A very usef ul guide to help you about how to

learn chess and get a good methodology to

progress. Don't waste more time and progress
right now like a rocket~
INDEX

1) Why is it complicated to improve your chess rating? .... .... .... ..... .... ..... 03

1a. The coach ........................................................................................... 03

1b. The methodology ............................................................................... 04

1c. Physiological, emotional and sociocultural factors ........................ 08

2) 6 advices to help you in chess ............................................................... 09

3) Test. Basic concepts ... ........ ..... ........ ..... ............. ............. ..... ........ ..... ...... 1O
Why is it complicated to improve your chess rating?
Making progress in chess is not an easy thing to do. lt's a long and hard
process. lf someone tells you that with a couple of classes ar just by reading a
couple of "magical" books you are going to make lots of progress, he is lying to
you.

The whole point of this guide is to approach all the variables and possibilities
that make an influence when you put your mind anta making progress in chess.

1) The coach:

This is one of the main errors and it's the fact that many people are not
conscious of certain decisions taken lightly. Are you the type who invests
1.000 - 2000 €in playing on various tournaments thinking that you are going to
make progress by pure magic, ar studying on your own and you are not capable
of realizing that the first investment you need to make in order to progress is a
coach that helps you achieve your goals and take your playing to another level?

To play on chess tournaments you need to be very prepared, and choose them
with deep thought. Keep in mind that in this era of technology, everyone has
been studying justas hard -if not even more than- as you. lf you don't have a
coach, you're off to a disadvantage because most likely the majority of your
opponents to defeat actually have one.

lf you really want to make progress you must use all the tools at your disposal,
starting by a good coach. He will provide you that extra motivation you need,
that desire to work and be able to see what you ultimately need. lt's always
easier from an exterior perspective. You will make progress faster because the
coach will guide you to the themes and concepts you must dominate befare
and that really makes an influence in the result of a chess game and you'll be
able to increase your rating to a better speed in a smaller number of
tournaments, since your level will have increased drastically.

lf you're looking for a coach, rve got just what you need: The Rebel Alliance.
 Why is it complicated to improve your chess rating?
2) The methodology

How many times have you studied for months, analyzing a bunch of games,
reading an important amount of books ... and you still have the same rating and no
improvement at all?

Don't worry, it has happened to all of us. You have been wasting your time, that's
the uglytruth. And the problem is that you have had access to so much information
that you lost yourself, and you don't know far sure what the goals are anymore.

You wanted to run before you even know how to walk. Not every material out there
is interesting, there are sorne that just want look to entertain you but not make a
real progress. Others want to perfect yourself but, if you don't know the bas ic
concepts on chess, they will not help you much ...

lf you have trouble making progress, 1 recommend you to apply the same study
method as sorne chess master, someone who has gane through those steps you
must wander, inform yourself on how that person studies, what he/she does, what
was his/her focus on each phase, what made him/her move on to the next level... 1
personally want to share mine on this guide in order to help you.

Throughout the years, l've had lots of trainers and l've gane through a variety of
levels that eventually led to being a Master. Besides, as a coach, 1 apply the
teachings you must know according to your level in arder to make progress and
increase your rating. l've been developing a methodology with my students through
years of experience that it's working out with great results. lt's "The Chueca
method:'

lt's mainly based on explaining the complicated topics starting from the essential
concepts and ideas everyone knows a priori. Many people think they know the
basic tapies such as "opposition, the square rule, the weaknesses ..." but they don't
realize that it's not exactly like that, they haven't deepen enough. The concepts in
the endgames, far example, must be automatized and known perfectly, because
there will always be time pressure and the slightest doubt will make you lose a won
game.
Why is it complicated to improve your chess rating?

You probably have seen the theme of

"the opposition". And just looking at
the diagram you'll know that if black
moves, he will lose because white has
the opposition.
Far example: 1... Kd7 2. Kf6 Kd6 3.e5
Kd7 4. Kf7 1-0 and black one cannot
stop the pawn from moving along. And
if white plays, it's draw because black
has the opposition.
Far example: 1.Kf5 Kf7 2.e5 Ke7 3.e6
Ke8 4.Kf6 Kf8 5.e7+ Ke8 6.Ke6 %-%.

Would you know to apply this basic

concept to more complex positions?

Imagine you're on a chess game

8 playing with black and it's your turn to
move. Would you know which plan to
7
apply and what would be the final
6
result of this?

s As l've mentioned, my methodology is

based on the essential pillar of basic
4
chess concepts. To make the harder
stuff easier. That's why we will be
3
adding pieces and solving positions
2
more and more complex each time,
but always keeping in mind the basic
concepts.
And the solution is ...
Why is it complicated to improve your chess rating?

lf you decide to go capturethe pawn on e2,

8 you will lose the pawn on f4 and thus, the
wholegame.
7

6
lhe reason is because White takes the
opposition and it has material advantage.
s
lf you decide to play 1he Kd6! rnaking
4 diagonal opposition and affinn 1hat, in
fact, its draw, 1hen you founcl the solution.
3

2
lt's basic, to 1...Kd6 2.Kc8 Kc6 and the
white king can't leavethe eighth file.

