Play Chess and Not Lose Immediately

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90 minutes

5 steps

·Beginner

After 90 min: Play respectable games of chess using solid opening principles and tactical awareness

What you need

chessboardpiecestimer-optionalchess-app

The 90-Minute Plan

Learn Piece Values and Movement0–15 min

Master each piece: pawn (1), knight (3), bishop (3), rook (5), queen (9), king (infinite). Understand how each moves and captures

Study Opening Principles15–35 min

Control center (e4 and d4), develop pieces (knights before bishops), castle early, avoid early queen, don't expose king

Learn Basic Tactics35–55 min

Study forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks. These win material. Practice spotting tactics 10 minutes daily on Chess.com

Play Against Computer55–75 min

Start on easy level. Play 5 full games. Focus on applying principles, not winning. Analyze losses to understand mistakes

Play Against Humans and Learn75–90 min

Play friends or online opponents. Play slowly (5+ minute games initially). Review games. Identify patterns in your play

Pro Tip

Focus on solid principles over memorizing openings. Tactical awareness (spotting threats) is more valuable than theory

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