Chess Courses - Instructional Resources...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/beginners-chess-course-instructional-resources
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell
Self-Study Course?
Sort:
Apr 9, 2023
0
#23
woodjrx wrote:
Not overly? It's not that I think the Dojo is "not helpful" at the lower levels - I just think it's designed (mostly) by people who even at the lower end, never struggled at the lower ratings, until the possibly the 1400ish mark (They don't even recommend learning mating patterns until you're 1400 here... like honestly? Do they really think you can get to 1400 here without knowing how to checkmate?
That does make sense. I've been doing endgame drills here on chess.com and am also doing the Steps books and Learn Chess the Right Way vol 1 on Chessable (I have EFCW there as well). I started teaching my kids with the Steps books about 2 years ago and stopped. It was definitely fun watching them play out the exercises, but it did take time to do. I'm going through the software portion of the Steps myself and plan to finish all of Learn Chess the Right Way volumes.
I'm also doing all the tasks of each level in the Dojo system. I finished 0-400 last week (minus game reviews) and am hoping to finish 400-600 in the next two weeks (with game reviews). All in all, it does sound like we are approaching this the same way!
I've only heard of the woodpecker method. I'll have to check it out.
Me
I ended up joining the dojo, ...
It sounds like you've been in the Dojo longer than me, so you're in a better position to say how effective it is for us lower players. After coming back to chess last month, I'm also floating around the 1000 range. Have you found anything else that's structured that may assist your progression?
Also, if you want to play some of those longer games, I'm up for it. I'm free in the mornings this month and most weekends. I'll have more evening time next month when I switch shifts.
Not overly? It's not that I think the Dojo is "not helpful" at the lower levels - I just think it's designed (mostly) by people who even at the lower end, never struggled at the lower ratings, until the possibly the 1400ish mark (They don't even recommend learning mating patterns until you're 1400 here... like honestly? Do they really think you can get to 1400 here without knowing how to checkmate? We're not even talking theoretical endgames - just checkmating patterns. That seems... absurd.). Again, I love the program, and the cohorts of improvers is great. It's just definitely meant for people already "much better" at chess, or who improve much faster than I am.
In regards to tactics, I've picked up the Steps Method books, and I'm starting to work through those. I'm not afraid of putting the work in (so I'm doing every book in each level before progressing), but still struggling to figure out why my tactics/game aren't improving. They're very well done, but dry, so there's that. I'll let you know what I figure out - but woodpecker-ing of EFCW, Learn Chess the Right Way books 1 & 2, as well as working through the Steps books is my current plan.
And I'll definitely take you up on those slow games!