess lessons that will allow you to learn the basics of the game and learn how to start and finish a chess game correctly. The beginning player will learn effective attack techniques to gain an advantage over his opponent and finish the game in his favor.

The first training video talks about the basics of the game, about the main points that allow you to start playing chess. The rules for placing pieces on the board and the rules by which the pieces move are explained. The student who watches the video develops concepts of check and mate. Particular attention is paid to king castling, its rules, types and features.

The story is about, these concepts are explained, the difference between them. The question is raised about combining and calculating possible moves and ways of developing events on the chessboard. The value of game pieces is compared. The second part of the video talks about the most important part tactical game: bunches of figures.

This lesson is about something else tactical technique in the game: enticement. The purpose of enticement is to force the opponent with his piece to occupy a field that is advantageous for you, and not advantageous for himself. The issue of sacrificing a piece with subsequent obtaining a qualitative advantage and inevitable checkmate is considered. The concept of “double check” is explained.

Another method of correct tactics: distracting the enemy figure. The player forces the opponent to move one of his pieces to the square he wants (usually sacrificing his piece in the process), thereby gaining either a significant qualitative advantage or ending the game by attacking the king and checkmate. Attention is paid to the “window” technique for perfect castling.

Studying the most powerful attack tool - a double strike, which completes the intended combination and leads to a quantitative advantage over the opponent. A double strike is a successful combination of the two above-mentioned tactics: distraction and enticement, ending with the creation of a “fork”.

The concept of “check” is examined in depth. The implementation of the “double check” and “open check” is studied, in which the opponent loses a piece or loses the game, forcing the king away from the blow. It tells about the “mill” technique, which includes a sequence of “double checks” when winning a material advantage.

The tactics of an “open attack” are considered, where when attacking an opponent’s piece, it becomes possible to improve the material (quantitative) situation by capturing a more significant opponent’s piece, or by winning the game.

The lesson is devoted to the rules for deploying pieces into an advantageous position at the beginning of the game. The basic rules for playing openings are considered to gain an advantage and capture the central part of the board. The basic principles for a successful start to the game are given: maintaining the tempo, early castling, developing minor pieces and others.

The basics of the endgame are considered - the completion of a chess game with a material advantage of the player over the opponent. It tells you which pieces can checkmate a lone king. The technique of checkmate in the presence of a king and queen is studied.

Continuing to study the endgame - a successful completion of a chess game in the presence of a king and a rook with the opponent’s lone king. The basic principles of the technique of such a checkmate, the correct placement of the figures are considered, and possible errors are pointed out.

Chess is sport game, recognized in 100 countries. The IOC recognized them in 1999 sporting event, and in 2018 made its debut at the winter Olympic Games. Chess is characterized not only by excitement, but also by powerful physical training and the remarkable intelligence of opponents.

Why learn chess games? It promotes training mental abilities and mental skills such as:

• Concentration of attention.
• Solving complex problems.
• Critical thinking.
• Pattern recognition.
• Strategic and tactical planning.
• Spatial imagination.
• Logic and analysis.

The game teaches that there is a consequence after every action. That decisions made based on prediction and reasoning have better results than impulsiveness and thoughtlessness.

Besides learning competitive skills (in chess you learn how to attack and defend at the same time), there are parallels between mathematics, music and chess.

Self-study of chess from scratch

To learn how to play at home on your own, it’s a good idea to start by breaking down the rules into their component parts. When learning moves, it is easier to use only one piece on the board.

The best way learn the game - play. Defeats are invaluable lessons and experiences. You will soon learn that each piece has a certain value.

From personal experience For many players, chess can be easily learned through online applications. There are also a number of online learning resources available. It all depends on which method is preferable: learning on the go or starting from the basics.

Now let's look at online learning options:

• Chess-online (Chess.com). The best free chess app for all types of devices and website to start learning chess, play online with opponents of your level. Excellent analysis of your games using the machine analysis function. This resource provides absolutely everything, from training from scratch to daily training for masters. Their video lessons on opening theory, tactics average game, checkmate strategies, pawn structures, attacking initiative, etc. Provide insight into how to maximize your game. The site will help anyone who is trying to learn the basics and also wants to improve their abilities.
• Youtube channels. It is enough to type in the Youtube search the necessary query for learning from scratch, and the system will offer a huge variety of channels and video clips. Choose the most interesting material and watch with pleasure.
• Special literature. Buy a book that outlines the rules and fundamentals of chess. I won't recommend any as there are so many and most of them are great. Look for one with a lot of pictures and little text. Most educational books “for children” also work for adults.

