Any tips on how to reach a rating of 1500
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Mar 25, 2018
0
#3
AnPro wrote:
Can you please give me some tips on how to become a 1500+ rated player,
Thanks.
Opening Principles:
1. Control the center squares – d4-e4-d5-e5
2. Develop your minor pieces toward the center – piece activity is the key
3. Castle
4. Connect your rooks
Tactics…tactics…tactics…
Pre Move Checklist:
1. Make sure all your pieces are safe.
2. Look for forcing move: Checks, captures, threats. You want to look at ALL forcing moves (even the bad ones) this will force you look at, and see the entire board.
3. If there are no forcing moves, you then want to remove any of your opponent’s pieces from your side of the board.
4. If your opponent doesn’t have any of his pieces on your side of the board, then you want to improve the position of your least active piece.
5. After each move by your opponent, ask yourself: “What is my opponent trying to do?”
Middlegame Planning:
1. Expand your position:
a. Gain more space.
b. Improve the position of your pieces.
2. Decide on what side of the board to play.
a. Queenside: a-c files.
b. Center: d-e files.
c. Kingside: f-h files.
Compare, space, material, and weakness(es)
Play where you have the advantage.
3. DO NOT HURRY. Regroup your pieces, and be patient.
Mar 25, 2018
0
#4
Since you are already rated 1800, I guess "lose a bunch of games" would be my advice on how to become a 1500 player.
Study some good chess books...
Good Chess Books for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-books-for-beginners-and-beyond
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell
The main areas are openings, endgames, tactics, and strategy.
Pick your weakest area (it's probably not openings, too many people think it's openings when it's not)
Then read a book that covers that area.
Use amazon to find a book with good reviews. Preferably a classic.
Yes there is a lot of content online... but videos are very easy to passively watch and learn nothing.
To actually study (whether it's with a book or videos or something else) set up a real 3d board in front of you, and follow along. Take notes. Pause at interesting moments and do some analysis yourself. Read / watch multiple times.