DoubledPawns wrote on 03/01/08 at 01:30:18:


a system of improvement is suggested in Igor Khmelnitsky's 'Chess Exam and Training Guide', which takes you through 100 puzzles each with a different (undisclosed) theme and each followed by impressive statistical tables showing how players of different levels answered.  ( so you can give yourself a  if you give a correct answer to a puzzle that 20% of players rated 2400-2800 got wrong); at the end there is a table which is designed to pinpoint your weaknesses based on the Q's you got right/wrong, and a series of lists of texts to study for different aspects ( tactics, calculation, endgames, defence etc etc) at different levels. I didn't go through all of that self-analysis but the reading lists are useful, and just working through all the solutions carefully was a worthwhile exercise for me. You can also check out his rather busy website at www.Iamcoach.com ;
I find watching top GM games live on internet is good, if you make yourself write a move down before it happens, ( + wonder what variation theyare thinking about for so long) then attempt to analyse the whole game later

Greetigns,

DoubledPawns wrote on 03/01/08 at 01:30:18:

The approach followed/recommended in James Rizzitano's book, Understanding Your Chess , could be called a system or, at least, systematic.

Yermolinsky's and Rowson's books, The Road To Chess Improvement and Seven Deadly Chess Sins/Chess For Zebras could also form the basis of a systematic approach to improving one's game.

De La Maza's approach could be used - but not recommended, given the fact that it obviously destroyed his enjoyment of chess to the point that he stopped playing after raising his rating by several hundred points.

As always, it really depends on discovering what works for you.

As has been mentioned elsewhere, Yermolinsky's and Rowson's books say much the same thing:

1) Tactics are important - improve your "sight" (pattern recognition) and analytical/combinatory skills;
2) Play!;
3) Study your own games - you know/understand those best (the above improvement in your tactical ability will enable you to spot resources and possibilities in the position that you didn't see at the time. Any positional/strategic aspects can be researched, along with endgame technique, from available resources.);

One might add, as others have...

4) Study master games;
5) Study openings - whole games, to understand the subsequent middle- and endgames!

So, why amn't I World Champion!!???

It not possible for non-professionals. 

Kindest regards,

Dragan Glas

The comment about studying tournament books & games is interesting, but the only one I would recommend for sure is Bronstein's book on the Zurich 1953 tournament (because of the annotations).  The recommendation about studying tactics is very accurate.  I would also recommend studying basic endgames, especially King & Pawn endgames.

The book suggestions were good.  Some to consider are Silman's books (Reassess Your Chess and Amateur's Mind) and Nunn's Understanding Chess Move by Move (although this is heavier material).

If you have a particular interest in the history of old chess tournaments there is a site dedicated only to Cambridge Springs 1904.  (I couldn't post the link so you'll have to Google it.)

I started out by reading basic primers like Capa's Chess Fundementals and doing about 30 tactical problems a day. From there I got into other Classic's like Nimzo's stuff, Euwe stuff, Pachmans stuff, & some stuff from Bronstein.  Outside of playing I like studying the game.....

Hello,

Does anyone know of any systems that have been suggested to help players improve at various levels of play? For example, certain books/CDs as a training programme, or a method of improving from one stage of chess development to another?