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Stuck on my rating (PLEASE HELP)

#1

This is my first time to feel this for a while, and I just don't feel like improving. During the last 30 days, I've played 50 rapid games, 460 blitz games, and 400 bullet game. The same was on the previous months. I was aiming to reach 2200 by the end of the year, but I spent months with no major improvement. It's kinda tragic how I hear people reaching 2200 in two years as if it was nothing while I struggle to reach there in 3 - 4 years, and when I asked them how they did it, they were like, "We just kept playing and watching some YouTube videos." I understand some people take a lot of years to improve, so I'm not really having it the worst. For context, I've been playing in chess com, and returned here hoping to find pairings in classical and improve through longer time controls.

Here's my rating (on chess com) and their equivalent to lichess:
Bullet: 1700 --> 1925
Blitz: 1750 --> 1960
Rapid: 1900 --> 2070

Also, if possible, I would like some advice (or references) on how to improve my psychology before playing chess. I've been starting to tilt quickly or don't feel like playing (probably because I don't feel like I am going to reach new heights)

To be honest, it sounds kinda childish , but I sincerely want to improve.

Thanks

*I can't hire a coach :/

This is my first time to feel this for a while, and I just don't feel like improving. During the last 30 days, I've played 50 rapid games, 460 blitz games, and 400 bullet game. The same was on the previous months. I was aiming to reach 2200 by the end of the year, but I spent months with no major improvement. It's kinda tragic how I hear people reaching 2200 in two years as if it was nothing while I struggle to reach there in 3 - 4 years, and when I asked them how they did it, they were like, "We just kept playing and watching some YouTube videos." I understand some people take a lot of years to improve, so I'm not really having it the worst. For context, I've been playing in chess com, and returned here hoping to find pairings in classical and improve through longer time controls. Here's my rating (on chess com) and their equivalent to lichess: Bullet: 1700 --> 1925 Blitz: 1750 --> 1960 Rapid: 1900 --> 2070 Also, if possible, I would like some advice (or references) on how to improve my psychology before playing chess. I've been starting to tilt quickly or don't feel like playing (probably because I don't feel like I am going to reach new heights) To be honest, it sounds kinda childish , but I sincerely want to improve. Thanks *I can't hire a coach :/
#2

If you don’t feel like improving, then just take a break for a while until that one day you say ‘today I’m going to gain 50 rating!’ And feel like you want to play again.

You’ve played around 18 games a day of mostly blitz and bullet (on average). Out of around 900 games, only 50 of those are rapid.
Try playing some longer chess. Even if you don’t like long chess, it’s better than losing a bunch of blitz games which finish in the same amount of time as one classical game. It will probably also help you relax from the speed chess. If you don’t like thinking (as many fast players do) then just play it like how you normally do and use your spare time when you need to. Drink a cup of coffee or something while playing.

If you don’t want to play, try just reading a book. I’m sure you have at least one or two, and even though it sounds boring, it’ll probably help. Don’t think of chess like a chore, just read when you feel like it until you get back to normal.

Getting stuck is perfectly normal. There’s always people who will get higher than you, faster than you. It took me around a year and a half to get 2200 and I thought that was fast until you see these threads of kids getting 2000 and 2200 in a few months. But it’s unavoidable, so just deal with it.

(Edit: and don’t play on chess.com! It does that to you, with its cluttered interface and messy layout! Use lichess instead ;))

