SolutionS to opEning Skill improvEmEnt For ChESS 
tEam oF 10-10 JuvEnilE Sport SChool
Ha Minh Diu, PhD.1
Abstract: Research papers by national and international experts on chess 
shows that the development of opening skills can be accomplished in a variety 
of ways. Selection of the right methods and means is essential for developing the 
chess player’s opening thinking abilities.The article presents the results of the 
performance tests and professional assessments with 10 experimental and 10 
control players to demonstrate the importance of training exercises in developing 
the chess opening skill. Thereby, it is contributed to improve the efficiency of the 
forms of opening, the sense of training and self-training chess, as well as the 
quality of chess training in general and opening teaching in particular.
Keywords: Chess, Solution, Opening, Team, Thinking.
1. INTRODUCTION
Targeted impact through professional exercises to improve opening skills for 
chess athletes plays a leading role in improvement of calculation capacity of complex 
and continuous variables. Especially, enhancing the ability of strategical thought 
helps players improve their analysis - assessment and planning skills. Actually, the 
opening skill is a continuous thought process in order to find the most effective 
moves in changed chess situations during the game. These skills help the learner to 
improve their coordination between the chess pieces on the chessboard, directing to 
solve clear tasks such as checkmate, claiming a draw, grabbing a chess piece, etc. It is 
further nearly the preparation for players the plan, tactical strike as well as strategic 
direction. It is therefore essential to improve the opening skill [7], [10]. There are also 
some research papers on chess such as Duong Thanh Binh (2005): Study on the practice 
level assessment of male chess players in age of 12-13 in Ho Chi Minh City, Pedagogy 
Master Thesis, University of Sport 2. Dang Van Dung (1999), Study and building of 
criteria for practice level assessment of chess players - initial training period, Pedagogy 
Master Thesis, University of Sport I. Ha Thi Thuy Lan (2012), Building of standards 
1 Unit: Department of Physical Education – Ha Noi National Education University 2, Tel: 0984 087 999 
– email: 
[email protected].
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for assessment of chess practice competency of intermediate students of Thai Nguyen College 
of Education, Pedagogy Master Thesis, Bac Ninh University of Physical Education 
and Sports. From the reality in the process of training the junior chess team 10/10 
shows that opening skills still exit many errors, the orientation of opening skills is 
vagueand embarrassing in choosing the plan.
For the above reason, the research topic “Solutions to opening skill improvement 
for chess team of 10-10 juvenile sport school” was conducted.
2. SOME ARGUEMENT QUESTIONS
Each game of chess is divided into three stages corresponding to each different 
task time, but they are closely related to each other. These three stages are opening, 
middle and end game. The unity of the three stages is expresses. The opening is the 
particularly important stage because it determines the whole course of the game. [3]
How should it be researched? Do we need to learn by heart and remember all 
kinds of games like a multiplication table? To understand this matter, we need to 
determine whether the variables when releasing the chess piece are the compulsory 
and only variable. [4]
A game of chess contains many different abilities. The battles are only those 
that continue to be tested in the match, in each game when releasing the chess piece 
it can find more applicable moves. Therefore, learning by heart from the opening 
variables is unnecessary, even harmful because it limits the creativity of the athletes.
In order to achieve a high level at Chess, the players need to concentrate on 
studying, learning, and importantly realizing the role of each stage in the game. The 
Opening is very important because it is the first stage of the game. If the opening 
cannot be grasped, the possibility of losing the game from the beginning is very 
large. The current chess training trend is as follows [5]:
- The depth of the opening options
- The number of options, opening systems that need to be mastered.
- Regular information update about new moves in the opening from the 
professional magazines, Internet, etc.
- The flexibility during the opening (moving from one opening to another)
3. RESEARCH METHODS
Research purposes
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Based on the analysis and assessment of the playing skill reality of the Chess 
teams’ opening forms, we have conducted a study to select the appropriate chess 
game in teaching and learning the Chess’s opening, which contributes to enhance 
the efficiency of opening skills, the quality of chess training in general and opening 
teaching in particular.
Research tasks
+ Task 1: Evaluate the current status of the team and opening skills of Male 
Chess Team in 10-10 Juvenile Sport School.