1...Kd6 2.Kb7 Kd7! and the white king

doesn't leave the ''b" column. lt's enough
following the white king maintaining the
opposition.
8
Admit it... lhe first thing yoúre looking far
7 is capturing the pawn on e2. Wrth these
examples, what we do is complicate the
6
most basictopics like ''the opposition" just
s
a little more.

4 Imagine just how much progress can you

make if you reached domination of all
3 500 opening basic tapies, middlegame
ancl finals.
2

Check "The Chueca me1hod" on my

1
website far more details.
Why is it complicated to improve your chess rating?
"Which topics should 1know with my ELO?" 1 have elaborated an indicative list.

<1750 elo 1751-2050 elo >2051 elo

Get concepts and a good base. Control advanced t hemes in Perfection your style. Flexibility
chess
* Tactic: Many easy and chess *Tactic: Mixed tactic to stay
puzzles to get tactical *Tactic: Few and complicate active and ready for the
patterns. puzzles for the spatial vision. tournaments.

* Openings * Openings * Openings

-The centre -Schemes -Flexibility in t he style
-The iniciat ive -Simple repertoire for W&B -Advanced repertoire for W&B
-The development -Unusual openings -Perfect ion the repertoire
-The dynamic in chess -Secundary lines and gambits -Lines in the same opening
-The squares -Traps in the openigs -Change to the main lines

* Middlegame: *Middlegame: * Middlegame:

-The squares -Double pawns -The preparat ion of a game
-The bishop -The dyna mic in chess -The classical players
-The knight -Attack on the king -The defense
-Good bishop vs bad knight -Do not hurry -The posit ional sacrifice of pawn
-Good knight vs bad bishop -Schematic thinking -The exchange sacrifice
-Two bishops vs knight pair -Gruenfeld pawn structure -Thinking in the endgame
-Rook vs Bishop -lsolated pawn (in depth) -Eagerness to win material
-Rook vs Knight -Passed pawns -Eagerness to get draw
-Queen vs 2-3 pieces -Backward pawn -Eagerness to attack the king
-Domination -Ha nging pawns -Eagerness to exchange pieces
-Broadening -Stonewall pawn structure -The liquidations
-The weaknesses -Simmetrical pawn structure -Changes in the defense
-The fortress -Minority attack -Changes in the opening
-St alemate -The island pawns -Creative studies
-The Zugzwang -Attack in opposite sides -The psychology in chess

* Endgames: *Endgames: * Endgames:

-Basic pawn endgames
-Advanced pawn endgames
-Genera l basic endgames
-The tri ang ul ation
-The rule of the sq uare
-Checkmate: knight and bi shop
-Checkmate: bishop pair
-Rook and pawn vs rook
-Rook endgames
-Different colour bishops
-Same colour bishops
-Knight vs pawn
-2 knights vs pawn
-Knight endgames
-Queen endgames
-Advanced pawn endgames
-Creative endgames
-Rook and bishop vs rook
-Two minor pieces vs rook
-Rook vs bishop and pawns
-Many pieces endgames
-Typical endgames of openings
-How to put the pawn structure
-Blindfold chess

l've detailed everything by cl icking here.

Why is it complicated to improve your chess rating?
3) Physiological, emotional, sociocultural f actors...
The truth is that the two first (a good coach +a good methodology) are the most
decisive elements when it comes to make progress on chess, however, 1 would
like to approach a series of factors that we also need to consider.

-Age: Chess learning is faster on kids and it decreases pursuant to age. lt's
something physiological and it cannot be changed. What can we do about it?

In the case of children, if you are a parent, hiring a coach as soon as possible can
be one of the best investment decisions you can make, in arder to explode your
child's skills at the soonest, because the little one will need more time far the
same learning as he/she gets older.

In the case of wanting to make progress as an adult, there's no problem and it's
also possible. We must be aware of the fact that we will need more time and
therefore, you need to focus on those aspects that when studying, are possible to
apply them more times and progress more quantitatively. Plus, 1 would
recommend a higher effort in terms of tactics, since, as we grow older, we tend to
lose reflects and combinative vision.

-The physical: Many people underestimate it but the reality is that is easy have
games of 4h and 5h and you must be at 100% in this moments. You don't need a
specific physical work, but you will need the vitality to be fresh and not
disconnecting after several hours of game. This will avoid big blunders.

-Extra charges: lt's not the same competing without worries than doing it while
thinking about your studies, work ar other activities you have pending. lf you want
to work at 100%, you'll have to free yourself from those extra charges that saturate
your mind, at least on the competition days. Don't try to take on too much
activities that demand lots of energy and concentration at the same time.

