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It is a well known truth that, for people at my level, the two key things to improve are: 1) tacticts 2) slow games, followed by analysis of the mistakes done on both sides At the moment, I am managing a regular daily tactics routine, but I cannot do anything more than a couple of long games a week. Does this mean that I will never improve, at this rate? Any thoughts, highly appreciated in advance! Andrea

I'm in the process of making files for CPT for my openings. If anyone is interested, I'll post them when I am finished. I also wouldn't mind doing a few extra as I have some time on my hands. These files are based on the lines found in MCO 14. The files I'm making for myself are The French, The Gurnfeld, The Colle.

As promised, see below two games from my first "Over the board tournament experience" - a 6 turns, 90'/game + 30"/move. As a general comment, the difference between playing over the internet and playing, competitevely, OTB has been huge for me. I was not really prepared to have more than 8 hours of playing time every day, plus travel time... The first game includes the comments from my coach - they may be interesting for you as well! The second game is my only win: even if it is nothing special, I am very proud of it, because I won against someone with much more experience than me (about 35 tournaments already played, versus 0 for me!). Enjoy - and feel free to laugh!

Hi, Just a general question, I've recently decided to study the above attack for black against D4 openings. In order to help my studies, can anyone give me examples of players who are considered "great" with this opening, or example games to look at? I'm looking at using Master Games, in addition to general theory to help me understand the general principles behind the above openings. Thanks in advance, Russell

Hi all! Do you have any experience with Chess Opening Trainer ? This application looks pretty cool, because it lets you create your own opening books. Given you can import from PGN files, I was planning to use the excellent PGNs that my coach is giving me to create the books and practice them. I know that it is key to learn the concept behind the moves in the opening (which is what I am doing), but some practice cannot harm, right? Any thoughts? Thanks in advance, Andrea

I am a sophhomore in high school and a active participant on the chess team. My goal is to earn a spot on one of the top 5 boards, though I will need to become better than at least three member on the team. My second goal is to raise my USCF rating up above 800 (it is currently 176 ). I plan to do this with the following: Learn 5 new openings for white and how to stop them as black. Learn 7 new openings for black and how to stop them as white. Learn to make better trades. Become better at endgames (my weakest point). Focus on the full board and not just one section. Not throw pieces away. Any help that is offered I will except graciously and without question. I really think that I can become beter with some help and practice.

You might find this write-up of some interest

I wonder if we should start an in group swiss tournament or something just to give each other tips and such. Perhaps the stronger players could even challenge the weaker players like myself and impart some tips or something.

I have played chess off and on since I was in grade school. I became more of a serious player last summer, but a heavy workload at my job put an end to that (as well as Taekwondo, and everything else I do outside work.) I am wanting to start playing again, and am trying to find the time to do so. I personally feel that I have not yet begun to reach my full potential as a chess player. My goal is attain and maintain a 2000+ rating. I am quite a ways from this at this point, and I still make a large number of blunders. I prefer unconventional play, mostly to my detriment! I like throwing unexpected strategies out there to see what sticks.

Hello, I'm fairly new to the game of chess - my current rating on the site is a bit inflated. I've been playing chess for the past couple months, and I think I'm getting a little better at it.I live in chicago and hope to join a chess club soemtime in the future. In the future I'd also like to learn the English opening inside and out. It's my favorite opening, and I really enjoy playing it. the game I'm currently involved in, I sort of messed it up and lost my queen, but I'm dominating the center with pawns, so hopefulle I can grab some healthy counterplay. I would also like to develop a strong opening repertoire with the english, and possibly the sicilian, or french as black. Currently, I just reply to e4, with e5 - same with d4, because I don't know the theory behind any more elaborate openings. I feel that building a strong repertoire will help me improve my chess playing by leaps and bounds and I hope to do that. I'd also like to play more OTB games with people in the future, and join an OTB tournament.

Hi all! My coach has selected for me the Sicilian Najdorf to play against 1.e4. So far, I must say I love it! Browsing the web, I came across this. Does any of you have any experience with it? Would you say it would make any sense for me to buy it, or it is probably too "deep" stuff for my little brain? Thanks in advance for any comments! Andrea

I am proud! I hope you like to group as much as I do!

