Chess Training: My 12‑Week Study Cycle
Hi!
On August 21st 2023 I decided to start a new training program for myself. A coach also needs to train properly to maintain their playing strength and, of course, to improve. To prepare my plan, I adapted to my own level the guidelines given in my post: https://www.chess.com/blog/maafernan/guidelines-for-a-study-plan-beginner-intermediate-players
As of August 21st 2023, my blitz rating is 2012 and my rapid rating is 2109. I'm fairly happy with my play —I had a long break from chess, and after resuming practice during the pandemic, I feel I’m playing even better than I did in my youth. Still, I would like to maintain my level and even improve it.
My learning goal is to study new openings and related middlegames, sharpen my tactical skills, deepen my understanding of advanced positional concepts, and review strategic endgames —skills that help me both as a player and as a coach.
My competitive goal is to consistently maintain 2100+ blitz and rapid ratings on Chess.com within a year, by completing 12-week training cycles. Due to work commitments and my coaching activity, I can't dedicate as much time to improving my own chess as I would like. That's why I will be cautious when setting realistic personal goals.
(Note: I don't have bullet rating or daily rating goals. They depend too much on many non-chess factors, so I don´t think they represent a player's strenght.)
The 12-week plan framework is quite flexible. If I don't reach my current goal, I will repeat the 12-week cycle with adjusted study contents and activities. If I reach my current goal, then I will set a new goal and continue working within the same format.
I will update this post periodically to track my progress in learning and in ratings.
Cycle Date CC Blitz CC Rapid
0 21/8/2023 2012 2109
1 6/11/2023 2075 2130
2 31/1/2024 2104 2200
3 22/4/2024 2101 2224
Goal 2100 + in both blitz and rapid achieved! At the skill level, I broadened my opening repertoire and related middlegames as Black, and improved my tactical play.
New competitive goal 2150 +.
4 21/7/2024 2210 2224
5 13/10/2024 2162 2213
Goal 2150 + in both blitz and rapid achieved! At the skill level, I improved my repertoire as White and also improved my strategic play.
New competitive goal 2200 + within a year
6 5/01/2025 2150 2228
7 30/03/2025 2175 2215
* 17/05/2025 2203 2213
Goal 2200 + in both blitz and rapid achieved! (Note: I've noticed that my Blitz performance fluctuates due to connection issues, so from now on I'll focus on Rapid, as these issues are likely less of a determining factor. )
New competitive goal: 2250 + within a year. My new learning goal is to strengthen my time management skills.
8 22/06/2025 same 2196
9 14/09/2025 same 2253
Goal 2250 rapid achieved!
New goal: 2300+ rapid within a year from now. I will keep working on time management.
10 7/12/2025 same 2200 (peak 2239)
I had a dip in performance due to non-chess issues.
11 1/3/2026 same 2208 (peak 2241)
New reset time frame: reach 2300 rapid by end of 2026. Still focused on improving my time management.
Any comments are welcome!
I wish myself good luck!
If you’d like guidance creating or refining your own study plan, feel free to message me privately. I’m always glad to help players who are serious about improving.
Best,
Ariel (maafernan) – Chess.com Coachh
