- Blind mode tutorial
lichess.org
Donate

Can someone explain the point of learning chess moves to a beginner

#1

Hi, I have played chess off and on, but never actually studied it. I recently took up an interest and started studying openings and such. What I'm trying to understand is, what is the point of learning all these openings and theory? Every time I learn an opening I find that I am banking on the opponent performing the "correct" or "expected" move in reply in order to successfully complete the opening. What I find in reality, is they practically never follow the opening which leads me into "uncharted territory" and I don't know what is the best move. I usually blunder as result and lose. As a complete beginner, should I be learning something other than memorizing openings? Is there some book or online lesson more on the theory?

Thanks!

Hi, I have played chess off and on, but never actually studied it. I recently took up an interest and started studying openings and such. What I'm trying to understand is, what is the point of learning all these openings and theory? Every time I learn an opening I find that I am banking on the opponent performing the "correct" or "expected" move in reply in order to successfully complete the opening. What I find in reality, is they practically never follow the opening which leads me into "uncharted territory" and I don't know what is the best move. I usually blunder as result and lose. As a complete beginner, should I be learning something other than memorizing openings? Is there some book or online lesson more on the theory? Thanks!
#2

get on youtube and search for chess lessons. I like john bartholomew's channel, and he has a series or playlist for beginners. he'll teach things like common chess terms and common chess tactics as well as how to learn chess.

learning openings as you found out isn't the best place to start.

get on youtube and search for chess lessons. I like john bartholomew's channel, and he has a series or playlist for beginners. he'll teach things like common chess terms and common chess tactics as well as how to learn chess. learning openings as you found out isn't the best place to start.
#3

"... I am not a big fan of weaker players memorizing lots of opening lines they will never play. However, it is quite a different issue to spend a small amount of time learning how to play your openings a little better each time they occur. A long journey begins with a single step. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2005)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627023809/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman50.pdf
"... It is especially critical not to continually fall into opening traps – or even lines that result in difficult positions ... By looking at entire games, the aspiring player learns about openings, middlegames, and endgames all at one fell swoop. Playing through annotated games spurs improvement as the reader learns how good players consistently handle common positions and problems. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2007)
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627062646/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman81.pdf

"... I am not a big fan of weaker players memorizing lots of opening lines they will never play. However, it is quite a different issue to spend a small amount of time learning how to play your openings a little better each time they occur. A long journey begins with a single step. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2005) https://web.archive.org/web/20140627023809/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman50.pdf "... It is especially critical not to continually fall into opening traps – or even lines that result in difficult positions ... By looking at entire games, the aspiring player learns about openings, middlegames, and endgames all at one fell swoop. Playing through annotated games spurs improvement as the reader learns how good players consistently handle common positions and problems. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2007) https://web.archive.org/web/20140627062646/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman81.pdf
#4

@victorb17 said in #1:

Hi, I have played chess off and on, but never actually studied it. I recently took up an interest and started studying openings and such. What I'm trying to understand is, what is the point of learning all these openings and theory? Every time I learn an opening I find that I am banking on the opponent performing the "correct" or "expected" move in reply in order to successfully complete the opening. What I find in reality, is they practically never follow the opening which leads me into "uncharted territory" and I don't know what is the best move. I usually blunder as result and lose. As a complete beginner, should I be learning something other than memorizing openings? Is there some book or online lesson more on the theory?

Thanks!

It's so that you learn patterns, not exact lines. At least that has what's helped me get to my level. I'm sure that in some circumstances the position copies an exact opening you've learnt (e.g. opening traps like the englund gambit and the blackburne shilling gambit), but the majority of the time, it just ventures off into a completely unique position. So yes, it's very useful to know openings well because you build good foundations for move patterns, other than that, it simply seems like a waste of time to me to spend loads of time memorising openings.

@victorb17 said in #1: > Hi, I have played chess off and on, but never actually studied it. I recently took up an interest and started studying openings and such. What I'm trying to understand is, what is the point of learning all these openings and theory? Every time I learn an opening I find that I am banking on the opponent performing the "correct" or "expected" move in reply in order to successfully complete the opening. What I find in reality, is they practically never follow the opening which leads me into "uncharted territory" and I don't know what is the best move. I usually blunder as result and lose. As a complete beginner, should I be learning something other than memorizing openings? Is there some book or online lesson more on the theory? > > Thanks! It's so that you learn patterns, not exact lines. At least that has what's helped me get to my level. I'm sure that in some circumstances the position copies an exact opening you've learnt (e.g. opening traps like the englund gambit and the blackburne shilling gambit), but the majority of the time, it just ventures off into a completely unique position. So yes, it's very useful to know openings well because you build good foundations for move patterns, other than that, it simply seems like a waste of time to me to spend loads of time memorising openings.
#6

@victorb17 Beginners and even intermediate players often fall into the opening-memorization trap. You already discovered the disadvantage of this approach: Your opponents play non-book-moves and suddenly you are on your own. By lacking "general chess understanding", you are not able to punish those (typically weaker) non-book-moves.

