How to Improve

I've been looking around on the 'Net and have seen that the best way to improve in chess is to play standard time controls and to analyze your games afterwards. Any tips on analysis/general improvement?

Hi,

I usually study my games from a tournament by myself, making notes, opinions etc, adding variations etc.

I then use an engine to see if I was on the right track, it would be better to go over the game with a friend, preferably stronger than you, in my case I use an engine.

I have only played a few but I really enjoy the 45min time control on here as you get a better quality game, trying for the full time control takes up too much of my limited spare time. You would then download the pgn of the game and again study it first without an engine.

I have played too many blitz games and haven't learned much from them, except I am rubbish at Blitz!.

There are many ways to improve, this is just my own way of doing things.

Good luck.

Add looking at classical master games and some tactics training, and you're good

This might be old school, but probably the fastest way is to strap a car battery to sensitive areas. After a bad move, let her rip. After a good move, eat a cupcake.

I Love Lucy reruns. Don't ask, just do it.

Memorize, cold, the opening theory of the Fred defense, 60 moves deep. Learn it, love it, live it.

Since you're a diamond member you have unlimited access to the Tactics Trainer, Chess Mentor and videos. Check them out IMHO  doing an hr or two of the TT and CM a week should be helpful, and there's a Greatest Chess Minds video series on the superstars of chess you might like - and lots of other instructive videos as well!

http://www.chess.com/blog/NimzoRoy/indes-of-greatest-chess-mind-videos?_domain=old_blog_host&_parent=old_frontend_blog_view

http://www.chess.com/blog/NimzoRoy/endgame-faqs?_domain=old_blog_host&_parent=old_frontend_blog_view

http://www.chess.com/blog/NimzoRoy/chess-opening-principles?_domain=old_blog_host&_parent=old_frontend_blog_view

You, kind being, just made my day.