Power Principles of Chess
CONTROL THE CENTER!
What does this mean? The center consists of the squares e4, d4, e5 and d5. So this means when you start the game in the opening, place your pawns in the center to occupy and control it as much as you can.
DEVELOP YOUR PIECES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Get your Knights and Bishops out. This should be done before you try to checkmate your opponent.
CASTLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
The first chance you have, castle immediately to keep your King safe. Remember, you can’t win if your King is not safe and you get checkmated first. So don’t forget to castle! Then after you castle, connect your Rooks by developing your Queen.
KEEP YOUR PIECES PROTECTED!
Don’t leave your pieces hanging without protection. Each and every piece you have is very valuable, so don’t lose them.
HAVE LOTS OF FUN! WIN WITH GRACE, LOSE WITH DIGNITY!
First and foremost, chess should be fun. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. That is part of the game. When you win, be a good sport and don’t trash talk or make fun of your opponent. When you lose, be an even better sport and not a sore loser. Shake hands and congratulate your opponent. This will go a long way toward making good friends.
These tips should be used together with my curriculum / training guide for teachers and parents. Click here to register for your FREE account on www.ChessDiscussion.com then click here to download your FREE copy of my curriculum / training guide.
Good luck with your effort in introducing chess to young people!
I’ve been using your guide in my school since last year. We have great results and the kids love the game.
Another very important principle for beginners: It is almost always bad to move a piece more than once, during the opening (of course there are exceptions). Or: Don’t bring out your queen too early. I think those are typical beginner opening moves… playing with one piece only, instead of developement. Also, sometimes I notice some go for Bc4, Qf3 (“eventually” threatening mate at f7 :-)), no matter what I do with Black, even if I played e7-e6 or if a knight already is on f6. They haven’t read a chess book yet.
I lose even when I follow all of these principles :0(
Don’t worry anon,
When you reach the 8th rank you too will be promoted to queen like the rest of us!