Learn Chess from Scratch

1. Memorize the principles of the opening. Every chess player must understand these key ideas before being able to play a decent opening. Even without knowing any theory or specific opening variations, following the principles and guidelines found below will have good results in most amateur games. Read this: The Principles Of The Opening: For Beginners! 2. Apply the principles in practice games. At this point a player should start playing games, always evaluating their play after move 10 and asking themselves whether or not they have followed the principles in the article from Task #1. Games should be played as often as possible. We believe that at least 100 practical games (either e-chess or live chess)—taking the time to make an evaluation as to whether or not you followed the "rules" of the opening after move 10—will be required to reach the 1400 level; however, a player should continue this practice until 1400 is reached, no matter how many games it takes. Experienced chess players tend to play a specific set of prepared openings. Though this list expands as a chess player improves, it isn't necessary to know every opening line at the start. For now, understanding a select few openings (or at least knowing enough to recognize them in your own games) is good enough! Every competitive chess-player will eventually choose an "opening repertoire," but before that, every chess-player should know the following openings by sight. It isn't critical at this time to worry which variations/moves you choose once you follow the links below; simply explore & enjoy reviewing a few games by master players of the past: