Advanced Chess Psychology
Chess tactics, such as double attacks, pins, checkmating sequences, exchanging operations and other combinations or sequences of moves) are super important. There is a saying that chess is 99% tactics. Many learning players think too much about "this is the plan" or "I don’t like this because of doubled pawns" when they really should be thinking, " “if my opponent does this, then what am I going to do?”

Checkmate problems are an exercise in tactics - the idea is to figure out the problem and understand why the solution is the solution.

The thing about chess opening theory is that it can be used against you as easily as you can use it but there are plenty of openings that can branch seamlessly into not-so-theoretical positions. If you play a lot, you can develop lines and positions where you are comfortable.

Chess openings are compilations of good moves. When a player makes a move you don’t know, it is either a recognized move that you don’t know or it is probably not such a good move. So then players should spend a lot of time to prove to themselves just why that move might be inferior. Of course, if you are playing complex openings that you do not know very well, you won’t be sure whether it is your lack of theoretical knowledge or your opponent’s. So for maximum results, you have to have some time-tested openings where you think you know some of moves so you will be able to get a better position when your opponent makes an unexpected move.

Systematic study of tactics, by solving mate problems, is a fun way to study. Another system is to assign numeric values (like a computer) to a position, like for example; a position might be "60-40" in favor of White. Then a good move will keep the position 60-40. So when a player is calculating quiet moves, if at the end of the calculation she cannot reach a 60-40 evaluation, then either she is thinking about the wrong moves, or the position was not 60-40 to start with.

So you have to combine calculation with evaluation and compare the evaluation after the possible moves. (This is why computers are becoming stronger - the quicker comparison of the evaluations.) The most important thing is to examine the various candidate moves so you don’t miss the best moves.

Everything starts with your opponent’s last move. Why did she do it, is she threatening anything? If so, how do you respond to the threat, or do you have any counter threats that might be more important? Once you know why she made the last move (even if you have concluded that it was pointless) then you can develop a list of candidate moves. This mechanical process is very helpful, probably one of the most important thinking tools.

Chess is a pretty self-directed thing – focusing on individual problem-solving and creative thinking. But teachers can greatly shorten the process of becoming stronger by pointing players in the right direction. However, there is no substitute for tournament experience, and analyzing chess with your friends. One good technique is to have people around who are at least as good as you to play against or to show your games to.

Some parents notice that their child can be upset if they lose a good position or otherwise do not play their best. But this is ok - you have to have nervous energy to play your best, and chess being such a difficult game, mistakes of various levels happen, and being upset about them is a natural part of improving.
To play against competition, which is rationally as strong as you are, you still have to somehow "believe" that you are stronger than they are. You need that to get that extra strength to calculate all of the tactics.

Many people say that studying the endgame is critical … that it gives you a better appreciation of the powers of the pieces. Usually when students improve at chess, it improves every phase of the game – openings, middle games and endings.

There are many sources for learning about chess. There are many great instructional chess books, both with diagram problems and written guidance. If you can solve the diagram puzzles from the book without setting up the board, you can get through a lot more problems. On the internet, there are several servers, which allow constant, anonymous opponents in a kid-friendly environment … our favorite, is located at chessclub.com. Speed chess (for example, 5 minutes per game) is good practice as long as you don’t get discouraged by the blunders and time pressure mistakes. The best way to use speed chess is to practice different openings.

Another important tool is visualization, which can be done either looking away from or at the board. This involves mentally moving the pieces that you need to calculate what may happen in a few moves. You have to really imagine the pieces in their new spots. This is because there are many combinations, or forcing lines, and once you go into a sequence you often cannot back out.

In the openings, the best approach is to try to gain a general knowledge of the different openings, so you can compare the types of positions against each other and decide what types of positions you prefer playing.

Recommended Chess Reading:

How to Beat Your Dad at Chess
By Murray Chandler

Simple Checkmates (Kid Friendly)
By A.J. Gillam

Art of Attack in Chess (Advanced)
By Vladimir Vukovic

303 Tricky Chess Tactics ( Kid Friendly)
By Wilson & Alberston

Chess for Dummies (Parent Friendly)
By James Eade

Recommended Chess Equipments

BHB Clocks Analog $45 or
Chronos Digital Clocks $125 (Digital) Chronosdealer.com
Tournament Style Chess Set $20
Notation Pads $3.50
Chess Bags Range $50-$65