To be honest, I haven't really looked at the Steps beyond steps 1, 2, 3 and parts of 4. I used them in a kids' chess club for a few years, but then quit that job to free up time for other things.

I see the point of starting at the beginning. I imagine some people would feel a bit foolish spending time on exercises that seem ridiculously easy to them, with the occasional hidden treasure in-between. Though that's what Aagaard keeps saying about the Yusupov series as well: Start at the beginning (and move quickly through everything that's really easy), since you never know where the holes in your chess education are.

I honestly think that anyone doing the Steps should start with Step 1. Yes, it's very simple, but that's the point. You rebuild board sight from the ground up. A 1500 player hangs stuff, and that's something you learn to mostly mitigate in Steps 1 and 2.

I don't know if anyone has actually tested this, but the Steps Method looks perfect for plugging some holes before moving on to the Yusupov series. From 1500, go through steps 4 and 5 (maybe even step 3).

There's also Silman's books, the endgame book starting at well below 1000 and the strategy book Reassess Your Chess meant for 1400+.

On calculation I'm never sure what to suggest - most of the books on it seem to be written for Experts and above. Maybe Heisman's Looking for Trouble or Beim's book.

chk wrote on 02/02/17 at 09:32:21:



I’ve heard this sort of thing before and it’s pretty much my experience. I finished the Basic Pawn Endings chapter in 20 minutes in total. The chapter on Centralising Pieces, on the other hand, is pretty much taking me 20 mins for every test question.


Gerry1970 wrote on 02/01/17 at 23:21:40:



My rating is 1800+ elo and circa 1950 equivalent when you convert my ECF grade so I’m quite above the supposed target audience for the first books. That said, the elo range given is absurd. The books are much too hard for 1500s.

Anwyay, I’ve picked up a fair amount of knowledge along the way - e.g. endgame theory and I recognised certain test positions (Morphy at the Opera crops us - and there’s a position fro the first Alekhine - Capablanca game for instance). What I lack, I think, is the skill to apply this knowledge.

I don’t think Im rushing too much yet but I’ll certainly have to slow down later. What i do need is to work out how best to work with the books. I think I’m too fond of the tactics chapters. Its easy to feel you’re making progress by completing those.

Gerry1970 wrote on 02/01/17 at 23:21:40:

Two hours per chapter sounds like plenty. I think that if you're spending enough time per chapter it doesn't matter how fast you go. I did a chapter or more a day when I was feeling very motivated.

Paul Brondal wrote on 02/01/17 at 16:35:03:



Excellent. Bravo. Must have taken a while.

I started on 24th January.  I’m about a third of the way through book 1 now.  Total study time: 17 hours and 22 minutes to date (not including marking tests and whatnot*).






* "whatnot" meaning, the construction of spreadsheets so I know exactly how much time I’m taking and how far I’m getting.

Yes, I have done all 10 books. I had a 20-year break from chess and started in 2013 in a club again. It was very tough and extremely interesting to do all the exercises. My ELO (2121) is at it highest ever being 51 years old. The last two months have been really good chess-wise. I'm very dilligent with my chess but play too few games. Currently exercises from Chess Lessons are being solved. If you want more details, let me know 

I havent started the books yet, but still intend on doing so. I just havent had the space at home to set up a desk with a chess board and space to write.

Hopefully i can resolve that in the next few months. If i do, then i think the only thing that will stop me from starting the books will be if i allow myself to be lured into buying the Step method books