not sure on how to utilise the app to help me improve

Hi Pals 👋🏻 I’ve known how to play chess since I was young however was really only taught the moves and not much else. I haven’t really played for 25 years. About a month ago I bought a Bobby Fischer book and started to try and actually learn about chess and how to improve my game! I’ve been playing daily and watching YT videos and then a few weeks ago downloaded this app. I love it! Think it’s great, I’ve been doing the lessons and trying the puzzles but there is so much scope within the app I’m not sure what I’m doing 🤔 For example how to play other people my level to improve, at the moment I’m just playing the computer. Then when I check my stats it says 1200 but displays no games etc. And there’s lots of scores like blitz and bullet but I don’t know what they are? They’re all 1200? So I assume it’s only when I play other people my score adjusts? My puzzle score is somewhere around 700 (again not sure if that’s relevant) Any tips or advice would be really appreciated! Really want to learn so although some of these questions may seem lame I genuinely just need a bit of help in the right direction! 🙂

Well, I'll do my best....  Make sure you do your 3 lessons a week.  They are really well done, so much so that you might want to consider bumping up to a diamond membership for unlimited access.  And try to get in your 25 puzzles a day as well; whenever you don't understand a puzzle, stop and try to figure it out or go to the analysis board rather than just hurrying on to the next tactic.  If doing the puzzles rated is a little stressful, then sometimes you can do them unrated and just take your time.

You're right.  Games against the computer aren't recorded and don't change your rating.  Probably best to stay away from blitz and bullet for the moment and just play rapid so you get a chance to look at the board.  Daily chess is another option if you want to hit the books a little since the rules allow you to use books and databases to help figure out your next move.  No engines of course.  It's chess.com's name for traditional correspondence chess.  Not sure what platform you're on, but using the browser you just click play>Live Chess and you will be paired with an opponent.  In the beginning your rating will bounce around a lot as the system tries to figure out what your playing level is and can pair you accordingly.  Have fun!

Thank you 🙌🏻 This is really helpful. What is the difference between rapid blitz and bullet? I tried joining a tournament and got annihilated as it was so fast 😅 I imagine it’s like speed chess? You can tell how much of an amateur I am 🤣 Yes I’ve definitely been trying the puzzles and I upgraded to a gold membership but may go to diamond after your recommendation. I find it tricky sometimes because I don’t know what the puzzle wants me to do - eg mate in 1 or best move etc. Predominantly using my phone and the iOS app but will have a look on the website this afternoon using my laptop. Thanks again 👌🏻

As for the ratings, those are provisional ratings, they will be adjusted when you play rated games. Rapid is everything included and over 10 minutes per side. Bullet is 1 minute per side, blitz is between those two time controls.

If you need help improving, here are some tips:

https://www.chess.com/blog/nklristic/the-beginners-tale-first-steps-to-chess-improvement

@kelanjo;

You're quite welcome of course.  On a PC browser you can choose Custom in the Puzzles section which allows you to do them unrated, but also allows you to pick and choose which of the "tactical motifs" you want to work on and also what rating range.  Might be good for you to go through the list of tactics and maybe research any you aren't familiar with.  Three lessons a week unfortunately is kind of a joke.  You probably need at least a dozen or so a day to make real progress.  Diamond also gives you access to video training and there are some excellent presenters.  IM Danny Rensch in particular can be quite "edutaining".  Best of luck!

Play rated, and you will get your rating to its proper number, at which point you should be paired with players at your level.