Question for the Higher Ranks

Hi fellow chess lovers,

I am currently about to commence my chess study program to increase my proficiency/skills/ELO and wanted to know what you did to improve your rating as a beginner to intermediate player. How did you structure your practice schedule? What resources did you use? Did you frequently review and amend your schedule based on your changing skill level?

For context, I’ve formulated a rather detailed schedule, after asking ChatGPT, inclusive of dedicating time to tactical puzzles, studying endgames, analysing games, playing games but also to developing opening repertoire, positional understanding, and strategic ideas. This wouldn’t all be done in one session, but rather spaced out across multiple sessions in a week.

Additionally, are there any particular resources you would recommend? The resources I own currently (besides from two boards and the app) to assist with this include the following books:
- Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess
- Pandolfini’s Ultimate Guide to Chess
- Chess - 5334 Problems, Combinations, and Games
- The Complete Book of Chess Strategy
- 300 Most Important Chess Positions
- The Soviet Chess Primer
- Mastering Chess Strategy
- Learn Chess The Right Way (books 1 - 4)
- How to Reassess Your Chess 4th edition
- Silman’s Complete Endgame Course.

I’m also aware of a few YouTube channels that are insightful. The caveat is I’m also conscious of inundating myself with too many resources so I’ll aim to select a couple to start with. I note the above is a lot already but if you think there are some absolute “must have” resources to assist progress, then I’m eager to hear your thoughts.

If any of you higher rated players had any insight to any section of this, I would be greatly appreciative of your help!

Your fellow chess player trying to improve.

I note the above is a lot already but if you think there are some absolute “must have” resources to assist progress, then I’m eager to hear your thoughts.

If any of you higher rated players had any insight to any section of this, I would be greatly appreciative of your help!

Your fellow chess player trying to improve.

@1

"what you did to improve" ++ Play and analyse lost games.

"What resources did you use?" ++ Books, especially on endgames.

"tactical puzzles" ++ 4 tactics puzzles are a good warm-up before you play.

"studying endgames" ++ Essential to reach higher levels.

"analysing games" ++ This is key: your own lost games, but also annotated grandmaster games.

"playing games" ++ This is essential.

"developing opening repertoire" ++ Not important.

"positional understanding, and strategic ideas" ++ Follows from endgame study

"multiple sessions in a week" ++ Best is 4 tactics puzzles, then 1 game 15|10 play and then 1 hour of analysis if the game was lost, or otherwise study of an annotated grandmaster game.

- Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess ++ Great
- Pandolfini’s Ultimate Guide to Chess ++ Undecided
- Chess - 5334 Problems, Combinations, and Games ++ Great
- The Complete Book of Chess Strategy ++ Undecided
- 300 Most Important Chess Positions ++ Undecided
- The Soviet Chess Primer ++ Good
- Mastering Chess Strategy ++ Undecided
- Learn Chess The Right Way (books 1 - 4) ++ Undecided
- How to Reassess Your Chess 4th edition ++ Not that great
- Silman’s Complete Endgame Course. ++ There are better endgame books, but this may do.

"YouTube channels" ++ Not useful: passive learning.

It's exactly as passive as reading a book. No matter how hard I try, I fail to think of what difference you might see there.

#1

I think your schedule looks great, by the way! You're covering all the important areas, and spacing it out across multiple sessions is a good idea. I would recommend reviewing and amending your schedule regularly, like you mentioned, to make sure you're progressing and not getting stale.

My simple advice: remain in a positive state of mind as you learn. For most of us, regardless of our rating, chess is a 50-50 proposition. Understand that there will be a winning streak to follow the losing.

Learn and apply the most important principles of chess.
Always blunder-check your moves.
Solve tactics in the right way.
Analyze your games.
Study games of strong players.
Learn how to be more psychologically resilient.
Work on your time management skills.
Get a coach if you can.