In chess, your rating is the most honest mirror of your real level. The good news: you don't need to be a chess genius to raise it; a few solid habits put most players ahead of their opponents.
The 7 tactics below work both in classic online chess and at the video chess tables.
1. Don't Memorize Openings — Understand the Logic
The biggest beginner mistake is trying to memorize dozens of opening variations. Grasping the logic behind a single opening (control the center, develop your pieces, castle your king to safety) is far more valuable than twenty memorized lines.
2. Before Every Move, Ask “Is There a Free Piece?”
Most lost games end not with a deep combination but with a simple oversight — hanging a piece. Before you move, check your opponent's threats: “Can they take one of my pieces for free?” That single question alone adds a meaningful number of rating points.
3. Analyze After Every Game
What raises your rating isn't the number of games you play, but the lessons you draw from them. After the game, review your mistakes. With Rovian's post-game analysis you can see the answers to “what was the best move, where did I go wrong” right on your device, for free.
4. Get Stronger by Thinking, Not Just Playing Fast
Bullet and blitz are fun, but real improvement comes at longer time controls. Playing the occasional rapid game and genuinely thinking about every move teaches you far more than speed reflexes.
5. Play Balanced Opponents
Constantly losing to much stronger opponents kills morale; crushing much weaker ones teaches nothing. Rovian's Glicko-2 matchmaking pairs you with opponents perfectly suited to your level, so every match becomes a real test. You can track your progress on the leaderboard.
6. Don't Sweat the Loss — Collect the Data
Every loss is really a free lesson. The player who wins isn't the one who quits because their rating dropped, but the one who asks “what did I do wrong this game?” Be patient; rating is a marathon, not a sprint.
7. Read Your Opponent on the Camera, Not Just the Board
This is video chess's secret weapon: your opponent's face often gives them away. A hesitation after a rushed move, or an easy smile, can hint at their next plan. If you want to try it, find an opponent now and put theory into practice.