Description of the figures, how they walk

1. King– the most important of all the figures is the one with the crown and cross.
2. U queen there is also a crown - this is the second tall figure.
3. Elephant- a figure with a pointed hat.
4. LaDue also easy to remember, it looks like a castle tower.
5. Horse very easy to remember.
6. Pawns– it won’t be difficult to remember them, they are the “smallest” and most numerous.

Here are a few rules that are useful to master from the very beginning:

• The king must always be protected; he moves one square in any direction.
• The queen is the most “universal soldier”, moving across the board in all directions.
• Elephants have a large range of movement, but only strictly in a straight line, in perpendicular directions.
• Rook is often underestimated by new players. She moves “crosswise” across the board - diagonally, like the “king” in checkers.
• The horse is good for thoughtful, unexpected attacks, its movement is known to everyone - the Russian letter “G” in all directions.
• Pawns are good at capturing enemy pieces. They are limited in their movements - only one cell forward.

Video lesson

Various playing techniques

Basic playing technique:

• You choose the color of the pieces (white or black, or other contrasting colors), the opponent takes the opposite color.
• You take turns making moves. White pieces go first.
• Goal: The first player to capture the opponent's king wins the game.

Install the board correctly. The game is played on a chessboard consisting of 64 squares - eight rows and eight columns.

The strategy for a beginner is to capture as many important enemy pieces as possible so that it is easier to get to the king. This is done by moving the pieces around the squares where half of the opponent is located. A piece is captured by removing it from the field.

You've probably heard the word "Shah" right? This means that you (or your opponent) have put your king (or your opponent) in a position where it cannot move anywhere without being captured.

Now let's talk about pawns. There are some exceptions to the one move rule: if a pawn has never moved before, it can move two squares the first time it moves. In addition, a pawn cannot capture an opponent who is in front of it. But if there is an enemy piece diagonally in front of her, she can go there to capture it. Another advantage of the pawn: if it reaches the other side of the board, where it cannot move forward, it can be exchanged for any other piece (except the king).

There is another special movement called castling. It concerns the position of the king and rook. This may be confusing to a beginner at first, so you can learn it later once you have mastered the basic rules.

Now use your pieces! In particular, do not allow knights and bishops to linger in their positions, as they are useful early in the game.

Bring your king to a safe area. The king in the center of the board is a vulnerable king.

Manage the center! -- This is an important concept for new students. The 4 central squares are important for control.

Keep in mind that only the horse can jump over the squares. Remember that all pieces can move backwards, with the exception of pawns.

The whole strategy of the game is to force the opponent's king into a trap. It doesn't matter how you do it - you just have to do it once to win!

You can't focus all your attention on the attack, otherwise you might be lulled into a false sense of security and leave room for your opponent to exploit it. There are many ways to strengthen the defense - placing your pieces in active positions (bishops and rooks are especially good). Defend your half carefully and, above all, keep your pieces coordinated. The last thing you want is to lose your queen because you failed to defend it or played hastily.

Poor batch opening usually leads to negative results. Work on moving your center to give way to the bishops and engage the knights. Worry about the queen and rooks later. There is no one universal first move, although some are worth considering over others. There are players who prefer defensive, passive positions, or aggressive, dynamic strategies. In the early stages, focus on defensive, passive play.

Analyze positions for tactics. Grandmasters usually benefit from tactics. Your goal is to outsmart your opponent and find ways to make the most of your pieces. Learn the basics of forks, pins, skewers and other tactical concepts. The Tactical Coach feature on Chess.com is invaluable. Chess relies heavily on finding similar patterns in different positions. Using these ideas will greatly increase your power.

How long will it take to study

To speed up your learning, try the following:

1. Play chess at least 1 hour daily.
2. As you gain more experience, add 30 minutes of tactical puzzles and 30 minutes of live chess a day.

The study itself will take about 1 month, if you pay attention to the game for 30-60 minutes daily. Further progress will not be long in coming, as the game will completely captivate you!

How to teach a child to play chess

In many ways, teaching children is an easier task than teaching adults. In the century accessible internet, children can easily learn to play chess on their own. The tactics above are designed for players of all ages.

Video story

Training in sections

In various circles and sections they teach how to play chess “officially,” that is, with everyone’s explanation chess terms and names of strategies. They provide and show all possible techniques and moves. Self-taught players, as a rule, play intuitively, building their own logical chains. They are not strong in terms, but at the same time they play very high level.

