Jesse Sheldon

Adult chess improver and Detroit Sports Fan #chesspunks

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

@chesscom @AlexBanzea

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

@chesscom Increment

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

@ChessVonDoom 1) @IM_Rosen
2) @AlexBanzea
3) @GothamChess
4) @JesseKraai
5) @GMHikaru

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

@DanielRensch @chesscom 30 +5
45+15
90+30

[Taylor Decker @__taylordecker]

Infinite retweets

[MrBeast @MrBeast]

I’m gonna give 10 random people that repost this and follow me $25,000 for fun (the $250,000 my X video made)

I’ll pick the winners in 72 hours

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

Let’s Go Lions! #onepride

[Detroit Lions @Lions]

Hats off to the @FordField crowd for the assist last Sunday.

Let's bring that 🔊🔊🔊 again this week, especially when the Tampa Bay offense is 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲!

[Pride of Detroit @PrideOfDetroit]

Alex Anzalone has one request for #Lions fans at the game on Sunday.

(and you should listen to him)

https://t.co/gyFYa90Cq6

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

@Mrjimjones71 @bushwood_c @Lions I was recently telling my son about the Flyin Lion! It was hilarious when it would drop gift certificates for a contestant to catch.

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

@chesscom Oh no. Blunder

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

@chessdojo That we have inexpensive rated games (usually $5 for a quad) once per month.

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

@chesscom 100,001

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

@chesscom ELO all day. The amount of time I’d save would be worth way more than $1000. Plus I’d probably save almost that amount in chess books alone.

[Susan Polgar @SusanPolgar]

Some dos and don’ts in chess for beginners and novice

*** General ***

These are the rules of thumb to be applied throughout the entire game.

• After every move by your opponent, ask yourself these questions:

1. Can I capture any of my opponent’s pieces to gain material?
2. What does my opponent want to do?
a) Am I in check?
b) Does my opponent want to capture any of my pieces?
c) Is my opponent threatening a tactical maneuver (i.e., fork, pin, etc.)?

• Simplify the position by trading pieces when you are ahead in material.
• Avoid doubling your pawns (placing two pawns on the same file).
• Always keep your pawns connected.
• Occupy open file(s) with your rook(s).
• Do not trade a bishop for a knight unless the position is closed (with many pawns and no open lines), or unless you gain some kind of advantage from the exchange.
• Avoid staying in pins.
• Keep your pieces on protected squares as much as possible.

*** In the Opening ***

Here are some things to look for in the beginning of the game.

• Control the CENTER (start out by putting at least one center pawn in the center).
• Develop your pieces so that they can attack the center as much as possible.
• Put your king in safety quickly by CASTLING.
• Don’t move the same piece twice (unless necessary; i.e., moving away from an attack or recapturing, etc.).
• Don’t move your queen out early (usually only after both knights and bishops are developed and the king is safe).
• Connect your rooks by moving out all pieces between them.

*** In the Middlegame ***

Below are some of things to look for after you have developed all your pieces.

• Look for targets or weaknesses in your opponent’s position.
• Make plans based on the targets and your opponent’s position.
• When you have an attack going on the opponent’s king, avoid trading queens.
• Keep your king safe, usually behind two or three pawns and near the corner.
• Gain a space advantage.

*** In the endgame ***

Here are some things to look for after several pieces (usually including the queens) have been exchanged.

• Try to bring your king toward the center and in play. In the endgame, contrary to the earlier parts of the game, the king should be an active participant, at times even in the attack.
• Try to create passed pawns.
• If you have a passed pawn, advance it. Try to promote your passed pawn to a Queen (most of the time).
• If your opponent has a passed pawn, make sure you can stop it before it reaches the promotion square (or at least make a counter plan).

Many more tips can be found in my best-selling chess instructional books (World Champion’s Guide to Chess, Chess Tactic for Champions, Learn Chess the Right Way 5-volume series), etc. They are aimed for beginners to intermediate players. They are also perfect for parents and teachers to introduce chess to young players. If you cannot afford it, try your local libraries. I am sure there are many good chess books there.

@FIDE_chess @ECUonline @WOMChess

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

@DoctorScull I’d play up. Better growth opportunity. Unless you go near perfect in the lower section a rating hit is also more likely.

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

@hellokostya @chess_dojo Loving the new site!!!

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

@PrideOfDetroit Both can be true

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

@ChessVonDoom I won’t take a pity continuation. It’s a rule and I need it to be painful for me to learn. It has happened to me twice OTB. Hoping the pain keeps it from happening again.

[Jesse Sheldon @jsheld2]

@ChessVonDoom Usually I’m the one making this blunder. Even if my opponent doesn’t call it out right away I know it’s a rule and move the piece I touched with no I’ll feelings toward my opponent.