For the majority of human history, craftsmen and specialists were very secretive about their trades. They would keep their knowledge to themselves and only pass it along to trusted apprentices. The information age has changed the world in many regards, including this one. Today, it’s much easier to find useful advice on any subject imaginable. But certain occupations involve a lot more than a basic understanding of their fundamental principles. For example, millions of people are familiar with the chessboard, its layout, and rules. But how many of them have a chance of reaching a respectable rank? Becoming a successful player requires continuous improvement, which is not as straightforward as newcomers may believe. This article will help them find their way forward and avoid common mistakes. Learn how to practice chess to advance swiftly and steadily by following five simple recommendations.
Road to Enlightenment
The classic game has been popular for centuries, and remains as competitive as ever. Many parents introduce their kids to it early on, giving them a significant advantage. Nevertheless, it’s never too late to get serious about it and start making progress. Follow the advice below to avoid wasting time and getting overwhelmed:
- Watch the greats, but not for entertainment alone. Make a conscious effort to understand their thought process. Instead of tagging along mindlessly, pause the video and try to predict their next move. Continue playback and find out if the prognosis was correct.
- See the big picture. It’s essential to assume control rather than react to the opponent’s maneuvers. To accomplish that, dissect time-proven tactics, patterns, and openings. Figure out how and why they work, and when to apply them. Ideally, there should be a reasoning behind every decision. Form a plan and execute it, or make adjustments if it’s not panning out.
- Solve puzzles. They are fun, stimulating, and challenging. But their greatest benefit is the bite-sized format that eliminates distractions. Focus on a single problem and find a solution using logic and creativity.
- Reflect and refine. Even the most devastating loss can be a valuable learning experience. Don’t be ashamed of blunders and failures. Analyze them, draw appropriate conclusions, and correct the course.
- Play frequently. At a certain point, quantity does transform into quality. Those who expose themselves to a wide variety of scenarios are harder to catch off-guard. Besides, after countless repetitions, confident decision-making becomes second nature.
Both enthusiasts and professional coaches consider the last point on this list especially important. Fortunately, modern technology provides unprecedented opportunities for mutually beneficial communication and personal growth.
How to Practice Chess Online
Several decades ago, aspiring champions had to join schools and clubs of like-minded individuals. These days, there are plenty of outstanding digital alternatives. Web-based platforms are super convenient, robust, and well-thought-out. Even famous title-holders, like Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen don’t shy away from them. They offer comprehensive tools for fast and intuitive match-making. Connect with thousands of other users from different parts of the world. Or explore extensive catalogs of single-player modes and exercises for free.
Achieving mastery is impossible without having a good idea of how to practice chess. Hopefully, this guide has given future strategy experts some food for thought. Give the aforementioned suggestions a shot, and take them on board. Don’t get discouraged, be patient, set realistic goals, and victories will come.