How to get better at chess

Ever played a game of chess, thought you had it in the bag, and then—boom!—you’re hit with a tactic you didn’t see coming?

Yeah, we’ve all been there. Maybe you didn’t realize your opponent was about to fork your queen and king. Or maybe you moved a pawn, and suddenly it felt like you gave them the keys to your house. Getting better at chess can feel like walking through a maze, but don’t worry—we’ve got some practical steps to help you find the way out. 

We’re going to skip the magic tricks and secret formulas. There’s no rabbit here, just hard-earned wisdom. Ready? Let’s start.

1. Start playing more games (but not just random ones)

Here’s the thing: you need to play more chess. Shocker, right? But seriously, if you’re just playing quick bullet games on your phone between meetings, it’s not going to cut it. You’ve got to make your games count.

Make your games count

Blitz is fun, don’t get me wrong. But you’re not going to really improve if you’re just playing fast games where you barely have time to blink. If you want to get better at chess, try playing rapid games (think 10-15 minutes). You’ll have time to think, plan, and maybe even consider your opponent’s threats instead of wondering why your queen disappeared.

Pro Tip: Mix it up! Play longer games and make one thing your focus. Maybe you’re working on your endgame or trying out a new opening. Whatever it is, make sure each game has a purpose beyond “let’s see how fast I can lose this time.”

Once you’ve made playing meaningful games a habit, there’s a slight catch: you’ve got to analyze those games. I know, sounds like homework, but stick with me.

2. Analyze your games: yes, even the embarrassing ones

Remember that game where you blundered your queen in five moves and rage-quit before you could even say “good game”? Yeah, that one. That’s the game you need to analyze. It’s the only real way of playing top moves every time, which is ESSENTIAL in chess.

Why you should be analyzing games every day

Sure, it’s fun to remember your glorious victories. But the real improvement comes from dissecting your losses. Why? Because that’s where all your mistakes are hiding, just waiting to be learned from. What went wrong? Did you forget to castle? (that’s very noob, by the way). Did you not realize your opponent had a checkmate in three? Find those mistakes, and don’t make them again (easier said than done, I know). And by “mistakes,” we mean moves! Find the bad moves, and replace them with top ones.

Once you’ve mastered the art of turning your humiliations into lessons, it’s time to move on to the real game-changer: tactics.

3. Master tactics: the secret to looking like Magnus Carlsen

Tactics are the part of chess where you get to feel like a mastermind. We’re talking forks, skewers, pins—the kind of stuff that makes you look like you saw the whole game 10 moves in advance (we know you didn’t, don’t lie). The more you practice tactics, the more you’ll spot them in your games—and trust me, it feels awesome when you do.

Practice daily

Chess is 99% tactics. Prove us wrong! Okay, maybe that’s not the official statistic, but it sure feels like it when your opponent hits you with a fork and you’re left watching two of your best pieces get taken down at once. To avoid that disaster, set aside time each day to solve puzzles.

Pro tip: Start with easy puzzles and work your way up. It’s like going to the gym—start light, and eventually, you’ll be lifting those heavyweight tactics with ease.

While tactics are fun, chess isn’t all about flashy moves. There’s this other little thing called strategy… and that’s where theory comes in.

4. Balance theory and practice: don’t get lost in openings

Ah, openings. The part of chess that feels like studying for a test you didn’t sign up for. Can you imagine something more boring than studying openings? Probably not, but if you do, you’re a lawyer for sure. Everyone tells you that you need to memorize all these different opening lines… But let me be the first to say—don’t stress it.

Learn the Why, not just the What

Openings are important, but here’s the secret: you don’t need to memorize 20 moves deep into the Sicilian to be good at chess. What you need is to understand why certain moves are made. Are you controlling the center? Giving your pieces room to breathe? That’s what really matters. Once you start applying chess principles, you find top moves easier. And you win more, you get much better.

Pro Tip: Pick a few openings that you like, and learn the ideas behind them. If you’re a London System player, we won’t judge you. But we do beg you to reconsider. Play them a lot, and get comfortable with them. Your goal is to understand, not just memorize.

Now that your mind is busy learning tactics and theory, let’s talk about the part of chess that doesn’t even happen on the board—keeping yourself in good shape.

5. Chess is a marathon: stay healthy (and maybe stretch once in a while)

I know what you’re thinking—what does staying healthy have to do with chess? You’re just sitting there, moving pieces around, right? Wrong. Chess is mentally exhausting, and it turns out that your physical health plays a pretty big role in how well you can focus during long games.

Why it matters

You don’t need to run a marathon, but you do need to keep your mind sharp. A little exercise helps keep your brain fresh, reduces stress, and can give you that extra focus you need during a tough game. Plus, you don’t want to be that person who can’t sit still after three hours at the board.

Pro Tip: Before a serious game, try going for a quick walk or stretching. It helps you clear your mind and get into the zone. World champs like Magnus Carlsen are all about staying fit to stay sharp.

Now that you’ve got the whole package—gameplay, analysis, tactics, theory, and even a bit of fitness—let’s talk about how Noctie’s AI can make the whole process smoother.

6. How chess AI like Noctie can help you improve

Let’s be real—improving at chess takes a lot of time, and while it’s fun to figure things out yourself, a little help never hurt. What you’d like is someone to practice with and give you advice, like a personal coach that’s there whenever you need it.

Personalized training, 24/7

Noctie is an AI that plays just like a human, so you can play practice games at your own pace, in the opening you like. Plus, it’s available whenever you feel like playing, so no more waiting around for someone to analyze your games.

An exceptional feature of Noctie’s is that you get instant feedback on every move, and tailored exercises after each game. It’s like improving on autopilot. You should try it.

Key takeaways

Chess improvement isn’t about finding a shortcut or memorizing endless lines of theory. It’s about putting in the work, playing meaningful games, analyzing your mistakes, mastering tactics, and keeping your mind and body sharp. And if you want to speed up the process, Noctie’s AI is always there to give you that extra boost.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there, play some games, and maybe—just maybe—you’ll finally start winning those tricky matches that used to slip away.

Happy playing, and may all your moves be tactical masterpieces!