+ Task 2: Select applications and evaluate the effectiveness of opening skill 
solutions for Male Chess Teams
Research Methods
3.1. Document summary and analysis method.
This method is used to collect information from exercises, images, figures and 
data to withdraw practical theories as a basis for the study as well as organizing 
the study process. This method actually helps to systematize the knowledge and 
analyze the study results.
3.2. Interview method [8].
We use this method to exchange and refer to some teachers’ opinion as well 
as conduct interviews in the available questionnaire of teaching procedure and 
opening skills. Interviewees are teachers who teach chess team.
3.3. Pedagogicalobservation method
This method aims to collect direct information from the participants by 
observing the class section and training process and strengths/weaknesses of the 
participants without affecting research process in order to assess the opening skills 
of the Male Chess Team.
3.4. Pedagogicaltest method
Two-stage test method uses pre-experimental and post-experimental tests to 
derive the data for assessment of the participants’ opening skill and effectiveness of 
opening skill.
3.5. Pedagogical experiment method
After identifying and selecting the suitable exercises for the purpose of applying 
the selected experimental exercises, we conducted an experimental comparison of 
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two groups, the experimental group and the control group with the same number 
of students.
+ Experimental group (na): 10 players
+ Control group (nb): 10 players
3.6. Statistical method
The statistical parameters used in the thesis were mean, standard deviation, 
comparing two observed means by the t index (student) and pair correlation 
coefficients (r) of Brave-Pison. The topic referred to Sport Measurement by author 
Duong Sinh Chi (1991) [1], [9].
4. RESULTS
4.1. Status of chess movement and opening skill of Male Chess Team in 10-10 
Juvenile Sport School 
In order to study the status of opening skills and the number of mistakes made 
by Male Chess Team in recent years, the topic analyzed the records of male chess 
matches at Traditional Chess Tournaments in 2016 - 2017. The analyzed content 
focused on the application of the opening and the mistakes in or after the opening 
by teams. The number of games was analyzed and the detailed results are as shown 
in Table 4.1.
Table 1. Status of opening skill of Chess team in 10-10 Juvenile Sport School 
NO. Opening forms
2016 2017 Σn=214
Σgames
Number of 
mistakes Σgames
Number of 
mistakes Σgames
Number of 
mistakes
ni % ni % ni %
1 Bishop Opening 9 2 22.22 20 6 30.00 29 8 27.59
2 Pawn Opening 3 1 33.33 0 0 0 3 1 33.33
3 French Defence 22 5 22.27 25 11 44.00 47 16 34.04
4 English Opening 23 6 26.09 26 10 38.46 49 16 32.65
5 4-knight Opening 5 1 20.00 7 2 28.57 12 3 25.00
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NO. Opening forms
2016 2017 Σn=214
Σgames
Number of 
mistakes Σgames
Number of 
mistakes Σgames
Number of 
mistakes
ni % ni % ni %
6 King’s gambit 2 0 0 5 1 20.00 7 1 14.28
7 Scottish game 25 7 28.00 27 9 33.33 52 16 64.00
8 2-knight Defence 7 2 28.57 8 3 37.50 15 5 33.33
Total 96 24 25.00 118 42 35.59 214 66 30.84
The results in Table 1 showed that:
The number of mistakes in opening of the Male Chess Team at tournaments 
was very great, specifically, in the opening of males, 66 mistakes (accounting for 
30.84%) were found in 214 games. Thus, there was one game making mistakes in 
opening every three games. This current status showed that the opening training for 
the Male Chess Team in localities was not good.
The basic cause of the above situation was unreasonable application of opening 
forms and non-compliance of opening rules. So, when using, teams would make 
mistakes due to deficient research on this opening system. 
This was a high percentage, indicating that the opening skills training for the 
teenagers has not been done well, the players’mistakes in the game was still relatively 
high that would affect the results and achievements of the team.
4.2. Study in selection and assessment of the effectiveness of selected 
solutions to improve the opening skill for Male Chess Teams in 10-10 Juvenile 
Sport School
4.2.1. Practical basis of tests assessing opening skill of Male Chess Team in 10-10 
Juvenile Sport School.
Through the study and analysis of professional references [2], 6 tests used in 
assessing the opening skills of participants were determined. These tests ensured the 
requirement for opening skill assessment and suitability to the Male Chess Team. To 
determine the basics of the tests, interviews with teachers and coaches on the level of 
using these tests were carried out. The results are presented in Table 2.