As already mentioned, Youtube has everything you need for the moment. One example is NM Robert Ramirez' course:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AshEhLcPHqU&list=PLQKBpQZcRycrvUUxLdVmlfMChJS0S5Zw0
But be aware, that making significant progress in our beloved game takes its time and often can't be achieved in a few weeks or months...

Good luck on your lifelong chess journey!

@victorb17 Beginners and even intermediate players often fall into the opening-memorization trap. You already discovered the disadvantage of this approach: Your opponents play non-book-moves and suddenly you are on your own. By lacking "general chess understanding", you are not able to punish those (typically weaker) non-book-moves. As already mentioned, Youtube has everything you need for the moment. One example is NM Robert Ramirez' course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AshEhLcPHqU&list=PLQKBpQZcRycrvUUxLdVmlfMChJS0S5Zw0 But be aware, that making significant progress in our beloved game takes its time and often can't be achieved in a few weeks or months... Good luck on your lifelong chess journey!
#7

@victorb17 said in #1:

As a complete beginner, should I be learning something other than memorizing openings?

Yes, you want to understand what's behind the moves. For example, if the right move in a line is to pin my knight with your bishop, maybe it's because you're trying to prevent me from supporting a pawn break with my knight, or maybe your bishop is gonna end up locked behind pawns and you just want to trade it. So if you don't play the pinning bishop move, I understand that I should play the pawn break, because that's what the best move (the one you didn't play) prevents.

@victorb17 said in #1: > As a complete beginner, should I be learning something other than memorizing openings? Yes, you want to understand what's behind the moves. For example, if the right move in a line is to pin my knight with your bishop, maybe it's because you're trying to prevent me from supporting a pawn break with my knight, or maybe your bishop is gonna end up locked behind pawns and you just want to trade it. So if you don't play the pinning bishop move, I understand that I should play the pawn break, because that's what the best move (the one you didn't play) prevents.
#8

It's not about memorizing the moves but about understanding why the moves are played.

There is an amazing beginner lesson from Benjamin Finegold on Youtube in which he explains every move in the Sicilian and how the different lines developped over time. I think this is the way how to approach learning openings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe8wrjPMDq0

It's not about memorizing the moves but about understanding why the moves are played. There is an amazing beginner lesson from Benjamin Finegold on Youtube in which he explains every move in the Sicilian and how the different lines developped over time. I think this is the way how to approach learning openings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe8wrjPMDq0
#9

It's OK to pick solid proven openings and you should and be familiar with their move orders AND WHY plus the strategies behind their approach.

BUT below 1200 even 1600 your opponents will stray off "theory" early and often and maybe you see they didn't play Bc4 or d4 or Nc3 or push d5 but being inexperienced you may struggle to know how to adjust your play.

THE best thing to constantly practice your 1st year is understanding positioning, PAWN STRUCTURE, and how the pieces work together and outposts and how to use bishops, knights, and rooks and keep your queen on a short leash.

Plus calculation training is a lifelong process. It's what truly separates players beyond memorizing sidelines (which yes eventually becomes very useful once opponents actually play those sidelines 20 + moves) and you will start to see sidelines more often at 1600 then I'm assuming after 2000 even moreso but by then they are clever enough to learn more unique sidelines.

1.Put half your time into calculation checklist and scanning patterns and tactics training. PUZZLES

  1. Put another 25% into endgame training though you might only get legit equal endgames 10% under 1200 bc somebody gets mated or resigns bc of blunders. But strong endgame skills gives you the confidence in crappy positions to trade off to endgame and win there. OR you will be more terrified of position if endgame skills suck. Choose wisely.

  2. Last 25% familiarize yourself with move order and ideas of an extremely limited number of openings you can use.

First year maybe play London with white and Caro Kann and Slav with black. Have something for London. Usually d5,Nf6,c5 are a good start. If you play the London you will better understand how to play against it.

After a year start another white opening (1 not 3) like English or learn Queen's gambit and Indian game lines.
BUT d4/c4 lines there are a ton of responses to learn how to play against. It will be a long process or play English and need less prep.

