You might read a book called Rapid Chess Improvement by Michael de la Maza. I think he claimed something like being able to take a 1400 to an 1800 in 2 years. Or something like that. At any rate, it's worth a read (although most of the techniques are really tedious).
Before you buy de la Maza's book you should have a look at this review though:
http://dev.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Rapid-Chess-Improvement-p3511.htm
Work on basic endgames. Here are some practice positions:
The first one dosn't make any sense to me. Why would you not move the king to G3 and attack the pawn. It is impossible for him to defend his pawn or take your pawn at this point. If he tries to save it then you can just take and he will be even farther away from the a pawn then before(which doesn't really matter). And if he tries to attack the a pawn you can just keep pushing. Dumb puzzle IMO
I'm starting at 25 with a similar goal, to eventually become a NM. I've gone from ~800 to ~1300 since the beginning of summer. Well by Chess.com standards anyway. I'm sure it will take a lot of hard work and time but I'm willing to put in both to get there eventually.
Work on basic endgames. Here are some practice positions:
The first one dosn't make any sense to me. Why would you not move the king to G3 and attack the pawn. It is impossible for him to defend his pawn or take your pawn at this point. If he tries to save it then you can just take and he will be even farther away from the a pawn then before(which doesn't really matter). And if he tries to attack the a pawn you can just keep pushing. Dumb puzzle IMO
Not true! After Kg3 he has Ke5 threatening to stop the pawn from running and threatening to play Ke3 to promote the own pawn. In chess its important to think before crying out a wrong opinion/move.
They would have to pawn something..... Wheee!!!!
lol that was funny and the only one who saw that one coming!! I like you kaynight!!!
Thaaaaank you a lot for your answers fellas.
Well, I have a chess book for a total beginners and im słowly studying it. Some of you say that's impossible for me to reach, let's call it, an expert level, and some of you say that I can. Well, I'll just probably comtinue with chess. There is a dude in my town who runs a chess club(he's an international master, about 2400-2500), so I'm probably gonna give it a try.
I study endgame and some basics tactics almost every day, but I'm still thinking it's not enough.
The main goal for now is to be able to beat all my friends(which are not regular chess players) take advantage of their blunders, "see them through" and be able to win every time, then I'll probably go for 2000.
This games seems so powerful..beating someone, especially your friends, is such a great feeling, because you know that you just are smarter in the game than they are. It always makes my day :)
By the way, should I focus more on endgame or openings?
Openings. You need to find an opening that fits your style and personality. I would start with black, since you have more control over the choice of moves.
This games seems so powerful..beating someone, especially your friends, is such a great feeling, because you know that you just are smarter in the game than they are. It always makes my day :)
That's called an ego boost. At the risk of sounding blasphemous among chess players, it's generally not a healthy approach...
Agree with drcheck. You must play people who are better than you. And being able to make a worthy effort against them can be a great pleasure, too.
Btw: I think you should focus in endgames more than openings. Of course you should know basic principles and first moves in the openings of your choice, possible traps, etc, just for not being outplayed in the earlier phase of the game, but a deeper study of openings requires a lot of previous experience in other phases of the game.
I wouldnt focus on the endgame, I would focus on tactics, tactics and maybe also tactics. I didnt practise anything about the endgame to reach 1600...
Now you have asked the question, and have gotten a variety of answers.
Clearly you need a coach.
"Techniques of Positional Play" Bronznick
Silman's book on endgames.
You have the ability, now its your turn to prove all those no-sayers wrong and take all your motivation to do it.