Incremental improvements

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ColonelKnight

What's taken me from the 1250 rut to 1350-1450 level is a number of incremental improvements. Like not hanging my pieces unnecessarily. I am saying this for the benefit of other players at my level. Better players are not hugely better, they just have these better habits on almost all areas of the board. This might sound obvious, but the realization that improvements are incremental gives one something to work with.

What say?

ColonelKnight

Yes, and that too! :)

Wayward_Bishop

I find I improve by leaps, not at a steady rate.

TheGreatOogieBoogie

How to get in better shape?  Work out and make adjustments to your diet!  Gee, thanks... which exercises in particular and how to further improve my diet after cutting out butter and sugar? 

All kidding aside, work on little tactics, CT-ART 5.0 has a CT-ART Beginner and CT-ART mating pattern and CT-ART 4.0 bundled in.  Start with Beginner (though the ratings are inflated, I'm about 2050 ELO on the Beginner section so far despite the highest rated problem I've seen being "1750" so far, which in real life chess is advanced intermediate... all I'm saying is don't let estimations go to your head).  The section seems easy, and it is, but to work out your basics before moving up to the mating n net and finally the star program. 

 

Tactics are just one little part of chess, you'd need a basic positional, strategic, endgame, and strategic endgame understanding too.  Shereshevsky's Endgame Strategy, Nimzowitsch's My System, and Nunn's Understanding Chess Endgames should have you covered here for now. 

ColonelKnight

No no. Look what I am saying is not a generic banality. As a new player you have literally nothing to go on in the beginning. The initial discoveries are all worth sharing. My point being, "hang in there, you'll notice the MINOR ADJUSTMENTS that'll make you stronger".

That said, great advice on what needs to be done.

ColonelKnight

At about the same pace as my chess skills? Tut tut tut. Aspire to more.

greenibex

Kayknight your salry will.improve. can i play u a game