I think I was getting into bad habits when I was playing more than studying...at a certain point my brain shuts down after too many games and I can't think of alternatives to obvious moves. Doing exercises seems to help that.
You have some good ideas though...do you recommend 50% playing/50% studying? How did you reach a whole new level of play?
How do you choose your next move?
-If you only calculate possible moves all the time, you'll be tired fast!
In some positions you dont calculate at all, in others you have to calculate many long lines.
Have you read: Reassess your chess? (Silman)
Yeah, the more you practice the skill, the better you'll get. It sounds obvious, but it's true and so the weaker the player the more important actual play is. As you get better, it will move to 50% study and 50% play and if you're a professional player only then do you need more study than play.
Also agree with paulgottlieb -- so when you play, be serious about your games and try to find the best moves. If you feel your "brain shut down" then stop playing for the day, you don't want to practice your mistakes. Next, before you play new games, go over your recent games (the ones you were trying to find the best moves possible) and find your mistakes.
Hi, I think I've narrowed down my most problematic area of play, based on past experience. I have trouble transitioning from the opening to middle game, especially against 1600+ players. Right now I refuse to play again until I become much better at analysis. I want to reach and maintain a 1600 rating (I never passed 1300 in tournament ratings when I was active).
I also have a problem with chess fatigue. I become tired after a long game and it makes it difficult to play sharply in the next game.
Thanks for the forum, any productive ideas are welcome.