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Table 2: Results of interviews for selection test of opening ability of Male Chess Team in 10-
10 Juvenile Sport School (n = 22)
NO Test
Number 
of 
chosen 
people
Specific results
Important Normal Not important
n % n % n % n %
1
Playing by the opening 
theme for 15 mins 
(point)
20 90.91 16 72,8 4 18,2 - -
2 Analyzing - assessing –planning (point) 10 45.45 8 36.36 1 4.55 1 4.55
3 Blid competition (point) 18 81.82 11 50.00 5 23.73 2 9.09
4 Determining mistakes in opening (point) 22 100 19 83.36 2 9.09 1 4.55
5 Selecting optimal option (point) 20 90.91 17 77,35 1 4.55 2 9.09
6 Finding main events for the position (point) 15 68.18 10 45.45 4 18.18 1 4.55
Table 2 showed that, in order to assess the opening skills of Male Chess Team, 
the majority of the opinions chosen 3 tests, including playing by the opening theme 
for 15 mins (point), determining mistakes in opening (point), selecting optimal 
option (point).
4.2.2. Determine the reportability and reliability of the opening skills test of Male 
Chess Team in 10-10 Juvenile Sport School.
In order to select the possible and fully informative tests, the subject initially 
determined the reportability of the tests on the participants.
The results for determining the reportability and reliability of the tests are 
presented in table 3.
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Table 3: Reportability and reliability of opening assessment tests over Chess team 
performance.
NO. Test r
1 Playing by the opening theme for 15 mins (point) 0.812
2 Determining mistakes in opening (point) 0.824
3 Selecting optimal option (point) 0.834
In table 3, there were three tests: test: Playing by the opening theme for 15 mins 
(point), determining mistakes in opening (point), selecting optimal option (point) 
that ensured the reportability on participants (r from 0.812 – 0.834) chosen during 
research process.
4.2.3. Study in selection of opening types in training for Male Chess Team in 10-10 
Juvenile Sport School.
By referring to the professional literature [6] and finding out the current status 
of opening type use in the opening training for Male Chess Teams in Hanoi National 
Universiy of Education2 and others such as: Hanoi National Universiy of Education, 
Thai Nguyen University, Hong Duc University... The topic has chosen the basic 
types of openings to interviewthe participants as follow:
Table 4: Results of interviews for selection of opening types for Male Chess Team in 10-10 
Juvenile Sport School (n=30)
No. Interviewing content
Number 
of 
selectors
Results
Very 
important Important Unimportant
n % n % n % n %
Open game
1 Italia game 26 86.67 2 76.67 2 6.67 1 3.33
2 Hungarian game 10 33.33 5 16.67 3 10.00 2 6.67
3 Spain opening 25 83.33 21 70.00 1 3.33 3 10.00
4 Four Knights Game 24 76.67 21 70.00 2 6.67 1 3.33
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No. Interviewing content
Number 
of 
selectors
Results
Very 
important Important Unimportant
n % n % n % n %
5 King’s Gambit 9 30.00 5 16.67 4 13.33 0 0.00
Semi-open game
6 Caro0Kann Defence 12 40.00 6 20.00 5 16.67 1 3.33
7 Alekhine’s Defence 23 76.67 21 70.00 1 3.33 1 3.33
8 French Defence 24 80.00 21 70.00 1 3.33 2 6.67
9 Russian Game 11 36.67 6 20 4 13.33 1 3.33
10 Sicilian Defence 27 90.00 20 76.67 4 13.33 3 10.00
Close game
11 English Opening 25 88.33 22 73.33 2 6.67 1 3.33
12 Dutch Defence 13 43.33 8 26.67 3 10.00 2 6.67
13 Queen’s Gambit 26 86.67 23 76.67 2 6.67 1 3.33
14 Old Indian Defence 27 90.00 24 80.00 1 3.33 2 6.67
15 Trigorin Defence 15 50.00 9 30.00 4 13.33 2 6.67
The results from Table 4 showed that:
Among 15 basic openings that were put into interview for selected use during the 
training course for the Male Chess Team in 10-10 Juvenile Sport School, nine of them 
were selected as significant or more in all three groups (bold openings in Table 4)
The remaining openingswere less selected by the coaches or said to be not 
evident in the assessment of the opening qualification of Male Chess Team, so they 
were removed in the next stage.
