1. The more you know about your opponent's preferences (tactical vs. positional), the better -- you can attempt to make him/her play a position they are not comfortable in.
   
2. Never fall into complacency even if you get a much better position out of the opening.
   
3. If you don't have a lot of time to prepare, it would be wise to master an off-beat (but not unsound) opening.
   

For example: In 1992, Lewis Eisen was preparing for college and didn't have a lot of time to spend memorizing the large number of opening variations against the Sicilian Defense. He therefore chose to play the Closed Sicilian and knew it very well. That year, in the National High School Championship, he used the Closed Sicilian to defeat the tournament favorite (Josh Waitzkin) en route to a perfect 7-0 score, the National High School Championship, and a congratulatory handshake from World Champion Garry Kasparov.

6. Do you recommend computer chess programs for learning chess? Yes, but they are not substitutes for playing in tournaments.

7. What are the benefits of playing in tournaments?  The competition, nerves and anxiety help you better understand how you react under those situations -- this is important when you start playing in big-time events (i.e. state championships, national championships).

8. Is there a particular etiquette for tournaments?  Treat others the way you would want them to treat you (NOT the same as how they necessarily are treating you).

9. I'm tired of losing. What can I do to get better?  Study openings more...this is the fastest way to improve, as many times losses occur from obtaining inferior positions out of the opening.

10. How many moves should I think ahead? At least 3, but always try to anticipate all of your opponent's moves. You should never play a move hoping that your opponent will make a mistake.


Common Questions by Intermediate Players

1. How do I choose an opening repertoire? Decide which style appeals to you most:

1. Tactical, swashbuckling style -- more exciting, more wins, but also more losses and requires more opening preparation
   
2. B. Solid, positional style -- less exciting, more likely to draw against lower rated players, but less likely to lose, and more likely to win/draw against top players.
   

2. Is it a good practice to memorize openings? Absolutely. The more openings you are familiar with, the less time you will need to spend during the opening, and the more likely you will be able to translate some of those opening themes to other aspects of the game.

3. How do I know which pieces to trade?  It depends on the position, but I would say that it is better to focus on having a PLAN and then on how trading/not trading pieces fits into that plan, than to focus on trying to trade pieces. Even when you have a material advantage, it is better to keep the initiative than to go out of your way to trade pieces -- if you keep the initiative, eventually your opponent will have no choice to trade pieces in order to keep from falling further behind in material.

4. Which phase of the game should I study the most? (opening, middlegame, endgame)  The best way is to have a plan, and to focus on which moves best enable that plan to be carried out. It is better to have a bad plan than no plan at all.

5. What can I do to improve my tactical vision? I would say study different games by great tactical players (i.e. Kasparov, Shirov, Anand, Topalov).

6. Why study endgames if my games don't last that long? Because if you are good at endgames, you can turn losing positions into draws (or even wins), and even positions into wins. Plus, being good at endgames always gives you confidence to know that the longer the game goes on, the more likely you are to be better prepared than your opponent.

7. Can you recommend some helpful books for an intermediate player? Chess for Tigers - by Simon Webb. Outstanding book. Think Like a Grandmaster -- by Kotov. Also great book.

8. Should I play blitz chess? Internet chess?  Absolutely. The more styles you play, the better you will be able to assess how you respond to different circumstances/types of pressure. I also strongly recommend Bughouse -- it is FUN, and is good for development of tactical skill and understanding of clock management.

9. Is it a good idea to use computer programs to analyze my games?  Yes, but don't use them as a substitute for THINKING about why your games went the way they did (i.e. why did you win/lose/draw?).

10. How can I avoid time pressure? By knowing the opening very well...a lot of time trouble is caused by having to spend a long time thinking during the opening.

Common Question by non-Master Players

What methods did you use to become a chess master? How long did it take? I became a chess master at age fifteen -- 5.5 years after my first USCF-rated tournament. I became a life master at age 17.

My game was based on my knowledge of the opening, mental toughness, and a desire to play my best when it counted the most (which was why I loved playing in state and national championships). It is important to have a solid fundamental knowledge of the opening, middlegame and endgame. Once this is achieved, the fastest way to improve is to know the opening very well.

Also, don't listen to people who tell you what you aren't capable of -- I was told early in my career that I wouldn't amount to much, and I was able to accomplish quite a bit, including 4 national championships (the most by any African-American -- next highest is 2), the 1996 National Scholar Chessplayer Award, and 11 state championships (I grew up in NJ). Remember, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD! Proverbs 3:5-6.

Remembering these lessons has not only helped me in chess, but in life as well. Having graduated from Harvard College and receiving my M.D. from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, I am now a neurosurgery resident at the University of Minnesota. Chess is a glorious game, and the lessons I have learned from it are what have helped me to accomplish all that the Lord has enabled me to achieve. I hope that this advice will help you achieve in chess and (more importantly) in life as well.

Submitted: 14 September 2006