If you don’t feel like improving, then just take a break for a while until that one day you say ‘today I’m going to gain 50 rating!’ And feel like you want to play again. You’ve played around 18 games a day of mostly blitz and bullet (on average). Out of around 900 games, only 50 of those are rapid. Try playing some longer chess. Even if you don’t like long chess, it’s better than losing a bunch of blitz games which finish in the same amount of time as one classical game. It will probably also help you relax from the speed chess. If you don’t like thinking (as many fast players do) then just play it like how you normally do and use your spare time when you need to. Drink a cup of coffee or something while playing. If you don’t want to play, try just reading a book. I’m sure you have at least one or two, and even though it sounds boring, it’ll probably help. Don’t think of chess like a chore, just read when you feel like it until you get back to normal. Getting stuck is perfectly normal. There’s always people who will get higher than you, faster than you. It took me around a year and a half to get 2200 and I thought that was fast until you see these threads of kids getting 2000 and 2200 in a few months. But it’s unavoidable, so just deal with it. (Edit: and don’t play on chess.com! It does that to you, with its cluttered interface and messy layout! Use lichess instead ;))
#3

@Giraffus said in #2:

If you don’t feel like improving, then just take a break for a while until that one day you say ‘today I’m going to gain 50 rating!’ And feel like you want to play again.

You’ve played around 18 games a day of mostly blitz and bullet (on average). Out of around 900 games, only 50 of those are rapid.
Try playing some longer chess. Even if you don’t like long chess, it’s better than losing a bunch of blitz games which finish in the same amount of time as one classical game. It will probably also help you relax from the speed chess. If you don’t like thinking (as many fast players do) then just play it like how you normally do and use your spare time when you need to. Drink a cup of coffee or something while playing.

If you don’t want to play, try just reading a book. I’m sure you have at least one or two, and even though it sounds boring, it’ll probably help. Don’t think of chess like a chore, just read when you feel like it until you get back to normal.

Getting stuck is perfectly normal. There’s always people who will get higher than you, faster than you. It took me around a year and a half to get 2200 and I thought that was fast until you see these threads of kids getting 2000 and 2200 in a few months. But it’s unavoidable, so just deal with it.
Yeah I think I will take a couple of days off then come back when I feel more motivated. Do you think playing 2 or 3 times 30+20 per day will be a good startup for my goal?

@Giraffus said in #2: > If you don’t feel like improving, then just take a break for a while until that one day you say ‘today I’m going to gain 50 rating!’ And feel like you want to play again. > > You’ve played around 18 games a day of mostly blitz and bullet (on average). Out of around 900 games, only 50 of those are rapid. > Try playing some longer chess. Even if you don’t like long chess, it’s better than losing a bunch of blitz games which finish in the same amount of time as one classical game. It will probably also help you relax from the speed chess. If you don’t like thinking (as many fast players do) then just play it like how you normally do and use your spare time when you need to. Drink a cup of coffee or something while playing. > > If you don’t want to play, try just reading a book. I’m sure you have at least one or two, and even though it sounds boring, it’ll probably help. Don’t think of chess like a chore, just read when you feel like it until you get back to normal. > > Getting stuck is perfectly normal. There’s always people who will get higher than you, faster than you. It took me around a year and a half to get 2200 and I thought that was fast until you see these threads of kids getting 2000 and 2200 in a few months. But it’s unavoidable, so just deal with it. Yeah I think I will take a couple of days off then come back when I feel more motivated. Do you think playing 2 or 3 times 30+20 per day will be a good startup for my goal?
#4

