This is how REAL progress in chess looks like

If you are considering studying chess and improving, you might be wondering how much you can progress in one month, three months, six months, or one year.

I'd love to tell "hey chess progress is THIS WAY and you CAN EXPECT this and that..."

However, the truth is that each person is different, and chess progress is not linear.

One person can gain 100 points in 1 month and remain in that rating for 5 months before he experiences another significant change in his rating again.

So, in this post, I will try to be objective and talk about my experience in Premium Chess Coaching (my flagship program).

Nathan is an adult player who recently crossed 2000. He tracked his rating progression:

He started in 1600 in Nov 2021

By Dec 2021, he got to the 1700s for the first time.

In January 2022, he got to the 1800s.

But from there, things started to get more difficult.

Since we started working together, it took him nearly 28 months to reach 2000.

With consistency, he made it possible

Chess progress can be fast sometimes and very slow in some others.

But it pays off, and the most important thing is to be consistent with it.

And remember, each person's journey is different. Nathan is a digital entrepreneur, and from time to time, he needs to shift his focus towards work and traveling and has to stop his chess training for some time.

However, he knows how to get back on track.

Some people only need a year to go from 0 to 2000.

Some people need 2 years.

Some people need 5.

Some people never make it.

So, I think the idea is to have a growth-oriented mindset when improving your chess.

Be patient, show up as much as you can (be consistent) and enjoy it.

In the end, the result you are looking for will knock on your door.

Oh, before I forget. Don't get too attached to rating.

Rating is not the only way to measure your progress.

Even when Nathan could break the 2k mark, he did amazingly well in OTB tournaments.

Last December (before he crossed the 2k rating), he obtained 5th place in an international tournament in Italy. He also got an award for being the best U 1600 (FIDE elo) player.

As I said in previous posts, progressing at chess is more like feeling that your chess is new and exciting, not old and predictable. 

I hope it helps 

-Coach Diego