If you want to improve at anything the idea is to keep practicing, but it’s also important to learn from your mistakes and take knowledge from your betters. This is how the world’s top chess players have hit the heights, and remain there. Although the skills that a top player uses are often born within them – the ability to strategize, the innate skill of sensing danger in a silent opponent, or the passion that leads to taking risks across the board, every player works constantly on improving their game.
The legendary Kasparov, Anand or Norway’s Carlsen never rest on their laurels, being content with their winnings. No, they constantly strive to improve, and that’s where RetiOpening come in – coaching every player in the evolving art of winning.
There are a number of tricks every player can employ in order to become better at chess.
Play Chess Puzzles
Solving chess puzzles is an excellent way to improve your game. With varied objectives, the usual plan is to find the optimal move or series of moves to reach that goal. Puzzle objectives can be diametrically opposed to a real game of chess, focusing on the tactics used rather than the end goal of beating your opponent.
Chess Books
Whether you are new to the board or an experienced player looking for extra insight, there are several books that should grace your shelves. Putting the emphasis on instructional value and the fundamentals rather than metaphysics, many of the most famous Grandmasters have written books that should grace every player’s shelves.
The late Grandmaster Bobby Fischer’s book, Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess is a must-read. Focusing on tactical play, it appears on many lists of recommended books, often alongside his 60 Memorable Games – perfect for a spot of bedtime studying.
One of the top books on Magnus Carlsen’s shelf is the heavy tome Grandmaster Preparation, by Grandmaster Jacob Aagaard. Arguably one of America’s most experienced players, Bruce Pandolfini has written numerous chess bestsellers, including Play Winning Chess and Weapons of Chess and both of these are recommended reads from Carlsen.
Many famous gods of chess have written books focusing on their end game or opening moves, but it helps to have gained the experience to play the game confidently and commandingly first. Although the opening moves steer the game, gliding through play towards the end, basic strategy is crucial to a successful path, and that’s where an effective coach comes in.
Use a Chess Coach
Using the skills and experience of a coach is a widely recognized method of improving your game of chess. Grandmasters are frequently accompanied by coaches who understand their characters, know how best to utilize their abilities on the board, and also offering emotional support at competitions.
RetiOpening coaches include Grandmasters and International Masters and are ready to help you become the best you can, reaching goals you never considered possible. You could benefit from the specialist experience of IM Max Warmerdam, with a FIDE rating of 2535, GM Jesse Kraai, 2429, or Romanian coach WIM Raluca Sgircea, plus many more.
Correcting your errors and misconceptions whilst pushing you to develop good thinking habits can really accelerate your learning. They are also able to point you in the direction of any additional help you may require, such as extra reading material. By focusing on your game, your coach can easily and quickly demonstrate relevant processes, such as tactical or positional play, or show you the importance of specific positions.
With an effective coach on your side, the only way is up!
