The Chess.com Study Plan -- and my test of it.

Week # 2 Day # 2 Rating 1200 up +34 points since starting the program

I am on a 12 week plan to improve my chess. I have decided to put the Chess.com Study plan to the test.  (if you want to find the study plan click on learn/articles/study plan) I have completed steps # 1 The Basics and # 2 The Openings. Today I should finish up # 3 Tactics.

I read the Silman article and I have watched all the videos. Although I have to admit there is a vast difference in the quality of the videos. I'm sorry but some of these authors do not have the dynamism to keep me awake. Also not every GM is a good instructor. Just moving the pieces does nothing for me. You need to explain why you move the pieces. 

I completed Jeremy Silman's introduction to tactics and FM Wolski's essential checkmates. Those were both very valuable. I'm going to have to go back and do Wolski's a second time time before I advance out of the beginning player sequence. I need to know those patterns off all of those named checkmates. Gotta know it. But I do have to say they will tire you out. 130 lessons in Wolski's program. 

And then I sat down to play a game. I hit play, and I got someone rated almost identical to me, and he immediately aborted the game. Life happens. Sometimes just when you think you have time for a game your significant other wants you to take out the trash, etc. 

I paused took a deep breath and hit play again. This time I matched with New2Play2Win who was rated 1398. I was rated 1200. In other words he was the highest rated player I could have matched with considering my +/- 200 parameters. 

All right 1398. Well let's see how it goes.

Now before I insert the annotated game, while I still have you on hooks and tenders, let me add that colorfulcake will also be annotating the game and placing it on his blog. I have sent him the game and he is going to give me expert advice. Colorfulcake is a 2000 player. That's like a Jeff Bezos rocket compared to my measly elevations. (as an aside personally I would not care if all the billionaires went to space and stayed there-- it would not upset me, not one bit ) 

Here's the game. My toughest opponent in forever. I'm feeling good about the Chess.com Study plan. 

Rating 1212 +46 points on the program

now if I could only get the same results from diet!

Remember to check out Colorfulcake 's blog as well.