Play and learn chess on Chess Mars

Build a useful chess practice routine

Chess improvement starts with noticing what changes after each move. Before choosing a move, check whether either king is in danger, which pieces are undefended, and what your opponent is threatening. In a puzzle, calculate the opponent’s reply before moving. In a game, leave enough time on your clock to make the same checks.

Work on one pattern at a time. A fork attacks two targets at once; a pin restricts a piece because moving it exposes something more valuable; a skewer forces a valuable piece away from the piece behind it. Recognising the pattern is the first step. Checking every forcing reply is what makes the combination work.

• Forks in chess, with examples — learn how double attacks win material.
• A practical guide to pins — examine the piece being pinned and the target behind it.
• Skewers in chess — compare this line tactic with a pin.
• E4 openings and their key ideas — connect opening moves to development and king safety.

After solving, replay the line and explain why the other moves fail. After playing, review the first position where your plan went wrong. Use puzzle practice to work on a pattern, game analysis to review a position, and the Chess Mars blog for longer explanations.