By the end of 12 weeks, I hope to be telling you to play fewer games. Let's go!
PrestaJay's Intermediate Adult Improver Plan
Sort:
Week 2 Ratings Update:
- Blitz: 1817 (+41)
- Rapid: 1984 (-8)
Switching back to mostly Blitz for this study plan, and off to a good start ratings-wise! Though I'm missing a lot of tactics, it seems like my opponents are too. I'm hoping that forcing myself into these more tactical situations will improve my intuition so I can spot more by the end of the 12 weeks.
Week 3 Ratings Update:
- Blitz: 1813 (+37)
- Rapid: 1991 (-1)
Not much to add this week, just continuing to work on playing more games.
Blitz rating is only 9 rating points off my all-time high, and Rapid rating is 1 point off my all-time high, so hoping to set some new personal best records during this study plan!
Week 4 Ratings Update:
- Blitz: 1783 (+7)
- Rapid: 1993 (+1)
- USCF: 1229 (+9)
These numbered weeks are becoming increasingly inaccurate, but after a couple of months off from formal study due to real life getting in the way of chess, I have picked up my study plan again!
I've also added in my USCF rating, since I was able to play OTB again. I don't expect to have updates for it as often as the online ratings, but it will be useful to track it too.
Week 5 Ratings Update:
- Blitz: 1805 (+29)
- Rapid: 1993 (+1)
- USCF: 1404 (+184)
I'm back with another inaccurately named weekly update, but I did go on vacation last month, so that was really nice. I am refreshed and ready to continue my chess improvement journey!
I kicked off my return with a bang by playing up a category in a USCF tournament and doing well, ensuring that my USCF rating gains for this study plan are going to look great 
Well this is nowhere near weekly anymore. Thanksgiving through New Year I didn't do much formal chess study at all. Regardless, I am still chugging along occasionally!
Week 6 Ratings Update:
- Blitz: 1818 (+42)
- Rapid: 1993 (+1)
- USCF: 1404 (+184)
All the more reason for me to keep studying!
Week 7 Ratings Update:
Blitz: 1855 (+79)
Rapid: 1993 (+1)
USCF: 1404 (+184)
I've just been focusing on Blitz for the past week, but hit a new all time high in that format! Hoping to get back into some OTB next month.
Week 8 Ratings Update:
Blitz: 1871 (+95)
Rapid: 1993 (+1)
USCF: 1404 (+184)
No extra notes this week, just happy to be getting back into a regular routine for the new year.
Week 9 Ratings Update:
Blitz: 1879 (+103)
Rapid: 1993 (+1)
USCF: 1404 (+184)
Return to OTB this week, see if I can increase my USCF rating further! Also hoping to push past 1900 Blitz before the 12 weeks is up, but even if I don't, I'll be quite happy with another triple-digit rating gain from this study plan.
Week 10 Ratings Update:
Blitz: 1887 (+111)
Rapid: 1993 (+1)
USCF: 1441 (+221)
Another long break between chess study, but I'm back into it again now. Hoping to get a lot of practice in over the next two months to prepare myself for OTB again.
Week 11 Ratings Update:
Blitz: 1858 (+82)
Rapid: 1970 (-22)
USCF: 1441 (+221)
Powering through my games to make up for lost time! Though... no rating gains this week. Perhaps I should slow down? Or perhaps I just need to keep playing more games. 
Week 12 Ratings Update:
- Blitz: 1849 (+73)
- Rapid: 1969 (-23)
- USCF: 1441 (+221)
Bit of a pullback as we enter the last week of my 3rd study plan, but overall, some pretty solid results!
Apr 23, 2022
0
#18
- Blitz: 1849 (+73)
You deserved to steal a few points off me today! :-D
Alright, it's time for Study Plan #3!
Last time I did the Rapid & Classical plan, and had a very solid boost to my Rapid rating, as well as getting some solid preparation in for my first OTB tournament in over a year.
Now with Study Plan #3 I'm going to focus again on including more Blitz and trying to play more games for the next few months.
Initial Week 1 Ratings (Lichess):