I’m just starting this so I’ll let you know how it goes. My problem is that I don’t play enough. I enjoy reading, puzzles, videos and chessable but I have got into the habit of not playing.
A lot of people are in the same boat. Of course, you can engage with chess however you like… but if you want to get better at playing, you have to play!
Love to see this recommended by Nate as I (an improvement-minded parent of a young child) try to do this "workout" 2-3 times a week. My 10-minute tactic session was instituted by a coach: I do the first 20 problems from Puzzle Rush Survival on chess.com with a timer, calculating each puzzle before moving to hit 100% accuracy. Normally can complete this in 7-9 mins. Then I play a 15+10 game (Chess Dojo calls this a "blundergame") on Lichess, analyzing with the engine afterwards to review ?! ? ?? moments, and inputting my alternative lines into Stockfish board if I can't understand the computer ideas. Slowly but surely improving my OTB classical strength through this method!
Great post throughout. The simple method (not easy, but simple) is a theme trying to take on this year after learning overwhelm with all the items out there to pull attention to improvement. I am trying to follow a process as you mention and then add in other items (books, course, video etc) for enjoyment of chess with learning but not to take away the tactics-play-review methodology. At least the process feels less overwhelming and for sure it is more enjoyable.
Nice post! In the review I would add that it’s important to write down with words explanations for why a move is good or bad. It is easy to be fooled into thinking that you understand as soon as you see the computer line, but you will often notice that putting it in your own words is where the real learning lies.
I agree it’s a good idea to set a time limit for the review time. Many never start the review because it feels like an endless task.
I’m just starting this so I’ll let you know how it goes. My problem is that I don’t play enough. I enjoy reading, puzzles, videos and chessable but I have got into the habit of not playing.
A lot of people are in the same boat. Of course, you can engage with chess however you like… but if you want to get better at playing, you have to play!
I love this. Things that I have to alternate days with often fall away for me.
Do you have a recommendation for something that could be done daily in 25-30 minutes?
Maybe one Puzzle Rush and a 5+3 game and review
Love to see this recommended by Nate as I (an improvement-minded parent of a young child) try to do this "workout" 2-3 times a week. My 10-minute tactic session was instituted by a coach: I do the first 20 problems from Puzzle Rush Survival on chess.com with a timer, calculating each puzzle before moving to hit 100% accuracy. Normally can complete this in 7-9 mins. Then I play a 15+10 game (Chess Dojo calls this a "blundergame") on Lichess, analyzing with the engine afterwards to review ?! ? ?? moments, and inputting my alternative lines into Stockfish board if I can't understand the computer ideas. Slowly but surely improving my OTB classical strength through this method!
Great post throughout. The simple method (not easy, but simple) is a theme trying to take on this year after learning overwhelm with all the items out there to pull attention to improvement. I am trying to follow a process as you mention and then add in other items (books, course, video etc) for enjoyment of chess with learning but not to take away the tactics-play-review methodology. At least the process feels less overwhelming and for sure it is more enjoyable.
Nice post! In the review I would add that it’s important to write down with words explanations for why a move is good or bad. It is easy to be fooled into thinking that you understand as soon as you see the computer line, but you will often notice that putting it in your own words is where the real learning lies.
I agree it’s a good idea to set a time limit for the review time. Many never start the review because it feels like an endless task.
This will hopefully prove helpful to me and I thank you for it. All the best, John.
I like the article! I would focus on one activity, being tactics, analysis or playing