Chess Tips All Beginners Should Know

Whether you are just learning how to play or have been playing for years, there are several important tips all chess players should know and incorporate into their play. Here are some very easy tips to learn and follow as you play.

Opening Tips

The Opening generally refers to the first 10-12 moves of the game, where both sides prepare their position for action.

Key goals: Develop your pieces effectively, usually pawns, then knights, then bishops. Control the center of the board. Keep your king safe and connect your rooks.

What to do:

1. Focus your attention on the center (control the center).

2. Move your pieces towards the action (development).

3. Make the castling move.

What to avoid:

1. Don’t make too many pawn moves; rather, develop pieces.

2. Don’t bring out your queen early.

3. Avoid moving the pawns in front of your castled king.

Opening game, minor pieces are developed. What's next is to make the castling move. In this instance, each side can only castle kingside.

Middle-game Stage

The Middle-game generally starts when the pieces are developed, the king has castled and the rooks are connected.

What to do:

1. Make useful threats where possible.

2. Move your less active pieces to more active squares.

3. Chase enemy pieces from your territory, or exchange them.

What to avoid:

1. Don’t exchange your active pieces for your opponent’s passive pieces.

2. Don’t move your pawns unless you have a good reason to do so.

3. Avoid making pointless moves.

All pieces are developed and active. Rooks were connected, then black made a move Rd2 and now has infiltrated white's territory.

Endgame Stage

As a rule of thumb, the Middlegame becomes the endgame when few pieces remain, and it’s safe for the kings to join the action.

What to do:

1. Bring your king to the action.

2. Focus your attention on creating a protected passed pawn.

3. If possible, cut your opponent’s king from the action.

What to avoid:

1. Don’t rush. The Endgame is more dangerous than it seems!

2. Don’t allow your opponent to create a dangerous passed pawn.

3. Don’t advance your pawns if you can’t support them.

The endgame is often when pawns and the king can rule the board. Notice how few power pieces remain for both sides. Pawns are said to become the most powerful and important pieces in the endgame. The pawn's ultimate goal is to be promoted to a queen.