# What to Do to Get Better at Chess: A Practical Guide for Every Level

Improving at chess can feel overwhelming. There are openings to memorize, tactics to learn, endgames to master, and mistakes to analyze. But the good news? With the right habits, *anyone* can get better — no matter your rating or experience.
In this post, I’ll share a simple, practical roadmap to help you train smarter on [Lichess.org](https://lichess.org).
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## 1⃣ Play Slow Games — and Review Them
Fast games are fun, but slow games (like **15+10** or **30+0**) are where you actually *learn*.
After each game:
- Click **"Analysis Board"** **"Request a computer analysis"**.
- Identify your **blunders and inaccuracies**.
- Think: *Why* did I make that mistake? Did I rush? Miss a tactic? Misjudge a position?
**Tip:** Try annotating your own games before checking the engine. Write down your thoughts — it helps you understand your thinking process.
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## 2⃣ Train Your Tactical Vision
Tactics are the foundation of chess strength. They win games at every level.
Try doing a few [Lichess puzzles](https://lichess.org/training) every day:
- Focus on **accuracy, not speed**.
- Review mistakes carefully — figure out the pattern you missed.
You can even study specific themes like forks, pins, and skewers in a [Puzzle Streak](https://lichess.org/streak) session.
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## 3⃣ Learn Key Endgames
Many games are decided in the endgame — yet few players study them seriously.
Start with these basics:
- **King and pawn endings** (opposition, square of the pawn)
- **Rook vs. rook and pawn**
- **Basic checkmates** (king + rook vs. king, king + queen vs. king)
Once you understand these, you’ll convert winning positions confidently.
Try this endgame study:
https://lichess.org/study/example-link *(replace this with your favorite endgame study)*
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## 4⃣ Study Openings the Right Way
Don’t just memorize moves. Understand **ideas**.
When you learn an opening:
- Ask: *What’s my plan after development?*
- What pawn structures or piece placements am I aiming for?
Use the [Lichess Opening Explorer](https://lichess.org/analysis#explorer) to see what strong players play — and explore *why*.
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## 5⃣ Stay Consistent and Reflect
Improvement in chess isn’t linear. You’ll have bad days, losing streaks, and moments where nothing seems to click.
That’s normal.
Keep a training routine — even 30 minutes a day makes a difference:
- 10 minutes puzzles
- 1 slow game
- 10 minutes reviewing it
- 10 minutes studying a favorite topic
Record your insights, track your rating progress, and celebrate small wins.
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## Final Thoughts
Chess improvement is about patience, curiosity, and consistent effort.
Lichess gives you everything you need: free analysis tools, puzzles, studies, and a great community.
So start small, stay steady, and remember — every master was once a beginner who didn’t give up.
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*Thanks for reading! Feel free to share your own improvement tips in the comments below or link your favorite studies. Let’s help each other grow!*
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