One of the easiest games to learn but very challenging and difficult to master and gain expertise is the game of chess.
What makes it so difficult?
Well. Let me answer it in this way. We, the human beings, are provided with the same attributes at the time of birth. All are equal and have equal rights and responsibilities to enjoy the bounty of Mother Nature and equal capabilities. The activities are the same for all the persons, the infant stage, the youth, the middle age, and the old age and all other things are the same. Sun, moon, earth, water and fire are common for all the people. But, all the people do not live in a same manner and do not reap the benefits of the Mother Nature. Why is it so?
It all depends on how you utilize your capabilities to the logical ends. If you use your resources, capabilities, time and opportunities in the right way, your life will follow the right way. If you fail to do so and commit mistakes, then you are destined to face the consequences of the same.
Similarly, in the game of chess, understanding the basic movements of the pieces, their individual capabilities and weaknesses as well as related chess nomenclature might be very easy. But how to effectively use the pieces in the objective of cornering the opponent’s King and saying “checkmate” is what it matters the most and determines the level of your expertise in the game.
One needs to play as many games as possible and understand the pieces, their merits, their positional and behavioral traits and such other things. He has to apply logical thinking, foresee he moves ahead, analyze the alternative options, decide on the optimal move, be alert to the opponent’s moves and execute his tactics and strategies in a clinical way.
Most importantly, he should not commit any mistakes in the moves or in the analysis of the board. Because, in the game of chess, the only way you can win over the opponent is when he commits a mistake. Before finding out the mistakes of the opponent and seizing the opportunity, you should first ensure that you do not make any wrong moves or mistakes.
This knowledge and habit will not come overnight once you learn the basics of the game. You are bound to make innumerable mistakes in the early stages and get punished for the same by the opponent.
You should not lose heart or feel dejected at losing the game. Better than winning the game, it is the losses that teach you more lessons than victories. You will lose a game, only when you make a mistake. If you lose a game, what you should do it immediately, before the loss of memory, try to replay the game in your mind and recollect what mistake you did that lead to loss. It is better that you record the notations during the game for analysis afterwards. Analyzing the game, figuring out the mistakes and trying to rectify the same are very essential to learn the game quickly.
You can review the games of the grandmasters, play-out the same move by move and try to read the motive of the grandmasters behind each move. Such critical analysis will do a world of good and make you learn the intricacies or nuances of the game very quickly and thoroughly.
Now, with the use of computers and the Internet, one can learn and master the game even quickly. All you have to do is to visit an online chess site, enroll yourself, refer the old database of games available in the Internet, replay the game and understand the game. You can also play chess online with another player in virtual chess room or else play with the computer to enhance the skill set.
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