likesforests' training journal

Apr-17 

Tactics - 1 hour on Troyis

Strategy - 1.5 hours analyzing master games & other peoples' games.

Games - 1 hour playing correspondence chess moves 

Apr-18

  Tactics - 10 min on Troyis

  Endgames - 10 min on R+P(rook) vs R 

  Strategy - 2.0 hours analyzing master games

  Games - 1.0 hours playing correspondence chess

 

Week in Review Apr-10 to Apr-16

  Endgames - 4.5 hours

  Tactics - 2.33 hours

  Games - 2 hours

  Strategy - 0.5 hours

  Openings - 0 hours 

 

I am studying chess consistently, but my original plan to balance study in each area every week was unrealistic. I need 4 hours of study to really dig into an area--not the two I expected--and there isn't enough time in the week for that. So besides tactics (which should be studied daily) I'll only aim for balance on a monthly basis.

Apr-19

  Tactics - 20 min on Troyis, 40 min on ChessCafe Puzzle Book

   Games - 1 hour playing correspondence chess moves (rating up to 1838).

Apr-20

  Tactics - 30 min on Troyis, 2.5 hours on ChessCafe Puzze Book 

Apr-21

   Tactics - 15 min on Troyis

   Games - 1.25 hours playing correspondence chess moves

 

I keep trying to get 15+ minutes of Tactics Trainer into my system before the kids wake up in the mornings

Heh. I changed my schedule. I'm going to sleep at 10:00pm and getting up at 5:30am.

Apr-22

  + 15 min on Troyis

  + 1.5 hours making correspondence chess moves

Apr-23

  + 0.5 hours making correspondence chess moves

  +1.5 hours analyzing the Trompowsky and relevant games

 

I'm still busy studying chess... and not updating my training log. In July, I'm going to be competing in the World Open 2008 so I am very focused now. :)

Tournament Victories

I scored a perfect 8 out of 8 points in the first round of the 1st chess.com correspondence tournament (U1800 section), raising my rating to 1873.



Despite being one of the favorites, I will probably withdraw. I want to become a master of OTB chess, not correspondence chess, and subsequent rounds will probably require more analysis time to score.

World Open Training

I don't think my training regimen can really be called intense training, but here are the things I've done to improve my chances:

Openings - Refined my White opening repertoire based on lines I've had trouble with, books, master games, and statistics. Played and analyzed 16 10+5 games to get comfortable with it.

Experience - There's no substitute, but I read the rulebook, familiarized myself with my clock, played a few locals OTB, and have gotten useful insights from cratercat and polly on what to expect.

Diet & Physical Training - I am still boxing, swimming, hiking, etc. daily and eating right to get in better shape.

Endgames - Reviewed Q v K, R v K, B+B v K, B+N vs K for speed & K+P v K, K+2P v K, K+P vs K+P, K+2P vs K+P for accuracy.

Strategy - I've been reading up on passed pawns, pawn chains, weak pawns, and pawn breaks, especially from My System.

Tactics - I've reviewed sections of CT-B and Heisman's tactics book.

In the final two weeks my focus will be on refining my Black repertoire and avoiding basic tactical or endgame errors.

Can't Wait!

BluderProne & BlunderDaughter, ChessLoser, and SuperKnight42 will be there. It will be fun to meet some fellow bloggers. :)

 

Sounds like great fun to meet fellow bloggers!