I've found myself floundering between the 1670 and 1730 area for quite some time now... not that it isn't a decent rating but I had found myself improving steadily before this and now I'm having troubles. I found myself being choked by great opponents or simply beat coming out of book lines that I'm not particularly familiar with. Many of them are equal or nearly as skilled as me tactically and when you combine that with the number of threats they are able to develop through positional play and the plethora of blunders I produce, I'm havin a tough time.
My question is along these lines. How would a 1700 level player go about progressing to the 1800 level? Any tips are more than welcome... if you're about to tell me about tactics please go into a bit of detail being as I consider myself a decent tactician.
Thanks 🙂,
Matt
Originally posted by ih8sensThe more relevant question is... how do *you* go about progressing?
How would a 1700 level player go about progressing to the 1800 level?
Forget about your current rating. Forget about what your next ratings will be. Analyse your games to determine your most significant weaknesses. Train specifically to address these weaknesses. Let the rest take care of itself.
Originally posted by ih8sensHow do you define: "quite some time now"? If it is less than a year is nothing. Sometimes you need some time, and after that other progress comes suddenly...the progress is not constant...depends on each...
I've found myself floundering between the 1670 and 1730 area for quite some time now... not that it isn't a decent rating but I had found myself improving steadily before this and now I'm having troubles. I found myself being choked by great opponents or simply beat coming out of book lines that I'm not particularly familiar with. Many of them are equal or ...[text shortened]... go into a bit of detail being as I consider myself a decent tactician.
Thanks 🙂,
Matt
I looked at some of your games.
In these: Game 4133513 and Game 4133513 you swapped off pieces, in particular the queens, when you were material down. This is a big mistake as it makes the win much easier for your opponent. If you are material down then it is important to try to keep as many pieces on the board as possible, especially the queens. Often it is worth doing this even if it means you lose another pawn or two then.
The trick you fell for in Game 4133513 was really quite obvious, you should have wondered why he played his knight to a square where you could take it seemingly for free. In correspondence chess, where you have plenty of time to think it's worth looking for a good reply for your opponent once you have decided on your move (but before you're committed yourself to playing it!)
Originally posted by Fat LadyYou posted the same game three times 😕
I looked at some of your games.
In these: Game 4133513 and Game 4133513 you swapped off pieces, in particular the queens, when you were material down. This is a big mistake as it makes the win much easier for your opponent. If you are material down then it is important to try to keep as many pieces on the board as possible, especially the que ...[text shortened]... onent once you have decided on your move (but before you're committed yourself to playing it!)
Originally posted by Dutch DefenseThat shows how important it was! I meant to post two different games in the first paragraph as they both related to swapping off pieces in positions where ih8sens was material down. In one of these games ih8sens also blundered horribly, assuming his opponent had left a piece en prise.
You posted the same game three times 😕
The other game I meant to refer to in the first paragraph was this one: Game 4134988.
Originally posted by ih8sensstop making big mistakes.
I've found myself floundering between the 1670 and 1730 area for quite some time now... not that it isn't a decent rating but I had found myself improving steadily before this and now I'm having troubles. I found myself being choked by great opponents or simply beat coming out of book lines that I'm not particularly familiar with. Many of them are equal or ...[text shortened]... go into a bit of detail being as I consider myself a decent tactician.
Thanks 🙂,
Matt
as self-evident as that sounds, it really is the bottom line. you just can't afford making big mistakes. you must foresee every move your opponent does, no surprises allowed. if you missevaluate that move, fine. but you must see it coming. if he slowly kills you positionally, that's fine. if you miscalculate something 5+ plies deep, that's okay also. trading material to defend is okay too, but you can't just drop material for no reason at all or miss any kind of 1-movers that weaken your position. ever.
so make sure you don't. absolutely sure.
Originally posted by wormwoodI agree with this.
stop making big mistakes.
as self-evident as that sounds, it really is the bottom line. you just can't afford making big mistakes. you must foresee every move your opponent does, no surprises allowed. if you missevaluate that move, fine. but you must see it coming. if he slowly kills you positionally, that's fine. if you miscalculate someth ...[text shortened]... nd of 1-movers that weaken your position. ever.
so make sure you don't. absolutely sure.
I languished around 1700 for many months, and only when I got a grip and seriously concentrated and analysed every move, in every game, every time, did I start to climb to 1800. After a couple of years of regular defeats to players rated well below me, I now haven't lost to anyone rated less than 1850 in 25 games. This should see me hitting 1800 shortly. Beyond that, I probably need more talent!
that's all very interesting thankyou guys.
Basically what I read from all of your posts is that I really need to do a blunder check before I click that slightly too large submit button.
I'll give it a try, thanks guys.
oh and by the way Fat Lady ... those were the games I was talking about 😛... way to pour salt in the wound 😉.
Here is another skill that must be learned, patience.
Although you seem to favour games that lead to sharp tactical complications, it is more often in chess that wins are grond out from small positional edges rather then massive sacrificial attacks.
So next time you get in a position where your opponent slows the game down and tries to prevent any complications, try and pick on some sort of positional weakness and attempt to build up pressure there rather then looking for instant wins - you will find your position is far less open to counterattack if you play like this as well.
Originally posted by wormwoodwormwood, I'm patiently waiting for you to get an IM norm and write a book about chess learning process. (not being sarcastic here)
stop making big mistakes.
as self-evident as that sounds, it really is the bottom line. you just can't afford making big mistakes. you must foresee every move your opponent does, no surprises allowed. if you missevaluate that move, fine. but you must see it coming. if he slowly kills you positionally, that's fine. if you miscalculate someth nd of 1-movers that weaken your position. ever.
so make sure you don't. absolutely sure.