Famous chess players of the world and Russia

• Sisters Polgar, Judit and Susan are Hungarian masters. The youngest of the sisters, Judit (41 years old), is this moment, is the strongest chess player on the planet. Her advantage is that she participates and wins only in men's championships. Judit received the title of male grandmaster at the age of 15, surpassing the achievements of many venerable champions. Her older sister Susan is now developing chess in the USA, she is also an international master.
• Antoaneta Stefanova is a Bulgarian world and European champion in chess and rapid chess, 38 years old. In 2002 she became an international grandmaster.
• Xie Jun is a Chinese chess player, honored coach and world champion (47 years old). She became a champion at the age of 10 and started playing at the age of 6.
• Alexandra Kosteniuk is the champion of Europe and Russia. Her motto: “Chess is great” and “Beauty and intelligence are inseparable.” Guided by him, she promotes chess, being a model and “chess ambassador”, trying to spark interest in this game throughout the world.
• Anatoly Karpov (66 years old) and Garry Kasparov (54 years old) are the most famous grandmasters in Russia. Currently, they are actively involved in political activities. In the past - multiple champions of the world, Europe and Russia.
• Khalifman Alexander (52 years old) is a three-time winner of the World Chess Olympiad. Now he trains the younger generation and is the author of books on chess strategy.
• Magnus Carlsen (27 years old) is the current absolute world champion from Norway, one of the youngest grandmasters on the planet.
• Anand Viswanathan (47 years old) is the current Indian strongest world champion in rapid chess. Anand plays very quickly, spending minimal time thinking about moves, even when competing with the strongest chess players in the world.

How to become a chess professional

Have you already learned all the rules of chess and are on the path to improvement? Here's what you need to do next:

• Learn algebraic notation. This system is used by chess players to record games or the positions of pieces on the board in order to read and recreate any game later.
• Study the value of the pieces. Not all chessmen equally strong in the party. Learn to determine their value and importance in a particular game, then you will understand whether it is worth sacrificing.
• Watch and analyze the games of grandmasters, past and present. Watch a professional game between masters.
• Start by studying the games of antiquity from the 1600s to the early 1900s, they are easier to understand. Some examples of masters of that era: Adolf Andersen, Paul Morphy, Wilhelm Steinitz, Johannes Zuckerert, Emanuel Lasker, Jose Raul Capablanca, Alexander Alekhine.
• Solve puzzles that will help you recognize and identify tactical opportunities and your weaknesses.
• Learn to use chess engine And artificial intelligence for analysis. Today, the most useful tool for gamers is computers. For Windows and Linux, a popular GUI is Arena. With its help, you can watch games in PGN format, which can be downloaded from various sites. Record your games for later analysis. Do the same when watching a live game and understand the positions yourself.
• Follow the professional chess world. Know the current champions and world champions, seasoned and young players. Follow world tournaments.

Video tips

Join your local chess club. Playing head to head and being part of the chess community is the way to become a professional. Fight against opponents of your level and those who are stronger. Analyze each game, remember the key moves in winning and losing games.

And a few more tips:

• Solve more chess puzzles.
• Use your horses effectively and often.
• Read books on chess, biographies of famous masters.
• Learn from failures.
• Analyze the moves.
• Think about your opponent's play.

From now on, start playing: losing and repeating again and again. Always challenge yourself. The training may take a couple of years, but the satisfaction you will receive will be worth the effort.

Never lose hope and don't give up if you lose! Failure is a stepping stone on the path to success!

Chess is an incredibly interesting and addictive game that requires skill and strategic thinking. It has been popular among intellectuals and scientists for centuries. However, you don't need to be a genius to play chess: even children can play and often beat adults. Read this article and learn how to play chess - one of the best board games.

Steps

Part 1

Understanding the game, board and pieces

Learn the types of pieces and how each one moves. Each piece moves around the board in its own way. Listed below are the names of the pieces and how each one moves (not counting a couple of exceptions, which we'll get to later).

