How to Climb from 1600 to 1800: Four Coaches Share Their Experience!

Hi there!

Today I bring you a different kind of blog, but a very important one, especially if you’re at that crucial point where you want to move from 1600 to 1800 ELO. This phase can feel very frustrating, but at the same time it’s decisive. 

As a coach, I’ve seen many players get stuck here. Not because they lack talent, but because they start repeating mistakes, train without a clear structure, or simply feel lost among so many tips, videos, and courses that sometimes confuse more than they help.

To do so, I spoke with four coaches with very different styles and backgrounds, from WFM, FM, IM to GM, and I asked them the same key questions about how to guide an adult player rated around 1600 who wants to keep improving, even without unlimited time to study!

The result was very interesting! So if you’ve made it this far, I think it’s worth continuing to read. You’ll find clear ideas, common mistakes you might be making without realizing it, habits that really work, and book recommendations that could change your life!

Just one thing! SPOILER ALERT: there’s no single, magical method to progress in chess. Every player has their own path, pace, and challenges. But reading what these four coaches, with their distinct styles and vast experience, have to say might help you find yours.

Pick the ideas that speak to you, put them into practice, adjust along the way… and most importantly, keep enjoying the journey. Because progress in chess isn’t only measured by rating points, it’s about sharpening your thinking, making confident choices, and discovering more about yourself with every move.

So now let’s meet the coaches!

Before we dive in, here’s a quick intro to the four amazing coaches who joined this interview. They’re not only accomplished players but also top-notch teachers whose work I’ve followed for years. Trust me, you’re in good hands!

FM Andrés Guerrero

FIDE Master with two IM norms and over 8 years of online coaching experience. Renowned for his clear and motivating explanations, especially in openings. He primarily trains players rated 1100–1900 and is well known on YouTube. If you speak Spanish, I highly recommend his channel: (8) Ajedrez Guerrero - YouTube, he explains concepts very well and covers a wide range of topics.

 IM Abel Fabián López

International Master from Cuba, still competing while chasing the GM title. His style is structured and logical, perfect if you want mental discipline and strategic clarity.

WFM Liliam Blanco García

Woman FIDE Master who earned her title as an adult, which gives her a special connection with adult learners under 1800. Patient, approachable, and crystal clear in her teaching.

 GM Dylan Berdayes Ason

Grandmaster since 2023 and one of Cuba’s brightest young talents. Though he usually works with advanced players, his GM perspective is invaluable if you’re serious about raising your game.

Now it’s time for the real deal!

I’ll be sharing the 8 key questions, plus one bonus about chess books, that I asked each of the coaches. I’ll present their answers in a summarized way.

So let’s get started with the first question. Enjoy!

1- What are the most common mistakes at this stage?

FM Andrés: Playing too much without serious study. Training without goals or a plan.

IM Abel: Attacking without foundations, laziness when calculating, copying openings without understanding them, and playing endgames as if they were middlegames.

WFM Liliam: Impulsive sacrifices, following tactical lines they don’t master, shallow calculation, and not reviewing their games.

GM Dylan: Getting obsessed with a single plan without adapting to the position, not simplifying when ahead, and forgetting basic opponent threats.

2- How would you distribute 5 hours of study per week?

FM Andrés: Four blocks of 1h15m each:

• Openings
• Game analysis
• Tactics
• Deep calculation

IM Abel: One month on fundamentals and then:

• 1h openings
• 1h calculation
• 3h practical play + analysis

WFM Liliam:

• 1h30 openings by plans
• 1h strategy
• 1h endgames
• The rest: play + analysis

GM Dylan: Daily training:

• 15 min tactics
• Slow games with analysis
• Study of strategy or endgames with annotated games

3- How do you know if a student is ready to pass 1600?

FM Andrés:

✔️ Functional, understandable repertoire

✔️ Solid grasp of basic tactics

✔️ Understanding of key strategic concepts

IM Abel:

✔️ Can calculate 3 moves consistently

✔️ Opening repertoire memorized 7–10 moves deep

✔️ Studied basic endgames

✔️ Can distinguish between “light” (no queens) and “heavy” (queens/rooks) endgames

WFM Liliam:

✔️ Beats peers of the same level with stability

✔️ Makes fewer major blunders

✔️ Evaluates positions more accurately

GM Dylan:

✔️ Stops falling into basic traps

✔️ Plays with intention and coherent plans

✔️ Shows improvement in decision-making

4- How should openings be studied?

FM Andrés: Don’t memorize, understand plans, key ideas, typical moves. Better to analyze your games than repeat lines without context.

IM Abel: Never leave the king in the center. Maximum memorization: 10 moves per line. Use systems with clear attacking ideas.

