It's also worth noting, that playing against same level computer can be vastly different in two games. I don't think playing against computers is bad for learning, but there are big differences in the gameplay when you try to play against humans after that. If you want to get better at playing chess, I would suggest limiting your play against computers, and play against humans instead. Generally a computer does too, but at any given time they can make a completely irrelevant move which you can capitalize on. For example, if you are making a play on the kingside, you can rest assured that majority of human opponents will take actions on the kingside to stop your threats. Humans also don't really make completely irrelevant blunders, but it's more likely due to missing some piece is hanging, or failing to see a tactical combination. They are also much more able to create multiple move threats against weaknesses you have. Humans on the other hand usually are able to visualize where the action is and what are opponents threats. If the game lasts long enough moves, the computer makes a completely random move at some point, regardless if you have some serious threats or not. So in order to beat computers (atleast under 1500 rated ones) is just to make solid moves and keep all of your pieces protected. They can play few very precise moves and then make a completely irrelevant move on the other side of the board than where the action is. I think this is due to the fact that engines can't really generate plans, and for lower rated engines, there is certain randomness included in their moves.

I have also noticed the same thing, that generally computers are much easier opponents than humans at the same rating range. Is there supposed to be a big difference between ~1000 and ~1250? Thanks and I hope this is not a silly question, it's my first time posting here. Anybody experiencing the same thing and has an easy explanation? Are computers not as sophisticated as human players, maybe they lack some crucial strategy element? ~1000 rated players n seem superior in strategy and moves in comparison to 1250 computer on. I even managed to get a draw from the ~1950 computer on (after losing to it a dozen or so times!). I lose very badly against 900/1000 rated players (lose concentration? or blunders?) but when I play the 1250 computer I can win. I'm trying to improve my chess but I'm a bit puzzled by the games I've been playing.

sacrifice stuff near your king for one last chance instead of waiting around quietly to be finished off.

Sure humans will do that too, but humans also tend to freak out when they're losing and e.g. Yes there's something to be said about a 3400 engine playing staunch defense, but a weakened engine will just shuffle around and let you trade off everything and queen some pawns in the endgame. So even when humans don't play as precisely, their moves give you lots of practical challenges that an engine wont. They know because they'd have trouble handling the same moves. On the other hand human opponents know which moves are difficult for you to handle. It will play beginner level strategic mistakes, but instantly defend against 5 move deep tactics. So a weakened engine's strengths and weaknesses are completely unrealistic. But also engines play mostly by calculation. So for these reasons engines are not good practice partners (their blunders are artificial, ratings are just rough estimates). If it runs in your browser it's even harder to give an accurate rating because everyone's hardware is different. If the engine is running on 's side (not in your browser) then its strength may vary depending on how many people are playing it at the same time. Sometimes the engine is required to blunder some pawns (or more) in the opening, but then will play at master strength the rest of the game. One way is limiting its thinking time (to fractions of 1 second) another is limiting its search depth (so it only looks a few moves ahead). a 3000 rated engine, then force it to play badly in some way. Engine opponents can be good, but there are also a few problems with engine opponents.įirst of all there's no such thing as a 1200 rated engine, so they take e.g.

Easy chess online against computer