• Pawn: the most basic piece in the game (there are 8 of them for each player). On her first move she can move forward one or two squares, but after that she can only move forward one square at a time. Pawns can capture pieces that are in front of them on an adjacent square diagonally. The pawn cannot move backwards and is the only piece that moves and attacks differently.
• Rook looks like a fortress tower. She moves horizontally and vertically to any number of cells. In this case, the rook can capture enemy pieces at the end of its move.
• Horse looks true to its name and is the trickiest figure. He moves in the letter "L" two squares horizontally and then one vertically, or one square horizontally and two vertically in any direction. The knight is the only piece that can “jump” over other pieces, both its own and those of others. He can only capture those enemy pieces that are on the last square of his turn.
• Elephant moves only diagonally and can move any number of cells. At the end of the move, he can capture the opponent's pieces.
• Queen: the strongest figure (usually with a more feminine crown than the king). Can move any number of squares horizontally, vertically or diagonally and capture enemy pieces in any of these directions.
• King can move or capture pieces one square away from itself in any direction. This piece cannot be given away at any price, as this will mean losing the game. The king cannot be put in check. If as a result of the opponent's move the king is in check, it must be immediately withdrawn or covered. If one of the players checkmates the king, he wins the game.
• Remember that each piece has a relative value.
  • The king is the most valuable and must be protected.
  • The queen is the most versatile piece, which is great for attacks and double strikes. The queen combines the strength of the bishop and rook. He is considered the most valuable figure after the king.
  • Horses are great for sudden attacks and forks. Their unusual walking style often comes as a surprise to newcomers.
  • Bishops show their strength perfectly in open positions. Beginners often underestimate elephants and do not use all their capabilities.
  • Rooks are strong long-range pieces. They show their full strength on open verticals.
  • Pawns may seem insignificant, but they are great for sacrificing to capture a stronger piece. Sometimes a pawn can checkmate the king himself!

EXPERT ADVICE

Vitaly Neymer is an international chess master and certified professional chess coach with over 25 years of experience as a player. He has more than 15 years of coaching experience and has trained over 3,500 students.

International Chess Master

Decide for what purpose you want to learn to play. Perhaps you want to join a club, or perhaps become a master. How long you have to study depends on your goals. If you want to become a master or world champion, you need to find a coach to guide you. There are also books, YouTube channels, and you can even watch games on Twitch.

1. Find out what a check is. If the king is attacked by one of the opponent's pieces, then he is said to be in check. If the king is put in check, he MUST immediately move out of check. This can be done in one of three ways:

   • to be the king in a square where no one attacks him, that is, where he is not in check;
   • capture the piece that declared check;
   • protect yourself from check with one of your pieces - this method is not suitable if check is declared by a pawn or knight;
   • if the king cannot escape check with his next move, then he is checkmated - in this case, the game ends and the one who checkmated wins.

2. Understand the Basic Principle chess game. In chess, you try to checkmate your opponent's king, and he checkmates yours. This is the main goal, and the second most important is obviously to protect your king from checkmate. To do this, you need to destroy as many of your opponent's pieces as possible and at the same time try to save your own pieces.

   • Chess - intellectual strategy game. There are many moves and rules that beginners will not be able to immediately anticipate and understand. Be patient! The fun begins with practice.

3. Arrange the figures. Now that you know how each piece moves, you can arrange them on the chessboard. Place it so that each player has a white square at the bottom right. Below is how to arrange the pieces.

   • Place all the pawns on the second row in front of you so that you are separated from your opponent by a wall of pawns.
   • Place each rook in a corner on your side of the board.
   • Place a knight next to each rook and a bishop next to each knight.
   • Place the queen on the left square of the remaining two according to its color (the black queen should be on the black square, the white queen on the white one).
   • Finally, place the king on the last remaining square. Make sure your partner has the same arrangement of pieces. Queens and kings must stand opposite each other.

4. If you're serious, learn chess notation. Each field on the board corresponds to a letter and a number. If someone says "knight on c3", c3 means a specific square on the board. It makes recording easier chess games. Chess notation described in this article.

   Part 2

   Game process

   1. White goes first. They choose the piece they want to resemble and begin playing the opening. White makes the first move, and Black responds. The opening is one of the most important stages of the game. There is no one right way to play it, as everyone has their own style. Find your style too. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.

      • Don't rush to attack immediately. In the opening you are simply looking for the most comfortable positions for your pieces. They should be placed in advantageous and safe positions.
      • As a rule, at the very beginning of the game you should not make more than two moves with pawns. Next, pay attention to the stronger pieces - bishops, knights, queen and rook. “Develop” the figures until they occupy advantageous positions(for example, in the center of the board).
      • Much in the opening depends on the opponent's moves - you need to carefully look at his play. Watch your opponent's moves and try to understand what he wants. In chess, more than in any other game, it is important to be able to unravel your opponent’s plans.

