"Winning Chess Strategies" by Yasser Seraiwan is one of the books I recommend here....
Good Positional Chess, Planning & Strategy Books for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/introduction-to-positional-chess-planning-strategy
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell
Hi,
My recommendation is to focus predominately on puzzles initially and playing and then reviewing your games. If you feel more comfortable, you can start learning a few openings and their underlying theory but you can just as easily master opening principles and get to 2000 on Chess.com if you’re improving in your tactical eye and understanding some positional ideas and basic endgame knowledge.
Feel free to reach out with questions or challenge me to an unrated game and we can discuss concepts and ideas while playing. Keep it fun!
-Jordan
@1
"my focus is on tactics training (via puzzles etc)"
++ Chess is 99% tactics, but contrary to tactics puzzles in a real game nobody tells you there is a tactic, or for whom.
More important is to analyse your lost games, so as to learn from your mistakes.
"I don't know any opening" ++ You do not need to.
"end game theory"
++ That is important.
Practice the 5 basic checkmates KQ vs. K, KR vs. K, KBB vs. K, KBN vs. K, KNN vs. KP.
Practice basic endgames with 3, 4, and 5 men.
It is not important in short term, but it will benefit you most in the long term.
"Is it too early to be thinking of strategy, and should I just focus on tactics?"
++ Yes, focus on tactics, but study endgames as the prelude to strategy.
"Winning chess strategies by Seraiwan, Silman" ++ Not recommended.
"Is this a good book for my level?" ++ No.
"Any other recommendations?" ++ Chess Fundamentals - Capablanca.
akhenbagi wrote:
Hello,
I am a beginner who is just getting into chess (I am around 1200 on chess.com, 1400 on Lichess in rapid). I want to get better, and at the moment most of my focus is on tactics training (via puzzles etc). I don't know any opening, end game theory etc. I am interested in learning more about chess strategies https://nox.tips/, and had two questions:
Is it too early to be thinking of strategy, and should I just focus on tactics?
If the answer is no, what are some good books/references for learning strategy? I am thinking of buying "Winning chess strategies" by Seraiwan, Silman. Is this a good book for my level? Any other recommendations?
I got this,...
Tactics are very important, and it's vital to get that down. But strategy is important too, I have heard very good things about Reassess Your Chess ( 4th Edition ) by Jeremy Silman, so you might want to add that on your list if you are looking for books.
"Logical Chess Move by Move" (Chernev). A classic that continues to entertain and educate.
As you grow stronger, you will discover that strategy and tactics go hand in hand. Some people describe this relationship as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Throughout the game you implement a superior strategy to get the upper hand on your opponent. Out of this superior strategy may arise tactics.
I think the main reason why people are always told to train tactics is because these are turning points in the game. While strategy may represent the essential buildup to a tactic, I feel as though tactics are more focused on because the difference between missing them and converting them is the difference between winning and losing.
So while training tactics and puzzles is a very solid foundation for beginning players, strategy definitely comes into play the higher up the rating ladder since higher rated opponents are less likely to blunder simple tactics that beginners do. Since you're at the transition between beginner and intermediate strength, I would recommend learning an opening (if you haven't already) and diving deep into the strategy behind that opening. Much of the strategy and positional play in a game flows directly from the opening. Find the types of positions that you like to play, and then find an opening that can give you those types of positions. Another thing you can do to improve your overall sense of strategy and intuition in the middlegame is to review master games. In my opinion this is one method of study not used often enough by beginner and intermediate players. While repeating things over and over again to build pattern recognition (like in puzzles) is one good method to learn something, sometimes figuring things out on your own is a good way to go too. For example, review a master game and ask yourself, "Why did this player make this move?" Think about all the possible themes, plans, and tactics that could arise from a given position. Try to anticipate what strategies each player could implement in the upcoming moves. You could also self analyze your games. Turn off the engine and just think about what you could have done better during the game. Just go move by move, very slowly, trying to justify your move. Once you've spent time thinking about how your move made sense, think about how it could be bad. How could you or your opponent have played differently or better?
I know this response is much longer than I would've wanted it to be, but it really is a comprehensive road map for an intermediate player. People will recommend reading books, studying online, doing puzzles, but some of the best study sessions I have had are the ones where I just explore on my own. The ability to sit down, take your time and go over your play is something not praised enough. You will find that these explorations of positions lend to boosts in creativity and will change how you approach the game. This is how you learn to play more intuitively. You don't have to always study someone else. Sometimes you can learn just as much when you dive deep into the rabbit hole.
Hello,
I am a beginner who is just getting into chess (I am around 1200 on chess.com, 1400 on Lichess in rapid). I want to get better, and at the moment most of my focus is on tactics training (via puzzles etc). I don't know any opening, end game theory etc. I am interested in learning more about chess strategies, and had two questions:
Is it too early to be thinking of strategy, and should I just focus on tactics?
If the answer is no, what are some good books/references for learning strategy? I am thinking of buying "Winning chess strategies" by Seraiwan, Silman. Is this a good book for my level? Any other recommendations?