a good coaching session going over a tournament otb game where you just spent several hours with “the best you have to offer” is essentially getting your game into the “amateurs mind” scenario
i started with a chess coach and at first we only had online games to go over- not the best source material
it was only after playing otb tournament games, then annotating these and sending them off to the coach before our lessons that i really felt our sessions really flourished
my coach (an im) could then really hone into a few specific things to work on (for example, in my latest sessions i was really going to focus on limiting my opponents knight mobility [a lot like silman’s advice] and to not be afraid to- “break principles” when the position requires it- like just playing my king to second rank versus castling where castling was less effective in this very specific position)
granted a coach doesnt have a magical elixir and i still have to do all the work but you get a very specific focus on issues and holes you may have in your game
coaches are not cheap but if you have the otb games with your annotations then i truly think it is worth the cost for a few sessions; especially since you are kind of hitting a wall on your own
good luck
How does one develop their middlegame plan? I've oft heard quoted the idea that "If you opponent doesn't have a threat, improve your position".
Surely, this is helpful. But more often OTB I'm finding myself getting to a perfectly good, even a great looking position with no idea how to translate that.
I read a chapter of "The Amateur's Mind" by Silman which has really helped me to navigate the imbalances in positions. But in branching out into some unfamilar openings (The English with 2.g3, the Grunfeld, and especially some D4 openings with white I very rarely try out) I keep getting into spots where I am just drifiting in the ocean of variations, hoping I am not missing anything when I make quiet improvements to my position.
I realise that the old maxim "Learning the opening as a beginner is a waste of time" is true, but I have to say that the best consequence of learning certain openings for me has been having quick access to a general plan after the opening is finished. I think we tend to underate the significance of how an opening informs a plan.
Typically my online chess exists mostly on a bus somewhere in London playing "Fudge it?!" moves in quick time controls. But I've had some serious headaches this season OTB looking for the correct way to evaluate and approach positions where I know I'm doing well. Just wondered if anyone had any advice/could relate to this.
Results aren't too bad and I expect to be around 140+ this season in ECF. But I find myself groping in the dark more often than I'd like to and would like to hear what you guys think.
Thanks!