im stuck at around 1300 and want to dedicate some time to improving. maybe 60-90 minutes a day
what should i do in that time?
any other tips on improving at my rating?
"60-90 minutes a day"
* Excellent.
Stay away from blitz and bullet and play 15+10 rapid.
Blunder check before you move.
Enabling move confirmation in your profile is a great help.
Analyze your lost games.
Study annotated grandmaster games.
I wrote a blog about your question:
https://lichess.org/@/tpr/blog/reach-2000-in-1-year/dF8xLiJg
Example:
https://lichess.org/qyrbG568#24
You had a completely winning position, 7 minutes time on your clock in a 10+5 game, and after 37 seconds you play Nd2?? that runs into checkmate. Just blunder checking before you move would have won you your game.
@mrloophole Do you like to play unrated games with friends and acquaintances? You might just need help, without playing too many rated games. Study first, then practice, and THEN play rated games when you are ready. I'm sure there are plenty of players who would be willing to help you out. Also, don't try to memorize too much. Learn the moves (ask questions about each move and try to answer them before seeking outside help). When you aren't playing others, try to study with a real board. You might even consider playing in Lichess tournaments with slightly higher-rated players. You can often earn more points in rated tournaments, especially if you are able to play "above your level." One thing to remember is to improve your game and THEN seek to raise your rating. It doesn't work the other way around.
[Event "rated rapid game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/qyrbG568"] [Date "2026.09.24"] [Black "NNN1234"] [Variant "Standard"] [TimeControl "600+5"] [Annotator "lichess.org"] 1 e4 e5 2 f4 Bc5 3 Nf3 f5 4 exf5 e4 5 Ng5 Nf6 6 Bc4?? (0.15 --> -2.11) Blunder. d4 was best.
You played the first 6 moves at an average rate that would have made sense if you had expected the game to last for 144 moves. In a 10+5 game, you could average 13 seconds per move and have enough time for 75 moves.
Maybe, you can find something useful at https://lichess.org/forum/general-chess-discussion/how-to-improve-18 or https://lichess.org/forum/general-chess-discussion/i-need-advice?page=2 .
@mrloophole said [^](/forum/redirect/post/BjcBIfdo)
> any other tips
You must change the way you solve problems. Now you are walking at random, like in a casino, so 50% of your decisions are correct. Think about one problem for many minutes until you find the answer with your eyes. Don't make the first move, even if it's the easiest.
"Think about one problem for many minutes until you find the answer"
* This contradicts playing 10+5.
I say play 15+10 and solve tactics problems in less than 10 seconds.
@tpr said [^](/forum/redirect/post/SvZfCThe)
> "Think about one problem for many minutes until you find the answer"
> * This contradicts playing 10+5.
> I say play 15+10 and solve tactics problems in less than 10 seconds.
15+10 is a very good option for improving.
But, what about blitz? It makes your eyes see better in low time.
But I'd choose 10+0 or 15+10 for improving.
My point is that you should spend more time on a move in a game than on solving a tactics puzzle.
In a tactics puzzle you know there is a tactic, and for whom.
In a real game you have to assume there is a tactic, until you have ascertained there is none.
@tpr said [^](/forum/redirect/post/aQoAte6r)
> My point is that you should spend more time on a move in a game than on solving a tactics puzzle.
> In a tactics puzzle you know there is a tactic, and for whom.
> In a real game you have to assume there is a tactic, until you have ascertained there is none.
Yes actually, in puzzles, you will find the tactics easily but in real games, you have to see the tactic, then play it.
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