https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog Chess learning notes, academy updates and practical ideas for students and families. en-GB https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/is-chess-only-for-high-iq-people https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/is-chess-only-for-high-iq-people Shani Gamliel It’s a common question, and an understandable one. Chess has long carried the image of being a game for prodigies and intellectual elites. Many people assume that to succeed in chess, you must have a naturally high IQ, a mathematical mind, or the ability to calculate countless moves ahead with ease. But while chess certainly demands rigorous thinking, it is not reserved for a select few. https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/5-mistakes-most-people-make-when-learning-chess https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/5-mistakes-most-people-make-when-learning-chess FIde Master Akin If you’ve ever felt stuck in chess, like you’re playing a lot but not improving, you’re not alone. At London Chess Academy, we work with beginners, intermediate players, and ambitious students every week, and we’ve noticed the same patterns again and again. The truth is: most people don’t struggle because they “aren’t smart enough” - they struggle because they’re training the wrong way. Whether you’re taking your first chess lesson, joining chess classes, or looking for structured chess coaching, avoiding these mistakes can save you months (or even years) of frustration. https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/why-do-chess-players-blunder https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/why-do-chess-players-blunder Sun, 01 Mar 2026 21:54:00 GMT Shani Gamliel Blunders happen at every level. Beginners blunder pieces. Club players blunder tactics. Even grandmasters occasionally make shocking mistakes. So why does it happen? https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/what-to-never-do-in-chess https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/what-to-never-do-in-chess Sun, 01 Mar 2026 02:38:00 GMT Shir Bartal Chess is rarely lost because of one brilliant move by your opponent. More often, it is lost because of small, repeated mistakes in thinking. Many players discover this after taking structured chess lessons. They realise that the real problem is not a lack of intelligence, but weak habits in decision-making. https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/what-is-the-80-20-rule-in-chess https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/what-is-the-80-20-rule-in-chess Fri, 27 Feb 2026 18:21:00 GMT Shir Bar Tal You may have heard the idea that success in chess follows an 80–20 principle. In simple terms: 80% dedication and structured hard work. 20% talent. https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/how-to-improve-at-chess-fast https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/how-to-improve-at-chess-fast Sat, 21 Feb 2026 03:04:00 GMT Shir Bartal Every chess player wants to improve quickly. The real question is not whether you can improve, but how to do it properly. Improvement in chess is not random. It does not happen simply because you play many games. It depends on structure, feedback, and correcting mistakes early. Players who play game after game without reflection often improve slowly because they repeat the same errors without recognising them. https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/can-chess-be-self-taught https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/can-chess-be-self-taught Mon, 02 Feb 2026 06:21:00 GMT Shir Bar Tal It’s a question many people ask before starting: Can chess be self-taught? The short answer is yes. You can absolutely learn chess from books, YouTube videos, online platforms, and playing games on your own. Many players begin this way. You can learn the rules, basic principles, common openings, and even some tactical patterns. https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/what-age-should-a-child-start-chess https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/what-age-should-a-child-start-chess Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:21:00 GMT Shani Gamliel Parents often ask what age a child should start chess. There is no single perfect number. Readiness matters more than age. However, many children can begin learning chess as early as three or four years old when the teaching approach is adapted to their developmental stage. At that age, chess for kids is not about deep strategy. It is about learning how the pieces move, taking turns, improving focus, and developing patience in a structured but playful way. https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-good-at-chess https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-good-at-chess Thu, 22 Jan 2026 06:21:00 GMT Shir Bar Tal Chess is a lifelong journey. Even the world champion continues to improve. There is always something new to learn, and there will always be someone stronger. True mastery can take decades. But becoming “good” at chess does not require a lifetime. https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/is-chess-good-for-children-s-brain-development https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/is-chess-good-for-children-s-brain-development Sat, 03 Jan 2026 02:53:00 GMT Shani Gamliel Many parents ask this question before enrolling their child in chess classes: Is chess actually good for children’s brain development? The short answer is yes. https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/simplicity-is-beautiful https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/simplicity-is-beautiful Fri, 02 Jan 2026 03:00:00 GMT Shir Bar Tal I used to believe that strong chess meant complex chess. I was wrong. Simple is not easy. But simple is almost always right. Simple means following principles. Harmony between the pieces. Developing your pieces. Controlling the centre. Nothing fancy. https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/chess-is-a-gym-for-the-brain https://lca-demo.lxitixl.com/blog/chess-is-a-gym-for-the-brain Wed, 31 Dec 2025 22:55:00 GMT Shir Bar Tal One of my most dedicated students once asked me a question that stayed with me. “How can I play tennis for twelve hours, but feel completely exhausted after forty-five minutes of chess?” For many people, pushing their limits physically feels easier than pushing them mentally. Not because physical effort is objectively easier, but because it is more familiar. Many people grow up using their bodies daily in active ways, but they rarely train their minds with the same intensity or structure.