But if you use search engine to look for "chess strategies" or "chess tactics" on the Web, you can't help but ask questions. Where do I begin? What kinds of chess strategy sites are out there? Are any of them useful? Which chess strategy data is truthful, and which of it is misleading, incorrect, or erroneous? Which chess products are worth buying?

Well, there are a few crucial pieces of information that I'd like to give you to help simplify your web search for chess tactics. This information will enable you to use the Internet to its full potential so you can discover the best chess strategy information that you need in order to increase your chess rating.

First off, do some research on the writer or writers of the specific chess website you are looking at. Look for as much information on them as possible. Have they published their chess ranking? Are they a instructor? If so, for how long have they been teaching? Are the students of this coach or trainer achieving the win in chess games? If none or little of this information is accessible, be wary. Don't take the chess instruction of an unknown person without getting more information about the website.

Second, make sure and visit the Chess Exchange Forum http://www.chessexchange.com). It's an excellent chess site! Many talented chess competitors spend time on this forum. Aside from revealing and discussing chess tactics and tips, these forum members also rate and review many chess websites and products. You should use the forum to find the answers to any questions you might have about a certain website, author, or product. With a quick search, you'll be able to know which chess players liked the resource you're wondering about and which chess players disliked it. Chess Exchange will have information on just about any resource. Of course, this is the Internet, so not everything is fully reliable, but if the majority of posters give something a positive rating, you can probably trust them. Before using a particular online chess resource, see what other chess players said about it by going to the Chess Exchange Forum. (If you go to my chess strategy website, http://www.chessvictory.com , scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and click "Chess Strategies & Resources," you can access this forum.)

The third way to refine your chess game through the Web is to play chess online. If you want to get better, play whenever you are able to. Play on your lunch break, play after you get home from work, play late at night. I won't deny that studying chess strategy is important, but the only way to gain real experience is to get out there and play someone! In all honesty, the best way to play chess online is through the Free Internet Chess Server (FICS). All you have to do is go to the FICS website and download a program (it doesn't take up much computer space), and then you can compete with other players through the Internet whenever you want! (Again, to quickly visit to the FICS, visit my chess strategy website, http://www.chessvictory.com . Scroll down and click on "Chess Strategies & Resources")

don't forget what I've communicated already about evaluating data that you read on the Web! Use those principles when you pick your chess coach. The Chess Exchange Forum is a terrific site to help you seek out and e-mail prospective chess teachers. Some of them may even be members of the forum!|Fourth tip: find a chess coach online! Visit http://www.google.com/ and search "chess coach" or "chess coaching", and you'll get loads of findings. Most trainers charge you a fee, but it is totally worth it. These are professionals who will analyze your games (they most often give you a written copy of the analysis) and reveal to you countless and priceless tips for improving your playing. Remember though, before you agree to hire a chess coach, see what other chess players have said about him or her on the Chess Exchange Forum. You can never be too careful on the Web.

Finally, my fifth tip in using the Web to develop your chess experience is to download chess software. Aside from the FICS, there are some pieces of chess software that are vital to own:

1. ChessBase. This program is essentially the standard format for Web chess layouts. This is what people use! Just about everything that is connected to chess on the Web is being developed in the ChessBase formatthat includes resources, tutorials, lessons, annotated games, and anything else that would take a pupil step-by-step through a chess game. The program is a necessity for a chess student who wants to use the Web to develop his or her game. You can simply download a free version of ChessBase of their website that gives you more than enough options to use. You can also buy the full version if you want. Remember, without this software, you cannot load very many chess resources that are available online. (Download ChessBase by visiting my chess strategy website - http://www.chessvictory.com - scrolling to the bottom of the page, and clicking the "Chess Strategies & Resources" link.)

2. Second, a high-quality "chess engine" is necessary if you want to develop your chess game. The term "chess engine" refers to the function of a chess program that deals with the intelligence of your gameplay. Chess engines remember all of your games, moves, and mistakes. A good chess engine can discern what the best next move is in any given game situation. If you're using some kind of chess-help program without a high-quality chess engine to go with it, you won't benefit much from it. (My chess strategy website, http://www.chessvictory.com , has a great list of good chess engines. Just visit the previous link and then click on "Chess Strategies & Resources")

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