Alrighty! Have you seriously thought about the improve-in-chess tip I have given you yesterday? You should. Just thinking about how much time on average you can spend on each move will help you stave off time trouble.
And now, we are back. This is the second part of the series and we'll now look at NOT just how to play better chess BUT how to manage your time better. Without further adieu, let's get to the meat of this article!
Time Management Tip 1: During The Chess Opening Phase, Don't Spend TOO MUCH Time
True, I have warned you about the 'sin' of playing too quickly. I have emphasized the need to take it nice and slow...try to find the best move.
HOWEVER, in the opening, there are only a couple of rules that you need to keep in mind to play it successfully.
1. Get your pieces out in optimal positions.
2. Get your king to safety.
3. Get your Rooks connected.
(I have emphasized this further since many amateur players, including me at times, are guilty of developing only their minor pieces and Queens...BUT leave their rooks dozing at the corner.)
That's about it!
Unless you are a Grandmaster (who plays for a +/= advantage on every move in the opening), which I doubt you are since you are in this chess improvement blog meant for amateurs, logical developing and opening moves should be enough to reach a playable middlegame. Remember, the goal of the opening is to reach a playable middlegame.
(GM Igor Smirnov has tackled the question how to play during the opening really well in his chess video course Grandmaster's Secrets. You should check it out.)
You don't believe me? Well, check out Fischer-Benko, 1963 (which has been annotated by yours truly in this blog). Benko played what was an offbeat opening (the Pirc was considered offbeat half a decade ago). Fischer responded with solid and logical chess opening moves.
The result?
A crushing win! Fischer played nothing spectacular in the opening. He occupied the center, he developed his minor chess pieces, he moves the queen out, connected his rooks...and when he's all primed up for action, he attacked and won the game in 21 moves!
I can't imagine Bobby taking a lot of time in the opening phase of this game. If you REALLY want to improve in chess, you should follow the former world champion's example.
In the complications department, the opening pales in comparison to the middlegame and endgame where players walk a tightrope, where one mistake spells a loss.
Don't spend too much time in the opening, save your time for the latter phases of the game, and you will NOT just see significant chess improvement BUT you will also find that time trouble doesn't plague as much as it used to.
If you are struggling to improve in chess - manage your time, find the right moves in tactical and strategic positions, etc., one of the FINEST and easily accessible resource I have found is The Grandmaster's Secrets written by GM Igor Smirnov.
It's a chess video course that goes into GREAT detail about how to think in chess, how to train for chess tournaments, how to manage your time, and a whole lot more. Moreoever, it comes with a beefy practical part - chess positions and games, where you can train the new stuff you have learned.
GM Smirnov even tells you how to use these training materials for maximum benefit!
Check it out RIGHT here: The Grandmaster's Secrets Official Website
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteI really like your chess blog, your explanation is so clear and understandable. Hope, you will continue it.
I was wondering if you would be interested in sharing your posts and ideas on Glipho? It's a quite new social publishing platform for bloggers like you. :)