One of the keys to a successful chess game is establishing a good chess opening. Your initial moves greatly impact your play and will more likely determine the result of the match. To help you make your first steps in the chess world as a beginner, here are some study tips for you on how to learn chess openings.
- Understand the principles of chess openings
Before you can play any chess opening, you need to know the key ideas or the working principles. If you understand the guidelines by heart, you will be able to play well as an amateur. This is true even if you don’t master the variations and theories of chess openings.
- Apply the principles during practice games
Memorizing the principles is one thing, but applying them is another. You have to use these principles during practice tests to really understand why they work. Evaluating whether or not you have followed all the rules is necessary for mastery. Evaluations must be done after every move.
- Study a few chess openings
Beginners don’t need to learn every opening line at the start. Just study a few chess openings one at a time. For now, the most important thing is to understand and learn to recognize chess openings by sight, so explore and enjoy reviewing games played by master chess players.
- Join thematic tournaments
If you are mastering one chess opening, watching and reviewing games won’t be enough. You need to be in the frontline, making the moves you memorized. Fortunately, there are thematic tournaments online created for the practice of specific chess openings. You can choose a particular chess opening and play on either side of the board (black or white).
- Learn with a coach
While there are many tutorials and online resources that can help you learn chess, having a coach is still better. Nothing can replace one on one instruction with an experienced and advanced player who can guide you on your journey.
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