The psychological factor, in my opinion, is very complex (if you still have problems with it, it is very difficult to get rid of it). For me, this is the main reason why I stopped growing in chess for a year now, I think. As for those who reach 2200 in 2 years, this is again very unclear. You must understand that it is not about the years, but about the amount of time you devote to chess per day. If you live with one goal of taking 2200 and study chess every day for 6-7 hours a day for 2 years, then getting 2200 on lichess is possible. But this is not a fact. Getting 2200 in the bullet is easier for me than in blitz, in the bullet there are quite a few factors that allow you to have a good rating and at the same time not have a lot of chess knowledge. There are a huge number of videos on YouTube that show all sorts of opening traps and which allow you to gain a huge number of rating points. It seems to me that people up to 2200-2300 have more or less mediocre knowledge of openings and therefore all sorts of different lines with traps can bring many victories. But the problem with such players is that when they reach strong opponents who study openings daily, their rating either stops growing or (which is more likely) starts falling down. So if someone has reached 2200 in 2 years, this does not mean that he will continue to grow just as quickly in the future. Most likely, the opposite. Regarding the psychological factor, however, I am not sure that I understood you. My problem is that, for example, in OTB chess, when I play against low-rated (or very young chess players), I start to get nervous and worry during the game because it seems to me that it is shameful to lose to children. Because of this, my level drops sharply. But online, such a problem practically does not bother me and therefore online I feel more confident. It seems to me that everyone has tilt, it is normal and I do not think that if you have tilt then you have problems with psychological attitude. The most important thing in such cases is to stop playing so that your rating does not fall further. It is difficult but you need to learn to master this skill. As I already said, it seems to me that at your level, having a good repertoire is very important. I'm not saying that you definitely need to go to YouTube and watch all sorts of videos about opening traps, but at your level, as for me, you shouldn't play main lines either. However, as I already wrote above, if you are specifically interested in the 2200 rating, then playing trap openings should really help you raise your rating a little. The advantage of rare openings is that even if your opponent doesn't fall into any traps, he will most likely waste a huge amount of time and in games without increment, this will mean defeat. It is clear that it is also important to have good tactical vision and solve puzzles as much as possible. And I would advise you to completely remove the bullet from your games. It wastes your time and energy and at the same time you do not gain anything (no matter who argues, but it is true)

The psychological factor, in my opinion, is very complex (if you still have problems with it, it is very difficult to get rid of it). For me, this is the main reason why I stopped growing in chess for a year now, I think. As for those who reach 2200 in 2 years, this is again very unclear. You must understand that it is not about the years, but about the amount of time you devote to chess per day. If you live with one goal of taking 2200 and study chess every day for 6-7 hours a day for 2 years, then getting 2200 on lichess is possible. But this is not a fact. Getting 2200 in the bullet is easier for me than in blitz, in the bullet there are quite a few factors that allow you to have a good rating and at the same time not have a lot of chess knowledge. There are a huge number of videos on YouTube that show all sorts of opening traps and which allow you to gain a huge number of rating points. It seems to me that people up to 2200-2300 have more or less mediocre knowledge of openings and therefore all sorts of different lines with traps can bring many victories. But the problem with such players is that when they reach strong opponents who study openings daily, their rating either stops growing or (which is more likely) starts falling down. So if someone has reached 2200 in 2 years, this does not mean that he will continue to grow just as quickly in the future. Most likely, the opposite. Regarding the psychological factor, however, I am not sure that I understood you. My problem is that, for example, in OTB chess, when I play against low-rated (or very young chess players), I start to get nervous and worry during the game because it seems to me that it is shameful to lose to children. Because of this, my level drops sharply. But online, such a problem practically does not bother me and therefore online I feel more confident. It seems to me that everyone has tilt, it is normal and I do not think that if you have tilt then you have problems with psychological attitude. The most important thing in such cases is to stop playing so that your rating does not fall further. It is difficult but you need to learn to master this skill. As I already said, it seems to me that at your level, having a good repertoire is very important. I'm not saying that you definitely need to go to YouTube and watch all sorts of videos about opening traps, but at your level, as for me, you shouldn't play main lines either. However, as I already wrote above, if you are specifically interested in the 2200 rating, then playing trap openings should really help you raise your rating a little. The advantage of rare openings is that even if your opponent doesn't fall into any traps, he will most likely waste a huge amount of time and in games without increment, this will mean defeat. It is clear that it is also important to have good tactical vision and solve puzzles as much as possible. And I would advise you to completely remove the bullet from your games. It wastes your time and energy and at the same time you do not gain anything (no matter who argues, but it is true)
#5

The big problem seems to be that you aren't paying attention to your opponent's options. You're abandoning your defenses to try to set up attacks, ignoring the attacks your opponent already has. So your opponent hits you with an attack you can't defend. I'm going to blame that on all the Bullet games; those teach you to expect people to miss what you're doing, but when you raise the time limit, they don't. So, play the long time controls, and get out of that mentality.

