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🚀 How to Gain Elo Fast in Chess

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DMTSF
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🚀 How to Gain Elo Fast in Chess

Welcome to this new post where I explain how most people gain Elo quickly! Let’s dive right into it.

📋 Summary of Key Tips

  1. Create a Goals List 📝

  2. Solve Puzzles Regularly 🧩

  3. Review Your Games 🔍

  4. Study Model Games 🎮

  5. Read Chess Books 📚

  6. Play Slow Games (and Fewer Blitz) ⏳

  7. Use a Structured Curriculum 📖

🥅 Yearly Chess Improvement Goals List

Set clear, measurable goals for yourself! Here’s an example:

🎯 1. Rating Milestones

  • Increase your rating by [100–200 points] in your preferred time control (e.g. 1200 → 1400 Blitz, 1500 → 1700 Rapid).

  • Achieve your target rating by year’s end (e.g. 2000 on Lichess, 1800 on Chess.com).

🎯 2. Solve Puzzles Regularly

  • Tactics training is key for improving calculation and pattern recognition.

  • Aim for 15-30 minutes of puzzles per day.

  • Use platforms like:

🎯 3. Analyze Your Own Games

  • Review all your games, especially losses, to understand your mistakes.

  • Ask yourself:

    • Why did I lose?

    • Where did I go wrong in the opening?

    • Did I miss a tactic or blunder?

  • Use engines after you've tried to analyze the game on your own.

🎯 4. Study Model Games

  • Study games by strong players like Kasparov, Fischer, or Capablanca.

  • Focus on games that demonstrate clear plans and ideas.

  • Try to guess the next move during your study to improve intuition.

🎯 5. Play Slow Games (and Fewer Blitz)

  • Classical or Rapid games (15+10 or slower) give you more time to think, calculate, and apply strategy.

  • Avoid too much blitz as it can build bad habits.

🎯 6. Use a Structured Curriculum

  • If you want to improve faster, study with a structured approach:

    • For Beginners: "Chess Fundamentals" (Capablanca), Chessable’s free courses.

    • For Intermediate: "Silman’s How to Reassess Your Chess", "My System" (Nimzowitsch).

    • For Advanced: "Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual", opening repertoires by top players.

With these strategies in place, your Elo will rise steadily! Keep practicing, stay consistent, and enjoy the journey. ⏳♟

What do you think? Would you like to add or adjust anything?