Learn & improve
New to chess?
How to play chess
If you're just getting started, Chess.com has created an excellent free resource to help you learn the rules. It includes pictures, videos, and interactive lessons:
Remember: Everyone starts as a beginner. The best way to learn is to play! Come to the club and we'll be happy to help you understand the game.
How to get better at chess
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, here are proven ways to improve your game. These are the fundamentals that stronger players focus on:
1. Study tactics
A large part of chess is tactics. Tactical patterns like pins, forks, skewers, and discovered attacks win games.
What to do:
- Do puzzles regularly (daily practice is best)
- Learn to recognize common tactical themes
2. Study endgames
Absolutely critical. You need to know the basic endgames to convert winning positions and save drawn ones.
What to do:
- Learn the basic endgames (king and pawn, rook endgames, etc.)
- Practice them for free with this open-source trainer
3. Study positional chess
Strategy is what you do when there's nothing tactical to do. Understanding pawn structure, piece placement, and long-term planning separates stronger players.
What to do:
- Read about strategic principles
- Study master games to see strategy in action
4. Don't memorize openings
Read that again: don't spend much time on opening theory. Understanding principles (control the center, develop pieces, castle early) matters far more than memorizing specific moves.
What to do:
- Learn opening principles, not specific lines
- Save detailed opening study for when you're rated 1600+
5. Play chess
This is the most important one. You have to play to improve. Theory alone won't make you better.
What to do:
- Play at the club every Tuesday
- Play online between club meetings
- Join our Thursday online tournaments
6. Analyze your games
Recording and reviewing your games is one of the fastest ways to improve. You'll spot patterns in your mistakes and strengths.
What to do:
- Record every move of every game you play
- Review them with a stronger player at the club
- Use a free chess engine or online analysis
7. Study master games
Watching how strong players think through positions teaches you patterns and ideas you can use in your own games.
What to do:
- Read annotated games like Irving Chernev's "Logical Chess: Move by Move"
- Watch instructional videos (see recommendations below)
8. Be kind to yourself
Don't kick yourself when you lose. Chess is hard. It's a game, not a reflection of your worth.
Remember: Win or lose, you're awesome. Every loss is a chance to learn something new.
Recommended resources
Video content
Video channels we love
@ChessCoachAndras - Excellent teaching content. Not affiliated with us, but we highly recommend his approach. Even Grandmasters Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Giri have praised his work.
Chessbase Videos - Professional chess instruction from titled players.
Books for improvement
Recommended authors
These authors consistently produce high-quality instructional material:
- Jeremy Silman - Excellent for positional understanding and endgames
- Yasser Seirawan - Clear, accessible instruction for all levels
- John Watson - Advanced strategy and modern chess
- John Nunn - Endgames and tactical precision
- Garry Kasparov - Deep strategic insights from a former world champion
- The Polgars (Judit, Susan, Sofia) - Excellent training materials
- Jeff Coakley - Great for teaching kids
Getting your own chess set
Want to practice at home? You can buy quality chess sets from:
- House of Staunton - High-quality tournament and collector sets
- Wholesale Chess - Affordable tournament equipment
We use weighted plastic pieces and vinyl roll-up boards at the club (the classic green chess mats). These are affordable, durable, and perfect for both casual and tournament play.