Things You'll Need:
- Chess board and pieces Small punch clock
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Step 1
Become familiar with some winning chess strategies. These can be found in many books, or on websites such as chesscentral.com. Select a strategy that you understand and can master quickly. Practice the strategy, as well as a few alternate strategies, many times before playing competitively.
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Step 2
Train yourself to employ your strategy quickly. One of the keys to winning most chess games is to come out playing fast. By doing so you will throw your opponent off guard and force him to make mistakes. Make an aggressive move early in the game that puts the other player on the defensive.
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Step 3
Experiment to see how your strategy works against other successful strategies. In doing so you will find weak spots that need to be corrected. The key to optimal chess is not simply knowing your strategy but knowing what you will do if it does not work. Plan for every contingency, including losing a major piece like a queen or rook.
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Step 4
Time yourself with a punch clock. Try to keep your moves to less than 30 seconds. This will not only give your play an air of confidence, it will also confuse your opponent.
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Step 5
Try your strategy against several good opponents. Treat these games as a learning process, and record them with a camera. Look back and see where your strategy broke down and how to deal with specific challenges. The key to playing optimal chess is not only thinking several moves ahead but also thinking several moves ahead according to different scenarios.
