Patzer to Grandmaster: The Journals: Intervals of Improvement

Last May I was 1089. I'm now 1425. 

Along the journey I'm celebrating the small victories. 

I've been stuck here for about a month, as I recalibrate. I've temporarily placed games on hold as I savored reaching the 1400 plateau and reaching the 95% percentile. And I came to realize that this is good. I'm pleased with the improvement and before I can realistically make any further gains I need to refuel and restock.

It's like pulling the troops off the frontline. Sending them back for a little R&R and some retraining.

The retraining is a new personal best in the puzzle rush 5 minute. I had been stuck at 23 for some time, but I bypassed that to hit 25 this morning. At 25 I even showed up on the global leaderboard at # 47!

While I was at it, I figured I might as well try for a new puzzle solving record. My previous record was 2131.  I bypassed that penetrating the 2200's. 2201 to be exact. 

1089 to 1400, what's my secret?  1.  Deep study. 2. Puzzles. 3. Opening Game theory (for which I like Chessable), 4. annotation and analysis of all my games. 5. Play only longer games.  The biggest factor, however, is 6. to have enough available time. 

Okay I think we are getting rested. And we are about to start some new games. 

And if you like poetry check out my book of poetry, published earlier this week by Raven Croaks Publishing.  You can find it on lulu.com, Amazon, or Barnes and Nobles. Brauer's Book of Hours.