How to beat the computer at Chess
Beating a chess computer is about habits, not tricks. The lower levels give pieces away; the higher ones almost never do, so you win by building a better position and spotting tactics a move earlier than they do.
These are the habits that matter most, in the order you will need them, with the opening lines worth learning and the mistakes that cost most games.
Know who you are playing
Levels 1 to 3 hang pieces and miss simple threats, so a careful player wins just by not blundering. Use the Hint button on the first two levels to see what you missed.
Further up the ladder the computer stops handing out free material. Waiting for a mistake no longer works, so you need a plan: develop quickly, keep your king safe and look for a tactic every move.
Openings you can rely on
You do not need a huge repertoire. Three ideas are enough: take the centre, bring out your knights and bishops, and castle early.
- As White, play 1.e4 and follow with Nf3 and Bc4 (the Italian Game: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4). It develops fast and aims at the weak f7 square.
- As Black against 1.e4, answer 1...e5 to keep things simple, or 1...c6 (the Caro-Kann) for a solid position with few early tactics.
- Against 1.d4, answer 1...d5 and develop your knights before touching your queen.
- Castle by about move ten. A king stuck in the middle is the most common way to lose a middlegame.
Tactics that win material
Most games between club-level players are decided by one tactic. Check for these on every move, yours and the computer's:
- Forks: one piece attacking two at once. Knights are the best at it.
- Pins and skewers: a piece that cannot move without exposing a more valuable one behind it.
- Discovered attacks: move one piece out of the way so another one attacks.
- Loose pieces: any piece nothing defends is a target, yours as well as theirs.
The blunder check
Before every move, ask two questions. What does their last move threaten? And if I play this, can they simply take something? Most lost games are lost to a piece left undefended for one move.
Turning an advantage into a win
Once you are a piece up, trade pieces, not pawns: every exchange makes your extra material count for more. Put rooks on open files, bring your king into the game once the queens are off, and push a passed pawn (one with no enemy pawn in front of it) up the board.
Learn the basic checkmates with king and queen against king, and king and rook against king. They are quick to learn and you will need them.
Learn from every loss
After a game, open the post-game review. It tags your moves and shows where the game turned, which is the quickest way to find the habit that keeps costing you. Then replay the same opponent. Beating a level you lost to is how the ladder is meant to work.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best first move in chess?
1.e4 and 1.d4 are the two most popular, and both fight for the centre. For a beginner, 1.e4 is easier to play because it opens lines for your bishop and queen straight away.
How do I beat a chess computer?
Avoid blunders, develop all your pieces, castle early and look for forks and pins. Weaker levels lose to simple tactics. Stronger levels need you to build a better position first.
Should I trade pieces or keep them on?
If you are ahead on material, trade pieces. If you are behind, keep them on, because it gives you more chances to create threats.
Why do I keep losing in the middlegame?
Usually it is an undefended piece or an unsafe king. Castle early, and before each move check whether your last move left anything loose.
Put it into practice
Start against Trevor, the friendliest opponent, and work your way up the ladder of ten computer players to Pete, the hardest. It’s free and works in your browser.
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