.

I have a very strict regimen. I utilize all the features here. Focusing on opening theory atm. I also use chessboard online to study master games focusing on specific openings. What I do is find a variation I like and play the mainline until it goes into three popular and relatively equal branches. I then pick the one based on my preference of player to focus on. I use a phone and I have a few apps you might like if you are an android user. Droidfish; chess engine and analysis board playchess.com; mobile chess community chessbase ; online database. check out chessboard for computer or mobile. it's the best chess database out there. Analyze your games. I seem to notice looking back what I missed or what I could have improved. match your game with master games. see what they did.

chessboard=chessbase

oh and when you study the opening theory like I talked about, try to understand the three branches. If you can learn the theory behind making these moves you will know the opening. Then it's easier to remember.

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Nice spam, Sh_an.  Hey, it almost rhymes. 

These authoritive posters are forgetting OTB play. Play in OTB tournaments, then analyse your games. Study some good books also on strategy and endgame.

@LouisCreed: Why do you focus on opening theory, and what does "atm" mean?

I thought Chessbase was software you had to purchase. Where can I find it online? Do you have to subscribe?

Finally, what is your opening repertoire like for White and Black?

Thanks.

I am not exactly sure what "studying chess" means, can anyone explain this better to me?

Shooter: Ain't that the question!

I've come back to chess after several decades. I'm as interested in how one studies chess as much as playing chess.

Just about everyone agrees players should study chess as well as play it. Beyond that there isn't much agreement about what one should study and how one should study.

When I was a young American player, no one studied tactics. Now everyone does. I think that's a good thing. Keep at it.

Beyond that, look at the learning materials available at chess.com, on the web, and in libraries and bookstores. Talk to other players. Pick something to learn. See if it improves your play. If it does, do more of it. If it doesn't, do something else.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Studying chess mostly means studying positions. Open a book look at a diagram and then read the analysis and try and understand it.

Or even better : look at the diagram, try to find a good move, and then read the analysis and try to understand it