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

Hello i sent to fight you

If you work puzzles..... And understand when you miss them.... Don't just skip to the next one if you don't understand........ Eventually it will start to make sense. Realize that an advantage gets bigger when you take pieces off the board. So if you can trade pieces at the same time as you capture a pawn or piece... that is usually the right thing to do. It only takes one pawn advantage to win an endgame! ...( when well played)

Eventually you will see solutions at a higher level and your puzzle rating will increase. When you play you will eventually start looking at the board the same way you do during puzzles.... Looking for the best move

Correct but you can return to failed puzzles and solve them again

1 - 2 hours a day seems a little too much doesn't it?

It depends on the individual. I have students in CEO positions who work for two hours per day, so I see myself as a coach for those who want to improve quickly. In contrast, Magnus Carlsen trained for 8 to 10 hours each day, while Viswanathan Anand dedicated over 70 hours of training each week.

Just a question- I've heard a lot of people recommend 100 Endgames You Must Know, is that book a real necessity? Do you think it'd be helpful for somebody like me- just below 1600 rapid rating. The only endgame book I've read is Silman's Complete Endgame Manual, and I also have Tactical Chess Endings by John Nunn, but I haven't read a word. Do you think I could benefit from 100 Endgames You Must Know?

Thanks in advance.

Yes it is nice book and will help you - explains activity of the pieces in a great way

You want to what?

He wants to fight me

lol

I always thought how funny everybody advice for beginners? Play puzzles. Don't waste your time with openings.

Really funny. If you dont know opening, it will be very hard you get to the midle game to make use of the learned puzzles. And if one can get to the middle game, he/she would be so behind that the game will be lost anyway.

Here even a 600 knows at least two openings.

If you want to get better, learn openings. If you can get to the middle game, study puzzles. If you can get to end game, study endgames.

Or play Chess 960 (Fischer Randon or Frestyle, whatever)

Good Luck