Get Better at Getting Better.

We all find our own ways to get better at chess. However, as your rating goes up, you'll eventually stumble upon a block and be unable to move forward, even with studying. To help study more efficiently, here's a few tips on improving your improvement.

1. Mainly Work your Weakness

If you're stuck, there might be something holding you back. Or, if you're going forward, something might be slowing you down a bit. Everyone has a weakness, and you want to improve on that aspect (tactics, endgame, positional play, etc.) the most. Just look at blunders from your games to find your weakness.  For example, I miss tactics a lot, so I do puzzles. But although you should focus on your weakness, make sure you still work on the other aspects as well! Try to attack my weak spot below.

2. Study Consistently

Many people study chess whenever they feel like it, or whenever they have time. While this is fine, especially if you're busy most of the time, it's better to set a schedule for when you study chess. You learn more if you have a set time for learning it, so you don't want to spend 2 hours one day and then not do it for a week. 

Make sure not to get distracted during your schedule.

3. Don't Continue on a Bad Day

Another thing about us is that we usually do better when we're feeling good. If you're really having a sour day and you're really not feeling up to studying, don't make yourself do it. It'll just make it feel like a huge drag, and it won't be very effective studying either. Everyone has bad days, so feel free to take a break.

Ian Nepomachi after another loss in game eight of the world championship. Photo: Eric Rosen/FIDE

4. Don't Stop Playing Games

Studying is important for serious chess players. But obviously, playing chess is even more so. Even when you're really dedicated to studying, don't stop playing games on a consistent basis. Taking chess breaks is good at times but try not to miss entire months. You'll lose valuable knowledge from your experiences, and the whole point studying is to gain more. If you do stop playing games for a bit, do a few puzzles before your next game. Like this one!

That ends the blog. Hopefully these tips will be able to bring your studying to the next level. See you next time!