-Psychology: Understanding chess as a long and continuous learning process is

vital. That's why accepting a defeat is essential to avoid carrying negative
thoughts ar d iscomfort that can alter your concentration on the next rounds. Th is
would apply as an extra charge, consequently making you play at a lower level.

J~
6 advices to help you in chess!
#1 Endless openings? No, thanks!
Openings require a lot of time and they will not give you instant victories,
because these are obtained in the middlegame and in the finals. lt's useless stay
with a slight advantage and get lost by the mínimum slip, ending up worse than
how you started. They will only work far you if you are looking to perfect your
chess in a more advanced level.

#2 "l've improved a lot and without training ..:' DON'T LET VOURSELF BE FOOLED!
Those who claim to have made progress by casualty, usually have a trainer
behind them and they study for hours and hours. The success of your progress
will depend on you, on your effort, pass ion and desire to outdo yourself.

#3 l'm not feeling motivated...

There's nothing more motivating than wanting to learn new things every day and
if on top of that, you learn from someone who knows quite a lot and teaches you
another vision of chess, it will be enough motivation to start playing your games
on the maximum of your energy.

#4 1only need 4 classes to improve my level. On chess, miracles DON'T exist...

Chess is a game that takes dedication, time and study and there are no magical
recipes or miraculous techniques. What there actually is far everyone is good
methodologies so that at least after a lot of effort, patience and work, you get the
results you fought so hard far. Even a negative effort management ar a messy
guide can make your effort be worthless.

#5 Basic topics? 1 know them ... l've seen them ... Could you refresh them to me?
Either you know all the basic concepts perfectly or you don't know them at all. In
a chess game, where you will be pressured and haven't got enough time to
calculate, you can't hesitate. lt's best if you go slow and make a good review of the
essential tapies to finish settling them. Starting from a good base, you'll be able
to grow as a chess player.

#6 Obtain concepts, don't memorize them.

Why would you want to memorize moves if when your opponent makes a different
one, you don't understand that position? lt's best to acquire lots of concepts and
unwind yourself well in an¡ sition: tha: memori~ing endless chess moves.
TEST. How much do you know about basic concepts?

Exercise 1: White to move. What's the result?

Exercise 2: White to move. What's the winner move?

TEST. How much do you know about basic concepts?

7
White has a protected passed pawn!
6
Then, White has got all the tempos
that he needs.
s
Seeing this, we can think that White
can take the black pawns and could
be winning. But. .. Now 2 important
3
basic concepts appear:
2
1- The rule of the square/box where
the king can stop the white pawn if it's
inside of this square.

2- The opposition and the distance

Solution Exercise 1: DRAW! opposition. This is the key far black to
get draw. In the moment that White
takes the pawn of h5 the black king
plays Kd5 getting the opposition. Now
it will be impossible far White
progress and black is able to stop the
pawn if White tries to promote it.

lt was a complicate endgames which

was based on the elemental
concepts. Were you able to see all the
themes of the endgame? lf you did it,
then, you have studied them properly.
lf not, don't worr, it's very common but
you should check your level of basic
~oncepts.
TEST. How much do you know about basic concepts?

Exercise 2: White to move. What's the winner move?

lf you have chosen 1.Kf3 and have
calculated, you did it peñectly!

Again the basic theme of "Opposition"

has appeared but in a complicate
endgame.

1 lave pawn endgames because are

very helpful to work your mind,
calculate many moves and think with
logic.

lf we would have played 1.Kf4? would

be draw after 1 ...g6! 2.hxg6 Kxg6 3.g3
h5 4.e6 Kf6 5.e7 Kxe7 6.Kxf5 h4! 1/2

Solution Exercise 2: 1.Kf3!

The key is that 1 .Kf3 is the tempo
which we need to wait Black.

Far example, 1.Kf3 g6 2.hxg6 Kxg6

3.Kf4 h5 4.g3! 1-0
ar 1.Kf3 Ke7 2.Kf4 Ke6 g3 1-0
because after move the king, g6 is not
possible.

1 lave this endgames, you learn much

with this kind of examples and help
you to get a better base. lf you are
able to salve this, you will not have
problems with the endgames of your
A B C D E F G H games, they will be easier.
Did you like my guide? Help me with a tweet/share!

1have tried to show you the secrets in the success of chess and the ways to get
it in a small guide with the best keys and my own methodology.

lf you liked this guide, please help me sharing it in Facebook, Twitter and
recommend it to your friends by email.

To do it easier, 1have prepared a link far you:

1have decided start to improve my chess with @ChuecaForcen You can

do it also here: www.albertochueca.com #ChessCoach

Many thanks to help me and share my ideas with others!

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Something more about Alberto Chueca:
"I help chess players to get their maximum level giving
them a good methodology and the motivation they need!"

Alberto Chueca

1hope to work with you soon! :)

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