Have you had chess lessons?

I've always just wanted to be a strong 1800 tournament player. I started playing as an adult so i knew I wouldnt be a master but 1800 has always appealed to me because that is a strong player who will crush all casual players. So my question is...do chess lessons work for adult players who are roughly 1500 online which I'm guessing is 1400 otb. Can I get anything out if it or is my brain locked?

Originally posted by @nevare
I've always just wanted to be a strong 1800 tournament player. I started playing as an adult so i knew I wouldnt be a master but 1800 has always appealed to me because that is a strong player who will crush all casual players. So my question is...do chess lessons work for adult players who are roughly 1500 online which I'm guessing is 1400 otb. Can I get anything out if it or is my brain locked?

You can become an 1800+ player if you get a good coach, and ask the right questions: I did this very same thing and was very close to 1800 (USCF) before I quit chess to pursue other things. Ask your coach to outline for you a study and prep + competition plan of action. Always have your coach analyze your completed tournament games, play over them and pay close attention to your coach's analysis, this will help you avoid repeating mistakes of the past. A coach can only help you so far, but if you're serious about getting to 1800, having a coach is a smart idea. 🙂

P.S. No, I don't think your brain is locked. 😀

Thanks for the advice. 50 dollars an hour omg!

Originally posted by @nevare
I've always just wanted to be a strong 1800 tournament player. I started playing as an adult so i knew I wouldnt be a master but 1800 has always appealed to me because that is a strong player who will crush all casual players. So my question is...do chess lessons work for adult players who are roughly 1500 online which I'm guessing is 1400 otb. Can I get anything out if it or is my brain locked?

I get schooled nearly every time I play.

Originally posted by @nevare
I've always just wanted to be a strong 1800 tournament player. I started playing as an adult so i knew I wouldnt be a master but 1800 has always appealed to me because that is a strong player who will crush all casual players. So my question is...do chess lessons work for adult players who are roughly 1500 online which I'm guessing is 1400 otb. Can I get anything out if it or is my brain locked?

Have you ever read a chess book from cover to cover? If the answer is no, then i would suggest you do that first. At the end of the day, you could have 100 coaches, if you aren't putting the time/effort in then it's a waste of money. I think it's totally possible to get to 1800 without any assistance.

I've studied many books cover to cover. What is wrong with me is I can't figure out the proper strategy when I look at a position. If that makes sense.

Originally posted by @nevare
I've studied many books cover to cover. What is wrong with me is I can't figure out the proper strategy when I look at a position. If that makes sense.

Haha, well that's the kicker right there! If someone has a system for that then i'm all ears 😀

Originally posted by @marinkatomb
Have you ever read a chess book from cover to cover? If the answer is no, then i would suggest you do that first. At the end of the day, you could have 100 coaches, if you aren't putting the time/effort in then it's a waste of money. I think it's totally possible to get to 1800 without any assistance.

I also think that one can reach 1800 without coaching. Plenty of glaring mistakes are made frequently below 1800; a simple opening, knowing the basics, and waiting for a mistake can be a very successful strategy. As an experiment, someone should try playing the London System exclusively and see if my opinion holds true.

I'll get there eventually. You'll see.

Originally posted by @nevare
I've always just wanted to be a strong 1800 tournament player. I started playing as an adult so i knew I wouldnt be a master but 1800 has always appealed to me because that is a strong player who will crush all casual players. So my question is...do chess lessons work for adult players who are roughly 1500 online which I'm guessing is 1400 otb. Can I get anything out if it or is my brain locked?

It is not wise to study for the sole purpose of getting to 1800. When you get there, you will see just how badly 1800 rated players play and you will be disappointed.

Study because you love the game, improvement will sort itself out. I think anyone can get to 2000, if the desire is there.

The key to improvement is experimentation. Don't fall into habits. Try different openings, different playstyles, try all kinds of ideas. Don't be afraid to lose!

Well said.