How do I study?

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IndigoNightshade

I analyze my games, watch grandmasters and do lots of puzzles, but I don't know what people mean by "study tactics" or "study chess." I've gotten several books which have provided some answers, but even more questions. How do I learn/progress in an efficient, logical manner?

HistorycznyUpadekJaponii

Maybe "studying tactics" means memorizing the patterns for delivering a checkmate or gaining advantage/material.

Whenever you see an interesting pattern in your game's analysis, try to understand and memorize it to be able to use it in the future when you have an opportunity to do so.

HistorycznyUpadekJaponii
Jill_St_James napisał:

Learn opening theory for at least five openings for both white and black a minimum of 15 moves deep, including all known novelties.

From what I've read and experienced, knowing as least as, let's say, three openings at our level is sufficient.

Memorizing their moves without understanding them doesn't make sense because if the opponent makes a slight deviation from the theory, you're lost and don't know what to do. I'd recommend learning the basic strategy principles and trying to understand what's happening and may happen on the chessboard first.

starbucks_freewifi
Jill_St_James wrote:

Hire three coaches: one for openings, one for middlegames, and one for endgames. That's a decent start.

^ best advice.. or maybe more 12 or 17..

But going through masters' games is a good advice for real.. i totally agree.. that's how you develop intuition by recognizing patterns with master's responses.

swarminglocusts
“Weapons of Chess” by Bruce Pandolfini covers elementary strategy and tactics. You are already studying tactics as you are learning puzzles already. This book took me from 1300-1500. Start there. How to study? Look up SQP2RS on how to study a book and look up Cornell notes on how to write down information to synthesize it.
ChessMasteryOfficial

I've written several posts aimed at helping players like you who might not be able to afford a coach. Here are some links to those posts:


1. How to Improve at Chess: Ultimate Guide
[https://www.chess.com/forum/view/for-beginners/how-to-improve-at-chess-ultimate-guide]
2. Jumpstart Your Chess Journey: Proven Tips for Beginners [https://www.chess.com/forum/view/for-beginners/jumpstart-your-chess-journey-proven-tips-for-beginners]
3. From Good to Great: Mastering Piece Arrangement on the Board [https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-lessons/from-good-to-great-mastering-piece-arrangement-on-the-board]
4. Dominating the Board: Mastering Aggressive Moves in Chess
[https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/dominating-the-board-mastering-aggressive-moves-in-chess]
5. Piece Domination 101: How to Neutralize Your Opponent's Forces
[https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/piece-domination-101-how-to-neutralize-your-opponents-forces]
6. Mastering Piece Trades: Transforming the Chess Battlefield [https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/mastering-piece-trades-transforming-the-chess-battlefield]
7. Practical Endgames Demystified: Techniques for Victory [https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/practical-endgames-demystified-techniques-for-victory]


I hope you find these resources helpful in your chess journey. If you ever feel like you'd benefit from personalized coaching, feel free to reach out to me. Keep up the good work and remember, every game is a learning opportunity!

IndigoNightshade
ChessMasteryOfficial wrote:

I've written several posts aimed at helping players like you who might not be able to afford a coach.

I hope you find these resources helpful in your chess journey. If you ever feel like you'd benefit from personalized coaching, feel free to reach out to me. Keep up the good work and remember, every game is a learning opportunity!

Thank you very much! I definitely will!

satan_llama

That's the fun, you study, but you don't. It's mysterious

arosbishop

Go through your books with a physical board. Ask WHY often and also HOW often. Concetrate. Play a game review it see where you can improve. Read a few more book pages. Play a slow game again. No blitz. Over and over again.

Mathster_001

Watch a YouTube tutorial. You can also observe and see how other people play and try using their tactics on your opponents. (or learn your self, that's the most fun)

darlihysa

By study something it means to learn the text by memory..thats all we do when we learn matter. But to learn the logic of the problem that the text intends it is up to your efforts!!