On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 00:42:48 -0700, "FRANK"
wrote:

Greetings all,

I have returned to chess after many years and would like to go beyond just a
casual club player. My question to those who are experienced competitive
players is, what is the best way to study. I have bought a library of chess
books and CD ROM'S. Many of them are on the Openings that I would like to
learn. I feel I have a sufficient amount of Middle Game and Strategy
materials to get me through, and a small, but good source of End Game
materials. The majority of my chess materials however are on Tactics.

I guess my second part of the question is: In what order (or priority)
should I go about learning the game? I keep hearing the maxim, "Tactics,
tactics, tactics." So I chose that to study first and foremost. I am
thinking I should then learn the End Game after brushing up on my Tactics.
I am not sure if that is the "right" order, but it seems natural to me.
From here I am not sure which to study next. Do I continue to go in
"reverse" order and study the Middle Game, or concentrate more on Opening
Theory.

What is the best way to develop Chess Knowledge? Does it matter? Any
recommendations from advanced players would be appreciated.

-Frank



Frank,

Rather than offer specifc recommendations on what to study and in what
order, I suggest that you study what ever you are weakest at. What
this means in practice is:

* First start playing games at classical time control or near it.
The fastest time control you should use here is game in 1 hour. Play
opponents of approximately your strength or if you can find them a
lttle stronger. It would be helpful if you had a rating to be more
easiliy able to judge your comparative strength when playing against
someone unfamiliar.

* If the games are not formal tournament games ask permission of your
opponent to write down your thoughts during the game. [For this write
down what you think your opponents next move will be after your move
and why they will make that move. Make note of any of your opponensts
moves that are surprises. Also write down your rationale for each of
your moves and whether your reasoning turns out to be correct.] If
you cannot write down your thoughts during the game, try to
reconstruct them as much as possible immediately after the game.

* Once you have a few of these games with your thoughts go over them
with a strong player and have that player identify your weaknesses and
perhaps even suggest a plan for strengthening those parts of the game
you are weakest at. [Note: You may have to pay a strong player for
this service. I suggest you try to find a chess coach in your area
or find one who works via internet & phone.]


For players rated below 1600 Elo or so the most likely weaknesses a
1. not fully understanding how to coordinate pieces to accomplish some
tactical or strategic objective.
2. not recognizing all of the basic tactical patterns (fork, skewer,
pin, destruction of the guard, etc.) especially in position that
require recognition of multiple patterns to see that a combination
works.
For this reason manyt people recommend the study of tactics for
players at or below this level who want to improve. Until you get to
at least master level you will continue to derive benefit from
studying tactics, although as you get stronger your tactics will
generally stop being the aspect of your game that is weakest and hence
needs the most work.

BTW: One of the reasons many strong players recommend the study of
endings is that they are often tactical in nature. The main
difference is that in the ending the objectives are different:
* from a losing poistion force your opponent to give stalemate.
* enable the queening of a pawn with subsequent checkmate by king and
queen.


Mike Ogush
USCF 1961