Is it possible to improve alone?

do you think it is possible to improve alone? without help from coaches and such. If so , what must be done to improve at the game?

Originally posted by theamateur
do you think it is possible to improve alone? without help from coaches and such. If so , what must be done to improve at the game?

yes

i heard that socialising with strong players is a must?

I heard a rumour that even a player around 2060 would be able to help you, for a small fee of course...

Originally posted by Tyrannosauruschex
I heard a rumour that even a player around 2060 would be able to help you, for a small fee of course...

Thats good...because you aren't around 2060...you are 2060 🙄

and are you talking about years? 😲

start here:

http://chess.emrald.net/index.php

100 problems a day, preferably 200. don't slack off unless you really need it.



and here's some food for thought from GM ziatdinov. pay attention to the last line:

"To study tactics, I recommend my timed tactical software program, or similar software programs. A good book of combinations is beneficial too, but less efficient and not as fun. Basically, set up a cycle of ten positions, go through them until you get a perfect score, then set a cycle from 10-20, get a 100% score, then go through problems 1-20, repeating this cycle until you can go through 1000 problems "by hand" (not mind) without any mistakes. If you try this method with my tactics program and complete it, you will have the tactical ability of a Grandmaster. I have had more than a hundred students and nobody had enough will power to finish this tactical training method. Is it my students or is it me? Well, take only thirty minutes a day and slowly memorize 1000 problems; take a year or two if you have to. It comes down to will power, and that I cannot provide."

That is a great training method by that grand - but where would somebody be able to find so many tactical puzzles? It would take ages to keep setting up the positions on a board.

its only 1000 problems....use reinfelds books

books like test your tactical Ability already has over 300 intermediate to advanced problems though i think that ziatdinov also has a book he published which consists of just positions in his games . Thanks, i think i am going to try that exercise out

Originally posted by theamateur
do you think it is possible to improve alone? without help from coaches and such. If so , what must be done to improve at the game?

I never used any material to improve my game other than playing and improved 1400 => 1700. Just as long as you analyze thoroughly. (My rating is inaccurate as of now since I got ~30 T/O this past month due to being unable to get on the comp..)

Originally posted by wormwood
start here:

http://chess.emrald.net/index.php

100 problems a day, preferably 200. don't slack off unless you really need it.



and here's some food for thought from GM ziatdinov. pay attention to the last line:

"To study tactics, I recommend my timed tactical software program, or similar software programs. A good book of combinations ...[text shortened]... or two if you have to. [b]It comes down to will power, and that I cannot provide."[/b]

I found this to be a cool site but it hurt my eyes looking through the screen. I'd say if you want to practice, use a book !

Originally posted by theamateur
do you think it is possible to improve alone? without help from coaches and such. If so , what must be done to improve at the game?

Yes- I got from 1100-1650 USCF in A year in half with just books, software, and playing tournaments

Originally posted by theamateur
do you think it is possible to improve alone? without help from coaches and such. If so , what must be done to improve at the game?

I think so. I just have a old chess board, my dad used, when he was a kid (Actually, my dad gave it to me because I really wanted it) and now I play good (NO ONE MASTERS CHESS!!!), so thanks to that.🙂

Originally posted by chesskid001
Yes- I got from 1100-1650 USCF in A year in half with just books, software, and playing tournaments

well at least you can play in tournaments frequentlly...

Originally posted by theamateur
do you think it is possible to improve alone? without help from coaches and such. If so , what must be done to improve at the game?

What do we mean by 'alone'?

With a couple of good book I can take part of the authors best mentorship, but I'm still alone.
With the aid of RHP, I can play without seeing another face and therefore I am completely alone.
With a computer chess program, like chessmaster and such, I can play the program without even be near anouther person.

Yes, I think I can improve myself, all by myself, conciderably without even playing a single game face-to-face.