TheChessWorld.com
TheChessWorld Facebook TheChessWorld Twitter TheChessWorld Pinterest TheChessWorld YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Play
  • Learn
    • Training Techniques
    • Openings
    • Middlegame
    • Endgames
    • General Information
  • Tournaments
  • Academy
  • 21-Day Course
  • Store
    • TheChessWorld
    • TCW Academy
    • Chess-Teacher
    • Modern Chess
    • Roman Chess Lab
    • Foxy Chess
    • Grandmaster Magazine
    • ChessLecture
    • ICC
    • Rules Chess Strategies
    • Others
  • Contact
TheChessWorld.com
Close

GM Alexander Ipatov – How to Improve at Chess

Yury Markushin
Yury Markushin
09.15.2014
666
0
Category: General Information
Tags: alexander ipatov, chess, grandmaster interview, improve chess

I have recently conducted an interview with GM Alexander Ipatov (2615 FIDE) on a topic of improving at chess. Alexander started playing chess at age of 4, became Natianal Master and International Master at 15, Grandmaster at 18. In 2012 he became the FIDE Junior World Champion.

GM Ipatov participated in many prestigious chess events including the 2014 Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway.

 

***

1. What in the most quick and effective way to increase one’s ELO rating studying individually (no coach involved), for chess players 1400 – 1800 ELO.

Answer: I recommend solving chess tactics and studies daily (from 30 minutes to 1 hour), and also analyzing the games of the world champions with their own annotation. I suggest focusing on games of players like Capablanca, Alekhine, Botvinnik and Smyslov. By sticking to this simple routine novice players can quickly improve.

2. Could you suggest an example of an effective training program for chess players 1400 – 1800 strength? What changes in the program once the player’s level goes up?

Answer: When I was younger, I followed the advice from question #1 and it helped me a lot. I recommend that simple outline to anyone looking for improvement. I think chess engines do not play any significant role in improvement of a chess player, at least not until they reach IM/GM level. Currently, I only study chess by skimming through new games, especially paying attention to the opening lines and variations.

3. How much time do players of 1400-1800 strength need to dedicate to studying openings and how should it be done?

Answer: The most important thing in studying chess is to do it systematically (i.e. everyday). Studying only one time per week, even for 8 hours, is not as efficient as multiple times per week. I do not recommend using chess engines for opening preparation to chess players under 2400. Instead, I suggest looking through chess games of strong players (2600+) and trying to understand their plans, ideas behind positioning of pieces, etc.

4. What is the main mistake that most novice chess players make, preventing them from improving at chess?

Answer: Trusting the computer analysis too much and trying to memorize openings, endgames, etc. instead of understanding and ‘feeling’ the positions.

5. Is playing blitz and rapid chess helpful for becoming a better chess player?

 

Answer: If playing against a stronger opponent, from whom you can learn something new, then yes. Generally, I do not suggest spending much time on blitz and especially online chess. That can develop some bad habits such as playing on intuition, not calculating variations and rushing the moves.

6. What chess book has helped you the most?

Answer: I cannot name one single book that helped my chess. The most useful for me was studying chess game collections by strong player (such as in question #1).

7. How much tactics an improving chess player needs to solve daily? What difficulty level that tactics needs to be?

Answer: Tactics should be solved daily from 30 minutes to 1-hour sessions. It makes sense to start from easier problems first and leave harder for the end. Then, once the overall chess level grows, the difficulty of the problems should be increased as well.

8. Do you have a personal chess database with your games, opening preparation, etc.?

Answer: Of course, I have a database with my own annotated games, position analysis and opening preparation. I set ‘goals’ and ‘deadlines’ for chess and life in general.

9. What chess programs do you use?

Answer: I only use ChessBase 12 and Houdini 4 Pro. Good for tournament preparation and game analysis.

10. Is it worthwhile to play against chess engines (handicapped)?

Answer: Honestly I never tried that myself, but heard that some GMs do that. I think it is better to play against real human opponents, since this is whom we face in the tournaments!

Credits: images are courtesy of GM Alexander Ipatov’s official website .

Find this post useful? Share it?
Updated 04.07.2023
GM Alexander Ipatov – How to Improve at Chess
Related Posts
10 Ways to Pressure Your Opponent10 Ways to Pressure Your Opponent25 Chess World Records Most People Don’t Know About25 Chess World Records Most People Don’t Know About10 Best Chess Games by Anatoly Karpov10 Best Chess Games by Anatoly Karpov
Related Products
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Perry Durant
04.07.2015 12:22

if you want to improve study the endgame heard it and read it a thousand times over still good advice!! I studied Alekhines and Spasskys games that helped as well

0
Reply
Todd Mika
09.17.2014 14:01

Great interview, thanks Yury for doing this. It helped me a ton!

0
Reply
Join the FREE Road to 2200 Masterclass (and learn how to Attack Like a Chess Master)
We value your privacy
Supercharge Your Chess in 21 Days!
Join Academy Today!
Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • F.A.Q.
  • Partnership
  • Blog
  • Grandmasters
  • Jobs
Chess Resources
  • TCW Academy
  • The Store
  • 21 Day Course
  • Play Computer
  • TCW Academy Login
Top Resources
  • Opening Lab
  • Mastermind
  • Chess Mastery Series
  • Academy
100% Secure Purchase
Money Back PayPal SSL Comodo
Customer Support +1 (410) 656-9104
Email Us [email protected]
Contact Us
Facebook Twitter Mail Pinterest Youtube
Copyright 2007-2023 • TheChessWorld.com • All Rights Reserved
Cookie Policy | Acceptable Use Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of all the cookies.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz