You think endgames will help with middlegame planning?
I haven't really had a systematic focus on a specific part of the game. Do you think endgame is the best place to start? I feel like out of all the phases, endgame is probably my strongest.
Thanks for your advice!
I have a membership on ICC, do you think it's more beneficial to watch the GMs analysis of games then go over the games or to look at he games first and see if I can grasp their ideas beforehand
Endgame-- I think the time you spend on the endgame is well worth the time, BECAUSE you can learn 80% of what you need to know in a short time. You basically need to understand opposition (K vs K P), and rook endgames -- that's it! Do a bit of practice and you got a friend for life
Basically you get alot of knowledge with a relatively small investment of your time. Study the first four or five chapters of Silman's book on endgames, do the exercises and you should be good to go.
NOTE: it's important to understand that the principles of endgame play are often counter intuitive to middle game moves. In one of my games, I had a dead loss, except my opponent moved a pawn two squares instead of one. That alone put the game into a draw because he did not understand opposition.
Right now I am a 1700~ USCF rated player, haven't played for 2 years and wanted to get back into it.
I wanted any tips on how to improve. My father insists on me memorizing/analyzing master and grandmaster games which I don't know if it will help.
First, I am kind of bad on openings. I don't know many of the main lines of the openings. Any good openings for black and white that are solid and relatively straightforward without crazy variations?
Also, I have trouble coming up with a plan. I am good at developing my pieces and such, but in the middlegame around move 15-20, I just don't know what to do. I usually just sit around and try to prevent my opponents' plans and only gain an advantage when they make a mistake.
I have Jermey Silman's two books on endgame and middlegame, I don't know if they're a good start for me.
Thanks! I'm mainly trying to get to Class A over the summer.