Study king and pawn endgames. Learn to win up a pawn, when it’s a draw, and how to save a lost game. Rook and opposite colored bishop endgames are almost always drawn, except when you can sacrifice to stop your opponent from queening and can actually promote your own pawn.
Can you hit A Class and Expert otb without studying?
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Depending on your natural talent, it is definitely possible to reach 1800+ with minimal studying. I know coffeehouse players who never studied chess or played in an OTB tournament who are roughly 1800-1900 level.
By the way, not all 1800s are proficient in endgames, although I think most know the basics of pawn and rook endings.
Mar 30, 2025
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#4
i hit A class uscf without much studying. after i reached 2000 I've been only improving because I have been studying much more. This doesn't make it easy, but to complete 1800-1900 you don't need that much other than a few tactics a day, tournaemnts at least once a month, and maybe a lesson a week with a coach.
Mar 31, 2025
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#7
I was able to get 1800 without studying, lol. I still barely know openings
Apr 4, 2025
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#9
kevin...dude, everyone struggles with breaking out the board, pieces, pencil, paper, and clock. Following grandmaster advice is the shortcut to higher ratings in a short time frame. If you've got deep pockets and you don't mind moving forward at 3-5 points a game like the kids in the top 100 ages 7-18 then play, play, play, play, instead of study, study, study, study. Forget the play, rest, analyze, reflect, fix and repeat that's all sportsman agree is the route to rapid advancement. You'll get there for sure just like all the other people are...nice and slow. It only takes 3-5 times more tournament games than it would have if you'd studied. Spend thousands of dollars on entry fees and hotels just like the misleading organizers and coaches want you to instead of less than $100.00 and some time in front of a board. I'm sorry, forget everything I said. The 3 time state champion I've worked with since he was 12 that has a peak rating of 2384 with less than 500 OTB games says I'm being rude. SMH
I love playing blitz and long and doing tactical puzzles and am right now at about 1600 otb and maybe somewhere around 1600s- 1800s in strength in long, 1600s- 1900s strength in blitz but struggle with studying from books or watching more then 1 video lesson at a time. is it possible to hit 1800 or 2000 otb without studying and knowing much about endgames doing just tactical puzzles/which endgames does one need to master to get to and be those levels consistently?