FAQ
New Chess Players

1. How do I improve my chess skill?

The best practice is by playing more, especially against stronger (but not too much stronger) opponents and trying to learn from your mistakes. If possible, record the moves of your games so you can study later and find stronger moves. You may hear different “best methods” such as to study openings or endings. In general, solving tactics (positions/problems) will help you build intuition and pattern recognition. For beginners it is advisable to focus short term and avoid “one move blunders.” Most important is to ensure that you are studying a phase of the game that you enjoy.

2, What online sites can I use to play more chess?

There are many websites available to help you play more and improve. The more popular sites are:

• www.lichess.org is free for playing and studying.

• www.chess.com is free for basic playing but charges for additional features.

• www.chess24.com is free for basic playing but charges for additional features.

• Youtube has a large number of videos on chess and some feature very strong players.

• Chess streaming is viewable on Twitch as well.

3. Am I too old to learn chess?

You are never too old to learn and play chess! Chess is a great game to keep the mind active and build beneficial skills.

4. What are some tips for how I can become a better chess player?

Remember, chess looks easy but is very difficult to become a strong player. Don’t be discouraged at losing. View it as an opportunity to gain experience and learn from your mistakes.

5. I or my child are making steady improvement, how far can we go in chess?

To become a top player (say top 10%) takes a huge dedication of time and money in most cases. The best players in the world typically learn chess before 10 years of age and often dedicate their childhood to improving. Kolty has seen young players develop into the highest levels of chess. However, this improvement requires much of their own dedication outside of the club. Also, it is quite common for players improve until they reach a strength plateau. The more you progress the improvement becomes more difficult.

There is also a huge amount of information online regarding study plans, methods, programs to help you improve, coaches, etc… If you prefer paper versions, you can check out your local library.

4/29/23 Rev. 3