Five Popular Pieces of Chess Advice You Should Ignore

The world of chess is full of advice, but not all of it is worth following. Here are five popular pieces of advice that you may be better off ignoring:

1. Don’t Play Blitz: While some legendary players like Mikhail Botvinnik and Bobby Fischer criticized blitz chess, many top players today, like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, regularly play blitz games to improve their skills. Blitz can be a valuable tool for practicing against strong competition and learning openings.

2. You Shouldn’t Spend Time Learning Openings: While it’s true that beginners should focus on tactics, having a basic understanding of openings can be beneficial. Knowing the goals of the opening and a few key ideas can help you play confidently without getting lost in the complexities of advanced opening theory.

3. You Need To Calculate Many Moves Ahead: While deep calculation can be impressive, it’s often more important to consider a wide range of options and simple tactics rather than going too deep into one line. Long analysis can lead to mistakes, so it’s essential to balance calculation with practical play.

4. Only Analyze Your Losses: While analyzing losses can be valuable, it’s important to learn from every game you play, including wins and draws. Every game offers opportunities for improvement, so don’t limit your analysis to just one type of result.

5. If You See A Good Move, Look For A Better One: While striving for perfection is admirable, it’s not always necessary. In many positions, there are several good moves, and spending too much time searching for a brilliant move can be counterproductive. Focus on making solid moves consistently rather than seeking perfection.

By freeing yourself from these common chess myths, you can enjoy the game in a way that is most satisfying for you. What chess advice has led you astray? Share your experiences in the comments.