Blogs
3 Overlooked Methods to Skyrocket Your Chess Rating

3 Overlooked Methods to Skyrocket Your Chess Rating

Avatar of ooohhhmen
ooohhhmen
| 0

I want to reach 1000 rating! I want to increase my 1200 to 1800!

According to Coach FM Deniel Causo (a successful and excellent coach in Thailand). 

"Consistently do this to improve your chess rating and skill -- solve 50 puzzles a day and play as many games as you can."

That's it? It sounds easy!

Lemme explain wink

In our era, engines and computers were not an option, and (obviously) not an available source for training. You need to buy books and go to chess clubs, and spend your whole day and night hustling. The majority of chess players in our country, didn't have the opportunity and luxury to hire a coach. We didn't have YouTube or website to check the newest games. We need to wait for books to come out.

You were lucky if you have MCO or Modern Chess Opening - which today is obviously no longer modern but considered a "classic book opening". 

One of the reasons why players from a no-engine era became so good was by solving a bunch of puzzles. It became the favorite books and exercises to stay your mind in shape.

Hence, if the same method is applied today, it will be more efficient and effective where resources are free and advanced. 

Let's get deeper by discussing the three underestimated methods.

1. What do you see?

When you're playing how do you read the position? How deep do you see in the position?

What you see matters. What you read is your move to make.

Let's test your analysis. What do you see?
This is white to move. And black misses the tactics that would costs him a piece.
It's not how fast you find the move, but how well you read the position. If your level is increasing, the position you're dealing with is getting stressful and tougher.
What are the things you need to see and read from the position? And by finding it, you will learn how to eliminate bad moves from good moves.
1. Candidate move
Too many choices! Or you mean, too many candidate moves from less effective to a good move.
Here's one of the examples.
This is white to move. What should I do?
Attack the queen?
Rook lift?
Support the bishop?
Attack the b7?
Once you find the candidate move, you will now start eliminating from less to the best move. Until you realize...
"Hold on! I think I can make a mating net to checkmate or force to give up the queen."
2. Exploring and exposing weaknesses
Chess players are treasure hunters, too. We don't only quest for good and brilliant moves, we also explore weaknesses -- the treasure to excavate.
In chess you can inflict weaknesses or you can patiently frisk the position.
In this position, find the weak piece you can attack to -- while avoiding getting checkmate. Where do you think the weak piece and how to expose it?
3. The 3 C's: Chase, Capture, Check
It seems so elementary, yet the easiest to fix in the mind.
Many times, we don't need a very complicated lines Sometimes, looking for simple threat will help you simplify the position.
Is there a piece to chase or attack?
Is there a hang piece to capture?
Is the king exposed? Is check a good consideration?
This position involves capture, check, and chase. How white would continue the attack?

2. Check your time!

Obviously, we are not talking about bullet games.

Whether you play blitz or rapid, there were moments you felt you should use your time properly. If you did, you might see the best moves. And because you failed to do so, you felt the sudden regret that almost cost your phone's life shock

When you use your time:

1. You give yourself time to assess the position

2. You still have a chance to doubt your idea and look for another one

3. You can spot the weakness and properly execute the attack

That's possible if you use your time wisely.

Questions I always ask to my players.

How time did you spend in the whole game?

How much time did you spend on this specific move?

Using your time properly and wisely is valuing your training and helping yourself to evolve.

This is black to move. Use your time and analyze well.

Speaking of time. This is not limited to your time control when playing. It also incorporates your personal training time.

Do you analyze your lost game after? Or did you just move on and continue playing?

How many puzzles do you solve a day?

How many lessons do you take a day?

Value your time by producing results.

3. Master your pet opening

It sounds ironic that you have to master the one you... pet?

Pet opening is called to your favorite opening.

Growing up, I tried different openings against e4 and d4. The common approach was e5 and d4. Since everyone is using that counter-opening, I had to find an opening that only a few are using it. My dad is a Pirc or Modern opening player. And he's so good at it -- he's been winning against strong players and masters.

Then I decided to use the same approach.

I was an e4 player, then I realized, should I use the Pirc setup for white? But I need to change a little bit.

(of course it really depends on black's approach). However, 90% of the time it happens.

How about you?

I know people who play and enjoy one setup for white and black.

This is the setup they have for white, and for whatever black would do, they would go c5.

What is my point?

Opening must be the simplest part of chess to play if you understand the most basic foundation of it.

Here are the cliches yet neglected when you're playing.

1. Control the center using pawns and minor pieces. Avoid moving your pieces twice.

2. Place your minor pieces where you can mobilize it. Rook must be connected.

3. Safe your king before you explode your attack. Don't attack if your king is in the danger zone.

But then again, in the opening we forget these:

1. There's a threat that you didn't pay attention. You didn't pause and ask. Why he moves that?

2. Your opponent hangs a piece, and you are not aware of it. Instead, you choose to run away, and perhaps, hang your piece instead or expose your king.

3. You keep moving pieces aimlessly. It seems coordination isn't part of your plan. They can't communicate. It's you, their king, that must gather them.

Choose one opening and keep using it. If you lose on your 1st try, study where you made a mistake and improve it. Not to mention, your opening must fit your playing style.

If I recommend one opening for white for low-rated players or beginners.

Italian setup, and try it against any opening for black.

For black, you can use d5 or Queen's Gambit and e5 with the same setup you have for white.

Lastly... EXPLORE!

Shall we apply these methods starting today?
Imagine, if you are solving puzzles everyday, your pattern recognition is getting heightened and expanded. Puzzles help you recognize complicated positions, especially on the tactics part. Once you start applying these 3 methods in every game you play...
You become better at reading the position
You become better at managing your time
Your opening becomes so comfortable to use

By: Coach Edward of Chesscology