Studying chess isn't precise. For you, pick a couple standard openings, learn the main ideas and variations, with the idea of reaching a playable middlegame. Learn the basic endgame patters with the idea of being able to convert an advantage to a full point. Then concentrate on tactics, tactics and more tactics.
Rating 1600
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Solicion I'm in a similar boat, around 1550 here, 1450 otb, want to some day reach 2000. CarlMI's post about tactics tallies with most of the advice I've gotten from better players. At first I underestimated this, thinking I was sharp enough tactically and needed to learn reams of theory, but computer analysis of my games shocked me when I saw how much I was regularly missing. Using tactics trainer here regularly for the last few months has seen me improve, very gradually, but then the upward trend is continual. I think one of the key differences between a 1600-1900 player and a 1400-1500 player is that they very seldom miss a tactical shot. So I'm spending about 40-50 per cent of the study time I have on tactics. What do other people think? Anyone with a conflicting view?
Tactics are clearly the best path to improvement. But the key is understanding the pattern of the tactics. I go over problems every day and look for new patterns.
Also endgame technique is a good way to practice as it involves mostly calculation and that is a skill that will help in the other phases of the game.
Also careful and objective analysis of your games--I tend to write what I am thinking and the variations right after the game ends. Then later I look at the game, either with a strong friend or a computer and check my analysis. More importantly I check my thought process during he game to see what I was missing.
Well, I am not trying to plug paid membership, but I only have to look at my ratings graph to see when I got my gold membership. Daily bouts on the tactics trainer has moved me from 1400 to 1700 in less then 6 months. There are other tactics websites if you just cannot swing the membership here. I also picked up CT ART on ebay and it has really been a nice supplement.
Tactics tactics tactics. De la Maza is kind of an arrogant wanker and his book is WAY too expensive (especially because he already made the content available for free online), but he is spot on that players rated under 2000 should focus 90 plus % on tactics. Actually he says 100%, but nobody does that.
I am about a 1400 rating and it fluctuates alot between 1350 1450 at least on this site. A good estimate of tournament rating was that I would be about 1325ish from an experienced tournament player that plays with me ALOT. I want to reach 1600 rating by February 28, 2010 and it is now October 16, 2009. I don't know what to study as everything is very difficult to find at my level. I read books and get information for very beginners and things for very advanced players. When I study chess I want it to be very productive. I don't want to study things that go over my head quickly and things that I already understand. Any ideas on how to approach studying chess very precisely in the way I need to?