Biggest Mistakes in Chess

Dear Chess Friends!

You know every chess player wants to play better, but it’s very often when he repeats the same mistake many times, because he doesn’t even suspect that he is making this mistake. Would you like to know what typical mistakes chess players often make so as to avoid them in your games?

I created a video where I describe 8 the most typical mistakes in chess games and explain how to avoid them!

1) Just thinking about your own moves

Just thinking about only your moves without considering the chances of the opponent is a vital mistake. In such a case you are likely to blunder something. Before you make a move always think about your opponent’s reaction. You should analyze not the only continuation, but 3-4 different lines that can happen after you make a move.

2) Create “bad traps” in a hope for a mistake

Many players try to create a trap and in case if the opponent gets trapped, they can win much material or even a game. But if he doesn’t get trapped, their position may become worser or even losing. Such players usually take too much risk in a hope of the other side’s blunder.

3) Playing without a plan

It’s very often when a beginner or even a club player doesn’t think about the plan. It is said that it's better to play following a bad plan than with no plan at all. Each move you make must have an idea behind it!

4) Focus only on Attacking

Attacking might be a good plan if this attack really works and cause some weakness in the enemy position or puts the enemy king into a risk to be checkmated. But it’s very often when you shouldn’t attack, but choose another plan. For example, improve your pieces, play in the center or on the queenside to create pawn weakness or strong points to occupy it with your pieces.

5) Neglecting Development of Pieces

No development of pieces is a fatal mistake in chess. What do you I mean by pieces development? It means you should move at least your minor pieces from their initial positions. Yes, it makes sense to occupy the center with pawns, but don't keep pushing pawns, if it’s not required. Try to get your pieces out fast and castle early.

6) Not activating the King in the Endgame

Young players and beginners learned that the main idea of a chess game is to defend their own king and attack the enemy king. But in the endgame where only a few enemy pieces left the risk to be checkmated is very low, that’s why it makes sense to centralize the king and use at as a normal piece that can attack squares around it. In the endgame the king's value is comparable to a rook.

7) Underestimating your Opponent

Your opponent deserves respect. Underestimating the opponent can lead to disaster. If you think that you are the better player, you lose concentration and focus. This leads to blunders. One big blunder is usually enough to get a losing position that you can’t improve than even if you are a better player than your opponent.

I usually say to my students “Don’t think your opponent is idiot! Always think that you are playing against someone like Garry Kasparov! And let your opponent surprise you with a blunder.”

8) Playing too fast

As I noticed many chess players (especially beginners and kids) play really fast even having much time on their clock. Why do they do so? I think the answer is they just like the process of moving pieces and want a fast victory and that’s why they play the first move that comes to their minds. However, it’s a common knowledge that the first move that comes to your mind usually isn’t the best. Always calculate 3-4 different moves-candidates and choose between them.

If you have any suggestions, comments or recommendations, please, share them in the comment section.

Best Regards,

FM Victor Neustroev