Improving Your Chess

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dim_A_Tuncad]Dim A Tuncad
I'll tell it straight: the real question is how could you manage to improve your chess strength continuously. It's not really so much about possessing a certain knowledge than it is about obtaining depth of understanding. In other words, hard work.
It is true that there players gifted with innate talent in chess like former world champions Jose Raoul Capablanca and Mikhail Tal who are lazy to study yet has reached the pinnacle of chess. And you may have the impression that you can achieve the same feats given the self-confidence you have. But admit it: you don't have that kind of talent those two lazy champions had. Otherwise, you wouldn't be reading this, but instead would have already been searching for an answer to a chess puzzle, or would have already immersed yourself over a middlegame position, searching for the nuances of the opening used and probably mulling about the resulting endgame positions. But no, you are reading this article, which is an admission that you are still weak.
So, introduction aside, what should you do in improving your chess?
There are no definite formulas of course. But creating one would be a convenience to a beginning player.
1. Interest. Have and maintain interest in chess. If you plan to choose chess as your career (or secondary career, or simply a hobby that you would like to keep for the rest of your life), then it would help if you don't lose interest in it. Even if you have the talent to be the world chess champion, if you lost interest in chess, you won't likely be able to remain in the chess world. Interest is the first ingredient to consider and to maintain for the rest of your chess-playing days. Once interest is lost, you won't be likely to improve your chess strength. Even Viswanathan Anand, the current world chess champion wrote that he sometimes tries to vary his opening so as to keep his interest in chess alive. Even world chess champions are humans too, and they have to do something to keep their interest alive so that playing chess won't become stale. From my five years of experience as trainer, I have observed that interest is perhaps the greatest factor in determining whether one is likely to improve his chess strength. So long as one has interest, he would play chess well even if he doesn't have a good memory.
2. Learn theories. Learn chess theories from books. Learn the importance of rapidly deploying your forces in the opening for the upcoming battle in the middlegame. Also, learn how these opening and middlegame positions affect the transition of the game to endgame positions. Most books focus on a certain opening or a certain variation of a reputable or at least playable opening line and go on to explain the opening's characteristic features: pawn structures, common tactics seen, typical maneuvers and certain "methods" by which the opening can be handled.
3. Practice. There is the adage: "Theory is nothing but practice." So practice, practice, practice. There is no better teacher than experience.
4. Desire to play against stronger opposition. What is that phrase by Virgil? "Fortune favors the brave." You would most likely lose a game to a stronger opponent, but you would have then learn from the way he plays. But if you win, then you may be satisfied (or not, and look for still stronger opponents). Either way you win. Compare this with trying to avoid stronger opponents and simply bullying weaker ones. Lose a game to a weaker opponent and that is shameful and irritating. You'll hate it. You win a game, and it's not a big deal. If it's a big deal, it's only what your ego is saying. Either way you lose.
5. Don't forget life is not all about chess. Take a walk in the park. See the sun shine. Breathe. Sleep. Eat. And don't forget to brush your teeth.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Improving-Your-Chess&id=6561607] Improving Your Chess