What Should a Player Under 800 on Chess.com Do to Improve?

What Should a Player Under 800 on Chess.com Do to Improve?

If you're under 800 on chess.com, here’s the honest truth:
There is no secret shortcut — you need to work at least 1 to 2 hours daily. In chess, consistency is the key.

One of the most effective ways to improve is by solving puzzles, but don’t just rush through them blindly. Many beginners ask:
“What’s more important — accuracy or quantity?”
The answer is accuracy. It’s better to solve 20 puzzles correctly than to rush through 100 puzzles with only 60% success. This teaches you to think deeply instead of making shallow, hopeful moves.

Also — don’t obsess over your rating. Focus on building your skills, and the rating will follow. Be ready for natural rating fluctuations — it’s part of the learning process.

When playing games, don’t just rely on the engine for quick analysis — that’s actually damaging your growth. Instead, after each game:

1. Spend 15 minutes analyzing — find your mistakes.

2. Take those critical positions and replay them against the engine to understand better.

3. Reflect on your decision-making — were you guessing, or did you have a plan?

Avoid wasting time on memorizing opening lines. For beginners, that’s a trap that leads nowhere. Instead, work on:

• Middlegame ideas

• Checkmate patterns

• Basic endgames

I highly recommend the book:
“100 Endgames You Must Know” — it’s essential for any player serious about progress.

Finally, having a coach makes a huge difference — for guidance, structure, and support.
I have 3 spots left in my August training group, so if you’re ready to take your chess seriously, contact me:
📧 dpolimac@gmail.com

Thank you — and remember,
chess is the greatest game ever created.

— Darko Polimac, FIDE Trainer

How Should I Study Chess?

3 Reason why you’re not improving:
1. Find a balance between fun and learning.
2. Playing games aimlessly and endlessly.
Be intentional with your learning.
Set realistic goals.
Give yourself time to think.
3. Quality of study over quantity of study.

How Should I Study Chess Effectively:
30 Minutes A Day:
1. Tactics = 5 Minutes.
Use the same thinking process you use in real games.
Evaluate the position.
Ask Yourself: “What is my opponent trying to do?”
Look for forcing moves. Calculate to the end of the forcing line.

2. Play and Analyze Your Games = 10-15 Minutes.
Analyze at least 1 game.
Play longer time controls.
Follow the following principles:
Develop minor pieces.
Castle.
Connect your rooks.
Middle game principles:
Attack.
Focus on the opponent’s half of the board.
How can I move forward?
How can I create threats?
How can I make forcing moves?
“What is my opponents plan?”
Blunder check: “Are my pieces safe?”
3. Study Chess = 10-15 Minutes.
Use courses and books.
Openings are overrated.
10-20% of your study time.

60 Minutes A Day:
1. Tactics = 5 Minutes.
2. Play and Analyze = 30 Minutes.
3. Study Chess = 30 Minutes.

Thank you for comment - maybe a bit more time for tactic

Appreciate that comment. This advice is from my GM coach. Obviously advice is just that "advice". But chess should also be about having fun, and whatever makes it fun is what that person should do.

Im glad to see someone else advocating quality of study over quantity of study. IMO that is the #1 reason people do not improve. Like you said. Doing hundreds of puzzles and not understanding the "why" behind each one is useless. While doing just 3 tactics a day but also understanding the "why" in each one will bring much better results.

Good luck with your teaching!

Thank you