I want to start getting better by studying now instead of just playing but I dont know where to start? what do you do to study and analyze chess to get better?
"... Logical Chess [(Batsford edition by Chernev)] ... a collection of 33 games ... is definitely for beginners and players who are just starting to learn about development, weak squares, the centre, standard attacking ideas, and the like. In many ways, it would [be] a wonderful 'first' book (or first 'serious' book, after the ones which teach the rules and elementary mates, for example), and a nice gift for a young player just taking up chess. ..." - IM John Watson (1999)
theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/assorted-recent-books
www.amazon.com/Logical-Chess-Every-Explained-Algebraic/dp/0713484640?asin=0713484640&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1004861
“... Certainly for players who do not fully grasp the meaning of terms such as skewer, pin, fork, discovered attack, and the like, Winning Chess [(Batsford edition by Chernev and Reinfeld)] is a wonderful resource to bring the budding player to a much greater appreciation of the game. But also for intermediate players who all too often fall victim to these tactical maneuvers, or who realize in postmortems the many attacking threats they overlooked, this should be a book to consider. ..."
web.archive.org/web/20140708093415/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review919.pdf
"... Silman’s Complete Endgame Course ... I'm convinced that Silman's book will take its place in history as one of the most popular endgame books ever. ... He writes in a clear and casual style, and time and again has shown the ability to reach those who feel intimidated by the lofty approach that a grandmaster will often take. ..." - IM John Watson (2007)
theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/theres-an-end-to-it-all
www.silmanjamespress.com/shop/chess/silmans-complete-endgame-course/
"... For beginning players, [the book, Discovering Chess Openings by GM Emms,] will offer an opportunity to start out on the right foot and really get a feel for what is happening on the board. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2006)
web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
www.amazon.com/Discovering-Chess-Openings-Building-Principles/dp/1857444191?asin=1857444191&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
But perhaps you already know all that stuff. Maybe try one of these:
"... Irving Chernev’s The Most Instructive Games of Chess Every Played was ... originally published ... in 1965. It contains sixty-two well analyzed games, each one possessing both artistic and educational value. Now Batsford has republished Chernev’s book in algebraic format, ..."
chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/most-instructive-games-of-chess-ever-played/
"... The Amateur's Mind ... (for players 1000 to 1600) ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (2010)
www.silmanjamespress.com/shop/chess/the-amateurs-mind-2nd-edition/
"... The Amateur’s Mind ... is one of the best instructive books in print. ..."
web.archive.org/web/20140708094419/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/ammind.pdf
Best Lessons of a Chess Coach
forwardchess.com/sample/best-lessons-of-a-chess-coach:-extended-edition
"... [Simple Chess by GM Stean] will definitely help players in the general rating range of 1300-2000 with their positional play and strategic thinking. ..."
web.archive.org/web/20140708104258/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review400.pdf
store.doverpublications.com/0486424200.html
"How to Reassess Your Chess, 4th Edition was designed for players in the 1400 to 2100 range." - IM Jeremy Silman (2010)
web.archive.org/web/20140708095832/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review769.pdf
www.silmanjamespress.com/shop/chess/how-to-reassess-your-chess-4th-edition/
theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/assorted-recent-books
www.amazon.com/Logical-Chess-Every-Explained-Algebraic/dp/0713484640?asin=0713484640&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1004861
“... Certainly for players who do not fully grasp the meaning of terms such as skewer, pin, fork, discovered attack, and the like, Winning Chess [(Batsford edition by Chernev and Reinfeld)] is a wonderful resource to bring the budding player to a much greater appreciation of the game. But also for intermediate players who all too often fall victim to these tactical maneuvers, or who realize in postmortems the many attacking threats they overlooked, this should be a book to consider. ..."
web.archive.org/web/20140708093415/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review919.pdf
"... Silman’s Complete Endgame Course ... I'm convinced that Silman's book will take its place in history as one of the most popular endgame books ever. ... He writes in a clear and casual style, and time and again has shown the ability to reach those who feel intimidated by the lofty approach that a grandmaster will often take. ..." - IM John Watson (2007)
theweekinchess.com/john-watson-reviews/theres-an-end-to-it-all
www.silmanjamespress.com/shop/chess/silmans-complete-endgame-course/
"... For beginning players, [the book, Discovering Chess Openings by GM Emms,] will offer an opportunity to start out on the right foot and really get a feel for what is happening on the board. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2006)
web.archive.org/web/20140627114655/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen91.pdf
www.amazon.com/Discovering-Chess-Openings-Building-Principles/dp/1857444191?asin=1857444191&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1
But perhaps you already know all that stuff. Maybe try one of these:
"... Irving Chernev’s The Most Instructive Games of Chess Every Played was ... originally published ... in 1965. It contains sixty-two well analyzed games, each one possessing both artistic and educational value. Now Batsford has republished Chernev’s book in algebraic format, ..."
chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/tag/most-instructive-games-of-chess-ever-played/
"... The Amateur's Mind ... (for players 1000 to 1600) ..." - IM Jeremy Silman (2010)
www.silmanjamespress.com/shop/chess/the-amateurs-mind-2nd-edition/
"... The Amateur’s Mind ... is one of the best instructive books in print. ..."
