I am currently rated 1821 USCF, and I have been solidifying myself in the high 1700's to low 1800's for the past year. Can anybody provide me tips to break through to the 1900-2000 level? What specifically do I need to improve in my chess to get to that next level? Thanks
First and foremost you need to play longer games, in a similar format to what you have during the tournaments.
A longer game and a real board against 2000 rated players. Not just online blitz. Then really look at your errors and write an essay about why you lost, or how you can improve a win. No computer help!! Computers are your enemy.
Want to do this? I’m in the same boat 🚣.
A longer game and a real board against 2000 rated players. Not just online blitz. Then really look at your errors and write an essay about why you lost, or how you can improve a win. No computer help!! Computers are your enemy.
Want to do this? I’m in the same boat 🚣.
@Gujibabu I improved playing games 8 + 0 here in lichess and analyzing each game later.
@Gujibabu #1
I never really managed to go through the famous IM Silman book, but I found the introduction chapter of How to reassess your chess very interesting. It is about chess players getting stuck at some level, and about that they never worked on a proper foundation. (Which, if I remember correctly, can boil down to ignoring endgame study, and just focusing on tactics and openings).
My suggestion is to find out what your weaknesses and strenghts are, and then work on them. That is : improve your weaknesses or avoid them if you didn't manage to improve that part (If you know you are very weak at bishop endings, and very strong at queen endings, then it makes sense to go for a queen ending in that important otb team match game), and utilize your strenghts.
Also, analyse with stronger players. Have your games looked at by good players, and let them comment on that. And of course analyse your own chess games and learn from your mistakes (Botvinnik method).
If you can, get a chess coach.
And believe it or not, but this guy has several GMs coaching him, and he has a study group you might want to join. He is walking the same path as you are :
www.chess.com/blog/Milliern/cracking-uscf-1900-right-above-it
I never really managed to go through the famous IM Silman book, but I found the introduction chapter of How to reassess your chess very interesting. It is about chess players getting stuck at some level, and about that they never worked on a proper foundation. (Which, if I remember correctly, can boil down to ignoring endgame study, and just focusing on tactics and openings).
My suggestion is to find out what your weaknesses and strenghts are, and then work on them. That is : improve your weaknesses or avoid them if you didn't manage to improve that part (If you know you are very weak at bishop endings, and very strong at queen endings, then it makes sense to go for a queen ending in that important otb team match game), and utilize your strenghts.
Also, analyse with stronger players. Have your games looked at by good players, and let them comment on that. And of course analyse your own chess games and learn from your mistakes (Botvinnik method).
If you can, get a chess coach.
And believe it or not, but this guy has several GMs coaching him, and he has a study group you might want to join. He is walking the same path as you are :
www.chess.com/blog/Milliern/cracking-uscf-1900-right-above-it
Some computer assistance is okay, if done in small doses.
Blitz and especially bullet are your real enemies (if you seriously want to improve your OTB rating). To practice OTB games, you have to play games that are as similar as possible to them, i.e. where you actually have time to do some real calculation and planning instead of relying on reflexes and intuition. Otherwise, your training will prioritize the wrong skills.
Blitz and especially bullet are your real enemies (if you seriously want to improve your OTB rating). To practice OTB games, you have to play games that are as similar as possible to them, i.e. where you actually have time to do some real calculation and planning instead of relying on reflexes and intuition. Otherwise, your training will prioritize the wrong skills.
People generally a) work b) study. How on earth are we supposed to play slow games ?
I play many bullet & blitz. If I want to play slow, 10+0. Yet I go into zeitnots in 60+30 and even 90+30. Bullet does not make you play fast.
I play many bullet & blitz. If I want to play slow, 10+0. Yet I go into zeitnots in 60+30 and even 90+30. Bullet does not make you play fast.
Endgame, lots of it
@savagechess2k Ten 3+0 games could become one 30+0 for example. That should be about close enough to a tournament setting to get reasonable skill training weights. If OP has not a lot of time to spare due to work or studies, it will be tough to improve meaningfully anyways, regardless of the type of practice games.
Your observation about zeitnot actually misses my point, by the way. If you only play fast games online, your "long game skills" (like calculation) are comparatively less trained and you need more time to perform them on average, not less.
Your observation about zeitnot actually misses my point, by the way. If you only play fast games online, your "long game skills" (like calculation) are comparatively less trained and you need more time to perform them on average, not less.
Quality is the key. Focus on the quality of the game. More long games, less blitz. I agree that playing a long game with tournament format and a real board helps. During the game, do your best, use all energy. Review the game afterward. Ask yourself what I could have done better, what did I miss, etc. Be patient, it will take some time to breakthrough but with constant work the result will come.
Blitz is ok as a trainings tool, but take it seriously. Like tournament games in a short time. Your normal openings which can be refined. Nowadays all decent players play blitz in order to sharpen their weapons.
The problem with engines is, that they yield you a distorted picture of how easy chess seemingly is.
The problem with engines is, that they yield you a distorted picture of how easy chess seemingly is.
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