A plateau - where do I go from here

I started playing chess fairly casually when I was about 8, quit for many years, and started playing again at 16 at about 1250 (how did that happen?  I was 1000 when I quit).  I found improvement fairly easy back then.  But now when I read chess books, or analyze chess games, or play solitare chess, I don't have these huge epiphanies anymore.  When I analyze my own games, it's hard to figure out new things to learn, and the flaws in my knowlodge. 

When I do chess puzzles... actually thats the one thing I'm doing well.  I'm going back to basics and learning 2-3 move combinations, very noticable improvement, less simple blunders, less defective tactics (ones where I play a complicated tactic, failing to notice that my opponent can play a simple tactic directly after).

What do you think I should do next?  I really think it might be time to get a chess coach, to help direct my efforts, and indentify the pattern of errors that pop out.  Something neither myself, or chess engines can do.

If you don't mind can you post a few chess games which indicates your typical games you have. Preferably games that you lost.

You misunderstand my thread, i'm not asking people "how am I flawed at chess", I'm asking "How can i FIND my flaws in chess".

I currently do solitare chess, chess analysis (by self, opponent, club members, engines), chess books, slow chess games, a few speed games peppered in there, chess puzzles (books, chesstempo.com [similar to your sites tactics trainer], a few select websites).  Nowadays I'm doing regular analysis of my games and 2-3 move tactics problems (chesstempo seems to think 4-8 move tactics are appropriate).

Besides, I can't help you, I lost my computer not too long ago, I was neglectful in not making a backup of my files in that beast...

You were 1250 back in 2007. What is your current rating?

I'll find out quickly =P.  Methinks about 1600-1800 depending on the website?  Just look at my ongoing games.

First, I think congratulations are in order, you progressed very rapidly over the two years. Based on your games, I can only recommend that you challenge yourself more, i.e. quit playing opponents in the below-1800 range and play against those with a +1800 ranking. This should reveal errors in your game, which right now are difficult to detect. In addition, you should definitely continue doing the tactics training, and maybe challenge yourself time-wise, i.e. play with the 30-minutes per game timing.

I'm a bit confused. Do you play OTB chess or not? You talk about club members, but for your rating you only have websites to point at.

My experience is that chess improvement below 2000 is perhaps 80% playing, and 20% study. And personally I don't really count online play because (for me anyway) the level of concentration is so much lower.

I believe that what you need to do is the same as for most people: play regular OTB games, ideally against somewhat stronger opponents. Immediately afterwards write down as much as possible of what you saw during the game and discussed in the post mortem, and check what of that was correct and what was just fantasy. Repeat.

I agree with Scarblac. Do you play OTB? If not, anything else is nothing. If you play just in one good tournament, you will see right away what is wrong. Let's say not good enough opening preparation, not seeing strong moves/tactics, endgame problems, etc. Run your game through computer, at least Crafty or something better, you will get enough stuff to think about.

I think you can get yourself up to class A without coach, though of course if money is not a problem it definitely wouldn't hurt to have somebody experienced to give you an advice. But again, without playing OTB you simply can't be serious chess player, and there can't be any essential progress. You should apply what you learned on the board, not computer screen.

I go to OTB weekly (although sometimes I will play backgammon/go instead), but I don't participate in tournaments.  Prehaps that's what I'm missing?

Ok then, two things I can do.  Get a chess coach (and a job to afford the chess coach) and participate in more OTB tournaments.  (grabs $25 and goes off to pre-register in an upcoming one)

I think I got turned off of them when I lost against a 900 when I was estimated about 1400 =P.  That stung.

"Usually, I prefer not to study chess but to play it. For me chess is more an art than a science. It’s been said that Alekhine and I played similar chess, except that he studied more. Yes, perhaps, but I have to say that he played, too." - Mikhail Tal

Solving tactical puzzles is beneficial and fun (Alburt's pocket book is highly recommended for your level), so is going through games collections, but most people agree that playing OTB is the single most important thing. "The best way to improve is to gain over-the-board experience" (John Nunn, "Secrets of practical chess", 2007, p.61)

I agree with seagull...one grandmaster (can't remember who) wrote in an article in Chess Life magazine that when he taught students he always asked "Why did you make that move?", even with the most mundane moves.  He required those students to have an answer - always.

Try that with yourself at your next game (in fact, I think I'll try it,, too!)