I don't think playing more affects it. The 15 10 game is just part of the plan. Playing more would not affect negatively
Dave's Beginner Study Plan
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I totally agree, the more the better 
if you have time and energy to focus it will be beneficial
Ok, that's what I was thinking as well, just wanted to make sure I wasn't being stupid I've always heard that the more games the better as long as you take the time after to do the analysis. (something I lack doing most of the time )
Week 2: Update
started blitz week, I seem to really struggle with this format. Oh well, it’s day 2 cause I forgot to update yesterday!
Week 3 update:
Daily 1172 +53 over the last 30 days
Blitz 745 -46
Rapid 882 -132
Puzzles 1847 +300ish
I'm working it! going to be light this week as I'm on vacation and I don't want to sit in front of a screen all week I think my pattern recognition is improving based on the puzzles. I've made a few modifications to the plan itself. I solve puzzles until I solve 5 in a row. Not just 5. I walk through key moments of a match directly after the match, then the next day I walk through and take notes on the match, what I was thinking, what I may have missed, and things that I did good or bad. Not sure if this approach can help without a coach or not, but we shall see.
Thanks Ian!!!
Glad to hear the pattern recognition is coming in with the puzzles! The 5 in a row is a great idea. I’ll have to consider that.
i also like the spaces repetition. I’ve found that if I re-review a game the next day (or even later that first day) I’m having to re-learn the mistakes I made.
I think the full walkthrough is a great approach. I usually play solely on mobile but have found the Coach tidbit analysis helpful (which is only available on the web version) where it shows comments on each move. Then I’ll go through the “best move” lines to see what I missed.
enjoy the rest of your vacation!!
Ian's inquiry into my progress on my beginner study plan was timed perfectly. As of today, I am heading into Week 4 of the plan, with the modifications to the plan I mentioned to Ian, there was one aspect that I forgot to mention, the notes. Those are physical notes, in a notebook. I record who the match was against, and the outcome first. Then I record the accuracy of each player, this is especially important for me, as that is really what I'm working on. I've found that when my accuracy scores ~80 and over, I'm usually coming out on top with a mate or forcing a resignation. Below ~75 (and lower!!! lol) I'm the one taking L. I'm always impressed with myself when I score in the 90s, but usually, those times my opponent's rating is at least 100 less than mine. After the accuracy is noted and a thought about it has been recorded, I note the opening that was used and if I want to dive more into that opening and explore the lines around it. There are some openings I think I might like to play and some that I don't find fun so I make notes about all of that. If at this point I ended up in some weird opening, with some never heard of gambit I check that out real quick in the opening explorer. Nine times out of ten, this is some sideline no one ever plays, so I quickly take notes on either 1) how to avoid the line altogether, or 2) how to destroy a player that's playing for a trick or trap in some of these weird sidelines.
After all of that information has been recorded, I start the actual analysis of the game, noting thoughts, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I hope this helps clarify, and as I'm only 4 weeks in, I'll let you know if this approach is working time will tell!
Cheers,
Dave
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Greetings everyone!
I'm back into chess after about a year of not really thinking about too much. I've redownloaded the study plans and I'm starting from scratch. I am looking for consistency in my online and OTB games. I believe that chess helps me focus and helps to give me the ability to look at my world through a different lens.
While going through the study plan, I have to ask if one 15|10 game is it. I love to play games. Does playing more negatively affect the progress of the 12-week study plan?
Cheers and happy learning,
Dave