My System (not Nimzowitch)

After taking a short break from chess, I have decided to return - but this time, I wanted a clear path to improvement. So I invented my own chess system. I'm not saying it's objectively great - I'm not saying it will work for you - but I wanted to share it.

So, my system is original in one way: while it does have elements, just like Nimzowitch's or Silman's, the focus is on the player rather than the game. Allow me to explain.

There are seven elements:

1. Opening repotoire - this one is self-explanatory. Once you're out of book, you start using the rest of the system.

2. Tactical awareness - awareness of tactical threats and opprotunities. As of now, I have devised a list of six things to check for:

A) Checks

B) Captures

C) Alignment of major pieces

D) Commitment of pieces to the protection of another piece or pawn 

E) Unprotected pieces or pawns, or pieces or pawns whose attackers cancel out the defenders

F) The previously defended squares that the move being analyzed leaves unprotected

This quick check is applied at the beginning of every turn and at the end. At the beginning it is applied to the opponent's move, examining potential tactical opprotunities. Then, after you decide on your move, it is applied to the candidate move, just to make sure it's sound. This should, theoretically, drastically lessen the tactics you miss for either side.

3. Calculation - if you actually spot something worthy of further exmination during your quick checks, you must be able to visualize it through to the end. This can be imporved mainly by doing tactical puzzes (and not move-by-moving them).

4. Understanding - understanding of the positional elements. This allows you to evaluate positions. You can use whatever list of elements you want - I'm going to try Silman's.

5. Positional awareness - awareness of positional threats and opprotunities. Similar to tactical awareness, but you're watching out for things like chances to win the bishop pair, chances to create pawn weaknesses or square weaknesses, pawn breaks, and changes in the pawn majorities.

6. Planning - long-term positional play. Can be improved mainly by studying annotated games, pawn structures, etc.

7. Endgame - endgame technique. Can be improved mainly by studying and practising, well, endgames.