4.2.4. Application and efficiency determination of selected openings in opening 
training for Male Chess Team in 10-10 Juvenile Sport School 
Pedagogical testing organization
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In order to effectively carry out the selected openings in the opening training for 
the Male Chess Team, the pedagogical test was conducted for 4 months, including three 
lesson plans per week, two lessons for each plan (from February 8May 2018). Experimental 
subject were 20 males of the chess team of 10-10 Juvenile Sport School which were divided 
into 2 groups: 10 males in control group and 10 in experimental group.
Both groups were trained in the same program and time. However, the opening 
type trained for two groups was different. In the control group, the openings that had 
been used by the coach, were applied, while the experimental group used the selected 
openings. The time of training the openings depended on view of the professionals, 
the opening trainingmay be most effective if conducted at the beginning of the basic 
part of each lesson plan. The participants were tested pedagogically through the 
selected tests at two points (Pre-experiment and Post-experiment time). 
The results of efficiency evaluation of the solutions
The testing results in Pre-experiment period are presented in Table 5.
Table 5: Pre-experiment results of control and experimental groups (na = nb = 10)
No. Test
Control 
group
(na=10)
Experimental 
group
(nb=10)
Comparision
(ttable=2.101)
t p
1
Playing by the opening 
theme for 15 mins (point)
5.5 5.3 0.51 0.884 0.05
2
Determining mistakes in the 
opening (point)
5.2 5,4 0.75 0.6 0.05
3
Selecting optimal solution 
(point)
5,5 5,4 0.85 0.264 0.05
The results from Table 5 showed that:
The difference in the performance of the two groups was not significant 
(tcalculation
 0.05). In other words, at the Pre-experiment 
time, the opening skills of the two teams were similar.
The Post-experiment results.
From the checking results of the test (after 4 months of application of different 
openings in the training course for the Male Chess Team in 10-10 Juvenile Sport 
School, I checked in both control groups and experimental group through the 3 
selected tests. The results are shown in Table 4.6.
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Table 4.6: Post-experiment results of control and experimental groups (na = nb = 10).
TT Test
Control 
group
(na=10)
Experimental 
group
(nb=10)
Comparasion
(ttable=2.101)
t p
1
Playing by the opening 
theme for 15 mins (point)
5.8 7.1 0.81 3.590 0.01
2
Determining mistakes in the 
opening (point)
5.4 6.9 0.74 4.545 0.01
3
Selecting optimal solution 
(point)
5,6 6.3 0.60 2.600 0.05
The results from Table 6 showed that: 
The experimental results from tests in the control and experimental groups 
increased, but the increase in the experimental group was significantly higher 
than in the control group. This led to a significant difference in the results of the 
tests between the control and experimental groups (the tcalculation> ttable with p <0.01). 
Therefore, the opening training result for the chess team shows real effectiveness.
In order to further clarify the differences in achievement of the two groups and 
the growth of the performance of the post-experimental groups, we compared the 
growth rates of the pre- and Post-experimenting results of each group.
Table 7: The growth rate of the control group after the test (n=10)
TT Test
Pre-
experiment
Post-
experiment
W%
Comparision
(ttable=2.262)
1 t p
1
Playing by the opening 
theme for 15 mins (point)
5.5 5.8 5.3 1.671 < 0.05
2
Determining mistakes in 
the opening (point)
5.2 5.4 3.7 1.224 < 0.05
3
Selecting optimal solution 
(point)
5,5 5,6 1.8 1.630 < 0.05
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Table 7 showed that the growth rate of post-experimental testof the control 
group was not high, reaching only 5.3%, 5.4% and 1.8% and from the pre- and post-
experimental self-comparison method, it can be showed that t of 1.671, 1.224 and 
1.630 respectively were smaller than t (2,262) which meansthere was no significant 
difference at p = 5%. In other words, the achievement of the control group after the 
experiment was not significantly different at p = 5%.
