- Puzzles: I do a ton of puzzles online, but should I be doing them on a physical board? Does that make a difference? You want ti simulate OTB conditions as much as possible when studying. So it would be better to use a real board and pieces. One other thing. If you havent solved a tactic in 2-3 minutes then its a pattern you dont know. Chess stud y should be all about quality of study, not quantity of study. Doing 100 tactics a day and not learning or even understanding the motif or the "why" gets you nowhere. Doing just 3 tactics a day and understanding and learning the motif and the "why" will give you much more growth than doing 100 aimlessly.
- Game Analysis: I always analyze my online games with an engine. Is it better to analyze my OTB games on my own first, with a physical board, before I turn on the engine? Ideally you want to do your own analysis first. Then use an engine and again use a real board and pieces. You want to limit your analysis to blunders and missed tactics.
- Study Materials: Are there any specific books, courses, or resources from 2025 that are especially good for OTB play? That will be up to you (personal choice). But I would get the recommendations from IM's and GM's on what would be appropriate material for your rating level.
- Time Management: OTB games have longer time controls. What's the best way to train my thought process to use that time effectively without rushing? Something that is suggested and works well is to write down how long you took on each move for example nest to the move you played on your score sheet you would note something like: :04 for 4 minutes or :25 for 25 minutes. What this does is shows you positions where you arent sure what or how to play.
One last thing. It looks like all you play online is bullet and rapid. Playing speed chess instills bad habits. You will keep doing the same things over and over and wont grow. Now combine that with serious study and you will not give yourself time to implement what youre learning into your OTB play. Youll stagnate, wont grow and youll become frustrated.
Finally. Be honest with yourself about what you want out of chess. If youre happy playing speed chess then keep playing it. If youre serious about OTB improvement then be prepared to cut back to something like 3 speed chess games a day and concentrate on your OTB improvement.
Whatever you do. Have Fun!
Hey chess players,
I've been playing a lot of chess online, but my over-the-board (OTB) rating is lagging behind. It feels like I'm a completely different player in a real tournament setting. I know I'm not the only one with this problem, and with 2025 in full swing, I want to make this the year I finally close that gap.
I've read a lot of advice, but a lot of it seems to be for online play. What are the absolute best, most effective, and fastest ways to improve specifically for OTB chess in 2025?
Here are some of the things I'm currently doing or considering:
- Puzzles: I do a ton of puzzles online, but should I be doing them on a physical board? Does that make a difference?
- Game Analysis: I always analyze my online games with an engine. Is it better to analyze my OTB games on my own first, with a physical board, before I turn on the engine?
- Study Materials: Are there any specific books, courses, or resources from 2025 that are especially good for OTB play?
- Time Management: OTB games have longer time controls. What's the best way to train my thought process to use that time effectively without rushing?
Any and all advice from people who have successfully increased their OTB rating is welcome. What worked for you? What did you focus on? Let's make 2025 the year of OTB improvement!