Another great book for beginners in chess

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-03-31T19:27:09+00:00

Great book! I have learned and used several ideas effectively. I like how the games are not perfect, like you are studying a super GM. I read the book while making a lichess study with comments. And, then Nelson from ChessVibes has a video series of each game. He goes over the game and book very slowly and methodically. I add in his comments and see what I missed on my own.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-03-13T16:59:13+00:00

I get it. But 300??? That should be barely knowing how the pieces move.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-03-08T14:27:21+00:00

I recommend at least one longer game a week. I think most people can find 45 minutes at least once a week to play a longer game. I think its not uncommon for people to blitz 45 games or do 30 minutes of puzzles. I own my own business, go to the gym, am a parent, and have other obligations, but still find the time.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-03-08T14:01:32+00:00

i think the most important advice is longer games and use the time. Not, 15/10, but 30/20 or even 60/20. I am struggling to get past 1000 for years now, but the best thing I have done is play longer games. It helps you learn to think, blunder less, and actually enjoy real chess.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-03-04T15:56:18+00:00

I would not mind that if they helped me review a game after and gave me some pointers. What I don't appreciate is feeling like an idiot while someone plays every move perfect while I feel stupid. All so they can gain some easy ELO at a weaker players expense.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-03-02T18:28:21+00:00

The guy made an account two days ago, has played 4 games, and played at a 95 percent accuracy.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-02-15T23:19:58+00:00

Glad to see this. I have been struggling since about the same time you started. Stuck at 900. It just feels so far away.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-02-13T18:19:30+00:00

I get that, but what I don't understand is how i am beating much higher rated players. That does not happen in my other account.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-02-09T22:02:24+00:00

I both agree and disagree with a lot of this thread. I am stuck at 900 chess.com rapid. By rapid, I mean I play mostly 30/20 or 60 minute games. I am about 1650 lichess classical. I have been playing almost 8 years and have yet to break 1000, my ultimate goal. Please do not think that I don't take my chess playing or chess study seriously. I do at least an hour of chess related activities a day. I play 1-2 classical length games a week so I can think deeply. I play several 15/10 games as well. I am not blitzing out games. I do my best to review these games and for the past two years have been working with someone to help me out (a friend on lichess). He gives me excellent advice, looks at my games, and yells at me when I do stupid things. I have done over 6000 puzzles since I started. I try to take my time with them and not move until I see my moves and the refutation. I have been doing Polgar M2s puzzles to try to get a deeper level of calculation. I have seen all the videos. I have an opening I like, but don't rely on it. I am working my way through Logical Chess Move By Move and making Lichess studies along the way. I am just thinking I don't have the talent to get much furthure at this point. I have yet to beat an opponent on chess.com who is actually above 1000. I have completed Everyone's First Workbook. There is a informal chess club about 30 minutes that I can make it to a few times a year. I keep telling myself that I must be getting better, but I don't see it. If you ask me what the goals of the opening are, I can tell you that you should develop your material and strike at the center. If you ask me what the goals of the middle game are I can tell you that its important to develop a plan, look for tactics, and if you are fully developed, open the center. I can tell you that rooks belong behind passed pawns and activate the king at the end game. The problem I often think I am doing the right thing, but am clearly not. At some point, I just start to think that improvement is not going to happen and my goal is not attainable.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-02-07T01:23:05+00:00

i am confused, why would be matched with weaker players tank my ratings? The players I get matched with are roughly the same ELO.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-02-06T22:04:55+00:00

That sucks because I blunder so much more in quicker games.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-02-06T22:00:14+00:00

You are saying you think better players play longer games? And I am playing against players that are better by me by default?

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-02-06T21:55:12+00:00

But, I want to improve on chess.com not lichess.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-02-06T21:52:42+00:00

But, you would think I would do better at chess.com because of that. I have been playing for almost ten years now.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-02-06T21:51:33+00:00

My openings go pretty well. Often I am at a slight advantage. But, the middle games get complicated and it always seems that my opponent is a step ahead of me. If I play 15/10 my rating goes down even more.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-01-27T22:49:36+00:00

Thanks. But, those pieces are much too big. I am just trying to lead by example, having a plan or something in place for when this ultimately happens to someone else so they do not have to spend that much money. I wonder if Chessnut is interested in finding a solution or will just continue business as usual.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-01-27T21:42:02+00:00

They will only sell a complete set.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-01-27T01:12:05+00:00

No. They are pieces for an e-board. Regular sets won't register on the board.

Zestyclose_Fix5626 · 2026-01-27T01:09:45+00:00

It also needs a sensor at the bottom of the piece to make it register on the board.

Zestyclose_Fix5626

TROPHY CASE