When to Get a Chess Tutor

I have 'played' chess all my life, but only recently taken a greater interest in it and have actively started studying. I feel quite overwhelmed and hover between 450 and 500.

I am not quite sure how to improve my chess. It feels like it would be a bit silly to get a tutor at this point, but I feel like I would have some guidance rather than practicing poorly. Perfect practice make perfect.

Could you advise if getting a tutor would be helpful, or if there is a different strategy that I should take?

Thank you in advance for any help.

I'd say get a book like Play Winning Chess by Seirawan.

https://www.amazon.com/Play-Winning-Chess-Yasser-Seirawan/dp/1857443314

That will cover all the basics. Also play games with long time controls and do your best to check whether your intended move is safe before playing it (and whether your opponent's last move gave you something for free).

That'll give you the foundation of knowledge and skill.

Your daily rating is a lot higher than your rapid rating, so that suggests that 10 minute games are too short for you. Playing slower games will give you more time to think and will help you to win more games.

Getting a tutor would help, but it costs money and you should be able to get your rating up quite a bit just by reading a book or two and playing slower games, double checking that all of your moves are safe before you make them.

KevinOSh Thank you! Yes, I do better when I take my time, but the 10-minute games are too stressful and I can't think well.

M1m1c15 How can I do chess without people cheating?

llama47 Thank you—ordered!