   2. Remember the rule of capturing on the pass. Many beginners forget about this rule. However, if you want to become a better chess player, remember this rule:

      • As you remember, with your first move your pawn can move two squares forward. Let's assume that you do this, and your pawn ends up next to (that is, on the same rank) with your opponent's pawn. Your opponent's next and only next move can take your pawn on the way. Usually the pawn only attacks diagonally, and in this situation it can capture the enemy pawn on the pass and advance one square diagonally, as usual.
      • Again, this can only happen immediately after the pawn has moved two squares on its first move. After a turn, this opportunity is lost. Only pawns can attack on the pass. Other figures can not capture a pawn on the pass.

   3. Take turns. And let there be a game! Alternate moves with your opponent, try to get to the enemy king and eliminate the pieces standing in your way. Try to attack your opponent's queen and king first, although there are many other opportunities to win.

      • It may seem that the pawns are simply getting in the way, but do not rush to sacrifice them. If one of them passes to the opposite edge of the board, it turns into any other piece (except the king)! Usually a queen is placed, but a pawn can also be promoted to something else, such as a knight, rook or bishop. If you manage to move the pawn to the last rank, it will greatly affect the course of the game.

   4. Always think several moves ahead. If you put your knight here, what will happen? Won't you expose him to the attack of your opponent's pieces? Do you have time to attack, or does your king (or queen) need to be defended? How can you attack your opponent? Where will the game go in the next few turns? What position might emerge in a few moves?

      • This is not a game where you can mindlessly rearrange the pieces - they all influence each other in one way or another. Carelessness can lead to the fact that your own pawn will stand in the way of your bishop, the king will be protected only by the knight, and the opponent’s rook will unexpectedly attack your queen. Therefore, plan your moves and, if possible, predict your opponent's moves. To win, you will have to show all your skills!
      • Always take countermeasures whenever possible. You can substitute a pawn for your opponent's bishop if you take it with your knight on your next move. Sometimes well-planned sacrifices must be made.

   5. Learn to castle. In addition to capturing a pawn on the aisle, there is one more special move. This is castling involving a king and a rook. Castling is the only case where two pieces move at the same time. When castling, the king and rook change places - this allows you to cover the king and remove the rook, killing two birds with one stone. As a result, the king finds himself in safe hiding.

      • The following conditions are required for castling:
        • the king and rook participating in castling have not yet moved;
        • the king is not in check;
        • there are no other pieces between the king and the rook;
        • When castling, the king does not pass through squares that are under attack from enemy pieces.
      • In one movement, the king and rook move simultaneously. First you need to move the king two squares towards the rook, and then place the rook on the square behind the king. When castling to the right, the king moves two squares to the right, and the rook moves two squares to the left. When castling to the left, the king moves two squares to the left, and the rook moves three to the right.

   6. Checkmate your opponent's king and win the game. You should put a check on the opponent's king, from which he cannot escape. You can declare “checkmate!”, although this is not necessary. In this case, the opponent places his king on the board, which signals his defeat.

      • Sometimes a stalemate results, in which case the game ends in a draw. In a stalemate, the player whose turn it is to move does not have the opportunity to move anywhere with the king or other pieces, and at the same time his king is not in check.
      • There are several other situations in which the game can end in a draw.
        • By agreement of both players. If both players believe they cannot win, they can settle for a draw.
        • As a result of repetition of moves. If same the position will be repeated on the board three times, the game ends in a draw. For example, if both players of a player repeatedly move their knights to the same squares, a draw is recorded.
        • According to the 50 moves rule. If no player can move a pawn or capture an opponent's piece within 50 moves, the game ends in a draw. This prevents the game from continuing endlessly and the possibility of overwhelming the enemy.
        • In case of insufficient material. If both opponents do not have enough pieces to checkmate, the game ends in a draw. For example, a king and a knight cannot checkmate a lone king.
        • If there are only kings left on the board. This is a special case of insufficient material, since it is impossible to checkmate with just the king. In this case, the game ends in a draw.

   Part 3

   Game strategy

   1. Use all the shapes. For example, do not move too long with one knight just because it can be checked. Use your entire army! One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is that they only use some of their pieces. At the same time, the remaining pieces lag behind in development and become easy prey for the opponent. Liven up the game and keep your opponent on guard.

      • In the opening, move a few pawns forward one or two squares, and then start moving other pieces. This will allow you to bring more pieces from the first rank, they will easily enter the game and enhance your attacking potential.

