For Players >1600, What Was Your Breakthrough?

For the past 18 months, I've been studying endgame theory pretty regularly. I've seen my confidence and play in end games improve. I've more recently started studying opening and middle game theory, but don't feel as confident there as I do if I force a game toward an endgame. I've also begun exploring the idea of playing in face-to-face tournaments but haven't played in one yet.

For players, who are solidly rated over 1600, what are some of the practices you engaged in that got you from a solid 1500 rating to >1600?

I'm not sure whether I qualify as "solidly rated over 1600". In my own country I've been consistently rated 1700+. As far as I can tell, the single most important factor in achieving this modest goal was to consistently play serious over-the-board games. Helpful, too, was discussing chess strategy regularly with other chessplayers (preferably higher rated). In terms of study, I'd say familiarising myself with basic middlegame plans (e.g. "playing against the isolated pawn") and playing the same openings helped as well. What I should have done differently, perhaps, was to choose slightly more solid openings or -- alternatively -- practise tactics and attacking chess more. 

I blew through it playing 8 hours a day over the summer.  Lots of games, reading books too.  There wasn't a 'breakthrough' for me - it just came naturally as I played more and more.

So, having completed a year and a half of reading and assimilating Silman's Complete End Game Course up to about 2100 rating, I've started in reading his latest (and supposedly final edition) of Reassess Your Chess. Much of what Shadowknight911 and Squonky have suggested about positional chess is at the heart of Silman's book. It's interesting before I started reading it, I was mostly winning games if I could force them to end game scenarios evenly. Now that I've been reading (and re-reading and re-reading) Reassess Your Chess, I'm winning a lot more games early... but still fill confident and win a good many games if they go the distance and I have to win on end game theory.

I've just reached my highest blitz rating ever. Now, it seems I have to figure out how to get psychologically comfortable seeing myself with a 1550 and up rating. I'd like to get to playing consistently above 1600 and be comfortable in my skin there.

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks, guys.

I took a year out from chess, when I came back I was better.

@Beckyschess, I just looked at a couple of your games. Clearly, you have a gift.

As a school kid i played alot alot alot and quickly jumped from unrated to 1488 ICU. I stopped playing so much and remained around 1400. Then I stopped playing for a few years until Chess.com rekindled my love for the game. With a 2+ year gap of playing otb i had only played online. In that tournament i received a 1802 CFC rating and also a career high of drawing with a 2135 player (my previous best result was beating a 1597 in an otb tournament).

I have since only played one tournament since and have retained my 1800 rating in an open section with an average rating of 2000+. I

Similar to vanillaknight, i believe my time away has helped my mind ferment like a fine wine and has helped my understanding of the game immensely.

Re-reading this thread after a year is really cool. Several folks mention how important it is to play OTB chess. I took your suggestions to heart and started a local chess group that plays monthly. We've met about 3-4 times since summer.

Other subtle suggestions about middle-game position (e.g., improving your worst piece; targeting isolated or backward pawns) I've been realizing more and more lately.

I still feel like I can use improvement in learning how to create pawn breaks. Any books or suggestions about learning how to develop pawn breaks?

Thanks, guys.