Nerdking21's training journal

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:

1. Learn 5 new openings for white and how to stop them as black.
2. Learn 7 new openings for black and how to stop them as white.
3. Learn to make better trades.
4. Become better at endgames (my weakest point).
5. Focus on the full board and not just one section.
6. 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.

Hi and welcome!

My 2 cents are the following: if you are really rated 176, I don't think learning 12 openings between white and black will help you, it will just confuse you!

Just stick with one with white, and two for Black against the mostly played 1.e4 and 1.d4. For the rest, just learn sound opening principles (limite pawn moves; develop light pieces first; castle early; etc etc etc) and try to consistently apply them!

Good luck!

Andrea

Thanks!

Agreed! Play any opening you like to enjoy the benefits from being familiar in the typical paw set-ups and middle games. Solve tons of tactics problems

wow, I dont even know one single opening as white or black ! Of course I am not rated high anyway...so maybe it's required to climb up the ladder. Currently I can't afford to have someone coach me..so maybe next year.

Here's one of my games from chess club. Tell me what you think.