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Reach Candidate Master in chess if you start learning as an adult

Reach Candidate Master in chess if you start learning as an adult

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Oleh_Sych
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Is it possible to achieve high results in chess if you start learning as an adult? I have read a lot of opinions about this. Most answers are negative. Sure, it depends on the characteristics of a particular person's thinking, on the amount of effort and time spent on learning, and finally – on the age.

A lot of people start playing chess as adults, but have any of them set ambitious goals for themselves?

I decided to invest a lot of my time and try to reach the level of candidate master in chess. Don't ask why. The higher the goals, the higher the results.

Starting point. I’m 45. I've been playing chess since childhood (my father taught me), but I've never studied any theory, read any chess literature, or developed my skills in any way. The only thing I did was play online from time to time.

Now. 1.5 years ago I decided I wanted to improve at chess. I found a coach and started practicing, studying theory, watching chess videos, solving puzzles, and participating in tournaments. Over the past 1.5 years I have achieved the following:

  • got the second degree
  • raised my rapid rating on chess.com from 1300 to 1500
  • got FIDE rating classic 1455 and rapid 1406

My plan. I want to invest a few hours at least 5 days a week for different chess training and games (so below “every day” means “every chess training day”):

  1. Once a week lessons with the coach (openings, theory, tactics, strategy, playing games together). At the moment I don't see any point in holding them more often, it is too many things to learn after each lesson.
  2. Every day ~30 minutes for learning openings. It includes learning theory (provided by my coach) and also repeating them on https://chesstempo.com/. There is an amazing option to upload your own repertoires and repeat them again and again.
  3. Every day ~30 minutes solving chess puzzles for tactics. I prefer puzzles with complex tasks, thinking for up to 1-2 minutes each, compared to quick tasks in Puzzle Rush/Puzzle Storm.
  4. Every day 1 classic time control game with the engine on adaptive level. I use HIARCS for learning and it has an option to measure my current virtual ELO and adapt my “opponent” in every particular game in the same level. Analyze every game manually and then with the engine.
  5. Every day 2-3 rapid games online. Analysis every game with the engine and highlighting weak places. I prefer to play on Chess.com, it’s better for analysis and their anti-cheat service work much better IMHO.
  6. Reading chess books. I like old-style paper chess books, with my evening coffee. Right now I’m reading Lasker's “Manual of Chess”. Yes, I know it is too old, but I want to start from the beginning and go higher. I like to read about chess champions, their style, their advice, their vision of chess. They tell us – chess is not only calculation, but it is an art. This inspires me.
  7. Watching chess videos on YouTube as an evening entertainment to get something new.
  8. Tournaments participation. I realized that every tournament brings me huge improvement. In tournaments, people are not just playing, they are fighting. Usually, when I come back from a tournament and play online, I feel that online players are toothless. Every tournament gives me an understanding of my weakest areas in chess at my current level and shows me what I need to improve first of all.

My goals.

I want to achieve Candidate Master degree in one year! I'm kidding, sure not  It is a hard and long way.

My ambitious plans for 2025 are to reach a Chess.com rapid ELO of 1700 and FIDE classical ELO of 1600+. Maybe I can qualify for the first category at least once (As you know, to achieve the first category, you have to qualify for it twice).

My inspiration. I did a lot of things in my life, and I know what is hard work and how to achieve my goals (even if it takes years). Chess with me already 35+ years and I always dreams to improve them, to get knowledge, not just play as I know but also to know how to play. I like it, and knowledge just improving my passion to chess.


I have the most devoted fan - my beloved wife Kseniya. She always supports my thirst for self-development, rejoices in my achievements and victories, and shares my losses and failures. I can always share the joy of a beautiful game, a brilliant move, or a successful tournament with her. She is my photo reporter and the reader of my posts; she is always the first to like them. She is the first person with whom I want to share my achievements, even if it is just chess - just a game.

Summary: I have motivation, a plan, and clear goals (both global and for 2025). I would be grateful for your advice on how I can improve my approach. And… see you for the final summary in a year!

Cheers.