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Am I Actually Getting Better or am I Just Gaining Rating?

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Cutting_presentation

I recently made it my goal to reach 2000 elo (I'm 1260 now) and in attempts to gain rating I've only been playing anywhere from 1 to 5 games a day and gaining about 7 to 20 elo a day. I'm proud of how far I've come in just a month or so but my main concern is if I'm actually getting better at the game. Should I be playing more or am I fine how I am now?

ppandachess

Hi there,

I'd give it a few months to see if your gains continue or at least you don't drop but in any case, this looks like a good sign!

By the way, I am rated over 2400 online (https://www.chess.com/member/ppandachess). I created a free course that will teach you a training plan to improve. Feel free to check it out: https://www.panda-chess.com/daily-improvement-plan

AWildYoshi

Hey Matt! As you know, I’m 400 elo, but almost everyone I play says that I should be 800 or higher. Despite your goal of 2000, I think the right idea would be to just freely play without worrying about elo like so many do. I’m on a journey to have my elo reflect my true skill, and I think that might be a great goal for you as well. You’ll get better as you go on, but I feel that the number might not be the most important thing when it comes to this game. My advice for you would be to just get it as high as you can, and when you find a threshold you just can’t pass, set number-based goals from there.

blueemu

Five Rapid games per day would be more than enough for learning.

Blitz? I think not.

Try this thread. The first couple of pages of it, anyway.

GM Larry Evans' method of static analysis - Chess Forums - Chess.com

Ech123456789

yes push more like 10 blitz games should only be 1 hour

BigChessplayer665
Cutting_presentation wrote:

I recently made it my goal to reach 2000 elo (I'm 1260 now) and in attempts to gain rating I've only been playing anywhere from 1 to 5 games a day and gaining about 7 to 20 elo a day. I'm proud of how far I've come in just a month or so but my main concern is if I'm actually getting better at the game. Should I be playing more or am I fine how I am now?

There will be a point where you platigue (at that point you'll probably have to change your playing style stop hanging pieces etc) if your not olatiguj g that's good it probably means your improving your habits (also if you tilt don't worry about it your elo will go back to where it was eventually )

BigChessplayer665
blueemu wrote:

Five Rapid games per day would be more than enough for learning.

Blitz? I think not.

Try this thread. The first couple of pages of it, anyway.

GM Larry Evans' method of static analysis - Chess Forums - Chess.com

As long as you analyze your games or learn from your mistakes it doesn't matter besides online rapid is a bit hard to focus in besides 1200-1600 is a good range to start playing blitz chess anyway

BigChessplayer665
blueemu wrote:

Five Rapid games per day would be more than enough for learning.

Blitz? I think not.

Try this thread. The first couple of pages of it, anyway.

GM Larry Evans' method of static analysis - Chess Forums - Chess.com

Also if you look he does play rapid actually a mix is probably better than sticking to one time control you learn different (and important ) skills in each

Fr3nchToastCrunch

I've had people tell me I should be around 1100. My problem is that I have a level of overly defensive play that nearly rivals Tigran Petrosian. Only I have none of his skills. So I just defend too much and fail 💀