Current Events > I think I might be the worst chess player that knows the basics.

(+) Yeah! (+)

My ranking on chess.com is not pretty. Every time I think I have to be at the point where I'm going to climb back up because my opponents can't be any better than me, I'm proven wrong.
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From what I remember as a kid, playing family members and friends, chess really is a game where you just have to get beaten hundreds of times to really start getting good. As long as you analyze key mistakes you made, you improve for next time.

I'm better at chess than everyone I know personally, but if I play some rando online I get fucked 90% of the time. >_>
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My first time playing chess I beat a local champion, never played again. Boring game
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I'll play you. Get on.
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There's a few basic tricks to beating people at your skill level.

Basically, consider your opening moves and what they are going to do both now and in the near future. Control the middle of the board and you have a good position.

Knowing when to trade pieces is important. Sacrificing your knight for a bit that's pinned you down all game on your turn to that after they take it you're the one in control of the board again can be game changing in lower skill levels. Follow it up with taking a pawn to regain some lost board control and you'll be up a point in the process and now they're playing catch up.

And don't underestimate castling, it's a really powerful tactic and can be used mid game in all levels of play.
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What's the worst first turn move you can make that lets the other play you know very little about chess?

Anisoptera posted...

What's the worst first turn move you can make that lets the other play you know very little about chess?

Based on my experience... probably moving a knight instead of some of your middle pawns. Instead of giving yourself room to get some material out towards the middle, you can actually outright block such opportunities.
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Anisoptera posted...

What's the worst first turn move you can make that lets the other play you know very little about chess?

From these videos I'm watching, F3/F6. :P

I'm going to assume moves that don't allow you to move your bishops.

Eevee-Trainer posted...

I'm better at chess than everyone I know personally, but if I play some rando online I get fucked 90% of the time. >_>

I can beat up little kids.
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Anisoptera posted...

What's the worst first turn move you can make that lets the other play you know very little about chess?

F3 followed by H4 based on the database I just scoured and by scoured I mean there's no professional play instances of the latter and the former has massive weaknesses and no benefit to white whereas C3 does have at least a slight potential
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Im pretty terrible
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My grandpa was a raging alcoholic who barely knew how to read

Nobody in my family could beat him at chess - he'd be half in the bag and still wreck my cousin who played chess in tournaments and always did very well...
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That sounds like a challenge! Let's play a game, and loser gets the title and bragging rights.