WFM Liliam: Avoid openings based only on memory. Look for recurring structures. The plan matters more than the exact move order.

GM Dylan: No memorizing without understanding. At this level: fast development, control of the center, castle early, and beware of pawn moves! Always learn from your games.

5- What practical training do you recommend?

FM Andrés: Play OTB with a real clock. Online: Puzzle Rush or Puzzle Racer.

IM Abel: Slow games. The fastest time control he accepts is 3+2, only for testing openings.

WFM Liliam: Review ALL your games. Mix blitz and longer time controls. Do weekly exercises.

GM Dylan: Ideal time controls: 15+10 or 30+0. Blitz is of little help. Always analyze after the game.

6- Which endgames make the difference?

FM Andrés: King and pawn vs king. Classic rook endings: Lucena and Philidor.

IM Abel: Differentiate light (without queens) vs heavy (with queens/rooks) endgames, the whole strategy changes.

WFM Liliam: King and pawn endings (opposition, triangulation), and rook endings: Lucena and Philidor.

GM Dylan: Rook endings with an extra pawn. Also, 3 vs 2 and 4 vs 3 on the same side.

7-What habits or mindset should an adult have?

FM Andrés: Consistency and good study material. Training with others helps. With that, 6–12 months can bring real progress.

IM Abel: A realistic, non-negotiable routine. Don’t get frustrated if progress is slow.

WFM Liliam: Accept that it’s hard. Progress isn’t immediate. Stay motivated.

GM Dylan: Constant self-evaluation: play, review, correct. That’s where true progress lies.

8- How long does it take to move from 1600 to 1800?

FM Andrés: 6–12 months with consistency and good conditions.

IM Abel: With 5h weekly and 4 tournaments per year, about 2 years.

WFM Liliam: Depends on the person, but between 6 and 12 months with steady work.

GM Dylan: It can take years, but with real dedication, the process shortens a lot.

 What book would you recommend to a 1600 player aiming for 1800?

FM Andrés: The Seven Deadly Chess Sins – Jonathan Rowson

IM Abel: Understanding Chess Move by Move – John Nunn

WFM Liliam: Tratado General de Ajedrez – Roberto Grau

GM Dylan: The Woodpecker Method – Smith & Tikkanen. Also recommends Gulko’s series, for its balance between theory and practice.

Final Insights

I’ve learned so much while creating this blog. I always had my own opinions about what works, but after this interview, I realized that everyone has different perspectives, and that’s perfectly okay. Every student has their own path and pace.

I want to share a bit from my experience as a chess coach, especially because I mostly work with players below 1800. While I agree with the insights shared by the four coaches, but I’d like to highlight a few ideas that I think are particularly important.

From what I’ve seen, players around 1600 often share similar weaknesses: they know some openings but don’t truly understand them. Many follow online trends or simply repeat what their friends told them without grasping the ideas behind the moves.

Also, they often rely too heavily on quick tactical tricks, struggle with deeper calculation, and avoid basic endgames (because, let’s be honest, studying endgames feel “boring”). In addition, closed positions can also be a headache for them!

Another modern challenge is overusing engines. We live in a time where people no longer just say a position is “advantageous”, they quote precise numbers like +0.72. While engines are useful, be careful: they have no feelings. We need to understand our positional mistakes and recurring patterns to actually improve. Use engines to help your learning, but don’t fall in love with them.

Another major challenge is playing training games. Many players play online frequently but rarely take the time to analyze their own games and practice their new openings before a tournament.

Finally, perhaps the hardest challenge of all is mindset. Chess is tough, and competitive play can be even hard! That’s why developing skills like playing over-the-board (OTB), handling competition, and managing pressure is so important. It takes time and experience to build these abilities in real-life settings.

That’s why my first recommendation is finding a coach or a chess mate, not just to explain concepts or train together, but to walk with you through the process, supporting you even when you lose to a 9-year-old (yes, it happens!).

So, as general tips for trying to reach 1800, you can try:

✔️ Don’t just memorize openings, understand the ideas and plans behind them.
✔️ Build a study plan and stick to it.
✔️ Do focused, deliberate work to get the most out of each lesson.
✔️ Analyze your own games, the best coach is your own play.
✔️ Stay consistent and enjoy the process.
✔️ Play over-the-board (OTB) frequently to gain real-game experience and improve your mindset under pressure.
✔️ Don’t study 50 books at the same time, focus on one or two in depth, and try to get the most out of them before moving on to the next.

To finish I like to say that chess improvement is a long journey, and the only way to sustain it is to truly enjoy the ride.

Now it’s your move!

What strategies do you use to improve your game?

What has been your biggest challenge at this stage?

Do you have any tips you’d like to share?

Share your thoughts and experiences below so we can all learn together!

See you around!