Skip to content
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

5 Proven Ways to Improve at Chess

WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
WGM Raluca Sgîrcea, IM Renier Castellanos
01.16.2017
Category: Training Techniques
Tags: chess training, endgame training, improve at chess, learn chess
5 Proven Ways to Improve at Chess

Improving at chess has to be one of the most mysterious things in all sports. The training of the mind is not as easily measured as the physical training, for example. While running, lifting weights or swimming will transform you and you will see results in a short amount of time after doing it, it is not that simple with chess.

There is one phrase by the great Viktor Korchnoi that can resume this: “Chess you don’t learn, chess you understand”!

Basically, what it means is that it takes a longer time until all the information and experiences you have of the game start coming together as a whole and you become a stronger player. This can be seen when people who trained a lot did not achieve their best results during the period of training, but then, after a while, they start scoring and their knowledge is finally showing. Training is a very important thing for every player; it not only improves your actual strength, but it is also a boost for your confidence when competition begins. There is nothing like going to an exam well prepared!

In this article, we are going to list 5 methods of training that are proven to give results in short term if done regularly. Our list is of course not the ultimate word on it and the order used is not by the level of importance; we consider all five points to be effective methods of improving yourself.

1.Receive help from a professional coach

Not everyone can afford this but a professional coach will surely help you, a lot. Even Grandmasters hire seconds and training sessions with strong players. An outsider will be more critical with your play and point the areas that need to be worked in order to get better. It can also be very helpful to learn and practice openings as well as to analyze your own games.

2.Solving exercises

This is perhaps the most effective way of training on your own. Solving all kinds of exercises – positional, tactical, defensive, will definitely boost your level of confidence and obviously make you more skilled when it comes to playing the game. Give yourself a limited amount of time for each exercise and write your answers, take it seriously. Not only solving puzzles but also studies will improve your imagination. This is a very effective way of training. However, this alone is not enough.

3.Endgame training

Yes! Capablanca was known as a great endgame player and he was one to say that a player should start with learning the endgame, but who has listened? Not many. It is true that today you need to know theory in order to survive the opening, but it should not take all the time you have for training. Knowing by heart theoretical endgames and endgame theory (concepts of what to do in certain situations) will make you a stronger player.

4.Study books

There are several great books out there. We suggest you study the classics – not only the world champions but also the games of strong Grandmasters who did not become world champions, for example, Korchnoi, Keres, Geller, Polugaevsky, Portisch. Those were big names in our chess history and we still can learn a lot from them. Going through a good collection of annotated games and stopping at the key moments to calculate options and understand what the author is telling you will also make you play better.

5.Analysis of your own games

Last but not least! And do not underestimate the importance of this method, if done right it will make you a better player. In order to learn from your mistakes and see the faults and highlights of your play one need to review his own games.

The method to do it is without an engine, ideally, a coach or a colleague can add up to the analysis. Annotate the improvements you find as well as the mistakes, variations, thoughts, everything. Once you do this, you are free to run the engine and compare its lines with your suggested moves; you’ll see whether you were right or far from the truth. It will come a time when your analysis will not be too different from what the engine is suggesting!

The methods listed above are not the only ways to make you a better player, but they do work when they are done correctly. Of course, it takes the time to do any of it so we suggest you to be alternating, doing this and then that depending on your availability. We hope this guide will serve you well in the future and if you have any other idea for training feel free to let us know! Thank you for reading.

Find this post useful? Share it?
Become a Chess Player You've Meant to Be!
TCW Academy is the fast, fun & convenient way to become a MUCH better chess player.
Join Academy Today!

Related Posts

  • 9 Reasons Why You Are Not Improving at Chess9 Reasons Why You Are Not Improving at Chess
  • How to Beat a Club PlayerHow to Beat a Club Player
  • Improving Calculation for Club PlayersImproving Calculation for Club Players
Related Products
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Login
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
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!
TheChessWorld.com
Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • F.A.Q.
  • Partnership
  • Blog
  • Grandmasters
  • Jobs
Chess Resources
  • TCW Academy
  • The Store
  • 21 Day Course
  • Play Computer
Top Resources
  • Opening Lab
  • Mastermind
  • Chess Mastery Series
  • Academy
100% Secure Purchase
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
wpDiscuz