What are the best way to get better at chess on my own? I am young and don't have a ton of time on my hands during school, and I play sports as well. Im wondering what are the best ways for me to get better at chess that don't take up more than 1-2 hours a day.
As you seem to be result oriented, read
http://www.masschess.org/Chess_Horizons/Articles/2001-04_Sample_400_Points_Part_2.pdf
But thats only the first part, after this, replay the classics, for example replay all world championship match games in history.
http://www.masschess.org/Chess_Horizons/Articles/2001-04_Sample_400_Points_Part_2.pdf
But thats only the first part, after this, replay the classics, for example replay all world championship match games in history.
Im only looking for a way to improve in my free time, not a daily routine that is calculated down to the minute. Im not looking for extremely radical improvment, because I think that is unreasonable to expect. Im just looking for things to do that are somehwat easy and simple to access that will improve my chess skills over time.
There are some chess books at the local library that should help. I might point out that unless you plan on playing professionally the goal isn't really to make vast improvements quickly but to enjoy yourself, unwind, and relax. I read a book called Maxims of Chess in the mid-80's. I also own a copy of Modern Chess Openings, 14th edition, by Nick DeFirmian.
1) Play chess! Sounds simple, but your own games are a useful tool for improvement. Go over them afterwards to figure out what you did well and what you did not so well. A computer can help confirm your results, but you ideally want to look at it yourself first.
2) Tactics puzzles. This is a fairly easy way to improve your board vision and give yourself exposure to more patterns that will help you in your games.
There are other things you can do as well like watch videos, read books, take lessons, study master games that require varying amounts of effort, money, and time. Depending on your commitment, you might want to use some of these additional resources. But, you can pretty much do what you want just by playing/analyzing your own games and solving tactics puzzles.
2) Tactics puzzles. This is a fairly easy way to improve your board vision and give yourself exposure to more patterns that will help you in your games.
There are other things you can do as well like watch videos, read books, take lessons, study master games that require varying amounts of effort, money, and time. Depending on your commitment, you might want to use some of these additional resources. But, you can pretty much do what you want just by playing/analyzing your own games and solving tactics puzzles.
@no_bullet_thanks are you from Massachusetts?
@V1chess nope, im from Germany (which explains my sometimes noob english).
@ChessGuy89 #2 so, no hc training but some improve-over-the-years style training. in that case do what @landscaping123 suggested, read chess books.
Suggestion:
Start with 'Logical Chess' by Chernev or 'Bobby Fischer teaches chess' by guesswho or 'Chess Fundamentals' by Capablanca.
Then get 'Chess Endgame Training' by Rosen and a tactics collection from Chess Informator (you can train the basic mates here at lichess). An opening reference like 'Nunn´´ s chess openings'[1] is good to have, for looking up stuff.
A must-have-read-once-in-your-life is 'Pawn Power in Chess' by Kmoch.
Another fav of mine is 'Fighting Chess - My Games and Career' by Kasparov.
Other authors i have read and liked in order of how much (after euwe i like them all equally):
Yusupov/Dworetzky, Koblentz, Mednis, Maizelis, Khalifman, Delchev, Keene, Kasparov, Karpov, Korchnoi, Averbakh, Euwe, Pachmann, Lasker, Capablanca, Keres, Larsen
If you like more the artistic approach, get Kasparians '888 Miniature Studies'.
Some final notes:
chess books can be read like prose, an exception are opening monographies and of course puzzles. The quantity of books is more relevant than how carefully they were read. The subconscious filters out what it needs. Replay the games fast and often on a real board (when i was a teen i could replay my fav games by heart). Stop trying to learn and just open your mind. However, get a grasp of concepts you dont understand.
Puzzles: if you wont find the solution after three minutes, look it up, come back later.
Endgames: fun and efficient.
Problems/Studies: fun and good for calculation and tactical vision.
@ChessGuy89 #2 so, no hc training but some improve-over-the-years style training. in that case do what @landscaping123 suggested, read chess books.
Suggestion:
Start with 'Logical Chess' by Chernev or 'Bobby Fischer teaches chess' by guesswho or 'Chess Fundamentals' by Capablanca.
Then get 'Chess Endgame Training' by Rosen and a tactics collection from Chess Informator (you can train the basic mates here at lichess). An opening reference like 'Nunn´´ s chess openings'[1] is good to have, for looking up stuff.
A must-have-read-once-in-your-life is 'Pawn Power in Chess' by Kmoch.
Another fav of mine is 'Fighting Chess - My Games and Career' by Kasparov.
Other authors i have read and liked in order of how much (after euwe i like them all equally):
Yusupov/Dworetzky, Koblentz, Mednis, Maizelis, Khalifman, Delchev, Keene, Kasparov, Karpov, Korchnoi, Averbakh, Euwe, Pachmann, Lasker, Capablanca, Keres, Larsen
If you like more the artistic approach, get Kasparians '888 Miniature Studies'.
Some final notes:
chess books can be read like prose, an exception are opening monographies and of course puzzles. The quantity of books is more relevant than how carefully they were read. The subconscious filters out what it needs. Replay the games fast and often on a real board (when i was a teen i could replay my fav games by heart). Stop trying to learn and just open your mind. However, get a grasp of concepts you dont understand.
Puzzles: if you wont find the solution after three minutes, look it up, come back later.
Endgames: fun and efficient.
Problems/Studies: fun and good for calculation and tactical vision.
@amazingoid 's suggestion is also important, analyze your games, especially those you lost.
Play slower. I see you play rapid time control, which is good, but often at the end of a game you lose you have most of your time still available on your clock. Take your time to think about your moves.
Play classical games then analyze them.
If you enjoy tactics try to do some.
If you enjoy tactics try to do some.
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