How can you keep track of your progress as a beginner?

Hey everyone! I’ve been playing casually for a few weeks now and trying to take chess more seriously. I was wondering—how do you track your improvement as a beginner? Do you just go by rating, or do you review every game you play?

I’m thinking of keeping notes on common mistakes or openings I struggle with, but not sure if that’s overkill. Would love to hear how others approach it!

I’ve been feeling stuck lately. As a beginner, it’s hard to tell if I’m actually getting better or just repeating the same stuff.

Interesting. So it’s not just about remembering what you did, but also organizing it so you can build on it. That makes sense.

I think keeping track of your weaknesses is actually a really good idea. It might feel like a bit much at first, especially if you're just starting out, but over time it can really help you notice patterns and see how much you've improved in those same areas.
By the way, if you’re looking for more real games and that satisfying feeling of victory, you should definitely check out this site. I play there pretty often and I’m always happy with how it goes. It’s kinda easier than chess but still makes you think every now and then.

I agree with you!

I tried journaling my mistakes, but I never reviewed them. I think that’s why I plateaued I didn’t keep the loop active.

As a beginner, you have so many things to learn that ratings and other attempts to quantify your progress are fairly meaningless.

pay attention instead to your understanding of basic concepts.

Develop quickly. Control the center. Castle early. Check your opponent’s threats.

you will make countless mistakes. Paying too much attention to ratings will be frustrating. It will be much more helpful to adopt a qualitative approach to improvement.

Good luck. Chess is a great pastime.

Keep a simple list: “I always hang pawns in the opening,” or “I don’t spot knight forks.” Patterns will emerge, and you’ll know what to focus on in your study.