Top 10

Top 10 Mistakes New Players Make in Online Chess

Trust me, you’re not alone. Most new players dive into online chess thinking, “How hard can it be?” and then get crushed by someone named “KnightCrusher_204” in 7 moves.

But hey — that’s part of the fun. Losing, learning, and laughing at yourself is what makes chess addictive. But there are some classic mistakes new players keep making that slow down their progress.

If you’re reading this, you probably want to avoid them. So let’s go through them one by one — no boring lingo, just real talk.

1. Playing Too Fast Like It’s a Video Game

Yep. This is the #1 trap.

You get into a game. Clock is ticking. You panic. You move. You blunder. You cry.

Slow down. Seriously. Chess is not a speed test, especially for beginners. If you rush your moves, you’re basically guessing — and that’s not how you improve.

💡 Play longer games like 10+10 or even daily games. Sites like Chessmail let you play chess online with no pressure and actually think.

2. Ignoring the Center (a Big No-No)

Ever just push your side pawns and try to trap the opponent? Fun, right? But not smart 😅

The center of the board (especially e4, d4, e5, d5) is where the magic happens. Controlling it gives your pieces room to breathe.

If you don’t fight for the center, you're just letting your opponent take over. So next time, bring out your pawns and develop your knights towards the center early.

3. Playing the Same Opening Every Single Game

Okay, I get it. You saw one opening on YouTube and now you play it every. single. game.

But here’s the thing: real improvement comes from exploring different setups, learning the ideas, not memorizing 12 moves.

Try switching it up. Play open games, closed ones, even weird systems. That’s how you build intuition.

4. Obsessing Over Rating Too Soon

Raise your hand if you refresh your rating after every game 🙋

New players get way too obsessed with numbers. But ratings don’t tell the full story. You can improve your understanding a LOT even if your rating stays the same for a while.

The trick is: focus on your thinking process, not just the result.

If you’re playing thoughtful games and learning something — you're winning.

5. Not Using Puzzles to Train Tactics

If you skip puzzles because “they’re boring” or “I’ll just play games,” you're missing out big time.

Puzzles teach you the patterns — forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks — that you’ll actually use in games.

Do just 1 puzzle a day. That’s it.
Chessmail’s daily chess puzzle is perfect for this. One simple challenge that trains your brain gently.

6. Playing Without a Plan (Just Moving Stuff)

We've all done this: “Uhh… I’ll move this bishop… why? No idea. Just feels right.”

Moving without a plan is like driving without knowing the destination. You’ll end up somewhere — but probably not where you wanted.

Before each move, ask yourself:

• What’s my opponent threatening?
  
  

• What am I threatening?
  
  

• What’s the next thing I want to do?
  
  

Even a bad plan is better than no plan at all.

7. Avoiding the Endgame Like It’s a Horror Movie

Endgames scare beginners. King and pawns? Ugh. Boring.

But guess what? That’s where a lot of games are won and lost.

Learn just the basics:

• King + pawn vs king
  
  

• Opposition
  
  

• Rook endgames
  
  

Spend 10 minutes a week. That’s enough to level up faster than 90% of new players.

8. Blaming the Opponent or “Computer Cheating”

It’s tempting. You lose. You say: “They must be cheating.”
Or “Ugh, this site is rigged.”

Take a breath. Most opponents are not cheating. They're just... better. And that’s okay.

Blaming external stuff only stops you from improving. Instead, say: “Where did I go wrong?” or “Next time I’ll avoid that trap.”

If you're worried about fair play, stick to sites like Chessmail — they keep things clean and community-driven.

9. Jumping Into Blitz (Too Soon)

Blitz games are fun. Fast. Intense. Addictive. But... terrible for learning when you’re new.

In blitz, you don’t have time to think. You just rely on instincts you probably haven’t developed yet.

Stick to longer formats like 10-min+ or even daily games where you can pause, reflect, and think.

Seriously, your chess will thank you.

10. Not Reviewing Your Games (Big Missed Opportunity)

You finish a game and click “next.” Stop doing that 😅

Go back. Look at your blunders. Ask: “Why did I miss that move?”
Even spending 2 minutes reviewing your last game helps more than 3 new games played blindly.

Bonus: Sites like Chessmail let you play slowly and review at your own pace, without engine overload.

Final Thoughts: Nobody Starts Perfect, and That’s the Beauty of It

Listen, if you’ve made some (or all) of these mistakes — congrats! That means you're actually playing and trying. Every great player started exactly where you are.

The real magic of chess is in the learning — not just winning.

So, take your time. Slow down. Solve puzzles. Think a little deeper. And most of all — enjoy the process.

If you're looking for a quiet, thoughtful space to play where you won't be rushed or judged, maybe check out Chessmail. It's more chill, less flashy, and perfect for players who just want to learn and grow.

And hey — if you’ve got questions, don’t be afraid to ask. The chess community has room for everyone.

♟️ Keep playing. Keep blundering. Keep getting better.