   2. Control the center. Since pieces can move in different directions from there, control of the center is more important than the flanks. When you dominate the center, your pieces have more mobility than at the edges and corners of the board. For example, if a knight is standing in a corner, he can only do two different moves, while in the center the number of moves increases to eight! Try to gain control of the center of the board as quickly as possible.

      • This is why many people start the game by moving the central pawns. Just be careful not to expose your king to a checkmate from a well-placed bishop or queen!

   3. Don't give away your pieces for no reason. Although it's pretty obvious, many players (even grandmasters!) sometimes lose their pieces. If you have to give up a piece, try to exchange it for something. Never give away pieces thoughtlessly - they are all valuable, from pawn to queen. The significance of each figure can be roughly assessed in points. The more valuable the figure, the more points it is worth:

      • pawn - 1 point;
      • horse - 3 points;
      • elephant - 3 points;
      • rook - 5 points;
      • queen - 9 points;
      • the king is priceless, since losing it means losing the game.

   4. Protect your king. This should be given special attention. Even if you don't do anything else and don't really like to attack, then just obliged protect your king. Hide him in a corner by castling, cover him with several pawns, and provide escape routes in case your opponent checks. After that, attack yourself so that your opponent begins to think about running away rather than attacking, and the sooner the better.

      • At the beginning and middle of the game, the king on his own can do little. At these stages of the game, the king almost always needs protection from checks in the form of several pieces. However, at the end of the game, when there are few pieces and few pawns left on the board, the king turns into a full-fledged combat unit and should be brought to the center of the board.
   • Watch your opponent's moves carefully. They will affect your moves, but not the plan you want to implement.
   • Learn from mistakes. As a beginner, you are simply doomed to make mistakes. Even grandmasters “yawn” and lose.
   • You can consider that you have fully developed your pieces when your king has castled, your bishops and knights have been removed from their starting positions, and the space between the rooks is clear.
   • Try to keep a large number of pieces in the center of the board. The more pawns you leave behind, the better they will cover your king.
   • Don't be discouraged by frequent losses. To learn how to play chess properly, you need certain time- many masters needed more than 10 years for this!
   • Learn a few chess traps so that you can use them yourself and not fall for your opponent’s tricks.
   • Walk deliberately. Unlike other pieces, pawns cannot return to the square from which they left. They are quite clumsy, and the location of the pawns largely determines the course of the chess game.
   • Don't try to give a quick checkmate. If you focus all your efforts on trying to get a quick checkmate, your opponent may punish you for it.
   • Nobody knows the recipe for winning 100%. There is no method in chess that allows you to win a game with certainty.
   • It is best to place the pieces on the four central cells, since here their mobility is maximum. This way you will increase the number of your possible moves and reduce your opponent's choice.
   • Sometimes castling is dangerous and can lead to a loss. In other cases, castling can even checkmate your opponent's king! Make your decision based on your specific position on the board.

   Warnings

   • Rapid chess is not for beginners. They are complex, encourage competition and create self-doubt among beginners.
   • Chess pieces can be dangerous for small children - they can swallow them.

Learning to play chess means learning to think strategically. Agree, a useful skill not only for a commander, but also for a modern manager or businessman: a person who works in multitasking mode, makes decisions independently and plans his activities. Military principles also apply in peacetime.

It is not without reason that among popular books about business is often listed “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu, an ancient Chinese treatise that introduces the reader to the basics of military strategy. Strategic thinking is something without which business success is impossible. Chess teaches strategic thinking.

Learn the basics

By the basics we mean the general rules of the game: what is the goal of the game, how the pieces move, how a capture occurs, how check differs from checkmate, etc.

Of course, in order to learn how to play, it is not enough to learn the rules. If you know how this or that piece moves, how short or long castling is done, this does not mean that you are a worthy opponent. After all, all this is just a means to achieve a goal. If a businessman knows how to transfer money from account to account, sign contracts and arrange meetings, does this alone make him a good businessman? The responsibilities of a manager and a performer should not be confused. You are at the chessboard - first of all, a leader, the one who solves the assigned problems.

However, learning the basics is necessary, especially for a beginner. Please carefully read the rules of this ancient game, learn the terminology. This advice applies not only to chess, but to any business in general: it is important to know the “legal field” in which you have to work. Knowing the means opens up prospects of opportunity.