Table 8: The growth rate of the experimental group after the test (n=10)
No. Test
Pre-
experiment
Post-
experiment
W%
Comparision
(ttable=2.262)
1 2 t p
1
Playing by the opening 
theme for 15 mins (point)
5.3 7.1 29.03 4.675 < 0.05
2
Determining mistakes in 
the opening (point)
5,4 6.9 24.39 3.224 < 0.05
3
Selecting optimal solution 
(point)
5,4 6.3 15.38 2.410 < 0.05
Table 8 shows that the growth rate of post-experimental test of the experimental 
group was very high, reaching 29.03%, 24.39% and 15.38% and from the pre- and 
post-experimental self-comparison method, it can be showed that t of 4.675 and 
3.224 respectively were smaller than t (2,262) which meansthere was significant 
difference at p = 5%. In other words, the achievement of the experimental group after 
the experiment for 4 months was significantly different at p = 5% . The experimental 
group had a higher growth rate than the control group at the significant probability 
threshold (p = 5%).
CONCLUSIONS - RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Conclusions:
The study results of the project confirmed the effectiveness of the nine different 
openings in theopening training course for Male Chess Team at the 10-10 Juvenile 
Sport School, namely Italian Game; Spanish Opening; Four Knights Opening; 
Alekhine’s Defence; French Defence; Sicilian Defence; Old Indian Defence; Queen’s 
gambit; English Opening.
The study results of the project also selected 3 tests to assess the opening 
skills of the Male Chess Teamin 10-10 Juvenile Sport School, includingplaying by 
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the opening theme for 15 mins, Determining mistakes in the opening and Selecting 
optimal solution. 
2. Recommendations:
The study results should be applied to the practice of training the Male 
Chess Team in 10-10 Juvenile Sport School. The study results can be considered a 
methodology indication of opening training for other ages.
References
1. Duong Nghiep Chi (1991), Sport Measurement, Gymnastics and Sports 
Publishing House, Hanoi
2. D. Harre (1996), Principle of sport training, translator: Truong Anh Tuan, Bui The 
Hien, Gymnastics and Sports Publishing House, Hanoi
3. Nguyen Hong Duong (2016), Chess textbook, , Gymnastics and Sports Publishing 
House, Hanoi.
4. Dlôtnhic B.A (1996), Chess: Science - Experience - Level , Gymnastics and Sports 
Publishing House, Hanoi. Translator: Dam Quoc Chinh.
5. Ia.B. Extrin (1995), Practical chess theory, Gymnastics and Sports Publishing 
House, Translator Phung Duy Quang.
6. Ky quan (1994), Learn to Play Chess, Dong Thap Publishing House.
7. LuuQuang Hiep, Pham Thi Uyen (1995), Gymnastics andSport Physiology, 
Gymnastics and Sports Publishing House, Hanoi
8. Nguyen Toan, Pham Danh Ton (1993) Methodological Argument ofGymnastics 
andSport, Gymnastics and Sports Publishing House, Hanoi 1993.
9. Nguyen Duc Van (2000), Phương pháp thống kê trong TDTT, Gymnastics and 
Sports Publishing House, Hanoi
10. Pham Ngoc Vien, (1991) Gymnastics andSport Psychology, Hanoi Publishing 
House
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GIẢI PHÁP NÂNG CAO KỸ NĂNG KHAI CUỘC CHO ĐỘI TUYểN CỜ VUA 
TRƯỜNG THể THAO THIẾU NIÊN 10/10
Tóm tắt: Nghiên cứu của các chuyên gia trong nước và quốc tế về cờ vua cho 
thấy, việc phát triển kỹ năng khai cuộc có thể được thực hiện bằng nhiều cách 
khác nhau, việc lựa chọn các phương pháp và phương tiện phù hợp là hết sức 
cần thiết cho việc phát triển các năng lực tư duy khai cuộc của vận động viên cờ 
vua. Bài viết giới thiệu kết quả thử nghiệm các bài tập và các đánh giá chuyên môn 
cờ vua với 10 VĐV thực nghiệm và 10 VĐV đối chứng để chứng minh tầm quan 
trọng của bài tập huấn luyện trong việc phát triển kỹ năng khai cuộc cờ vua. Qua 
đó, góp phần nâng cao hiệu quả các dạng thức khai cuộc, nâng cao ý thức rèn 
luyện và tự rèn luyện môn cờ vua, đồng thời nâng cao chất lượng đào tạo môn Cờ 
vua nói chung và huấn luyện khai cuộc nói riêng.
Từ khoá: Cờ vua, Giải pháp, Khai cuộc, Đội tuyển, Tư duy.