Originally posted by messplayerYes play, play play, tactics, tactics, tactics. SirloseAlot has the other key, endgame endgame endgame. Best look up the endgame principles and ideas and then setup your own endgames and play them through. Basicly forget openings and forget books like Art of Attack :-)
So nothing else will bring me to 1500's as easily as playing and tactics?
Originally posted by messplayererm, practice friend who is a few hundred points above you. It doesnt have to be foral they just have to be able to fill in the gaps stopping you getting to 1300-1400. A GM might be able to offer you no end of advice about your game but most of it couldnt be put into practice.
when you say mentor do you mean chess teacher or something more informal?