You must have played many board games but chess isn’t a regular one, it is one of the trickiest out of them. This game is not about just moving your chessmen or defeating your opponent on the battlefield. It is a game of strategy and critical thinking. It is okay if you lose your first chess match. Not everyone is perfect at the beginning. The opening moves in chess are crucial. They prepare the stage for your strategies and form your control of the board.
“Every chess master was once a beginner.” – Irving Chernev
If you are a beginner it is less important to memorize specific moves you have learnt from previous players and more important to understand fundamental principles and create the strategy according to their opponent. If you rely solely on memorizing sequences, you may find yourself wondering what to do next when the game breaks away from established patterns. Instead, aim to grasp why certain moves are effective. This understanding will improve your adaptability and decision-making as the game progresses.
In this guide, we will disclose the 5 best winning chess strategies for beginners that transform you from pawn to pro in no time!
1. Controlling the Center
One of the most primitive principles in chess is controlling the center. This strategy is vital because it allows greater mobility for your pieces and can regulate the pace of the game. The center squares e4, d4, e5, and d5 are strategic areas of concern that, when used correctly, provide your pieces with maximum effectiveness and flexibility.
Here are some reasons why you should be aware of controlling the center tactic;
- When you control the center, you can easily shift your focus to either the kingside or the queenside depending on what the game demands.
- Chessmen placed in the center of the board can reach almost anywhere else, giving them far greater power and influence compared to pieces on the corners
- Holding the central squares allows you to claim more space on the board, giving your chess figures more room to move.
- By controlling the center, you also limit the effectiveness of your opponent's pieces, making it harder for them to develop effective strategies.
How to Implement:
Develop your pieces early to these central squares. Use pawns to gain control and then follow up with knights or bishops to reinforce these positions.
Keep your moves flexible. Early in the game, avoid committing to a specific configuration until you better understand your opponent’s strategy.
2. Play with All Chess Pieces
If you leave the pieces behind they will make you leave in the end. Beginners often make a mistake of playing with only a few pieces and focusing excessively on the queen. A strong strategy involves using all of your chessmen in sync. Each piece has a different role to play, and engaging them collectively can strengthen your position and overpower your opponent.
This Strategy will be helpful if you keep follow the points below;
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Opening is the most impactful part of every game. Your goal in the opening is to bring out each of your pieces quickly and efficiently. Avoid moving the same piece multiple times in the early stages. This easy chess strategy helps you:
- Keep all your pieces active and integrated.
- Prevent wasting moves, which allows your opponent to gain the upper hand.
Before moving a piece again, think about whether it's absolutely necessary. If it's not under threat, consider activating a piece that has not moved yet.
- Think of your Queen like the quarterback in American football - incredibly valuable but also vulnerable. Moving the Queen out in an early stage can make her a target, leading to potential time loss as you'll have to move her again to safety.
Instead, focus on developing your minor pieces like bishops and knights first. Let them create opportunities for your Queen, allowing her to enter the game later when it's safer and she can be more effective.
How to Implement:
Develop minor pieces (knights and bishops) early in the game. This not only contributes to controlling the center but also prepares your rooks and queen for later moves.
Avoid leaving any piece inactive. Always look for opportunities to improve the positioning of less active pieces.
3. Make Sure Your King Safety To The End
The king is undoubtedly the most pivotal piece in chess, and ensuring its safety is foremost. A well-protected king not only stabilizes your position but also shields you from unexpected checkmate threats. It's essential for beginners to understand that castling is a key move for the king’s defense. This move not only moves your king to a safer spot but also brings your rook into play.
By castling early, you strengthen your king's defenses and prepare your rook for potential aggressive actions. On the other hand, if you overlook your king's safety or delay castling, your king remains exposed to potential threats, which could lead to a quick defeat. While it might be tempting to launch attacks early on, smart chess strategy involves keeping a close eye on your king's safety to fend off any attacks from your opponent.
How To Implement:
Aim to castle early, ideally before the 10th move, to ensure your king's safety. Avoid moving the protective pawns in front of your castled king unnecessarily, as they provide vital shelter and reduce exposure to attacks.
4. Improve the Worst-Placed Piece
Once you've moved each of your pieces and find yourself unsure of the next step, it’s time to focus on enhancing your least effective piece.
But how can you identify which piece is underperforming? It might sound odd, that you are a beginner and you can feel if your chessmen is happy or unhappy. Well this depends on the positioning of the chessmen and their effectiveness and vulnerability. If you will position pawns in the place of knights obviously they’ll feel bad. So think before the move before your chess figures betray you.
If you feel stuck during a game, look for a piece that seems constrained or ineffective. Then, simply move it to a position where it can participate more actively in the game. This strategy not only improves the position of that particular piece but can also enhance your overall game strategy.
How To Implement
Regularly analyze your board. Identify which piece is contributing the least and think of ways to increase its effectiveness.
Think strategically before you relocate. Sometimes, moving a poorly placed piece to a more advantageous position can turn the tides in your favor.
5. Simplify When Ahead
Now imagine, you have controlled the center, your king's safety is ensured by rooks and other chessmen are also secure(you are happy reaching towards win and proud of yourself) but the game is not over. You have to be more cautious with active pieces. This involves exchanging pieces, especially when you are materially ahead. The more the number of pieces on the board minimizes, the chances of your opponent planning a comeback weakens.
How to Implement:
Exchange high-value pieces when you are ahead, especially if it leads to a simpler endgame where you can leverage your material advantage.
Focus on safe, solid moves rather than complex combinations that could backfire.
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Conclusion
Remember, chess is more than just a game; it's a battlefield of effective strategies. You can significantly improve your gameplay and confidence on the board, by practicing the above chess strategy. Don’t forget to implement these tactics and reflect on your moves after each game.
As you get used to these beginner chess strategies, consider increasing your knowledge with some of the best chess strategy books available. If you want to learn professional level chess then you should go for Wilhelm Steinitz’s The Modern Chess Instructor or Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess. These books can provide you with insights and advanced strategies that go beyond the fundamentals, helping you to improve your approach and understanding of the game.