The Best Exercises to Improve Quickly in Chess

You've learned the rules of chess, you play a few games, but you feel like you're stagnating? That's completely normal. To truly improve, it's not enough to just play; you also need to train in a targeted way.

This guide presents the most effective exercises for beginners, those that will give you the best results in the shortest amount of time.

What will you learn in this guide?

• The #1 exercise for improvement: tactical puzzles.
• How to master basic endgames to convert your advantages.
• Recommendations for free websites like Lichess to practice.
• A simple training routine to implement.

1. Tactical Puzzles: Your Best Friend

Tactics are the art of calculating short, forced sequences of moves that lead to an advantage (winning material, checkmate, etc.). For a beginner, 90% of games are decided by tactical mistakes.

The exercise: Solve tactical puzzles every day.

Why is it effective?

• Pattern recognition: You will learn to quickly spot opportunities for forks, pins, skewers, etc.
• Improved calculation: You will become more precise in calculating variations.
• Self-confidence: Winning material or checkmating the opponent is extremely rewarding!

Where to practice?

• Lichess.org: Offers thousands of free and unlimited puzzles, sorted by theme and difficulty level. It's the best resource to start with.
• Chess.com: Also offers an excellent puzzle section, although it is limited in the free version.

Recommended routine: 15 to 20 minutes of puzzles per day. Consistency is more important than quantity.

2. Practice Basic Endgames: The Art of Closing

Endgames are often neglected by beginners, but they are absolutely crucial. A well-mastered endgame is the difference between a certain victory and a frustrating draw. Knowing how to checkmate with a queen and king, or how to promote a pawn, will win you countless games.

The exercise: Practice against the computer in fundamental endgame positions until the technique becomes second nature.

Why it's effective?

• Pure technique: Endgames teach you the power and limitations of each piece in isolation.
• Precision: In the endgame, every move counts. There is no room for imprecision.
• Confidence: Reaching a winning endgame knowing you can convert it is a huge psychological advantage.

Which endgames to prioritize?

1. King + Queen vs. King: The very basics. This is the position you will most often get after promoting a pawn.
2. King + Rook vs. King: A bit more technical, but just as essential. The "box technique" is fundamental here.
3. King + 2 Bishops vs. King: An excellent exercise for learning piece coordination.
4. King + Pawn vs. King: The most complex and richest of the basic endgames. Understanding the concepts of opposition and key squares is fundamental for any chess player.

How to practice? On Lichess, you can easily set up these positions from the Board editor (under the "Tools" tab) and then play against the computer. Lichess also offers specific training modules for endgames.

Recommended routine: 15 minutes per week on one or two endgames, until you master them perfectly. Repetition is key.

3. Analyze Your Own Games: Become Your Own Coach

This is one of the most difficult exercises, but also one of the most rewarding. Learning from your mistakes is the surest path to progress.

The exercise: After each game (especially losses), take the time to review it in a structured way.

How to do it?

1. Without the help of the computer first: This is the most important step. Try to identify the key moments yourself. Ask yourself the right questions:
   • What was the turning point of the game?
   • At what point did I lose control?
   • Did I miss an obvious tactical opportunity?
   • Was my opening plan good? Did I develop my pieces well?
   • How did I manage my time?
2. With the Lichess analysis: Once you have done your own analysis, use the "Request a computer analysis" feature. Compare the computer's conclusions with your own. Don't just look at the "best move"; try to understand why it's the best move.
3. Note your recurring mistakes: Do you often leave pieces en prise? Do you forget about your king's safety? Note these tendencies in a notebook to remember them in your next games.

Recommended routine: Analyze at least one slow game per day of play. Analyzing a loss is often more instructive than analyzing ten easy wins.

4. Play Slow Games

Blitz (fast games of 3 to 5 minutes) is fun, but not very conducive to learning. To improve, you need time to think.

The exercise: Play games with a longer time control.

Which time control to choose?

• 15 minutes + 10 seconds per move (15+10): This is an excellent compromise. You have time to think without the game lasting for hours.
• 30 minutes (30+0): Ideal for deeper analysis.

Playing slower games will allow you to put into practice what you have learned in puzzles and endgame study.

5. Visualization Exercises

Visualization is the ability to see moves in your head without moving the pieces. It's an advanced skill, but beginners can start developing it early.

The exercise:

1. Play blindfolded: Try to play a simple game in your head against an imaginary opponent.
2. Follow grandmaster games: Watch grandmaster games and try to guess their next moves before they are played.

Why it's effective?

• Improves memory: Strengthens your working memory and your ability to remember positions.
• Develops calculation: Helps you calculate longer and more complex variations.

Recommended routine: 5 to 10 minutes per day, starting with simple exercises.

Conclusion: A Simple Routine for Great Progress

To improve at chess, the key is consistency and quality of training. There is no need to spend hours every day.

Here is an example of a daily routine (30 minutes):

• 15 min: Tactical puzzles on Lichess.
• 15 min: A slow game (15+10) followed by a brief analysis.

By following this simple program, you will develop a better understanding of the game, improve your tactical vision, and gain confidence. So, get to your chessboards!