Why aren't I getting better?

I don't get it. Every day (with few exceptions) I am doing all or most of the following:

1) Play several games of chess online or against Chessmaster

2) Spend at least 30 mins solving tactical puzzles (right now using S. Polgar's book on Chess for Champions)

3) Playing through OTB at least one game from Chernev's "Logical Chess Move by Move"

4) Reviewing my losses and looking for errors

5) Have a FIDE Master analyze some of my losses

Yet my rating is not going up. In fact, after a series of defeats very recently on chess.com I have fallen over 100 ELO points!

I'm putting the time and effort in, so I can't figure out how I seem to be getting worse...

Cheers, Chessoholicalien

I don't think you're getting worse, or not getting better. I really don't believe that rating is a very good indicator of your playing ability. For example, an extremely good player may have some bad days, and drop to a lower rating than he should, while another player may not have improved, but may have gotten lucky one day and jumped to a rating higher than he should. Since you probably will also have good tournaments alongside the bad tournaments, your rating will eventually even out and only then will you know whether you are improving.

For example, you said you lost over 100 ELO points. Don't panic so much about it - just take your time, and keep doing what are you are doing, and I think your rating will go back up.

A few questions:

A) What setting do you use on chessmaster, i.e. is the win easy or hard for you?

B) What strength opponents do you typically play( +50 elo, -100 elo, etc)

C) Do you commit the same errors upon review or did you find a new and exciting way to screw up?(I'm good for finding great ways to hang a key pawn)

D) What advice does the FM give, and are the games submitted to his/her review annotated by either party?

Would you mind posting a game here for analysis? I'm by no means exceptional, however I do have a powerhouse computer with Rybka, so I can probably point out some tactical mistakes and opening errors with the game explorer, as well as our wonderful master crew around here usually pitches in some.

Perhaps you are not getting better because the word aren't is not right.

Yes, that's right.  It's common knowledge that your grammar can be an impediment to the improvement of your game.

While you are correct, these types of comments help no one. This is not english.com but chess.com.

In regards to the original topic, I can only say you are not alone because I too am playing worse than before. I guess this sort of stuff just happens.

You're only playing live, you might find the longer time to think in correspondence gives you more time to implement what you're learning and make any improvement more obvious.

Also you only appear to have been a member for a month.  I'd suggest waiting a bit longer before deciding you aren't improving.

Incidentally, one of the biggest things that I found improved my game was creating a mental checklist that I go through before I commit each move.  The checklist I started with certainly isn't the same checklist I have now (I learned the hard way that I was missing a few things), but the discipline that goes with the habit will likely do your game a world of good.  It may also help to slow your game down so that you have the time to get into the habit (maybe try turn based?).

I prefer correspondence chess exactly for that reason - enough time to think.

Might sound like a silly question, but at what hour do you play rated games?  I found out that if I play too late, my brain is too slow (much slower than usual) and I make incredible mistakes.

I've also found out that live games under 15 minutes are not for me.

Also, the fastest way to loose is to rush for a win.  Take your time.

I sometimes like to play in the morning on weekends, like long games.

But I tend to get addicted to blitz in the evenings, although that's the time of day I really stink.

you should read chess books and study openings.

I have a few suggestions

1) Especially in your most recent couple of games, you've resigned way, way too early. Two of them before move 10 when you've only got a bit worse position or lost one pawn.

2) Look for free material. There were a few times where some pawns were free with not apparant (that I could see) surprise moves waiting. If you see free material, and don't see a trap to it, take it. If it works out, you win. If not, you can see what the trap was and hopefully not fall into it again; though I must admit falling into similar traps many times myself, not convinced they truly work.

I hope this was helpful for you.

Maybe you're working too hard...try giving yourself a break from chess for a week or so and come back to it.  Your mind will be fresh and you may be ready to learn more.

I noticed that focusing on learning to analyze deeply (without taking too much time) is very helpful because that is essencially what you do in chess

Do you do all this training before you play? If so you are already too "chessed out" to properly focus on a game I would think.

 1. play games online and over the board. stop playing against the computer. When you play real time chess make sure you have atleast 15 minutes on the clock, preferably 30 minutes.

2. Don't time the puzzles (i.e. 30 minutes of puzzles), do 20 puzzles per day. As an alternate book to the one you're currently using I suggest Winning Chess Tactics for Juniors.

3. Rather than playing through one game per day, try 2 games per week, 3 days per game.

So you play through one game each day, the same game, for a total of 3 times per game. The first day play through the game ignoring variatons. The second day play through the game and use a second board to play through variations. The third day cover up the moves for the winning side and try to play through the game making the same moves as the winner.

4. When reviewing your losses, look for just 3 reasons why you lost, then note 3 things you could do differently next time. Make sure you do this with games where you had atleast 30 minutes on the clock.

5. Judging by your rating there is no real need for a fide master to look over your games so unless they are doing it for free it's a waste of money.

Finally, chess is not just about adding knowledge, it's also about removing the things blocking you from making the best move, that means getting to know yourself better.

One of the greatest benefits to tactical/other study is that you will experience increased confidence.  The more information you pack into your chess brain, the more will be useful under pressure. 

I find it helpful to do one of two things...

1) (I Prefer this one): Put yourself under pressure!  Go play in some massive tournament and expect yourself to score 4/5 or 5/5 or whatever is almost impossibly challenging but not out of the question.

2) Take a break! ... You'll just frustrate yourself if you don't.

If you keep playing and reviewing your games, you will get better.  Sometimes we all hit plateaus.  Just keep at it.  And remember...you're suppose to be having fun!

So many things go into winning and losing that it is hardly the best short-term indicator of your underlying improvement in knowledge and skill.  For example, your improvement can be masked by the varying quality of your opponents (whose own ratings are not always reliable indicators of their capability).  Your confidence and mental state as you try to apply your knowledge in game situations may not be where you want them - but given some time and an attitude of patience, these attributes are easy enough to acquire.  You clearly have dedicated time and resources to your studies, and have a reasonable program for improvement - Oracle 11 makes some very good suggestions above, but my main suggestion is to trust the benefits of continued study and practice, and be patient.

Let's play a game sometime.  I'm still learning too!

Neil