Taking a break.

Jakal

Only Chess

16 Mar 09

Jakal

Joined: 16 Apr 08
Moves: 34283

16 Mar 09

1 edit

I feel like I have plateaued. I saw an improvement in my performance in the past 10 months, but I've been stagnating for the past 3 or so months. I play on this site, read chess books, work on positional play, study openings ect...

In your experience, how do I move on to the next level? Should I take a little break or keep working at it? I love the game, but lately feel like "I can't see the board" (i.e., I am missing easy combinations, hanging pieces, ect...). What should I do?

Redmike

Godless Commie

Glasgow

Joined: 06 Jan 04
Moves: 171019

17 Mar 09

You need to subscribe.

The system here automatically hides pieces from you after 10 months, so that you think you are losing to silly errors, just to prevent you from thinking you are improving.

You could try switching openings if things are a bit stale.

Badwater

Joined: 07 Jan 08
Moves: 34575

17 Mar 09

Originally posted by Jakal
I feel like I have plateaued.... What should I do?

What do you do for study, if anything at all?

Katastroof

Hollow earth

Joined: 29 Apr 08
Moves: 2472

17 Mar 09

Originally posted by Jakal
I feel like I have plateaued. I saw an improvement in my performance in the past 10 months, but I've been stagnating for the past 3 or so months. I play on this site, read chess books, work on positional play, study openings ect...

In your experience, how do I move on to the next level? Should I take a little break or keep working at it? I love the game, b ...[text shortened]... the board" (i.e., I am missing easy combinations, hanging pieces, ect...). What should I do?

Maybe you studied too hard?Take a break from your studies but keep playing.Play casual,not trying too hard.The stuff you studied should begin to sink in after a while.Your chess blindness is a temporary thing,happens to many,if not all,players.

Badwater

Joined: 07 Jan 08
Moves: 34575

17 Mar 09

Originally posted by Jakal

In your experience, how do I move on to the next level?

It sounds like tactics is the big thing for you, which is not surprising at your (or my) level. Go here if you haven't already:

http://chess.emrald.net/

Do as much tactical work as you can stand but don't go overboard. 10 mins of some solid study is going to be better than pounding through an hour of it. Especially if you think you're missing what you think should be easy tactical situations, warm up on 10 or 15 mins of this before looking at a rated game.

Badwater

Joined: 07 Jan 08
Moves: 34575

17 Mar 09

Originally posted by Badwater
What do you do for study, if anything at all?

What I meant to say is 'How are you studying?' What books are you reading? How are you studying positions, tactics, or openings? Are you studying endgames at all? As in all types of learning, some methods of study are better than others for a given person.