Self-Learners should try to solve problems on their own, this will boost their confidence and will to practice self-learning. In this article, 10 Typical Mistakes of Chess Self-Learners we will try to improve learning skills and avoid mistakes.
Self-Learners Mistakes #1: Learning Without meaning
One of The most typical Mistakes of Chess self-learners is Learning without meaning. It is important to know why? we should use particular moves, especially, in the opening part. You should know the reason behind every move and then remember the lines.
Self-Learners Mistakes #2: Not Enough Practice
So many players have a high understanding of the game but due to less practice, they don’t convert their knowledge into visible results. Therefore, they have lower points than those who play more games.
Self-Learners Mistakes #3: Not Choosing the Right Study Material
There are some materials that will take your full life to study. That’s why every player has their weaknesses due to a lack of knowledge in the specific area. Some people play excellent opening like a master but a middle game like beginners. I can bet you may meet a player who can play a full game right but suddenly gives a free piece to the opponent. Some misses force mates.
You can get some material suggestions from better players than you, who can help you to reach higher levels. Do little research on what you need exactly and find suitable study material. So, you study smart and not hard, creating a proper study plan.
Self-Learners Mistakes #4: Underestimating the value of time
It’s easy to say “I will skip practice today and tomorrow I will do it double”, but tomorrow you will not finish what you wanted to do and can also reschedule it again. Remember that other players didn’t skip their training this day and now they are ahead of you.
Whether it is right to take rest should have some limitations. Saint Kabir once said: “Tomorrow’s work do today, today’s work now. If the moment is lost, how will the work be done?” Meaning that you should do the work that needs to be done now.
Self-Learners Mistakes #5: Jumping one to another
Players who easily got distracted and either leave or keep jumping from one study material to another lose their advantage. Complete your books courses you have one after one.
Self-Learners Mistakes #6: Analyze yourself in the test
As you are self-taught, you must put yourself to the test. From time to time. There are some books, tournaments and courses where you can test your knowledge and know where you are now. The real practice starts when you lose or fail.
Self-Learners Mistakes #7: Distraction
Whenever any person starts working on his goal, he gets distracted and starts to think illusional. This is your test. Avoid unnecessary use of cell phones or any personal devices, unnecessary talking, chatting, and so on.
The perfect example will be Bobby Fischer, who never got distracted. He was studying chess alone in his room with a book. Fischer disappeared for long periods of time, and before he came out for the ’72 qualification events, the world speculated that he might be self-retired and may never play again. But he became world champion.
Not only Fischer but other strong players get disappeared for preparations. Why? They don’t want any disturbance.
“Burn the bridges behind you so you have to move forward”. – Tony Robbin
The Most Common Mistake: Don´t Learn from your mistakes
Learn from your past mistakes make them right and keep going on. Analyze your games and do the required changes and work accordingly. Avoid these mistakes and have strong determination. Without it, even an intelligent person would fail.
Bonus Tip #1: Search for proof of everything
Proving everything is not possible and so many things work without it. You should only check if this thing working for you or not.
So many players we can see with different playing styles. I suggest you base it on your experience, so if you get a good result then you can keep going with it.
Bonus Tip #2: Fitness
It is trendy to watch something on mobile, PC, or tv and keep eating something. For chess though you need to avoid an unhealthy lifestyle and unhealthy food.
Find some form of exercise that suits you. It can be outdoor playing, yoga, gym, dance, or any aerobic exercise. For better concentration yoga and meditation are the best. If you don’t like it that much you can at least try to do it for 5-10 min. maximum, and I am sure you will get results already. Like Garry Kasparov used to play football, Bobby Fischer used to swim and play table tennis.
These were 10 Typical Mistakes of Chess Self-Learners should avoid &
When you choose self-study you should have discipline and self-control.