• Nick R posted an update

      a year ago

      Sounds stupid but I really struggle memorising the chess board grid. So when I see Nf6:Bg4 etc I have to track across and up to find the square. Anyone got any tips on how to memorise the grid so I immediately know which square is being referenced?

      Kyle, Wesley H and 2 others
      5 Comments
      • I have the same problem and wonder if the “Vision” function on chess.com can really improve this problem. So I’ll give it a shot: https://www.chess.com/vision

        2
        • The Vision function on chess.com that Julian mentioned is interested, I actually didn’t know that existed. The only thing about that is when I first learned the coordinates it was easier to learn them in relation to the pieces on the board initially. For example, I knew that the e file was where the kings were, and the d file where the queens were. So if someone moved the king pawn up 2 squares, I knew it was e4 for white and e5 for black. Or when the white bishops come out all the way I knew it was Bg5 on the kingside and Bb5 on the queenside. The best way to pick up on this is to force yourself to notate some games without looking at the coordinates. I’d do it playing against bots or something so you don’t have the pressure of a real game. At each move, ask yourself what you think the coordinate is, then check if you got it right and make a mental note. It’s a bit tedious but you’ll start to pick up on things pretty quickly.

          3
          • @ChessVibes The Vision Function on Chess.com is a great exercise in learning the coordinates. Analyzing & Annotating games is also very helpful in learning the coordinates. I look at white as reading English (left to right) and black as reading Hebrew (right to left)

          • Hercules chess, which was recommended by Nelson in one of his videos, is free. It is not that great but it does have a puzzle/challenge to help memorizing the grid. I do it daily. https://herculeschess.com/ These days virtually all mistakes I make on it are from a mouse slip or from trying to do it when I’m really tired.

            https://herculeschess.com/

            • There is a series of YouTube videos by ChessSimple I believe which are about 1 year old. They are helpful (and short) with daily exercises to get you zeroed in on the board dynamics. One lesson is entitled: Board Visualization Training Program – Month 1
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              I just started to play chess (january of 2024). I find the visualization diagrams useful.