I am a senior citizen making one last attempt to play OTB chess. I started playing 15 years ago, primarily as a correspondence player at another site. I know my openings very well (aggressive 1. d4 2.c4, Sicilian Scheveningen, Benko Gambit), but trying to play quickly is my downfall.

I hope to start a chess blog called the The Steep and Rocky Path to Chess Improvement. GM Alex Yermolinsky wrote an excellent book "The Road to Chess Improvement". I envision Alex cruising down a well paved German Autobahn in a sleek Ferrari, while us amateurs have bloody hands and feet climbing our more difficult path. I have been stuck at the 1500-1600 level for 10 years now, and time is running out to see if I can get better.

I am trying to find opponents that play serious opening that I will face when I play OTB. I will "block" you if you play silly stuff like 1. d4 d5 . 2. c4 Nf6, or 1. e4 c5 2. Bc4

Every time I try to play blitz I get so frustrated I quit for a few months. I am a big fan of streamer IM John Bartholomew. He has recommended playing 15/10 games, so I will give that a try.

SteepRockyPath