The big problem seems to be that you aren't paying attention to your opponent's options. You're abandoning your defenses to try to set up attacks, ignoring the attacks your opponent already has. So your opponent hits you with an attack you can't defend. I'm going to blame that on all the Bullet games; those teach you to expect people to miss what you're doing, but when you raise the time limit, they don't. So, play the long time controls, and get out of that mentality.
#6

@Interesting_choice said in #4:

The psychological factor, in my opinion, is very complex (if you still have problems with it, it is very difficult to get rid of it). For me, this is the main reason why I stopped growing in chess for a year now, I think. As for those who reach 2200 in 2 years, this is again very unclear. You must understand that it is not about the years, but about the amount of time you devote to chess per day. If you live with one goal of taking 2200 and study chess every day for 6-7 hours a day for 2 years, then getting 2200 on lichess is possible. But this is not a fact. Getting 2200 in the bullet is easier for me than in blitz, in the bullet there are quite a few factors that allow you to have a good rating and at the same time not have a lot of chess knowledge. There are a huge number of videos on YouTube that show all sorts of opening traps and which allow you to gain a huge number of rating points. It seems to me that people up to 2200-2300 have more or less mediocre knowledge of openings and therefore all sorts of different lines with traps can bring many victories. But the problem with such players is that when they reach strong opponents who study openings daily, their rating either stops growing or (which is more likely) starts falling down. So if someone has reached 2200 in 2 years, this does not mean that he will continue to grow just as quickly in the future. Most likely, the opposite. Regarding the psychological factor, however, I am not sure that I understood you. My problem is that, for example, in OTB chess, when I play against low-rated (or very young chess players), I start to get nervous and worry during the game because it seems to me that it is shameful to lose to children. Because of this, my level drops sharply. But online, such a problem practically does not bother me and therefore online I feel more confident. It seems to me that everyone has tilt, it is normal and I do not think that if you have tilt then you have problems with psychological attitude. The most important thing in such cases is to stop playing so that your rating does not fall further. It is difficult but you need to learn to master this skill. As I already said, it seems to me that at your level, having a good repertoire is very important. I'm not saying that you definitely need to go to YouTube and watch all sorts of videos about opening traps, but at your level, as for me, you shouldn't play main lines either. However, as I already wrote above, if you are specifically interested in the 2200 rating, then playing trap openings should really help you raise your rating a little. The advantage of rare openings is that even if your opponent doesn't fall into any traps, he will most likely waste a huge amount of time and in games without increment, this will mean defeat. It is clear that it is also important to have good tactical vision and solve puzzles as much as possible. And I would advise you to completely remove the bullet from your games. It wastes your time and energy and at the same time you do not gain anything (no matter who argues, but it is true)
Thanks so much! I've worked on openings a while back, but I've lost motivation due to the many lines there are. As you said, I guess I'll go back to study them especially the fact that they will help me a lot in long time controls (and their traps in blitz)

