Here is a list of 7 mistakes most commonly seen on amateur level. Many chess players just do not realize why they keep losing these games. The answer is simple. These players keep making the same mistakes over and over again, in every single game they play. How many games could have been won by avoiding these simple mistakes most people make? Take a look at the list and you will avoid these blunders!

• Mistake #7 Neglecting the development and sudden queen strike is what tend to be very often classified as an opening mistake. It is hardly ever seen on Masters level. But it seems like every player at the initial stage of his chess career does it. Why is it bad to give a quick queen check in a first few moves of the game? Well, first of all it usually allows an opponent to interpose with a pawn, knight or a bishop, gaining a golden tempo by making the queen to retreat. Secondly, since queen is such a strong piece players usually are uncertain about where it should be placed, so they tend to delay any queen moves to a better time (called a middle game). Of course there are plenty of exceptions for what I just said. For example in positions where it is possible to win some material it is surely the best to make a queen move.Always remember that the opening is for developing chess pieces and not for hunting down opponent’s unprotected rook and knight pawns, sacrificing the development whatsoever. Getting too greedy in the opening can cost you a game. Take a look at my another useful article on Opening Tips.

• Mistake # 6 Neglecting pins is another very common characteristics for novice chess players. It is always a good practice to get rid of all pin or to “un-pin” your pieces even if you don’t see the immediate danger. How many times novices lose pinned pieces when just a few moves ago they just ignored the pin? Millions of Knights, Bishops and even Rooks were killed like that.

• Mistake #5 Creating weak pawns is probably second most favorite hobby of novice players after the unnecessary queen moves. They either push pawns so deeply into the enemy’s territory so there is no way to protect it (overextended pawns), or in opposite create weak “backward” pawns and struggle in the endgame. Always think twice before the pawn move, pawns do not go back.

• Mistake #4 Even more deadly chess habit is to ignore pawns completely. I saw many novice players myself who just completely ignore pawns. For some unknown reason they think that since a pawn is the least valuable solder in chess army it is not important to save it. I saw many endgames when one party had 6 pawns and other one had 2. It is not very hard to figure out who won. The lesson is to save the pawns; otherwise you will lose your endgame right in the middle game (C).

• Mistake #3 Unnecessary piece moves is also very common mistake chess premature players make.  Remember that all the moves in chess are to be made on purpose and for a reason. If you do not know what your move is for, don’t make it. It’s that simple, just look for another one.

• Mistake #2 Ignoring king safety can be very dangerous strategy, just like in #7 many ganes were lost beacause of unprotected king was quickly checkmated. The thing that many chess players very often forget: checkmate wins the game, not the extra pawn you got right before your king was checkmated while you made 3 moves with a queen to get that pawn. Remember that and you’ll be the “checkmater” one.

• Mistake #1 Believe it or not, but not being focused loses a lot more games that all the previous mistakes combined. Novice player are just do not have enough chess experience and confidence in order to be focused the whole game. At some point novices drop a pawn. Later on – a piece. Afterwards, they lose rather quickly. The lesson is a simple – keep an eye on all your pieces and pawns and you’ll be fine in your game. By simply not losing material you will be able to hold against a much stronger player. Check out my guide How to Beat a Stronger Player which explores this topic in greater deapth.