How Has Your Approach to Chess Changed Over Time?

When we first get into chess — whether it’s through a YouTube rabbit hole, a dramatic Queen's Gambit binge, or getting crushed by a friend who "doesn't even play" — we all start with the same mix of excitement, confusion, and obsession. 🧠

But over time, our approach evolves. Some of us fall in love with hyper-aggressive gambits, others become endgame grinders. Some chase rating goals, others just want to understand the beauty of the game. And often, the way we think about improvement changes drastically too.

This thread is an invitation to reflect and share your chess journey so far — not just your rating gains, but how your mindset, methods, and priorities have changed since you started.

✍️ Consider sharing:

• Where you started vs. where you are now (your rating, style, or even your attitude)

• What you used to believe about improvement that you’ve since reconsidered

• Training methods or habits that worked (or didn’t) for you at different stages

• A moment or lesson that shifted your perspective

• How your goals have changed — is it about winning, learning, or something else now?

• And of course… your funniest or most painful learning moment 😅

👇 I’ll go first:

I started during the 2020 lockdowns, playing 1.e4 and basically hoping for tactics to appear. I thought grinding blitz and watching grandmasters would somehow turn me into one. Spoiler: it didn’t.

For a while I was obsessed with openings — like many do. I had theory memorized up to move 15 in some lines but couldn’t convert a basic endgame. Eventually I hit a wall around 1500 and realized I needed structure.
That’s when I started doing slow game analysis, using actual books (Silman + Dvoretsky, then later, 100 Endgames You Must Know), and studying master games with no engine on. Game. Changer.

My goals also shifted — I care less about rating now and more about understanding positions deeply. Ironically, once I stopped obsessing over my rating, it started going up again. Funny how that works.

Biggest learning fail? I spent 3 months learning the King’s Gambit… and have never gotten 1.e4 e5 in a real game since. 😂

Now I want to hear from you:

How has your chess evolved? What helped you most — and what do you wish you’d done differently?

Let’s turn this thread into a time capsule of what it means to grow as a player, whether you're stuck at 1000 or cruising toward 2200+. Everyone’s story matters.

Drop your journey below! 👇