I mostly win by accident!

Submitted by dispatchkris on Mon, 04/28/2008 at 12:12am.

I am fairly new to chess, but I've won my share of games. However, I realized that when I DO win, it's almost always a surprise to me! Well, not ALWAYS - I do plan a sketchy strategy at the opening of a game. However, most of the time my plans get foiled. So my question to everyone out there is: If something screws up my plans, do I sacrifice major pieces and continue with my original strategy? Or do I give up my ploy all together and just wing it?

I can visualize where I want my pieces to be on the board, but getting them there in a strategic manner has proven difficult for me. I have finally gotten used to the fact that I am eventually going to HAVE to sacrifice my pieces on one side of the board for advancement on the other - a diversionary tactic, that I can handle. I make sure to never lose a piece without either making it an even trade or make sure I end up having the advantage after the loss. But for goodness sakes I rarely win using strategy! I don't want it to be surprising when I get a mate - I want to feel like I earned it!

Help me!

» posted in dispatchkris's Blog

| 111 reads | 6 comments

Comments:

by Niven42 - 7 months ago
West Lafayette, Indiana United States

Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 342

Lolz to Grunt - if you read Kris' background, you'd see she was a MOMMY, not a DUDE.

Anyways, from what I've seen, you have a really good grasp of the game, and your rating reflects it. By all means, you should "stick to your guns", even if it means sacking a piece, until you decide you don't care for a particular line. For instance, I was playing the Colle system a lot for a while there, but I've decided to try some new stuff and it's working better for me. You'll find things that you like, too, and try them for a while until you find something better.

by MrBogs - 7 months ago
Cardiff United Kingdom

Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 150

Interesting post, I've played you a few times as you know and they have been good games and not easy to win to be honest! In response to the post though, I always start a game with a basic plan/strategy but after a few moves it goes out the window, so I have to adapt to the board and come up with another plan. I think the best plan in any game is to adapt to the board and the opponent's moves and constantly put the pressure on to force a mistake. I'm no expert grandmaster by the way, thats just my take on the game as a whole.

by grunt0069 - 7 months ago
Denison,IA United States

Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 40

dude, i've played you a few times, and it seemed to me that you have game, man. when you start to think about the sacrifice, fortify. make sure that every piece has a backup (unless you're sending out a spy piece). want a game?

by meshuggahrules - 8 months ago
OH United States

Member Since: Mar 2008
Member Points: 19

as a beginner myself, i rarely have specific strategic ideas. generally, i try to control the center in the opening, use tactics e.g. pins, skewers, forks, etc. in the middle game to trade pieces when i'm ahead or trade pawns when i'm down. if that works, i'll have a material advantage in the end game and i can win (most of the time). it's obviously not fool proof, but it seems to work at this stage.

by dispatchkris - 8 months ago
Idaho United States

Member Since: Mar 2008
Member Points: 22

50% is better than 30! lol - thanks, Robert

by Endyamon - 8 months ago
Sweden Sweden

Member Since: Oct 2007
Member Points: 1

I'm not of much help. I seldom have a strategy when I start. I just open with a few different variables and let the game pass on for a while. It isn't until then I start making up a strategy. Messed up I know, but it works... At least in about 50% of the times. ;)

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