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📚 Chess Courses – Openings, Tactics, Middlegame, Endgames

Chess Preparation Guide – How to Prepare Before a Game (Opening, Opponent, Mindset & Time)

Most games are decided before the middlegame begins — by preparation. The goal isn’t memorising endless theory; it’s arriving at the board (or screen) with: a simple plan, a calm mindset, and fewer avoidable mistakes. This hub breaks chess preparation into practical, trainable parts — with deeper pages for each sub-skill.

This is a pillar guide for the “Before the Game” phase. Designed for real-world improvement (especially 0–1600), with checklists you can actually use.

💡 GM Insight: Preparation isn’t about finding a secret weapon. It’s about reducing chaos: knowing your first choices, spotting early danger signals, and managing time and emotions. When you prepare well, you play “your chess” instead of reacting blindly.
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The Preparation Loop (do this before every game):
  • Set your goal: what kind of game do you want (solid / practical / sharp)?
  • Opening readiness: know your first 6–10 moves (and your “escape routes”)
  • Opponent scan: what do they play most? what traps/ideas appear?
  • Warm-up: 3–5 minutes of board vision (simple tactics / safety checks)
  • Time plan: decide how you’ll spend time in opening vs critical moments
  • Mindset: calm, curious, no panic after surprises
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Good preparation reduces blunders, improves confidence, and saves clock time.

🚀 Start Here: What “Good Preparation” Actually Means

Preparation is a spectrum: from “I know my first moves” to “I understand my plans, typical tactics, and time usage.” Start with the fundamentals below.

♟ Opening Readiness (Without Memorising 1,000 Lines)

Your opening goal is to reach a playable middlegame with development, king safety, and no early disasters. This section helps you prepare openings in a realistic way.

🔎 Opponent Scouting & Targeted Preparation

Scouting isn’t about “crushing them with a novelty.” It’s about reducing uncertainty: what openings they play, what typical tactics appear, and what positions they avoid.

🔥 Warm-Up Routines (Board Vision & Calm Focus)

A short warm-up improves pattern recognition and reduces “first-game blunders.” Keep it light, consistent, and focused on seeing threats clearly.

Best warm-up style for most players:

⏱ Time Management Plans Before You Sit Down

Your time plan should match the time control. Many games are lost by spending too long early, then rushing critical decisions later.

🧠 Mindset & Emotional Preparation

Preparation is also mental: fear of losing, overconfidence, frustration, and surprise can cause the worst early decisions. This section builds a stable pre-game mindset.

🌐 Preparation by Format (Online, OTB, Correspondence)

Preparation differs depending on the environment. Online chess adds speed and distractions; OTB adds nerves and stamina; correspondence adds depth and research discipline.

🧪 Training Preparation Skills (Make It Automatic)

The best preparation is “automatic.” When your routine is trained, you waste less time and avoid panic. These pages focus on training the preparation process itself.

Your next move:

Preparation is a routine: opening readiness, opponent scan, warm-up, time plan, calm mindset.

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