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ceblair

In my own play (1600 more or less), I lose by (1) drifting into a position where I can't develop my pieces (2) overlooking a pin, fork, or something similar. If you are losing a lot of games by (2) in positions which have NOT already gotten into trouble because of (1), you might want to spend time on tactics books or the "puzzles" section of this website. If you want to get better results against people who are maybe 100 points higher-rated, you will have to learn about things like weak squares, outposts, open files, etc. MAYBE an indicator that (2) is an issue is seeing the computer change its assessment of your position from "about even" to "losing" after just one move. When you get to studying "positional" stuff, you will almost certainly find you need to memorize some opening stuff, but don't overdo that.

In my own play (1600 more or less), I lose by (1) drifting into a position where I can't develop my pieces (2) overlooking a pin, fork, or something similar. If you are losing a lot of games by (2) in positions which have NOT already gotten into trouble because of (1), you might want to spend time on tactics books or the "puzzles" section of this website. If you want to get better results against people who are maybe 100 points higher-rated, you will have to learn about things like weak squares, outposts, open files, etc. MAYBE an indicator that (2) is an issue is seeing the computer change its assessment of your position from "about even" to "losing" after just one move. When you get to studying "positional" stuff, you will almost certainly find you need to memorize some opening stuff, but don't overdo that.
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kindaspongey

@ceblair said in #21:

... When you get to studying "positional" stuff, you will almost certainly find you need to memorize some opening stuff, but don't overdo that.

My impression is that the material in the Structures book is more connected to specific openings than the material in the Amateur book.

@ceblair said in #21: > ... When you get to studying "positional" stuff, you will almost certainly find you need to memorize some opening stuff, but don't overdo that. My impression is that the material in the Structures book is more connected to specific openings than the material in the Amateur book.
tpr

Most commentators seem more qualified to recommend what not to do and how not to reach 2000.
Some bad books have been recommended and some good books scoffed, but books are not the essence.
First steps:

  1. Do not play bullet. Play 15+10 and use all your time.
  2. Blunder check before you move. Enable move confirmation in your playing profile.
    Example:
    This was a 10+0 game, meant to last 20 minutes, over in 15 seconds:
    https://lichess.org/game/EWkcWjpc#6
Most commentators seem more qualified to recommend what not to do and how not to reach 2000. Some bad books have been recommended and some good books scoffed, but books are not the essence. First steps: 1) Do not play bullet. Play 15+10 and use all your time. 2) Blunder check before you move. Enable move confirmation in your playing profile. Example: This was a 10+0 game, meant to last 20 minutes, over in 15 seconds: https://lichess.org/game/EWkcWjpc#6
PureProgressionFTW

@tpr said ^

Do not play bullet. Play 15+10 and use all your time.

Definitely take this on board. At least 10 5.

I've wasted so much time on bullet (mostly on different accounts).

All the training in concentration is pointless if you're gonna spaz out on bullet, knowledge is useless if you have no time to apply it.

@tpr said [^](/forum/redirect/post/NhcXZh5R) > Do not play bullet. Play 15+10 and use all your time. Definitely take this on board. At least 10 5. I've wasted so much time on bullet (mostly on different accounts). All the training in concentration is pointless if you're gonna spaz out on bullet, knowledge is useless if you have no time to apply it.
ChessPriyome

@kindaspongey said ^
Well, if you get in touch with John Hartmann (who wrote for Chess Life), I suppose that you can communicate with him about his use of the word, “positional”...

Now you are just blowing steam. I have 'Chess Structures' right in front of me. I actively read it. And arguing about word usage in a review that is a decade old is just silly. I'm sure Mr. Hartmann can defend his words. I'm not that interested in his opinions on the book. They are just that - his opinions.

I'd love to hear an opinion from you that is your own, and so would others, I'm sure. That would be something novel.

@kindaspongey said [^](/forum/redirect/post/6uUijUFl) Well, if you get in touch with John Hartmann (who wrote for Chess Life), I suppose that you can communicate with him about his use of the word, “positional”... Now you are just blowing steam. I have 'Chess Structures' right in front of me. I actively read it. And arguing about word usage in a review that is a decade old is just silly. I'm sure Mr. Hartmann can defend his words. I'm not that interested in his opinions on the book. They are just that - his opinions. I'd love to hear an opinion from you that is your own, and so would others, I'm sure. That would be something novel.
tpr

As long as the original poster hangs knights and does not take hanging rooks, then pawn structures should worry him least.

As long as the original poster hangs knights and does not take hanging rooks, then pawn structures should worry him least.
kindaspongeyedited

@ChessPriyome said in #15:

... "The biggest ratings gains usually come from Middlegame planning, Pawn structure understanding, and Endgame technique."

These should be at the forefront of any study routine. ...
...
Pawn Structure: Chess Structures: A Grandmaster Guide by Mauricio Flores Rios
Teaches you how to play five structure families plus a miscellaneous section. ...

@kindaspongey said in #16:

... "... Chess structures: A Grandmaster Guide is not a primer of positional play; ... Instead, you might think of Chess Structures as positional chess 'finishing school.' ..." - John Hartmann (2015)
...
@saoirsia said in #1:

... My current rating on Chess.com is around 800 Elo, ...

For now, my guess is that an adequate introduction to pawn structure could be found in the 38-page-chapter on the subject in The Amateur's Mind. ...

