Trying to get ahead...

Hello community,

Please pardon the below rambling, and accept it as a question for the mass as to how one can continue to grow stronger as a player within his own means, for fun, for the game and helping others around him grow and most importantly, enjoy the game. I know that I probably won't ever reach Grand Master or any of the Master titles for that matter. To me that isn't important. Personally, I have a wonderful love for this game, and simply love playing and teaching others how to play.

I am trying to get ahead in the wonderful world of chess.. Whether that is simply a matter of bettering my own game, or helping others around me excel and become better players themselves. All of this to least to enjoy the game at a much deeper level, for myself, and to allow friends and family enjoy the game as well. I have a passion for this ridiculously beautiful game.

I was taught at a young age, how to "move the pieces", around the age of 4,to be a little more specific. Now, with that said, I have had no formal training and what I talk about to friends and family is based off of my own learnings and experience. I am 25 years of age currently. However, only within the past year or two, have I considered taking chess to a more serious level. Previous to these couple of years I was playing solely from the gut. I didn't know any specific openings or main lines. I would simply act and react. I would push one of my central pawns forward in an attempt at central control. Obviously back those pawns up with minor pieces and then proceed into developing my major pieces, thereafter. Obviously that is an extremely simplified aspect of the game.. I am not looking to be "hated on" here. I know that I suck and, I know that there is an extreme amount of space to grow into. At the same time, because of the history, the space, time and, future, is actually quite limited. Like I said, I am no where near a Master title, and I am ok with the idea of never achieving that title. I just know that I enjoy this game and have, at least an above average, passion for this game. I just want to continue to grow and have fun while playing.. I guess that in itself renders this entire article irrelvant. . Meaning, so long as I am playing, I am having fun and enjoying myself.

Prior to playing here, I thought I was quite a strong player. I had the confidence of knowing about the game from a young age. I would play people around me and WIN!!! After all that is every chess players dream, to win! Friends and family would play with me. As I grew, less and less people would play, as I would win, more and more... Again, this is prior to playing here.

Once I created a profile here, I realized how wrong I was in believing that I was a "strong" player.

That didn't deter me though. Everyone starts with a 1200 rating in every aspect. I dropped to the 600's in blitz if not high 500's.. I hated this.. I thought I was above that. To this day I have not broken 1100. If we look at Tactics, this is my average. Currently I am lower than where I would like to be.. but hey, it is what it is... I am happy playing in general as mentioned.

I have worked myself up to an average blitz rating of around 1000. If you have been playing this game as long as I have.. This is frustrating... This hurts one's pride. Especially with the passion and pride that I have in this. I keep telling myself that the rating doesn't matter, and this is just for fun... With that being said, I have to thank everyone that I have ever played a game with. Everyone that has spent a little bit of time to occupy a bit of one's day. Just to play a game of chess, whether win or lose. Thank you. .

Now days, friends and family refuse to play with me because they lose. LOL, however, my rating here tells me that I have not grown all that much.

Everyone sees and hears all of these crazy success stories of people at the 1800+ rating... LMAO.. I wish I was at that level. Yet these people are asking questions as to how they can become a titled player... Why is that so important?

a title..

title...

I am quite proud. Not many people can say that they have been able to enjoy this game as long as I have, at my age. Now, I am not hating on others that have not had the privilege that I have been able to enjoy.

More or less, I am hating on myself here, I feel like should be much farther in this game than I am currently. My pride is a blinder. Rating set aside, and that idea eats at me within every game I play lately. It is a curse. I feel like every player that I play against, I am better. No matter what their rating is. No matter what my rating is in comparison. Like I am larger than life in my territory.. Well the fact of the matter is that; even in a smaller pond, along may come a larger fish. At that point we either need to adapt or, learn how to cope or attack and manage. Otherwise we get eaten.

We cannot be concerned with titles. We need to just enjoy what we have, what we can do here and now. Move by move. Tactfully, strategically and enjoy the game that we love enough to join a community to fully enjoy and grow from. From there as mentioned, we grow, we get better, and not just better at chess but as people, as humans.. Because as chess players we know how the game relates to life..

Peace my friends, and feel free to add as you feel fit.

-Matt.

You're playing too much blitz, Matt.  All you're doing is learning how to perfect your errors.  As a diamond member you have access to all kinds of ways to improve.  My recommendation is to head over to the Chess Mentor and start doing Patrick Wolff's tactics courses.  He has close to 20 divided by tactical motif so you can start with the easier stuff.  At your level studying tactics probably gives the most bang for the buck, but just doing tactics can be a little frustrating if you don't know what to look for.  IM Danny Rensch has a video series on tactical motifs that covers the same material.  If you decide to try some of GM Wolff's courses don't be afraid to go back and review them.  It's very instructive to go back and see how much you've retained after a week or two.  OK sometimes it can be a little depressing  but you're young and can probably learn new tricks a little easier than this old dog.   Good luck!

Magnus Carlsen has said that he has approx 10,000 master chess games memorized. He has also said that he studies tactics 3 to 4 hours a day, besides his other training specifics. What this relates to you or any one wishing to improve is that it takes time of actual studying, as opposed to playing. Most casual players play a lot of games but don't actually study much. I hear people saying they study tactics 15 minutes a day and wonder why they're not improving. After I'd been playing guitar for a few years, I asked myself, why am I not as good as I'd like to be. Then, I quit my job and practiced 6 to 8 hours a day for six months straight. That's when I got really good. But even then, I didn't make the ability leap until the fourth or fifth month. I'm not recommending to quit your job. What I'm saying is chess is infinitely more complex than music. Also, talent plays a huge factor in both. Just playing games with a minor amount of studying isn't going to get you real progress. Your going to need to play way less games and actually study instead. Yes, your actual playing strength may get a little rusty, but first you need to master tactics. Not just basic pins and forks. I'm talking 2 to 5 move complex maneuvering sequences. Hundreds and hundreds of them, until you can see at a glance. Then you need to learn your chosen openings and acquire strategic ability in some amount of depth. Lastly, you need to make sure your endgame is overall solid so you don't give away advantages. You have to decide how many hours a day you are willing to invest. Whether a major leap is worth it time wise, or maybe keep chess as a casual hobby. Either way, enjoyment is your bottom line criteria.