Reading Chess Books VS Using Chess Engine VS Having a Coach
hive-157286·@samostically·
0.000 HBDReading Chess Books VS Using Chess Engine VS Having a Coach
<sub>  [Image Source](https://unsplash.com/photos/a-chess-board-and-a-book-on-a-wooden-floor-TpqRroAHjX0) </sub> <br> Over the years of playing chess, I ask myself a resounding question and people ask me the same question: ***How do I improve in chess?*** <sub>  </sub> Is it by reading chess books or as technology has become an integral part of human daily life, will it be by using chess engines to improve my game or is it simply by getting a chess coach to guide me on how to improve in the game? In this post, I will be talking about it all. - Reading chess books. - Using chess engines. - Getting a chess coach. <br> # Reading Chess Books Growing up and learning chess back then in secondary school, my friends and I thought the stumbling block between our current chess strength and getting better was the unavailability of chess books at our disposal at the time. <sub>  [[Image Source](https://unsplash.com/photos/a-chess-game-with-a-book-and-a-cup-of-tea-qyqzpAeMl8g) </sub> <br> Back then, we felt that if we could lay our hands on chess books our chess strength would improve drastically. Finally, I won a junior chess competition where I won a chess book as my prize. Obviously, I thought this meant my chess would be moving on to the next level since I have a chess book in my possession. But it wasn't that easy. I was looking for immediate progress or an immediate result from what I have been studying. I should be winning events and taking home trophies after dismantling my opponent in a novelty worth chess match. Sadly that wasn't the case. Chess progress or improvement is not tracked in instant moves and immediate results should not be the objective. I remember watching GM Ashley Maurice's conference in the last Chess Olympiad and he spoke about how he knows of a kid who is currently spending 40 hours on chess weekly. <br> # 40 hours!!? <sub>  </sub> This is a working-class schedule. So it should not be surprising when this kid gets to a 2700+ rated in his or her early 20s or less. When it comes to chess, understand that the long-term goal is the strategy. Whatever you spend time studying is what amounts to the knowledge you can use to win a chess tournament further down the line. To date, the amount of time I have spent with a friend who is now a WFM (Woman Fide Master) in deciphering and studying the French Chess Opening still plays a strong role in my understanding of chess openings, especially 1.e4. <br> ## Using Chess Engines The use of chess engines is one of the fastest ways to improve your chess. When I say using chess engines, I'm referring to analysing games played or analysing chess openings for the best response to a move. <sub>  [Image Source](https://unsplash.com/photos/chess-is-played-on-a-computer-screen-4Y49ttz48kY) </sub> <br> This is because no matter who the player might be, either a grandmaster or not, with chess engines the best move in a given position is the best move in that given position. It's how I have studied the Scotch game down to the point that it doesn't matter if I'm playing against a really good chess player, as long as they play a bad response and I detect it, I can surely make the right move. But here is the thing with chess books and engines, the response and knowledge gained from them are all good until there is a new novelty that outdates the previous suggestion. Probably the author recommended a line but now that line is outdated or the chess engine recommended a move and now that move has changed because the engine has been updated or a new and better one is out. If you are going to use chess books and engines, keep an eye out for updates or changes. <br> # Getting a Chess Coach For me, this happens to be the best way to improve your chess. This is because the coach does a lot of the heavy lifting. When you want to play a tournament, they serve as your guide by doing the research for you. They will not only teach you how to win a chess game but they also keep track of your progress and what to work on. <sub>  [Image Source](https://unsplash.com/photos/a-group-of-people-playing-a-game-of-chess-IMOg9ErOOsU) </sub> <br> Although it is an added advantage to have a blend of all three but getting a chess coach is a good step towards improving one's chess. I have not had a chess coach who taught me how to play chess but I have had coaches who give me high expectations and beliefs in my potential. That is why it always puts a smile on my face knowing that I coach a student who went on to win a state championship. Do I think the boy would win the tournament without my input? A big YES! But having someone to talk to about the tournament update, what he is playing, and what he should play also played a helpful role in his success. Chess progress is not seen immediately, only over time. <br> ___  <div class="pull-left">  </div> <div class="pull-right"> <sub> I am @samostically, I love to talk and write about chess because I benefited a lot from playing chess and I love writing about chess. </sub> </div> ♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟  <center> Thanks For Reading! </center>
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