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How to get better at chess?

#1

A question that many higher rated players hear from lower rated players is " How to get better at chess?' So, this discussion is for this purpose only. Please send your ways of how you get/got better at chess.
Here are a couple of my tips:

  1. Play games everyday
  2. Practice puzzles
  3. Play tournaments
  4. Watch chess videos

Love to hear more from you!

A question that many higher rated players hear from lower rated players is " How to get better at chess?' So, this discussion is for this purpose only. Please send your ways of how you get/got better at chess. Here are a couple of my tips: 1) Play games everyday 2) Practice puzzles 3) Play tournaments 4) Watch chess videos Love to hear more from you!
#2

personally i got to 1100 - almost 1200 from 600 in the span of 5 monthes, by simply playing a game every day and analyzing. of course, ive bought a book or two and a course, but ive been less consistent with those, leading me to believe the major reasons for my improvements are these games.

personally i got to 1100 - almost 1200 from 600 in the span of 5 monthes, by simply playing a game every day and analyzing. of course, ive bought a book or two and a course, but ive been less consistent with those, leading me to believe the major reasons for my improvements are these games.
#3
  1. Play games everyday
    No.
  1. Practice puzzles
    Yes.
  1. Play tournaments
    No.
  1. Watch chess videos
    No.
> 1) Play games everyday No. > 2) Practice puzzles Yes. > 3) Play tournaments No. > 4) Watch chess videos No.
#4

There are 5ish ways to improve at anything. Chess is no different.

  1. Practice
  2. Perform (practice with added pressure)
  3. Watch somebody better and emulate them
  4. Read
  5. Be taught by somebody who has already accomplished what you are trying to do
There are 5ish ways to improve at anything. Chess is no different. 1. Practice 2. Perform (practice with added pressure) 3. Watch somebody better and emulate them 4. Read 5. Be taught by somebody who has already accomplished what you are trying to do
#5

I just played games and did some puzzles

I just played games and did some puzzles
#6

Why bother?

What difference would it make in your life, other than to frustrate you?

Have fun playing and don't be concerned about getting better...work on your relationships, job and other activities. They are probably all more important.

Why bother? What difference would it make in your life, other than to frustrate you? Have fun playing and don't be concerned about getting better...work on your relationships, job and other activities. They are probably all more important.
#7

I just have became a 2000 rated player you can become too if you wil practice it daily atleast 30 mins

I just have became a 2000 rated player you can become too if you wil practice it daily atleast 30 mins
#8

"... Sure, fast games are fine for practicing openings (not the most important part of the game for most players) and possibly developing decent board vision and tactical 'shots', but the kind of thinking it takes to plan, evaluate, play long endgames, and find deep combinations is just not possible in quick chess. ... for serious improvement ... consistently play many slow games to practice good thinking habits. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2002)
web.archive.org/web/20140627052239/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman16.pdf
"... Review each of your games, identifying opening (and other) mistakes with the goal of not repeatedly making the same mistake. ... It is especially critical not to continually fall into opening traps – or even lines that result in difficult positions ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2007)
web.archive.org/web/20140627062646/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman81.pdf
"... Logical Chess [(Batsford edition by Chernev)] ... a collection of 33 games ... is definitely for beginners and players who are just starting to learn about development, weak squares, the centre, standard attacking ideas, and the like. In many ways, it would [be] a wonderful 'first' book (or first 'serious' book, after the ones which teach the rules and elementary mates, for example), and a nice gift for a young player just taking up chess. ..." - IM John Watson (1999)
theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/assorted-recent-books
www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1004861

"... Sure, fast games are fine for practicing openings (not the most important part of the game for most players) and possibly developing decent board vision and tactical 'shots', but the kind of thinking it takes to plan, evaluate, play long endgames, and find deep combinations is just not possible in quick chess. ... for serious improvement ... consistently play many slow games to practice good thinking habits. ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2002) web.archive.org/web/20140627052239/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman16.pdf "... Review each of your games, identifying opening (and other) mistakes with the goal of not repeatedly making the same mistake. ... It is especially critical not to continually fall into opening traps – or even lines that result in difficult positions ..." - NM Dan Heisman (2007) web.archive.org/web/20140627062646/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman81.pdf "... Logical Chess [(Batsford edition by Chernev)] ... a collection of 33 games ... is definitely for beginners and players who are just starting to learn about development, weak squares, the centre, standard attacking ideas, and the like. In many ways, it would [be] a wonderful 'first' book (or first 'serious' book, after the ones which teach the rules and elementary mates, for example), and a nice gift for a young player just taking up chess. ..." - IM John Watson (1999) theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/assorted-recent-books www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1004861
#9

During the course of the pandemic I went from 1000 to 1900 by playing many many games and learning from my losses. After every game I looked at my bad moves and improved for next time. I also studied some openings that were less common than e4 or d4 to try surprise my opponent.

Using these techniques I found it quite easy to progress quickly at the lower levels.

During the course of the pandemic I went from 1000 to 1900 by playing many many games and learning from my losses. After every game I looked at my bad moves and improved for next time. I also studied some openings that were less common than e4 or d4 to try surprise my opponent. Using these techniques I found it quite easy to progress quickly at the lower levels.

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