1500!

This is probably a bit late considering I reached the 1500 mark three days ago, but I did a USCF-rated tournament the day after I reached the mark and I was just simply lazy the day after that. So here we are. It's crazy to think that my rating in April of 2021 was 500, and I raised my rating up 1000 points in less than a year, and quite frankly, I am surprised with myself. So rather than me discussing my rating "checkpoints" and when I got them, I'll share tips on how to improve your own rating. Well, buckle your seatbelts. Because reading this will be like the equivalent of crashing into a tree. Here are some pointers to raising your rating and getting better at this game that we love.

HAVE GOOD BOARD VISION (don't blunder pieces)

This one should kind of go without saying. Look at your opponent's pieces and see where they can travel to. If you plan to move a high-value piece to a certain square, just simply check the paths of your opponent's pieces. If they are of lower value and can travel to the square you intend to put the high-value piece on... yeah no. Don't be blundering any queens today, sir (or ma'am). If you're under 800, then this piece of advice will raise your rating immensely. In fact, without this wisdom, I may not have reached the coveted 1000 rating.

The best way to practice that: Look at your own games. See if you've blundered pieces and doing so will help improve your board vision. I'd say the rating barrier where it is absolutely essential to have perfect board vision is around 1300 (roughly). But hey, I even blunder pieces on occasion.

FOCUS ON ONE OPENING (for each side) AND STUDY IT UNTIL YOUR DEATH

As my opening database suggests, I play the Italian Game whenever I can when I play as white. I have been doing so since I started playing the game of chess on March 15, 2021 (Huh it has been only a little over a year), and I have gained understanding of the opening every time I play it. As black, I play Petrov's Defense whenever I can. I even bought a book on it, which has been quite useful in studying common positions. All this is to say that you should still be prepared against other common moves played by the opposing side. For example, you cannot play the Italian Game and its established ideas and theory against the Caro-Kann. It just doesn't work. So focus on one opening you love playing and study some common positions and master games using that opening. But also be prepared against other responses.

KNOW YOUR TACTICS

Do I really have to say this one? Do chess.com's puzzles and memorize some tactical patterns to use them in your own games. Enough said.

PLAY 2-4 RATED GAMES A DAY

This, I have found, is the sweet spot in games to get better. If you do more than 5 a day, you often suffer from tilt, which can cause you to lose games (take the 6 in a row I lost after that game I wrote about in my last blog). And obviously, playing no games can negate the effects of your studies since you never get to use them. I've written a lot, so I'm going to briefly go over these last topics as quickly as I can.

PLAY CLASSICAL CHESS

Classical chess can increase your understanding of the game when you have time to think about it. Plus, you can meet some great people that way. It's a win-win situation.

THINK ABOUT YOUR MOVES BEFORE PLAYING THEM

This obviously does not apply to bullet, but when you can, think about WHY you're playing that move and how it would help you.

LEARN GENERAL ENDGAME PRINCIPLES

This one's easy. There are many great chess instructors on Youtube who can explain endgame principles in a fun and easy way. So don't stress yourself over this. Chess.com also has drills for this purpose, which I have personally found to be very helpful.

LASTLY, ENJOY CHESS!!!!

Try to make chess as fun as possible. I personally do not know how you will do it, but be creative. I can't tell you everything.

Thank you for trudging through this monstrosity of a blog, and I'll catch you later. Thank you for reading.