Also maybe after first 12 to 16months learn another defense one either French for e4 or Petrov or learn Semi Slav extending from your Slav experience. Then after another 6 to 8 months learn a 2nd for the one you didn't do.
So if you went Semi-Slav then go Petrov or French.

A lot of people recommend playing e4 with white for newer players but then you have to learn to stop 10 gambits and 8 defenses which you can limit some.. like playing Scotch or Vienna.

I don't recommend trying to play against:: Lopez responses, plus Italian, plus Petrov, plus 10 Sicilians, then French, Caro Kann, and potentially Alekhine, Nimzowitsch, Pirc/Modern, Philidor, Scandy and aforementioned 2000 gambits in e4.

So in conclusion:: learn London with white, Caro Kann, Slav, and anti London with black, OH and anti English (reverse Closed Sicilian), occasional Nimzo-Larsen and Grob crap. 80% will play e4, Nf3, Bc4 against you bc it's all they know.

BUT put alot of time in understanding positions and using pieces effectively, and developing quicker precise calculation skills is a long process so don't neglect and understand even after 3 years your calculation skills will need improved. It's the biggest Game changer.
AND learn to be great at endgames your first year. Understand tempo and not wasting moves.

It's OK to pick solid proven openings and you should and be familiar with their move orders AND WHY plus the strategies behind their approach. BUT below 1200 even 1600 your opponents will stray off "theory" early and often and maybe you see they didn't play Bc4 or d4 or Nc3 or push d5 but being inexperienced you may struggle to know how to adjust your play. THE best thing to constantly practice your 1st year is understanding positioning, PAWN STRUCTURE, and how the pieces work together and outposts and how to use bishops, knights, and rooks and keep your queen on a short leash. Plus calculation training is a lifelong process. It's what truly separates players beyond memorizing sidelines (which yes eventually becomes very useful once opponents actually play those sidelines 20 + moves) and you will start to see sidelines more often at 1600 then I'm assuming after 2000 even moreso but by then they are clever enough to learn more unique sidelines. 1.Put half your time into calculation checklist and scanning patterns and tactics training. PUZZLES 2. Put another 25% into endgame training though you might only get legit equal endgames 10% under 1200 bc somebody gets mated or resigns bc of blunders. But strong endgame skills gives you the confidence in crappy positions to trade off to endgame and win there. OR you will be more terrified of position if endgame skills suck. Choose wisely. 3. Last 25% familiarize yourself with move order and ideas of an extremely limited number of openings you can use. First year maybe play London with white and Caro Kann and Slav with black. Have something for London. Usually d5,Nf6,c5 are a good start. If you play the London you will better understand how to play against it. After a year start another white opening (1 not 3) like English or learn Queen's gambit and Indian game lines. BUT d4/c4 lines there are a ton of responses to learn how to play against. It will be a long process or play English and need less prep. Also maybe after first 12 to 16months learn another defense one either French for e4 or Petrov or learn Semi Slav extending from your Slav experience. Then after another 6 to 8 months learn a 2nd for the one you didn't do. So if you went Semi-Slav then go Petrov or French. A lot of people recommend playing e4 with white for newer players but then you have to learn to stop 10 gambits and 8 defenses which you can limit some.. like playing Scotch or Vienna. I don't recommend trying to play against:: Lopez responses, plus Italian, plus Petrov, plus 10 Sicilians, then French, Caro Kann, and potentially Alekhine, Nimzowitsch, Pirc/Modern, Philidor, Scandy and aforementioned 2000 gambits in e4. So in conclusion:: learn London with white, Caro Kann, Slav, and anti London with black, OH and anti English (reverse Closed Sicilian), occasional Nimzo-Larsen and Grob crap. 80% will play e4, Nf3, Bc4 against you bc it's all they know. BUT put alot of time in understanding positions and using pieces effectively, and developing quicker precise calculation skills is a long process so don't neglect and understand even after 3 years your calculation skills will need improved. It's the biggest Game changer. AND learn to be great at endgames your first year. Understand tempo and not wasting moves.
#10

Knowing some opening lines (my advice: 1 opening for white and 1 reply to either d4 and e4) has avantages:

  1. You save time.
  2. You enter the middlegame with a decent position.
  3. By analyzing all your games you can steadily improve your opening knowledge with the suggestions of the engine without spending hours of opening drills.
Knowing some opening lines (my advice: 1 opening for white and 1 reply to either d4 and e4) has avantages: 1. You save time. 2. You enter the middlegame with a decent position. 3. By analyzing all your games you can steadily improve your opening knowledge with the suggestions of the engine without spending hours of opening drills.

This topic has been archived and can no longer be replied to.