Mix both! You're never going to get any better if you don't actually play the game and practise what you've learned! 
Question about chess mentor
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Nov 28, 2012
0
#2
Mix both. You'll be improving your skills and trying them out in the real games.
Nov 28, 2012
0
#4
I'd also suggest mixing both, and playing slow games rather than bullet.
Also, if using, say, the tactics mentor, go back and forth between it and the tactics trainer. With mentor you're given a bunch of hints and told generally what idea to implement; with trainer you're given a position and asked to figure it out cold. They really complement each other.
tnx guys
Np!
Anyone knows why can't i play chess mentor? I have a non payed account, but i knew that we have 2 lessons per day or week or something. I got a free premium account for a week a few months ago and i played a lot of chess mentor lesson, but since that week passed and i retuned to my simple account, i gave up at chess mentor. Today i thought i could read a lesson or so but it won't let me, unless i have a premium account. Why is that?
It is also saying "start your free lessons" but it doesn't work eighter. Please help :)
Dec 2, 2012
0
#8
I think you get 20 demo lessons then you have to buy Diamond Membership.
Oh, i think i remember now. I got to 20, got what you said then never played it before i was given that free week. This sux... I was eager to start again with chess mentor 
Thank you Adam!
The best way to use Chess Mentor is to set the filters the way you want them in the settings screen so that you only see the courses you are interested in. For Tactics Patrick Wollf's courses are an excellent starting point. Silman's strategy lessons are very good but a huge leap from the introductory ones, theres no way they fit the suggested rating range. Daniel Rensch also has some pretty tough lessons but you learn a heck of a lot, the Weak Colour Complexes course is extremely good. Sam Shanklands lessons are all good as well. Over time you learn who to avoid (Schiller).
One annoyance is in some Openings courses the author wants you to play a certain variation but you have to guess what it is which loses you points if you don't guess correctly.
Really, its far and away the best training software around if you use it wisely.
Any suggestion on how to use chess mentor effectively Should I keep studying and never play live games, or should mix both? What's the best approach to improve your rating (game)?