Recently, Chess.com has gathered a lot of attention in the online gaming market. Since then, the game has seen great user interactions. If you're looking to start your tactical journey through chess.com and a beginner who wants to beat a chess legend in your friend circle, then this guide is for you.
In this guide, we will talk about what the platform is about, how to play chess online at chess.com, some basic features and how you can become the dark knight.
First things first, you need to create an account on Chess.com. Don’t worry; it’s as easy as checkmating a a baby.
Open your web browser and head to Chess.com. Click on the "Sign Up" button and fill in the required details such as username, email, and password. You can also sign up using your Google or Facebook account.
Once you've done that, check your email for a confirmation link from Chess.com and click on it to verify your account. And just like that, you’re ready to start your chess adventure!
Navigation: Visit chess.com>Sign up> Verify your account> Play
Once you've logged in, you’ll find yourself on the Chess.com dashboard. Here’s a quick overview to help you get your bearings.
The Home section is your main dashboard showing recent activity, suggested opponents, and featured articles.
In the Play section, you can access various game modes including live chess, daily chess, and computer opponents.
The Puzzles section is where you can sharpen your tactics by solving puzzles. The Lessons section offers guided lessons to learn chess concepts, while Tournaments let you test your skills.
Finally, the Connect section allows you to join clubs, follow other players, and engage with the community.
Now that you’re familiar with the dashboard, let’s move on to the game itself.
Basics are a must if you’re a beginner. Knowing which piece moves in which direction and how many steps is crucial. Each piece in chess has unique movements and roles. Let’s break it down in simpler terms.
At first, you have to choose between White pieces or Black to start with (People have their own beliefs while selecting one so you too can have).
The pawn (♟️) moves forward one square but captures diagonally. Pawns can move two squares forward on their first move and can be promoted to any other piece upon reaching the opposite side of the board.
The Rook(♜) moves horizontally or vertically any number of squares, while the knight (♞) moves in an "L" shape: two squares in one direction and then one square perpendicular.
The bishop (♝) moves diagonally any number of squares. The queen combines the power of the rook and bishop, moving any number of squares horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. However, the queen (♛) can’t simulate Knight’s move. Whereas, the king (♚) moves one square in any direction. The objective of the game is to checkmate the opponent’s king.
To play chess effectively, you need to understand the basic rules. Check is when the king is under threat of capture and must be moved to a safe square. Checkmate is when the king is in check and cannot escape, ending the game.
Castling is a special move involving the king and a rook, where the king moves two squares towards a rook, and the rook moves to the square next to the king.
En Passant is a special pawn capture that can occur if a pawn moves two squares forward from its starting position and lands beside an opponent's pawn.
Promotion occurs when a pawn reaches the opposite side of the board and can be promoted to any other piece, usually a queen.
Chess.com offers a wealth of resources to help you improve. The Lessons section provides guided lessons on various topics, from basic principles to advanced strategies.
These lessons are interactive and adapt to your skill level. Additionally, you can watch video tutorials from experienced players and coaches to learn new tactics and strategies.
Solving puzzles is an excellent way to improve your tactical skills. Chess.com provides new puzzles every day to challenge your problem-solving abilities. Puzzle Rush is a timed mode where you solve as many puzzles as possible within a set time limit. You can also choose specific types of puzzles to work on areas where you need improvement.
Before playing against human opponents, practice with the computer to get a feel for different levels of difficulty. You can set the computer’s skill level to match your own.
After each game, use the analysis tool to review your moves and see where you can improve. This feedback is invaluable for understanding your mistakes and learning from them.
Engage with the Chess.com community to enhance your learning experience. Joining clubs allows you to connect with other players based on your interests and participate in club activities.
Tournaments are a fantastic way to test your skills and experience competitive play. Chess.com offers a variety of tournaments for different skill levels, so there’s always a suitable challenge awaiting you.
Learn from the best by following top players on Chess.com. Watch live games of top players to see advanced strategies in action.
Many top players also stream their games and provide commentary, offering insights into their thought processes. This is a great way to pick up new techniques and understand the intricacies of high-level play.
As you become more comfortable with the basics, start focusing on strategies. Learning popular openings will give you a solid start in your games.
Understanding middle game tactics will help you create and exploit weaknesses in your opponent’s position. Studying endgame scenarios is crucial to know how to convert an advantage into a win. These strategic insights will elevate your game and make you a formidable opponent.
Regular analysis of your games is crucial for improvement. Use Chess.com’s analysis tool to review your games and identify mistakes.
This tool highlights blunders and missed opportunities, providing you with a detailed breakdown of your performance. If possible, get feedback from a coach or more experienced players. Their insights can be incredibly valuable for your growth as a player.
Chess.com is a fantastic platform for anyone looking to learn and improve at chess. By understanding the basics, utilizing the available resources, and engaging with the community, you can progress from a beginner to a skilled player. Remember, the journey from pawn to king is a marathon, not a sprint. Happy playing!
Also Read: Chess.com Tactics: How to Checkmate