Hi everybody and I am pleased to be a part of this group! I knew how to play ever since I was a little boy but what it really came down to is I knew how the pieces move I had a lot of spare time during the summer so I decided to pursue chess seriously. So I’ve been playing and studying since July so it’s about 4 month now. I’ve made some good progress initially because that’s where it’s easy to make progress – at the beginning stages. Obviously the further I get it’s harder and harder to improve. But I’m not worried as long I see where I need to improve and that’s easy – pretty much everywhere J I have lots of chess books but not enough time to go over them as much I would like to. Another problem is that I like studying openings and strategy but I don’t like studying tactics and endgame. I really have to overcome this obstacle if I want to improve and have more balanced game. Openings: As far as openings, I like to play d4 and c4 openings because they usually transpose into a slower and positional games and that seems to be my preference. Some people might call it boring but it’s purely a matter of taste. Particular openings I’m trying to study lately are Catalan and English for white and Queens Indian and Nimzo Indian defenses. I still have to learn some e4 defenses. So, my longer term plans are to study more on my favorite openings and eventually look at e4 openings. Tactics: I am currently going over Practical Chess exercises. And they are tough! I also have John Nunn’s “Learn Chess Tactics” My plan is try to do 10 exercises or more per day, time permitting. Strategy: I’ve read Silman’s “Inside Amateur’s Mind” and it definitely made some lasting impressions on my game. I think it’s a great book for any amateur trying to get a good handle on basics of strategy! I’ve recently read Michael Stean’s “Easy Chess” and that’s also a great book! I have to go over it again – slower to fully absorb the ideas. So, my study plan over next 3-4 months is: 1. Go over Easy Chess again 2. Chess secrets: Giants of Strategy by Neil McDonald 3. Pawn Structure chess 4. How to Reassess your Chess and the workbook. Endings: This is the area which I need most improvement in! I am reading Practical Rook Endings by Edmar Mednis which is a great book. Also, I am planning to read his book “From the middlegame into the endgame” which seem to be like an interesting book. I also have Silman’s Endgame course which I got to start studying.

Hello, I'm here by invite from farbror, looks like you have a good thing going here and I'm pleased to become a part of it. I go by "CoasterBrake" on the ICC and these days almost all my play is on ICC. My standard ICC rating is around 1250, so I have plenty of room for improvement. I believe the best way to improve at chess is to play lots of serious slow games and learn from your mistakes, of which there will be plenty. I try to play 2-3 slow games a week. I play on the ICC 45/45 league (two teams) and the Euwe memorial Tourneys (90/30 games). I also play in the occasional STC Tournaments such as the Gaunlet, when I think I can squeeze 'em in. I also like to participate in the various simuls with voja and Manest, nothing like getting dusted by an IM to keep one humble. After each game, win or lose, I play through the game at least twice: one time without assistance to see if I can make improvements, then with Fritz to catch any tactical exchanges I might have missed. I annotate along the way, both times. My annotations tend to be wordy, without those long lines that i could not possible have seen during play. Although I cannot afford a coach/teacher, consider myself a disciple of "PhillyTutor", Dan Heisman, and read his column "Novice Nook" every month, listen to his ChessFM show, "The Reinassance Man" and read most of his books. I use his idea of tactical training, repeating simple tactics problems over and over. I do the ICC Trainingbot (set to tactics only), the Convecta "Chess Tactics For Beginners" and John Bain's book "Chess Tactics For Students". I easily spend a couple of hours a week on this stuff. None of these problems are especially hard, but if there is a simple tactic on the board, I don't want to miss it. I think that's a fundamental difference between a 1200 player and a 1700. I'm still missing 'em, that's why I'm 1200. That's all for now, I'm thinking I'll post an analysis of one of my ganmes here in a day or two. Thanks!

Hi, A group of Vote Chess Teams called the Vote Chess League is organising an Open Swiss Vote Chess Tournament. * The tournament is open to all groups that play Vote Chess.* The tournament consist of 9 consecutive rounds, so we only play one vote game at a time.* Playing tempo is 1 day per move.* Pairing is done on the basis of the Swiss system, which means that our team will be pitted against another team that has done as well (or as poorly) as our own team.* At the end of the registration period, a schedule will be published of fixtures.* Players who are a member of more than one team, are strongly encouraged to impose self-discipline and play all games of the tournament with the same team. They are looking for at least 18 teams in the tournament, with a maximum of 30. End of registration is 28 March 2009. The tournament is set to start on 1 April 2009. My questions:* Would we like to play this tournament as The Study Buddy Group?* If you are a member of other groups and this topic has not been posted in your group yet, could you post it in your group please? That way we can drum up some more interest.

Are you interested in a Team Match? Which team should we challenge?

Its been a long time since I made a post here, really. Well I had my hopes and downs with chess so I decided to leave it for a while. Never thought I'd forget about it. Now Im back, rubbing the dust off my chessboard and starting a new training route. I remember something about that tactics, combination, and principles contribute into the game of chess. So im guessing I should train into that type of matter, any one know any good reference for studying these types of actions? Any other things I need to work on?

I like the format on these Opening Lessons

Hi all, I love the idea of this group. Hopefully I can update my journal now and then. If I don't, my excuse is that I'll become a father any day now :-) I want to analyze my OTB games, and I'll post the results here. My current rating is +- 1900, and I hope to some day reach 2000, though I've been plateauing for years now.

i always feel that a good way to improve is to play people you know and give each other advice after the match is over (or maybe even during the match). so i was thinking, why not start a "study buddy tournament" ? would anyone be interested in this? i personally have no idea how to set it up, but there must be a way ^^