Four simple tips for improving your chess skills

Chess is a game that requires a lot of strategy and skill. The game has been around for more than three centuries and played across the world by millions of people. In order to enjoy the game in its entirety and seek the pleasure of winning, one needs to constantly improve the skills.

Though there are only 64 squares in the board and your opponent has only equal number of pieces as you have, the various ways and sequences in which the game is developed and the ultimate aim of capturing the opponent's king is achieved, is the real challenge of the game. The more you learn, more is left to be learnt in this game. Don't get panic when I say this. If your basics are right and you have a very clear understanding of the basics and general things, it is easy to improve your skills and develop as a better player.

Let me share with you some simple tips that will help you master the skills in chess:

1.Fork

One of the main ideas in chess is a Fork. Generally, by judiciously using the fork, your are presenting your opponent with two problems simultaneously. Since each player can only move once per turn, your opponent only have time to solve one of the threats you have made.

On your next trip you can use the other. Perhaps your first step in control of his king and attacked by another of his plays in the same time, or maybe you have a threat to one of his pieces and create a threat. The result is the same: Your opponent has his next step which is your threat against his king, and then take the second piece you threaten.

2. Provide adequate cover for your pieces

Though it may not be feasible and practical at all times, it is always advisable that each and every piece of yours is provided with adequate support. Before making your moves, please ensure that the square to which you propose to move is not threatened by the opponent. It might be a part of the strategy to lure the opponent with a unprotected piece in specific cases. But, in general, ensure that there is minimum threat of attack to your pieces, however valuable or invaluable it is.

3. Attack the unarmed pieces

As a corollary to the above tip, look out for pieces of the opponent that are not provided with adequate support. It is common for players to leave unprotected pieces here and there until they are attacked, they are safe enough. But these unprotected pieces are the best targets especially for applying forks.

Let's assume that your implementation queen fork, attacking opponent's king and one of its rooks in the same time. He moves his king. Now you can get the rook, if it is unprotected.

You must be aware of the unprotected pieces on the board at any time. If your opponent has left any piece unprotected, see whether it a lure for a possible tactical strike and take evasive actions before attacking that piece. If you have any unprotected piece of yours in the board with no tactical strategy, then it is a sign of your weakness and the opponent will pounce on you.

The rule is simple - don't leave any of our pieces unprotected at any point of time. By doing so, you will improve your defensive skills well. It is easy to attack but very difficult to have your best defense to combat opponent's attack.

4. Dictate opponent's Moves

Control, check and mate threats are such moves which force your opponent to move only the pieces attacked and not other pieces. Always do not allow the opponent to take the initiative. In other words, you shall allow your opponent to choose from a small set of possible answers. These are some of the basic but essential tips of tactical chess that allow you to dictate opponent's moves, and thus help you control the Board two or three or more moves from now.