The Chess.com Study Plan -- Trial

Week # 2 Day # 7 Rating 1239 +73 points 

I, Excheqquer, an inveterate non improver.  decided I would put the chess.com study plan to the test.  

Well, first off I was informed by Chess.com that in a previous game one of my opponents was found to be cheating. I was therefore awarded 10 points.  I am very appreciative of Chess.com's vigorous pursuit of fair play. 

I am following the Chess.com Study Plan which you can find by clicking on learn/articles/study plan. I have completed the first four objectives: Basics, Opening, Tactics, Strategy. I am now working on  Endgames.

First off I went back and did some drills on the two bishop checkmate. Unless you are a genius, you have to go back and put some memory into your drills. You can't just do it once.  

then:

• Read this: The Principles Of The Endgame—For Beginners! -- check done
• Watch this: Everything You Need to Know: The Endgame! -- check done
• Watch this and solve the puzzles: Understanding Endgames -- check done
• Watch this: Fundamental Checkmates 1: Rook Roller and K+Qby FM Todd Andrews
• Read this: Inch by Inch, Row by Row by WIM Alexey Root
• Do this drill: Two Rook Checkmate
• Read this: Basic Checkmates: The Queen Dance! by Jessica Martin
• Do this drill: King and Queen Mate
• Watch this: The Big 3 - Important Winning Techniques by FM Elliot Liu
• Read this: Basic Checkmates: The King and Rook Mate! by Jessica Martin
• Do this drill: King and Rook Mate
• Read this: Basic Checkmates: Two Bishop Mate! by Jessica Martin
• Do this drill: Two Bishop Mate
• Do this drill: Bishop And Knight Mate: The Edge

All Done check!

A couple mantras to follow from Daniel Rensch:

  The endgame is hard you have to play harder. 

Second.  in the endgame if you are ahead, you have to concentrate even more. Don't let up. 

• Pawn Endings 1 by FM Steven Zierk  - watched this. I have long been aware of these concepts, but a little extra study, never hurt. 

And  a quote from Russian Chess  by Bruce Pandolfini: 

Budget your thinking. Look for general plans and strategies when its your opponent's turn. On your turn, get specific and determine the best move. 

And then it was time for the game of the day. My opponent was Europoort. He was approximately 1126 when we started. He has been on chess.com since 2019, but has really picked up the intensity of his rapid play since October. He, however, has has been stuck in the 1100's for several months. I recommend he try the Chess.com Study plan. 

Here is the annotated game. 

My 10th win in a row. 

Rating 1244 +78 points.