Trend: Skill and Rating

at least once a week for a few hours. I try to play OTB for a couple hours 2-3 times a week and have seen good results. But you have to make due with what you have

If possible, one serious long game a week (~50/year) is good.

However, you should make sure you can analyze this game with strong players for full benefits.

In terms of hours studied per week...

I cannot remember the numbers but a few years ago I used a chess clock to track how much time I was actually studying. If you have from 7-9 PM every night that does not mean you are studying 2 hours per night. Many things eat into this (another cup of tea, watching that sports highlight on TV, etc.).

It is much more difficult that it sounds imo to spend 2 hours studying per night.

Gerry

When I say study and play for 3-4-12 h at a time, believe me, the only break I take is to grab a drink (I only eat once a day) or go to the bathroom. I am very obsessive when it comes to chess. Its what I do every free chance I get. If I have 10 minutes at work in between jobs, TT, if I have an hour in the morning before everyone else gets in, play my CC games, when I eat, I watch chess videos, at night I play live chess on other sites for a change of atmosphere. It helps that I don't watch TV, I don't care for sports, I don't drink, I don't do anything except work and chess (I'll stop for sex...lol). So I say I get at least 3 h a day, 3-4h at the club/OTB a week, and 12h pure ply/study on Sundays (my only day off).

What? Only 3h a day? What a miserable life Luckily 12 h on a sunday.