Expert: Tony D'Aloisio - 8/1/2010

Question
QUESTION: Greetings,

I am wondering on how to improve on chess. I dislike memorizing chess opeinings, since it shows the individual does not understand the game. I would like to improve on my endgame too. Any feedback and suggestions are at all appreciated.


Edward Kwan

ANSWER: The main thing I think is that you should play...lots and lots of games.  Nowadays of course (as opposed to when I was starting out) there are a multitude of opportunities to play, online, against computers and so forth.  I would btw suggest playing a lot of games against a computer to further your tactical grasp and skill.

I'm not sure what your skill level is now...but two books that helped me a great deal were Pawn Structure Chess by Andrew Soltis and Modern Chess Strategy by Ludek Pachman (in 3 volumes--although the one-volume abridgement is fine too).  For endgames consider Chess Endings: Essential Knowledge by Yuri Averbakh and Practical Chess Endgames (there are 2 books by that name, both very good--by Paul Keres and also David Hooper, if you can find it).  Also Survival Guide to Rook Endings by John Emms is excellent.

I disagree btw that memorizing chess openings shows a lack of understanding of chess.  It's true that too many players feel that they can memorize a bunch of moves without a grasp of the ideas involved...but if you are going to improve, you HAVE to memorize opening variations.  And lots of them (unless of course you want to waste valuable time and effort finding all the best moves--or attempting to--on your own).

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am pretty much a beginner, but I know the basics and fundamentals. Can you recommend websites I can go onto?

Edward Kwan

Answer
The best website I know of is chess.com.  You can play anything from blitz chess to 14 days per move.  They also have tutorials, an opening explorer, tactical exercises, and thriving forums (and groups) sections.  Btw I'm also on there (as "tonydal")...so if you have any more questions, by all means feel free to message me there.