Improve at Chess like Masters do !

Many players think improving in chess means years of study, hours of practice, and memorizing countless openings.
But what if there’s a faster, more practical path?
This article lays out a streamlined approach to improving your chess level that combines consistency, practical opening preparation, focused tactics, and guidance from someone who’s already reached the level you want to achieve.

There is a video on my YouTube channel explaining, with examples, how to build an opening repertoire and learn from your games.
Link : https://youtu.be/TuHQ7i2ZysA

Consistency: The Key to Playing at a Higher Level

If you’re aiming for a 2000 rating, you don’t actually need to play every game at a 2000 level.
Many players who reach that level are consistent at around 1850-1900 and build on that with preparation.
Think of it like setting a baseline you can trust, even on days when you’re not at your best.
By focusing on playing steadily at an 1850 level and adding solid opening knowledge, you can reach a 2000 level without needing perfection in every game.
This consistency isn’t about avoiding mistakes entirely; it’s about building a foundation that makes you a difficult opponent to beat.
By keeping your play at a reliable level, you can handle most games well and gradually improve over time as your understanding deepens.

Practical Opening Preparation: Building an Effective Repertoire AFTER The Game.

When it comes to openings, you don’t need to memorize every possible line.
Instead, it’s more effective to have a few solid openings that you know.
Before my last tournament, I prepared the first 5-6 moves for each of the main openings I expected to face.
This allowed me to enter the game, the repertoire will be build AFTER the game, during the analysis of the unknown moves/lines that I faced.

To improve your openings :
https://lorischesstrainer.systeme.io/from-beginner-to-master

Here’s how to build a practical opening repertoire:

1. Focus on learning the first few moves well enough to feel comfortable, it doesn't matter if your opponent plays something slightly unexpected.
2. After each game, analyze any moves where your opponent went off the lines you’d prepared.
   This turns each game into a chance to fill in gaps in your repertoire and add only the moves you actually need.
3. Rather than memorizing tons of lines, focus on lines that suit your style and try them out in practice games.
   If you work with a coach, they can help streamline this process by identifying key moves and making sure your preparation aligns with your playing style.

This approach keeps your opening study manageable.
You’re focusing on lines that you actually use, expanding your knowledge only when it’s directly relevant to your games.

Tactical Practice: Sharpening Your Skills

Tactical strength is critical in chess, but you don’t need to solve puzzles at the highest level to improve. If you’re aiming for a 2000 rating, solving puzzles at around 1900—about 100 points lower than your target—will build a strong foundation without overwhelming you.

Solving puzzles at this level develops your confidence with tactics like forks, pins, and discovered attacks.
Rather than grinding through high-level puzzles, practicing daily at a slightly lower level reinforces patterns you’re likely to see in real games.
By keeping your tactical skills sharp in this way, you’ll find it easier to spot tactical opportunities and feel better prepared for the positions you encounter.

The Benefit of Learning from Someone Who’s Been There

One of the best ways to fast-track your improvement is to work with someone who has already reached the level you’re aiming for.
A coach or mentor who knows what it takes to reach that level can help you avoid common mistakes, focus on the areas that matter most, and make your study time more productive.
A coach can be especially helpful for opening preparation.
They can streamline your repertoire, suggesting lines that fit your style and helping you avoid unnecessary memorization.
Learning on your own can be effective, but having guidance from someone experienced can make the path clearer and faster.

This is the Key to Improvement

Improving at chess doesn’t have to mean endless study hours.

Here’s a summary of this practical approach:

1. Focus on consistent play at a steady 1850 level, using solid opening knowledge to help you perform closer to 2000 strength.
2. Build a manageable opening repertoire with just the lines you need, filling in gaps after each game.
3. Practice tactical puzzles daily at a level about 100 points below your target rating to reinforce key patterns.
4. Seek guidance from an experienced coach or mentor who can help you reach your goals faster and more efficiently.

With that article, you can purchase a video Masterclass of 2 hours explaing in details the thinking process during each game of my Titled Tuesdays.
That way, you'll learn approaches and details which aren't mentionned in this article.
If you are interested, send me an email here : lorischesstrainer@gmail.com

Thank you,
Loris

Contact :
lorischesstrainer@gmail.com
@chessloris (Instagram)
Chess - FM Loris - YouTube (YouTube)