@Interesting_choice said in #4: > The psychological factor, in my opinion, is very complex (if you still have problems with it, it is very difficult to get rid of it). For me, this is the main reason why I stopped growing in chess for a year now, I think. As for those who reach 2200 in 2 years, this is again very unclear. You must understand that it is not about the years, but about the amount of time you devote to chess per day. If you live with one goal of taking 2200 and study chess every day for 6-7 hours a day for 2 years, then getting 2200 on lichess is possible. But this is not a fact. Getting 2200 in the bullet is easier for me than in blitz, in the bullet there are quite a few factors that allow you to have a good rating and at the same time not have a lot of chess knowledge. There are a huge number of videos on YouTube that show all sorts of opening traps and which allow you to gain a huge number of rating points. It seems to me that people up to 2200-2300 have more or less mediocre knowledge of openings and therefore all sorts of different lines with traps can bring many victories. But the problem with such players is that when they reach strong opponents who study openings daily, their rating either stops growing or (which is more likely) starts falling down. So if someone has reached 2200 in 2 years, this does not mean that he will continue to grow just as quickly in the future. Most likely, the opposite. Regarding the psychological factor, however, I am not sure that I understood you. My problem is that, for example, in OTB chess, when I play against low-rated (or very young chess players), I start to get nervous and worry during the game because it seems to me that it is shameful to lose to children. Because of this, my level drops sharply. But online, such a problem practically does not bother me and therefore online I feel more confident. It seems to me that everyone has tilt, it is normal and I do not think that if you have tilt then you have problems with psychological attitude. The most important thing in such cases is to stop playing so that your rating does not fall further. It is difficult but you need to learn to master this skill. As I already said, it seems to me that at your level, having a good repertoire is very important. I'm not saying that you definitely need to go to YouTube and watch all sorts of videos about opening traps, but at your level, as for me, you shouldn't play main lines either. However, as I already wrote above, if you are specifically interested in the 2200 rating, then playing trap openings should really help you raise your rating a little. The advantage of rare openings is that even if your opponent doesn't fall into any traps, he will most likely waste a huge amount of time and in games without increment, this will mean defeat. It is clear that it is also important to have good tactical vision and solve puzzles as much as possible. And I would advise you to completely remove the bullet from your games. It wastes your time and energy and at the same time you do not gain anything (no matter who argues, but it is true) Thanks so much! I've worked on openings a while back, but I've lost motivation due to the many lines there are. As you said, I guess I'll go back to study them especially the fact that they will help me a lot in long time controls (and their traps in blitz)
#7

@Nomol said in #1:

how I hear people reaching 2200 in two years as if it was nothing while I struggle to reach there in 3 - 4 years, and when I asked them how they did it, they were like, "We just kept playing and watching some YouTube videos."

who are those people, it took me 3 years to be 2000 rapid. Some random gifted people with 120IQ+?

@Nomol said in #1: > how I hear people reaching 2200 in two years as if it was nothing while I struggle to reach there in 3 - 4 years, and when I asked them how they did it, they were like, "We just kept playing and watching some YouTube videos." who are those people, it took me 3 years to be 2000 rapid. Some random gifted people with 120IQ+?
#8

I think as long as you study each game you play, and learn what your mistakes were and commit to never making them again, you will continue to improve. Rating may not reflect it right away, because it takes time for a lot of incremental chess improvement to actually show up in rating.

I think as long as you study each game you play, and learn what your mistakes were and commit to never making them again, you will continue to improve. Rating may not reflect it right away, because it takes time for a lot of incremental chess improvement to actually show up in rating.
#9

@Nomol said in #1:

... I sincerely want to improve. ...
How many 10+5 rapid games have you played in the ~8 months since the httpscolon//lichessperioorg/tj3cf5u5 game? When was the last time you played a slower game?

@Nomol said in #1: > ... I sincerely want to improve. ... How many 10+5 rapid games have you played in the ~8 months since the httpscolon//lichessperioorg/tj3cf5u5 game? When was the last time you played a slower game?
#10

@xDoubledragon said in #7:

who are those people, it took me 3 years to be 2000 rapid. Some random gifted people with 120IQ+?

No need to get IQ involved. Getting to 2000+ chess.com (2200 lichess) is quite easy to do, I did so myself in under 2 years (and I know others with similar or better progress). I think if you are truly passionate about that game and are willing to put in the hard work, you can do the same (assuming you start from 0).

@xDoubledragon said in #7: > who are those people, it took me 3 years to be 2000 rapid. Some random gifted people with 120IQ+? No need to get IQ involved. Getting to 2000+ chess.com (2200 lichess) is quite easy to do, I did so myself in under 2 years (and I know others with similar or better progress). I think if you are truly passionate about that game and are willing to put in the hard work, you can do the same (assuming you start from 0).

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