Training Goals - Beginner

The Beginner Level Classroom is for the player who has recently learned how the chess pieces move, and would like to know more about chess in order to play better. The Beginner level player does well against other beginners, but has difficulties against players who have started to read chess books and have a regular training schedule.

Learn/Review the rules of chess and how the pieces move. ('Guide to Good Chess', Purdy; 'Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess', Fischer) - Why: You can't play the game if you don't know the rules.

Learn how to read & write algebraic chess notation. ('Guide to Good Chess', Purdy) - Why: Most new books about chess use algebraic notation, so in order to use them, you'll need to understand what they are saying. Also, in order to learn from your own mistakes you'll need to be able to record your own games so that you and your coach can look at them later.

Learn the basics of chess tactics. ('Guide to Good Chess', Purdy; 'Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess', Fischer; 'A First Book of Morphy', Del Rosario) - Why: Once you learn how the pieces move, you'll need to learn how the pieces work together. In chess, this is called 'Tactics'.

Learn the "General Principles" of chess opening play. ('Guide to Good Chess', Purdy; 'A First Book of Morphy', Del Rosario) - Why: Before you begin learning 'chess Openings' you need to understand why some moves are better than others.

Recommended Tools

USCF's Keeping Score : Describes how to read and write chess notation.

Chess Score Sheet : Print out this form to record the moves in your chess games.

Predator at the Chessboard is a beautiful and well written site that will help any chess player improve their tactical ability.

Projects

Study:

Study the procedure of how to record your moves in algebraic notation.

If you only read one book from this section, make it 'Guide to Good Chess', by Purdy. This book will give you an excellent start in general chess knowledge and become an invaluable reference that you will return to many times in your mission to improve your chess game.

After you understand how to read algebraic chess notation, spend at least ½ hour five nights per week reading the material on the Predator at the Chessboard web site. Chess Tactics is the one topic you will study in every ChessNuts Classroom level, and is the key to playing chess well.

Practice:

Practice writing algebraic notation by playing a chess game with a friend and writing your moves on a Chess Score Sheet. After the game is done, play back over the moves you've written down with your friend.

If you've written down all of the moves correctly, save your sheet. If not, start over and repeat until you have 5 perfect score sheets. Trade colors with your friend so that you play some games as White and some as Black.

Review:

Go over these games with your chess coach or mentor (if you have one) and explain why you made the moves you did. If you or your opponent made a mistake, your coach will show you why another move was better using either Tactics or the "General Principles" of chess opening play.

After you have reviewed all five games, completed the 'Predator at the Chessboard' material, and read 'Guide to Good Chess' you will be ready to join the Novice Level. (Expected completion time: 4-6 weeks)

Recommended Books

I own a copy of each of the following books, and recommend them for this specific training level because their content and presentation is consistent with this level's Training Goals.

Hover your mouse over any of the pictured books to get a Power Preview from Amazon.com, or click on any book image to go to Amazon.com for descriptions and reviews.