How to train at chess: Road to 1500 rating!

Hi fellow chess fans! If you are below 1500 rating (I’m around 1500 real rating myself (my chess.com rating is still 1000)), this blog is for you.

To improve at chess, you need: consistent, smart practice. Here are the best ways to reach 1500:

1. Play regular games with a purpose  
Play at least 3–5 serious games per day (15+ minutes each). Winning or losing doesn’t matter as much as learning. You actually learn more from losses if you review them. Winning most games doesn’t always mean you improved — you might just be playing weaker opponents. Play people slightly stronger than you when possible.

 2. Get a coach (if you can)  
A decent coach can spot your weaknesses and give you personalized advice. But remember: you must do the work. A coach helps you improve faster, but they can’t play for you or magically raise your rating.

 3. Do puzzles every single day – they really work  
Puzzles are one of the fastest ways to improve tactical vision. Do at least **20 puzzles daily** on Chess.com or Lichess. Focus on accuracy, not speed. Unlike what I said before: puzzles *do* improve you a lot, especially for spotting forks, pins, and checkmates in real games.

4. Review every game you play  
After each game, use the Chess.com analysis board (or game review) to find your biggest mistake. Ask:  
- Did I hang a piece?  
- Did I miss a tactic?  
- Could I have won faster?

 5. Learn basic endgames and opening principles  
To reach 1500, you don’t need many openings — just know:  
- Control the center.  
- Develop your pieces quickly.  
- Castle early.  
- Learn king + pawn endgames and basic checkmates (like rook + king vs king).

6. Create a simple weekly routine  
Example:  
- Monday–Friday: 20 puzzles + 2 rapid games + review  
- Saturday: 1 longer game (30 min) + endgame lesson  
- Sunday: rest or play for fun

If you follow these tips consistently for 2–3 months, you will see real improvement in your rating and playing style.

Thank you for reading! 😊 Please comment below on what topic you’d like me to cover next, or any advice on how I can improve on my future blogs!