My current USCF rating is at 1314. I study a lot, know my openings, do some tactics, look over chess games, but I just can't get any better. When I play stronger opponents, I end up losing positionally and cant pinpoint any place where I lost.
Here is a game I would like you all to see to get a sense of how I play (I am white against a 1644)
After a quick glance at your game it seems to me you should be investing some time in learning and mastering concepts such as time, space, development and piece activity. I suggest you start by reading Seirawan's Winning Chess Strategy. You don't need to invest too much time in studying strategy, it sticks easily and makes quite some sense, but make sure you read with care and attention otherwise the knowledge might be wasted.
My current USCF rating is at 1314. I study a lot, know my openings, do some tactics, look over chess games, but I just can't get any better. When I play stronger opponents, I end up losing positionally and cant pinpoint any place where I lost.
You have a higher rating than me, therefore I hate you. (joking)
The general idea is to find your weakest link in the "chess chain of knowledge". Go over your finished games preferably with a stronger player, or at least with an engine to spot your tactical blunders. (When you play in tournaments, do you ask your opponents for post-mortem analysis? If not, you should.)
You had a won ending here but blew it, walking into a mate-in-one. (The winning idea was to trade off the rooks and the pawn endgame is winning with the distant passed pawns. For example, 35.Rxe6) Were you in time trouble at the end? (What was the time control? ) If not, shame on you for playing hope chess!
Originally posted by Mad Rook You have a higher rating than me, therefore I hate you. (joking)
The general idea is to find your weakest link in the "chess chain of knowledge". Go over your finished games preferably with a stronger player, or at least with an engine to spot your tactical blunders. (When you play in tournaments, do you ask your opponents for post-mortem analysis? If no ...[text shortened]... trouble at the end? (What was the time control? ) If not, shame on you for playing hope chess!
Originally posted by ketchuplover Without hope chess some have no hope!
True, but Heisman's term "hope chess" is perhaps a bit misleading. It really means that you are not looking at the moves your opponent can play in response to your candidate moves. Therefore, in hope chess, unforced mate-in-ones can happen.
The only knowledge that improves your chess is that which helps you to come to accurate evaluations and find the strongest continuation in a position you are unfamiliar.
3.d3 looks playable but not recommended if you wanna clobber thy opponent quickly.
3.d4 would be closer to the centre and would grant white a bit more space.
5.g4 looks like it may be good....If black captures with his knight 5...Nxg4 white can play into the centre with 6.e4 and notice that black just moved his knight away from the centre by taking on g4. If black captures with his pawn 5...fxg4 he once again is moving away from the centre and white can reply 6.Ng5 without fearing 6...h6 since that would simply boot the knight into the centre via 7.Ne4. It`s important to notice that booting the knight with 6...h6 doesn`t gain time since the move 6...h6 isn`t a developing move or a move that black would wanna play if it wasn`t attacking the knight.
5.Bd2 like you played is playable but I recommend striving to not attack your own pieces. Also notice that white need not be afraid of black doubling his pawns since he could recapture towards the centre.
6.g3 is a very normal move no doubt but once again you could play to g4.Another thing to notice is that if black takes with his knight white could put a rook on the g file.
11.e4 might be good since after 11...fxg4 12.Nmoves somewhere notice the e pawn is pinned.
After a quick look one thing I noticed is white never really threatened at the beginning. White was reacting and matching black's moves. Then at the endgame you should have exchanged rooks. Black couldn't attack white's pawns that are spread out and protect his own pawns. Just a few observations from a mediocre player who probably should be quiet.
Help I have A Rating Plateau
05 Sep '10 05:48
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