The Glass Ceiling

I have been playing chess on this fabulous website but I do believe that I have reached my peak now.  My rating is between 1580~1630 dependent upon winning or losing some games.

Does anyone else feel that they have reached their peak?  Has anyone been able to improve their rating?  If so, how did you go about it?

I use tactics trainer nearly everyday (and do see an improvement in this way) but I do have a habit of playing the same way each time.  Just curious.

WhistleBlower,

I know how you feel, it can be tough. I think the best advice I can offer is to play stronger players than who you are playing currently. If you're rated 1600, you should seek out 1800+ players. First of all, you're going to lose most of your games. I'll have to see if I can find the reference, but if a player has a 200 point advantage, he/she should win 75% of the time. If that person has a 400 point advantage, he/she should win over 90% of the time.

The biggest advantage to doing this is playing stronger players will expose your weakness. If you are doing fine against these guys all the way until the endgame, then that's where you need to study. If you're 2 or 3 points down (material-wise) by the 10th move, then you need to study openings. Or maybe you need to learn more about Pawn structure. I think using Pawns effectively is definitely a defining characterisitic between a Class C and Class A player. Pawn levers, isolated Pawns, backward Pawns, and how to successfully Queen a pawn. These are often overlooked skills/tactics by your average player. Most people play until a blunder is made, and then they trade down to the endgame or a resignation.

Anyway, hope that helps. Good luck!

StorminMormon, that is the best advise that I have received.  Thank you for this.  I shall try out playing more stronger players (1800+) to improve both my play, tactics and hopefully my rating.

I never thought it out like you have but thanks again for the help.

Very good advice above and interesting that you explain the importance of pawn-play.  I have learned that pawn structure is of extreme importance.  It is the easiest thing to make a mess of.  In most games of Chess I have ever played where there appears to be no real break-through of tactics, the end-result is better for the player who has made the best pawn structure.

If you think you can't get better than around 1600 then I suggest you look at how you play with your pawns, if your make that part of your game very strong then your rating will improve vastly.  A lot of people think it's the easiest part and rush their pawn moves, this is such a bad idea and why they always lose to higher grades.  Also note that depending on how you position your pawns will determine how well you are able to use the rest of your pieces.  If you put a pawn in a vulnerable place you may find yourself forced to protect it for the rest of the game which disables the ability of some of your other pieces to play their part in winning.