How to reach 1800, Part 1

We all want to get better at chess, but the path to get there is different depending on our level. I'm starting a series on helping people go from approximately 1600 to 1800, and I'm doing so by analyzing game submissions (feel free to post your own), and then highlighting the key mistakes. I'm particularly paying attention to mistakes I see over and over, especially if they can be described in words. After all, if you can put your learnings into words, it'll be a lot easier to remember them! If you are the kind of person who prefers a video lesson, you can watch this content in my channel instead.

Without further ado, let's get going! This is the game we'll discuss:

Error #1: Suboptimal Opening Choice

One common misconception I've seen over and over is that, unless your rating is 2000+, you can't play "main lines" and instead need to settle for offbeat lines. The truth is that offbeat lines are uncommon precisely because they aren't that good. If you are under 1800 and don't want to memorize theory, you are better off playing 4–5 moves from a main opening than 4–5 moves from a rare and suboptimal line. In this game, the problem came with the opening choice (the Danish Gambit). The opponent responded well with the practical 3...d5, and after just 10 moves, I feel White has zero opening advantage and has long-term issues because of their doubled pawns:

Error #2: Pursuing an Impossible Target/Goal

Another common error I see from players in this rating range is that they attack “weaknesses” that aren't weak enough. Doing this tends to be a waste of time. If you are in this rating range, you can avoid these mistakes by focusing less on immediate threats. Most positions don't have a real threat, so you should focus on general improvements instead — centralizing your king, improving coordination, etc. In the game, White played 14.Nb5? trying to add pressure against the pawns on a7 and c7. Neither pawn can realistically be captured. Black simply played 14...a6 and White had nothing better than retreating.

Error #3: Weakening by Advancing Pawns

Every pawn push leaves 1–2 squares unprotected. This principle decides games even at higher levels. Each pawn push gives you space and control of new squares in exchange for the squares you stop controlling. In this game, White pushed 17.d5?, leaving the e5-square unprotected. Black immediately played ...Ne5, taking advantage of the weakened square and creating pressure against the f3-pawn.

Error #4: Attacking When You Should Be Defending

One major difference between 1600 players and 2000+ players is how well they handle bad positions. Even +2 or -2 positions can be turned around without blunders — simply by outplaying the opponent slowly. But this requires first understanding that you're worse. Going for an attack when you should be defending is one of the quickest ways to lose. Attacks create threats but also create new weaknesses. If the attack isn't sound, you get punished. In this game, White played 26.b5? trying to create queenside activity (an unrealistic goal), giving Black time to win material on the kingside after capturing on f4.

Error #5: Miscalculation

I don't have a rule of thumb to give you here, but I can share a phrase GM Leitao told me once after our game: “Every game is eventually decided tactically.” Improving your calculation and board vision is one of the most reliable ways to improve from this level up to 2200+. In the game, White missed the simple Nd6, which would have allowed the knight to escape safely with a nearly equal game — after being worse for 20+ moves.

Final Remarks

The mistakes in this game are not an isolated event. They are part of a pattern, and most players in this rating range get in trouble for similar reasons. I hope you found this content helpful, and don't forget to follow this blog as I will publish similar articles for various rating ranges in the future 😉. See you around!