Best way to improve quickly

Hello,

About 5 years ago, I used to play chess a lot.  I didn't study much, just played and played.

I am getting back into it, but want to take a better approach.  After studying languages in the last year, I've learned that the approach to learning is important - since it means you not only learn better, but faster.  You become better quicker.

So, with that said, what recommendations do you have to improve quickly, aside from brute practice?

Many thanks.

-Patrick

I would like to have this question answerd as well, and I am nearing expert.

solve lots of tactical puzzles daily. at least that would put you in fit and is good to better assimilate other aspect of chess will studying

solve lots of tactical puzzles daily. at least that would put you in fit and is good to better assimilate other aspect of chess will studying

solve lots of tactical puzzles daily. at least that would put you in fit and is good to better assimilate other aspect of chess will studying

solve lots of tactical puzzles daily. at least that would put you in fit and is good to better assimilate other aspect of chess will studying

solve lots of tactical puzzles daily. at least that would put you in fit and is good to better assimilate other aspect of chess will studying

solve lots of tactical puzzles daily. at least that would put you in fit and is good to better assimilate other aspect of chess will studying

solve lots of tactical puzzles daily. at least that would put you in fit and is good to better assimilate other aspect of chess will studying

i think you should analyse your games played with stronger opponents . it will help you to find and overcome your mistakes. besides, i am trying this method and my games are improving . also, you should do the things said  by kempelen sych as doing regular tactical puzzles.  

solve lots of tactical puzzles daily. at least that would put you in fit and is good to better assimilate other aspect of chess will studying

Doing tactical puzzles is time never wasted, but I would add that studying by motif is even more effective for assimilating new ideas.

Get 3 great chess books and read them slowly. Perhaps My System by Nimzo as one...and a middle and end game for the other two.  

Get a book on openings, via chess traps and tricks and start to memorize openings. PM me for suggestions.  Of course pick your favorite opening for white and the approx'ly 3 openings they typically lead into and do the same for black.  Memorize about the 1st 9 moves.  It's pretty easy and fun.  You'll be able to stay even with a GM for the opening.

  Do about 20 tactics problems per day.   Start playing the long 'turn based' games as well as what you're playing - this will give you plenty of time to analyze as you play.  Don't play blitz or bullet.  

All this will take at least 3 hours per day.   And finally, come on down to the Springs or Manitou Springs mid day or nights once a week and play the boys LIVE at the Cafe.  Playing OTB will round you out and make it more social. 

For quick improvement, it makes sense to me that you would want to attempt to grasp the concepts and themes that are most central to the game first, for example the tactical themes of "pin and then win" and "remove the defender", and drill them in all sorts of different situations and variations. Strategical concepts, too, such as knowing when to try to eliminate an opponent's dark or light square bishop, and the long term implications of various pawn structures.

The more eagerly you study, whatever new it is that you're trying to grasp, the more you learn. Playing tactical puzzles is great, but only if you really put effort into recognizing what's going on here, which theme it is, and how you can recognize the theme easier the next time. Mental rigor, enthusiasm and systematization can probably multiply the results you get for your time.

When I got serious about chess many years ago a few things worked for me. I was playing quite a bit with friends & thought I was getting pretty good, then I joined the local chess club & didn't win a game for about a month Hmmmm! Something was seriously wrong. So I started recording my games & replaying them, by myself at first & later with some help. Next I borrowed some books from the club library...... I started to win a few games. Then I bought a few books on openings, tactics & finally endgames. Now I was winning quite a few games. I took up Correspondence Chess (Snailmail) This helped me to combine theory & tactics at a much deeper level, by now I was winning a lot of games. So now I was hooked, I won the trophy for most improved player & was heading for club champion, ok, it was a small club but I was starting to beat everyone. I started playing some simultaneous games against the junior players, that sharpened up my ability to analyze a position quickly & finally I got a coach. A new guy joined the club, beat the socks off me for the club championship (Which I never won) & he became my coach. His rating was about 2000 & playing & analyzing games & openings with him was the final part of the puzzle. Lots of tournaments helped too, playing outside your club against tough opposition really sharpens you up. The rest is a matter of hours & dedication.

You can learn to correct bad chess behaviors (get critiqued by stronger players) , practice a ton of tactics (this is equivalent to doing weights in the gym .. there's no fighter in the world who steps into the ring without his gym-workouts!) and ... wait for it ... slowly + incrementally get better.  

If you've learned languages, you've already mastered one key behavior that all "improving" players have => total immersion.  You want to visit clubs, constantly play equal and stronger opposition and keep perpetuating a "feedback loop" of constant improvement.

That's good & spiking their coffee helps too