Went from 1300 to 1400, how...? Advice to get to 1500?

So, I just reached 1400. From 1200 to now it's took about 2 and a half months. 

My question is, I felt really stuck at 1300 and I don't understand what changed in my play to get me to 1400 over these past few days. 

I've gone and looked at a few of my games and tried to see what changed, but I'm not seeing anything that jumps out at me. I want to keep doing what I'm doing, ya know 😅. 

I've been playing seriously for just a little over a year. Went from 300 blitz, to where I'm at now. 

I'm turning 24 on the 28th of this month, and am wondering when I'm going to hit that inevitable plateau.

Also, I would really appreciate someone looking at a few of my games and giving me advice on how I can make my way to 1500. 

Thanks in advance.

well sometimes you just need to analyze your games and realize your mistakes (even small ones)

sometimes its hard to improve (even me) when losing through little mistakes.

You could also try training tactics more as they can help you win games and get technical ideas like how to breakthrough and defend etc.

*develop then try to attack

8... g4 was one move that i think you can improve on.

Thank you, I really appreciate it. I believe the game you selected was a bullet 2|1 game. I’ve only recently begun to play bullet and I’m slowly making my way up. 

My blitz rating is what I focus on the most, but your analysis of that game is definitely going to help me in future games.

Any tips on getting to 1500?

NimzoWhaaat wrote: So, I just reached 1400. From 1200 to now it's took about 2 and a half months. My question is, I felt really stuck at 1300 and I don't understand what changed in my play to get me to 1400 over these past few days. I've gone and looked at a few of my games and tried to see what changed, but I'm not seeing anything that jumps out at me. I want to keep doing what I'm doing, ya know 😅. I've been playing seriously for just a little over a year. Went from 300 blitz, to where I'm at now. I'm turning 24 on the 28th of this month, and am wondering when I'm going to hit that inevitable plateau.Also, I would really appreciate someone looking at a few of my games and giving me advice on how I can make my way to 1500. Thanks in advance. we share the same birthday ☺

For me, getting ratings in 10 mins blitz is actually easier as it gives me more time to avoid mistakes.Also, i haven't stuck on 1500 so i don't have any good advice

well i analyze one more of your games (blitz), maybe i could help u although i'm not near a advanced player

 

yes but i was focused on only 8.g4 and i don't know anything about that opening. Your suggestion f6 is the best move ( main) but h6 does prepare g5. I don't think 6.h6 is a mistake but a sideline. However, i saw some games with this line, its not easy to play with black                                              

For example

a game where black played well except he blundered 27... fxg2 If he played 27... Nxb7, black would be winning (i know the sequences of the opening is a bit different)

 

It takes time. Strong tactics and endgame knowledge can drive you to your 1500 goal. You can also play against higher rated players to have a better win/loss rating ratio and to have a feel of how higher rated players play.

 

Now, where is @kindaspongey?

Good luck buddy , one I also will be there . Definitely 🖖

I gave up blitz completely, and I am happy about this.

I apologize for not posting a game of yours to make these comments more specific but I cannot figure out how to do so with an IPad. I did review 3 of your games.

you pay insufficient attention to basic opening principles. You fail to occupy the center properly and do not understand the openings you are playing. I suggest you watch some videos on how to play this opening or that--or even more drastically read a book like Fine's Ideas behind the Chess Openings. More pertinent it would behoove you to buy and read My System by Aron Nimzowitsch in the Quality Chess translation (the best translation by far). It is the only chess book that is an actual well written book and hilarious to boot.

I do not mean to be belittling. However, your opening play is the weakest part of your game and attention to your deficiencies there would improve your game drastically. This is actually unusual in a beginner and suggests you may improve quickly.

Again, sorry I could not download a game to this comment section for more exact comments. Feel free to message me if you think I can be of any service.

-Play more Rapid.
-Warm up with Puzzle Rush before you play.
-Analyze your games.

Looking at about half dozen of your games, it’s easy to see some basic things you should be doing: castle much sooner, and develop your knights and bishops before starting your pawn lunges. If you start pushing pawns (other than the center ones) without doing those two things, you are vulnerable! You can beat players under 1400 because they make the same mistakes or don’t know how to punish you for your errors. But any player above 1500 will know after about 6 moves that they will beat you. Just as I’m sure it is obvious to you when someone opens by moving a rook pawn that you will beat them, or when someone takes out their queen on the third move that you will beat them, a 1500+ player knows that you are overextending yourself and it will all come crashing down.

Is it worth the effort? ..

What really helped me improve was a daily regimen of puzzle solving/tactics. I also switched to slower games (rapid, classical). A great tip I got from a certain GM on-stream was to get out of your comfort zone and try new openings. It will help you understand chess better instead of just moving pieces without a plan. Good luck!

Play lots of blitz

learn how to learn from your mistakes.