web.archive.org/web/20140708094419/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/ammind.pdf
Best Lessons of a Chess Coach
forwardchess.com/sample/best-lessons-of-a-chess-coach:-extended-edition
"... [Simple Chess by GM Stean] will definitely help players in the general rating range of 1300-2000 with their positional play and strategic thinking. ..."
web.archive.org/web/20140708104258/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review400.pdf
store.doverpublications.com/0486424200.html
"How to Reassess Your Chess, 4th Edition was designed for players in the 1400 to 2100 range." - IM Jeremy Silman (2010)
web.archive.org/web/20140708095832/https://www.chesscafe.com/text/review769.pdf
www.silmanjamespress.com/shop/chess/how-to-reassess-your-chess-4th-edition/
When you play semi-slav, I say opening according to Anand.
and.. read your magazine
and.. read your magazine
1st: just focus on 1 opening with the 3 mostly seen variations at your level. The common move on 3. may not be the same at 1000 as it is at 2500.
Use database and see what you are likely to see the most then review on lesser played variations. Pick 1. Work on it 90% nxt 4 to 6 weeks while just reviewing others. That way you burn it deep into your brain.
If you bounce around learning this then that then that and this you will forget what you learned before.
Since you play white 50% and can determine e4 or d4 pick your goto opening and spend nxt 4 to 6 weeks studying alot of games and play training games. Do more training and analysis and fewer rated games.
Remember to set up positions you are most likely to see not necessarily what Carlsen and So play against each other. But of course understand what the proper moves should've been. You need to understand how to respond to garbage so you take advantage of it instead of being confused.
First 2 weeks focus on first 10 to 12 moves and potential combinations.
Set up highly aggressive positions and learn to precisely stop them early on so you can get an advantage instead of blundering and playing dwn in material.
Nxt 4 weeks start learning positions as deep as move 20 to 24. If still making errors put in another 2 weeks before focusing on another opening.
Then work on black to e4 for 6 to 8 weeks. Then black to d4. After that refresh each one 2weeks each.
Then take 4 weeks to work on lesser seen variations that might be giving you fits. For example:: panov attack and Meran. Or Trompowsky and Albin.
Use database and see what you are likely to see the most then review on lesser played variations. Pick 1. Work on it 90% nxt 4 to 6 weeks while just reviewing others. That way you burn it deep into your brain.
If you bounce around learning this then that then that and this you will forget what you learned before.
Since you play white 50% and can determine e4 or d4 pick your goto opening and spend nxt 4 to 6 weeks studying alot of games and play training games. Do more training and analysis and fewer rated games.
Remember to set up positions you are most likely to see not necessarily what Carlsen and So play against each other. But of course understand what the proper moves should've been. You need to understand how to respond to garbage so you take advantage of it instead of being confused.
First 2 weeks focus on first 10 to 12 moves and potential combinations.
Set up highly aggressive positions and learn to precisely stop them early on so you can get an advantage instead of blundering and playing dwn in material.
Nxt 4 weeks start learning positions as deep as move 20 to 24. If still making errors put in another 2 weeks before focusing on another opening.
Then work on black to e4 for 6 to 8 weeks. Then black to d4. After that refresh each one 2weeks each.
Then take 4 weeks to work on lesser seen variations that might be giving you fits. For example:: panov attack and Meran. Or Trompowsky and Albin.
I use lichess studies. You can use the player database to see what lines you already play the most and add them to the study more easily. Don't worry too much with how well organized your studies are, you can always improve that later. After that's done you can start analyzing them with the help of the lichess database and engine. I'd recommend you to use an external engine if you want to get the best analysis (video if you want to learn how to enable it www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4aXwk_VQVw).
When analyzing your games, you should open the relevant study to see where the game took a new path -> this is what will help you improve your openings the most.
When analyzing your games, you should open the relevant study to see where the game took a new path -> this is what will help you improve your openings the most.
Your ratings are way higher than mine, so I can't really recommend anything, but anyway...
I use mainly books. As I prefer less moves and diagrams and more explanation, I like (in no particular order):
- Ludek Pachman "Modern Chess Strategy".
- Aaron Nimzowitsch "My System".
- Neil McDonald and Lakdawala books on openings.
- Boris Zlotnik "Middlegame Manual".
- Games analysis (like Bronstein or Najdorf books on Zurich 1953 Candidates Tournament, or My Great Predecessors by Kasparov).
If you know them, I would like to know your thougths on these or other similar books. Currently searching some endgame books (Paul Keres was recommended in this forum) and pawn playing (are Soltis and Marovic works any good?).
I use mainly books. As I prefer less moves and diagrams and more explanation, I like (in no particular order):
- Ludek Pachman "Modern Chess Strategy".
- Aaron Nimzowitsch "My System".
- Neil McDonald and Lakdawala books on openings.
- Boris Zlotnik "Middlegame Manual".
- Games analysis (like Bronstein or Najdorf books on Zurich 1953 Candidates Tournament, or My Great Predecessors by Kasparov).
If you know them, I would like to know your thougths on these or other similar books. Currently searching some endgame books (Paul Keres was recommended in this forum) and pawn playing (are Soltis and Marovic works any good?).
Go through the article it really helped me a lot in my learning
chessgaja.com/2023/03/29/theoretical-and-practical-aspects-of-chess-improvement-by-a-grandmaster/
chessgaja.com/2023/03/29/theoretical-and-practical-aspects-of-chess-improvement-by-a-grandmaster/
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