Solve chess problems

Fortunately, today there are a great many of them on the Internet. In the age of high technology, even your computer can generate such problems. But give preference to original tasks developed by living people. They are made with soul and contain their own interesting twist. Start with what is simpler: one-move and two-move problems. For example, “checkmate in one move”, “draw in two moves”. Don't be fooled by the apparent simplicity. Sometimes they are not so easy to solve, especially for a beginner. Later you can move on to really difficult three- and four-move problems. It is important to train yourself to look for a solution in everything and accept every situation played out on the board as a task.

Strategy is more important than tactics

It is quite easy to distinguish a person who has just started playing chess from an experienced player. A beginner does not think globally, habitually solving problems “here and now.” He is not yet able to build a unified strategy of action, preferring to rush between solutions to situational (i.e. tactical problems) that are not connected to each other by a single goal. A beginner does not know how to sacrifice pieces, organize traps and diversionary maneuvers.

Once the basics have been mastered, move on to studying the principles of the chess stages: opening, middlegame, endgame.

So, in the initial stage, it is important to ensure the development of the pieces: all the forces you have must be brought into play, which in the future would allow you to make the most of their potential. It is also important to gain control of the center, something that is so often overlooked by new players. The one who controls the center controls the game, which means he dictates his own rules. Do not forget about ensuring the protection of the king, as well as creating positions unfavorable for the enemy. You can learn about all this from the so-called “debut books”, practical articles and guides - there are a great many of them on the Internet. Pay attention to the book authored by G.M. Lisitsin’s “Debut Repertoire of a Chess Player”, as well as manuals created by the great grandmaster of the 20th century Anatoly Karpov, but you shouldn’t limit yourself to just one thing. Study, compare, use.

Play regularly

Make it a rule to play at least one game a day. Without regular training there will be no experience, without experience there will be no mastery. Who you play with is also important. Try to invite worthy opponents to the game; you don’t need to increase your own self-esteem at the expense of weak players. Chess should become your habit: a good end to your working day, or, on the contrary, the beginning of it. Fortunately, the development of chess programs contributes to the convenience of modern players: it is not necessary to carry a chessboard with you everywhere, and your opponent can always be found online.

The computer is the most worthy opponent for a beginner

Because it teaches you how to solve long-term problems. The car is good tactician, capable of calculating each subsequent move until checkmate. Chess program does not suffer from inattention, does not act to the detriment of its interests. Outplaying her in situational battles is very
almost impossible. Therefore, in order to win a computer, you need to learn how to build truly insidious long-term traps and implement them so quietly that even the depth of analysis of the machine would not be enough to reveal your plans.

The main task of the machine is to gain an advantage on the board, primarily tactical. Therefore, when playing with a machine, you will learn to create the illusion of your opponent’s superiority. Your attacks will become truly unexpected, and therefore devastating for your opponent’s plans.

In addition, such programs are based on openings and endgames, and this is another opportunity to learn how to strategically outplay the enemy’s standard plans.

Analyze chess games of great grandmasters

Analyze every move written in the text. Why did the player walk like this? How else could he have acted? Is this move part of the scenario of the defense being played, familiar to you, for example, from a book of openings? Or, on the contrary, does the move seem unexpected, if not eccentric?

Analysis of games will allow you to develop a critical attitude towards the game. You will learn to objectively evaluate certain situations and explain to yourself not only your own actions, but also the actions of your opponent.

Unfortunately, today you can no longer find as many books on the analysis of chess games as before. Those books that still appear on the shelves suffer seriously in terms of quality. Often chess codes are written in them with annoying typos. Sometimes there are so many of them that it is almost impossible to restore the party. Therefore, it is better to completely abandon modern printed publications. They are simply not worth the money they are sold for. On the Internet you will find all this absolutely free.

If you are offered to play chess, never say: “I can’t.” Say: “I can, but I don’t want to.”

Vladimir Vysotsky, “A Story about the Game of Chess”

My desire to learn to play chess appeared precisely after such a situation. True, I was able to say “I can,” but I couldn’t continue “but I don’t want to.” I had to play. Several stunning defeats after short games made it clear: knowing the rules of the game is not enough to win. There was something else that only chess players knew about. Something that helped them see the board from a different angle, as if looking into the future and commenting with disappointment: “Well, what have you done!” I wanted to know this secret, and I decided to understand...

How an adult can learn to play chess

First we needed to find out whether it was possible to learn to play chess on our own: using the Internet, mobile applications or a tutorial. A thorough survey of those who already know how to play showed: you can try to learn to play yourself, but it is better to do it with a friend or teacher.

However, the first steps can and should be taken alone. Desirable:

• find or buy a board;
• get to know the figures;
• learn the rules of the game.

