Hi,

I am trying to improve my chess game.  Being a member of chess.com gives me access to lots of great tools,  but.....  where can I find a training schedule to improve my game in a consistent way?  For example, i like to run 10k races so I found a training schedule on the internet to train for a certain 10k time.  Is there any chess training schedule where I can use the resources of chess.com in an efficient way to get better at chess?

Best regards,

Kyle R. Kandler

I don't play CC, so I can only comment using your live rating (~1200). I think you should definitely try to do a lot of tactics trainer (2-3 hours a day) and even on occasion computer workout (but this you should only do lightly, as it can get quite complex and overwhelm you on time). 

Definitely spare 1-2 hours a day, or rather 1-2 videos a day since you have diamond membership. It's always good to have GM/IM thinking fresh in your mind, even if they rarely make sense sometimes or ramble on and on (on tangents) without improving your gameplay. If you can't spare too much time, don't worry about videos, but that's definitely the best part of your diamond membership.

Unless you actually READ the chess mentor descriptions on the side-panel, don't use chess mentor it's worthless.

I really disagree here. Chess Mentor has carefully selected examples and lessons with exercises grouped by theme, which is especially useful for beginners.

My recommended schedule would be :

- if you have 1 hr

• 15' Tactics Trainer (visualization / tactics is the backbone of your chess)
• 10' reviewing missed combinations in TT and replaying them in your head
• 35' Chess Mentor in sequential mode (so that you exercise your chess mind)

- if you have 2 hrs (or in another 1hr session)

• first hour as above
• 30-40' chess videos
• remaining time - alternate chess articles written by chess.com contributors and computer workout

I don't recommed 2hrs of Tactics trainer, because I think it's just exhausting and counter-productive. 15'/day with careful reviewing should bring great rewards in a few weeks time. As a long distance runner, I think you can appreciate that

I had a discussion with David Pruess on this subject. David will write some articles on this subject. The first is about Computer Workout 2.0. The "Studying" program looks like an hot topic for chess.com.

David recommend me 40% game, 60% study.

- Tactics Trainer  15 minutes per day. The Key is to review the missed problems during the session. The idea is to learn patterns.
- use Computer Workout. CW is in the "game" part. 

- Watch the video of the day.

- Read the article of the day..
- CM 1h/day
- Not too many online game at the same time.

I add at least 1h per day reading chess books (tactics and endgame) in the suburbs train and go to y local chess club every friday night.

Thank you all for the great responses.

as pointed above, going to a chess club is probably one of the best way to train your chess

Definitely try to do tactics trainer, and one of the best things you can do is, even with games you win, click on "view" and then click "computer analysis" (if diamond/crown/gold), and you can review your games and get guidance on your best move and "how to take advantage of your enemy's mistake" variation.

@hicetnunc

No, I used chess mentor for a while, it gave me a rating of "1840" by the time my diamond membership expired. It's definitely worthless UNLESSSSS you read the descriptions + hints carefully. Therefore it's very time consuming and it's sort of like reading a book except a little more interactive. You're better off just watching videos using your diamond membership.

Just from watching videos you won't learn that much. It's important that you apply stuff. The mentor is great for this. Yes, it's time consuming and difficult. But not many people improve while enjoying their comfort zone.

"Axelmuller" makes a good point that not many people improve while enjoying their comfort zone. So, in my videos I try to get the viewer practicing and calculating. I recommend my YouTube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/DraganLalic?feature=mhum

Thanks, I hope you enjoy it!