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.
Here are the 5 most common mistakes people make when learning chess, and how the right chess coach can help.
1) Learning Too Much Opening Theory
The internet is full of opening videos and flashy courses with titles like “Destroy the Sicilian Defence.” It’s easy to believe that memorising openings is the fastest way to improve.
But the truth is, Most players don’t lose because they forgot a move… they lose because they don’t understand the position.
For beginner to club-level players, the priority should always be understanding, not memorisation. A good chess instructor will guide you towards openings that suit your level and style, without overwhelming you with theory.
2) Not Studying Tactics Enough
If there’s one thing that can improve your chess quickly, it’s tactics.
Tactics teach you how to spot winning moves, avoid blunders, find checkmates, and take advantage of your opponent’s mistakes. Many players play hundreds of games but never train tactics properly, which slows their progress dramatically.
A chess tutor can recommend the right type of tactical training for your level, so you’re practising what actually matters.
3) Playing Too Much Blitz and Bullet
Blitz and bullet are exciting, and they’ve become more popular than ever thanks to online chess and streaming.
But if your goal is real improvement, playing too much speed chess can hold you back. When you always play fast, you don’t build strong thinking habits. Instead, you develop impulsive moves, weak calculation, and repeated mistakes.
Blitz isn’t “bad”, it just needs balance. To improve, you need time to think, learn, and reflect.
4) Not Analysing Your Games
One of the biggest reasons people plateau is simple: they never analyse their games.
If you don’t review your games, you’ll keep repeating the same mistakes without even realising it. Analysing helps you understand what went wrong, what patterns you keep falling into, and what you need to work on next.
This is where chess coaching becomes a game-changer. A coach can quickly spot your recurring weaknesses and help you fix them in a structured way.
5) Focusing Too Much on Rating
Yes, rating matters. But obsessing over it can actually slow your improvement.
When players focus too much on rating, they often play scared. They avoid risks, overthink simple moves, and feel paralysed by the fear of losing points.
The goal should always be to get better, not to protect your rating. When your skill improves, your rating will naturally follow.
Ready to Improve?
At London Chess Academy, we offer private chess lessons, group chess classes, and online chess coaching for both kids and adults. Whether you’re looking for a chess tutor to help you build confidence, or a chess coach to take your game to the next level, we’ll create a plan that fits your goals and your level.