This will take you no more than an hour. Use YouTube videos, there are many videos on this topic. If there is a desire, excuses are unnecessary. Even a child (from four years old) can start playing.

After you understand this stage, you should look for a teacher. Why can't you learn to play on your own? The answer is very simple. You can try to do it yourself, and you will even start to succeed. It's just a matter of learning speed. What you figure out in a few days, the teacher will explain in an hour. Moreover, an experienced player or teacher will help you see on the board what you simply won’t notice due to lack of experience.

How to find a teacher

Enroll in a chess school or club

The only problem you may have is the age limit. But it can also be solved.

When I tried to enroll in the nearest chess schools, I was refused due to the fact that they only accept children. But instead they offered to come and try to negotiate with the teacher about private lessons.

Even if there is only one in your city chess school, go there and try to find yourself a coach.

There are also chess clubs. Most often, they are played by older people, united by a great desire and passion for the game. This is a great choice for those who love chess, but not always a good option for a beginner.

Find a chess friend

When I tried to do this, it turned out that the chess players belong to some kind of “Fight Club”. Simple post in in social networks showed: more than half of my friends have played or are playing chess. They just don't tell anyone about it. Try asking your friends too. I'm sure you'll be surprised.

As for my personal experience, among my acquaintances and friends I found one who turned out to be a candidate master of sports in chess. We quickly agreed on lessons, and I got a little closer to my goal.

Hire a teacher

Without contacting organizations, schools, clubs and clubs, you can simply find a teacher for private lessons. Try to meet him in person before you agree on the first lesson to make sure that you can study with this person and will not be afraid to ask him several times about unclear points. If you feel discomfort, embarrassment, awkwardness, try to find another teacher.

“Anyone who plays better than you can already teach. But the teacher should not be a bore. And it’s not worth spending money on super-professionals right away,” advises Vladimir Khlepitko.

Peter Miller/Flickr.com

What to read

While your coach will tell you what the opening, middlegame and endgame are, teach the theory and practice of chess, and simultaneously demonstrate the art of composition, you can already begin to help yourself move even faster. For example, with the help of books. Literature by itself will not teach you how to play, but it will become a powerful aid in this difficult task.

1. For beginners, self-instruction books and collections of problems are suitable. For example, “Collection of Chess Combinations” by S. D. Ivashchenko, “Textbook of the Chess Game” by H. R. Capablanca and “Journey to the Chess Kingdom” by Yu. Averbakh. Feel free to open books for children or those marked “For those just starting to play.” After all, it is in them that the complex chess system is explained very clearly and clearly.

2. Once you've got the introduction down and you've had a few productive lessons with your teacher, move on to the strategy and tactics books. Understand each stage of the game of chess, fortunately a lot has been written about them. Knowing which book to choose can be difficult, so be sure to ask your coach for advice. You can pay attention to these works:

• “My system”, A. I. Nimzovich;
• “Strategic techniques in chess”, A. I. Terekhin;
• “In the wake of debut disasters”, Ya. I. Neishtadt;
• “Transition to the endgame”, Y. Razuvaev, G. Nesis.

3. Look for inspiration. Read not only chess textbooks, but also books related to this great game. For example, Vladimir Khlepitko says that he likes Garry Kasparov’s book “Chess as a Model of Life.”

Watch films about chess and chess players, for example:

• “Bobby Fischer against the World” is about the biography of the American champion and his legendary match with Boris Spassky.
• “The Luzhin Defense” is a film in which you don’t need to look at the chess boards in search of interesting combinations, but you can immerse yourself in its unique atmosphere.
• “Chess Fever” is a black and white Soviet comedy, of course, almost nothing about chess. But Capablanca himself appears in the frame!

What else?

Of course, you shouldn’t ignore online help. As long as you practice in reality, all other ways to make your lessons more effective are also valid.

iChess.net- a channel that makes chess understandable, adds excitement and inspires new achievements.

« ShahMatChannel" is a channel that specializes in holding video tournaments between bloggers and everyone, after which it analyzes in detail the mistakes and successes of players.

I will say this: if you really want it, you will definitely succeed. For me, trying to learn to play chess was a real challenge. The game is, to put it mildly, not easy. But beautiful. Therefore, if you really like chess and are willing to devote a little time to it every day or at least every week, everything will definitely work out.

Success will come from desire and love for the game, and there are many ways to achieve success, the main thing is to keep moving the pieces!

Vladimir Khlepitko, director chess club Wisdom