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The Power of Thematic Training Games

The Power of Thematic Training Games

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Improving at chess isn’t just about studying opening theory and solving puzzles. Many players reach a plateau at this stage and wonder what they are doing wrong. One of the best ways to break through is by playing structured training games. These games simulate real-game situations, reinforcing key strategies in openings, middlegames, and endgames, helping players improve more effectively.

While studying openings, middlegames, and endgames is important, practicing these positions against higher-rated players (Titled players) is just as crucial. Analyzing these games helps identify key mistakes and areas for improvement, making your training more effective.


What Are Training Games?

Training games are practice games with a clear purpose. Unlike casual games, they are designed to help you improve specific skills. 

Thematic Games: Focused Learning with Specific Positions

Thematic games start from a chosen position, helping players practice particular openings, middlegames, or endgames.

Types of Thematic Games:

1. Opening Thematic Games – These games start from a specific opening position (e.g., Italian or London), allowing you to focus on typical plans and strategies while mastering one opening at a time. 

Reviewing the theory before playing these games against titled players reinforces understanding and improves performance


2. Middlegame Thematic Games (Positional Play) – These games focus on key middlegame strategies, particularly in slower positions where an immediate attack is not the primary plan. Many players struggle in such situations. By practicing specific middlegame themes—such as attacking in opposite-side castling positions, understanding pawn structures, playing with an isolated pawn, and executing a majority attack—players can significantly improve their middlegame skills!

3. Endgame Thematic Games – For more advanced players, in addition to theoretical endgames(e.g., Lucena position, King and Pawn vs. King), it is even more important to practice practical endgames—positions that commonly arise in real games!

Position of the Week

Each week, BoltChess features a Position of the Week, where players analyze and play out a key position against Titled Players.


Why Use Training Games?

  • Learn Openings Faster: Lower rated opponents often lack theoretical knowledge and theory (main lines) can be forgotten. If you can handle a titled player’s preparation, you’ll have no trouble winning against players of a similar level online.
  • Improve Positional Play: Thematic middlegame games reinforce strategic thinking. Many online players won’t exploit positional mistakes, so structured practice is key to real improvement.
  • Sharpen Endgames: Training endgame positions helps convert advantages into wins. How many times have you failed to win a winning endgame? You need to practice this!
  • Faster Improvement: Focused training accelerates learning far more effectively than playing random online games.

How to Use Training Games Effectively?

  1. Set a Goal: Focus on a specific area to improve systematically.
  2. Analyze Every Game: Review your mistakes with titled player, add comments, and reflect on key moments to learn and improve effectively.

In practical games, you learn from your mistakes, practice specific weaknesses, and challenge yourself by playing against titled players. It's both an engaging way to improve in chess and a highly effective training method. Good luck!

Website for training games against Titled Players: https://boltchess.com/

Woman Grandmaster, Software engineer, Co-founder of BoltChess and CEO of Chess-Boost

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