@ChessPriyome said in #18:

... Chess Structures is not strictly a positional book. It deals with Pawn Structures and how to play for and against them. This I have read mostly, as well. ...

@kindaspongey said in #19:

... Well, if you get in touch with John Hartmann (who wrote for Chess Life), I suppose that you can communicate with him about his use of the word, “positional”. ...

@ChessPriyome said in #27:

... And arguing about word usage in a review that is a decade old is just silly. ...

I don't particularly recommend that you argue with John Hartmann, but, if you want to discuss the word choice, that is the only place that I can think of for you to go.

@ChessPriyome said in #27:

... Mr. Hartmann ... I'm not that interested in his opinions on the book. ...

I thought that saoirsia (as an around-800 Chess.com player) might be interested in the "finishing school" characterization of the Structures book.

@ChessPriyome said in #27:

... I'd love to hear an opinion from you that is your own, ...

For now, my guess is that an adequate introduction (for saoirsia) to pawn structure could be found in the 38-page-chapter on the subject in The Amateur's Mind.

@tpr said in #28:

As long as the original poster hangs knights and does not take hanging rooks, then pawn structures should worry him least.

Perhaps, even the Silman chapter would be overdoing it.

@ChessPriyome said in #15: > ... **"The biggest ratings gains usually come from Middlegame planning, Pawn structure understanding, and Endgame technique."** > > These should be at the forefront of any study routine. ... > ... > Pawn Structure: Chess Structures: A Grandmaster Guide by Mauricio Flores Rios > Teaches you how to play five structure families plus a miscellaneous section. ... @kindaspongey said in #16: > ... "... Chess structures: A Grandmaster Guide is not a primer of positional play; ... Instead, you might think of Chess Structures as positional chess 'finishing school.' ..." - John Hartmann (2015) > ... > @saoirsia said in #1: > > ... My current rating on Chess.com is around 800 Elo, ... > > For now, my guess is that an adequate introduction to pawn structure could be found in the 38-page-chapter on the subject in The Amateur's Mind. ... @ChessPriyome said in #18: > ... Chess Structures is not strictly a positional book. It deals with Pawn Structures and how to play for and against them. This I have read mostly, as well. ... @kindaspongey said in #19: > ... Well, if you get in touch with John Hartmann (who wrote for Chess Life), I suppose that you can communicate with him about his use of the word, “positional”. ... @ChessPriyome said in #27: > ... And arguing about word usage in a review that is a decade old is just silly. ... I don't particularly recommend that you argue with John Hartmann, but, if you want to discuss the word choice, that is the only place that I can think of for you to go. @ChessPriyome said in #27: > ... Mr. Hartmann ... I'm not that interested in his opinions on the book. ... I thought that saoirsia (as an around-800 Chess.com player) might be interested in the "finishing school" characterization of the Structures book. @ChessPriyome said in #27: > ... I'd love to hear an opinion from you that is your own, ... For now, my guess is that an adequate introduction (for saoirsia) to pawn structure could be found in the 38-page-chapter on the subject in The Amateur's Mind. @tpr said in #28: > As long as the original poster hangs knights and does not take hanging rooks, then pawn structures should worry him least. Perhaps, even the Silman chapter would be overdoing it.
be-kind-always

@sayedizhaan said

You cannot reach 2000 within the next year; it is difficult

Ofcourse he can. I did, putting only about 1hr each day.

Start coaching with an expert
If you are not able to find coaches, then open this Lichess page and see what suits you
https://lichess.org/coach

You do not need a coach to reach 2000. I know I didn't.

Play at least 10 games per day, with 2 to 3 bullet and the rest rapid and sometimes classical

More like 2-3 rapid, sometimes classical and seldom blitz. Never bullet.

Aim for 1000 games per year on Lichess
Do some math if you play 10 games per day then its approximately 300 games per month now 300 multiply by 12 months = 3600 games per year and watch grandmaster videos while playing Chess

What's the point of watching when you cannot understand? Instead, utilise resources like studies, YouTube channels -- GM Ramachandran Ramesh (a bit advanced), Advice Cabinet, GM Daniel Naroditsky are all wonderful channels that explain moves and their purpose clearly.

But I recommend just play 1000 games per year
Last thing just puzzles will not improve it will give you tactics, but if you play games, you will have experience

No... just playing is not enough. And puzzles + chess compositions if studied well will definitely improve your play!

@sayedizhaan said > You cannot reach 2000 within the next year; it is difficult Ofcourse he can. I did, putting only about 1hr each day. >Start coaching with an expert If you are not able to find coaches, then open this Lichess page and see what suits you https://lichess.org/coach You do not need a coach to reach 2000. I know I didn't. >Play at least 10 games per day, with 2 to 3 bullet and the rest rapid and sometimes classical More like 2-3 rapid, sometimes classical and seldom blitz. Never bullet. >Aim for 1000 games per year on Lichess Do some math if you play 10 games per day then its approximately 300 games per month now 300 multiply by 12 months = 3600 games per year and watch grandmaster videos while playing Chess What's the point of watching when you cannot understand? Instead, utilise resources like studies, YouTube channels -- GM Ramachandran Ramesh (a bit advanced), Advice Cabinet, GM Daniel Naroditsky are all wonderful channels that explain moves and their purpose clearly. >But I recommend just play 1000 games per year Last thing just puzzles will not improve it will give you tactics, but if you play games, you will have experience No... just playing is not enough. And puzzles + chess compositions if studied well will definitely improve your play!