Are you struggling to break through the 1200 rating barrier? Chances are you might be making critical mistakes in your openings, or perhaps you’re unsure how to capitalize when your opponents make these errors.
In this guide, we’ll unravel 5 common mistakes frequently encountered by players below the 1200 ELO level. By understanding these mistakes, you not only shield yourself from committing them but also equip yourself to exploit them when your opponents falter. Let’s delve into these errors that could be holding you back from reaching that coveted 1200 rating.
Below, you can find the examples shown in the video:
1. Scholar’s Checkmate Surprise
When your opponent plays 1.e4, and you see them setting up for the Scholar’s Mate after 1…e5 2.Bc5 Nf6 3.Qf3, don’t panic. Surprise them with a counter-move: 3…f5. This move not only stops the checkmate threat but also sets up a trap.
If they capture the pawn with 4.Qxf5, trying to renew the checkmate threat, you punish them with 4…d5, attacking both their queen and their bishop.
2. Targeting the f7-square
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3, many beginners play 2…d6 to avoid heavily theoretical openings like the Italian Game or the Ruy Lopez. Exploit their passivity by playing 3.Bc4.
Foreseeing potential Ng5 threats, most of your opponents will get uncomfortable and play 3…h6. You then respond with 4.d4. After they capture with 4…exd4, you play a surprising move 5.c3.
The vast majority of your opponents will play 5…dxc3, expecting you to recapture. But, you unleash a tactical blow to win the game. Watch the continuation in this video lesson.
3. Exploiting Bg4 Pin
This is a variation of the above mistake. The second most played move by your opponents after 3.Bc4 is 3…Bg4, trying to pin the f3-knight to avoid potential Ng5 threats. You simply attack the bishop with 4.h3.
Since it feels easier to just exchange the knight as they escape from the Legal’s Mate as well, they often play 4…Bxf3. After 5.Qxf3, they cover the Qxf7# checkmate threat with 5…Nf6.
What is the best continuation for White here? Check it out in the video here.
4. Fried Liver Attack
This is the most common chess opening mistake of all. Many players, especially those below 1200, fall into the Fried Liver Attack trap in the Two Knights Defense of the Italian Game.
It occurs after the following opening moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5, attacking the f7-square.
And Black plays 4…d5 to cover the diagonal. After 5.exd5, the most played move by Black is 5…Nxd5 which leads to the Fried Liver Attack. Want to learn the Fried Liver Attack? Watch the full video lesson here for the continuation.
5. Opening Moves Mix Up
Sometimes, your opponents mix up their opening moves and play an early 4.d3. After you play 4…Bc5, they now play a delayed 5.Ng5, aiming for the Fried Liver Attack. But in this case, you can simply castle 5…0-0 and defend the f7-pawn.
But that’s not the end of the story. You can completely demolish White and trap their queen in the next few moves after White plays 6.0-0. Find out how in this video lesson.
