Michael Maza System
1) Make a physical movement. Initially I shuffled my legs but found that they got tired in long games. Now I shift around in my chair, move my arms up and down, or wiggle my toes (5 seconds; total time: 5 seconds).
2) Look at the board with Chess Vision, the ability developed by going through the micro-level drills described in a previous chapter (10 seconds; total time: 15 seconds).
3) Understand what the opponent is threatening (20 seconds; total time:35 seconds).
4) Write down the opponent’s first move on my score sheet (5 seconds; total time: 40 seconds).
5) If the opponent has a serious threat, then respond. If not, calculate a tactical sequence. If no tactical sequence exists, implement a plan (70 seconds; total time: 110 seconds).
A Improve the mobility of the Pieces
B Prevent the opponent from castling
C Trade off pawns
D Keep the Queen on the board
6) Write down my move (5seconds; total time: 115 seconds).
7) Imagine the position after I make my intended move and use Chess Vision to check the position. If Chess Vision does not locate any problems, make the move and press the clock. If Chess Vision does locate a problem, go back to step 1. (10 seconds; total time:125 seconds).
8) Make sure that I have pressed the clock.
I force myself to implement these plans very quickly. No ‘long thinks’ are allowed. I very rarely spend more than five minutes on a position and, as a result, win approximately 10% of my games because my opponent gets into time trouble. At the class level, spending time creating a complicated plan is often counterproductive. While you are executing a longwinded plan you or your opponent will almost certainly make a tactical error which will drastically change the evaluation of the plan.
My belief, this system could take anyone that is tactically savvy to 2000 or possibly higher if he meets some requirements. The player MUST have a killer tactical base. I would assume somewhere close to 1000 puzzles that are 2-3 movers. He should be able to solve each puzzle instantly or within 2 seconds and finish them all in a day.
I am also of the opinion that it would be very difficult to achieve a rating much higher than master with this thought process. Once you get out of class play, games are decided less often by tactical ability (players are not making tactical blunders) and positional play takes greater precedence.