ChessCircle - Creating a training schedule.

Posts: 5

Creating a training schedule. - 2008/08/03 23:57 I'm relatively new to chess (almost a year), but I've jumped in head first. I'm wondering how I should train? I've ditched the opening memorization for later when I'm a little more adept with principle application. I have Fritz 10, Ct-Art 3.0, and Chess Mentor - Any suggestions as to how I should incorporate these programs, as well as any other books/study materials, into a daily routine, geared for fast improvement, will be very much appreciated.

| | | post reply

Kev_ofla

Junior Member

Posts: 34

Re:Creating a training schedule. - 2008/08/04 02:46 Hey sam. I think it is more important especially for beginners to learn tactics and strategies, then openings, as one should suffice.

I recommend doing 1 move check mates, then 2, then 3, just so you get used to tactics and strategies.
There are some really helpful books called the step books, that have puzzles for all levels, starts with 1 for beginners and ends at 5 for people of 1800+.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_problem

has a pretty good puzzle on the right at the top
http://home.no.net/ronnell/chessproblems/chessmain.html

has some problems (just did a quick google, had a quick look seems grand). If you went through them and were able to do most up to the 3 move puzzles, id say your rating should be about 1400.

Also if you haven't done so, learn off how to mate with a queen and king v king, rook and king v king, 2 bishops and king, 3 on 5th v 3 pawns on 7th (how to break through), king and pawn v king (place the pawn on the 2nd and the kings on the starting positions), rook, pawn and king v rook and king (what you have to do to promote the pawn (im not too sure of that one tbh)), etc.

Just take a few one move puzzles a day, then when your ready move onto the 2 move ones. Also in the meantime, learn off how 1 of those typical how to mate scenarios (if you havent). If you have i recommend, whatever opening you play as white/black read up about it/find a Grandmasters game and read the analysis. As for fritz 10 i have it myself, its only for playing against really, never used it for training. I dont know what ct-art and chess mentor are, but i don't think they are needed.

Also play some correspondance games, and buy a demonstration board, and have the game on that, although if you start to play more than one correspondance game online, just use the demo board for when you need it on tough games.

Post edited by: Kev_ofla, at: 2008/08/04 02:48

Popular posts by Kev_ofla
How to edit blog entries?
Chess games on the site
Ruy Lopez as Black

| | | post reply

Dame

Admin

Posts: 1021

Karma: 12

Re:Creating a training schedule. - 2008/08/04 11:47 Sam, welcome to chesscircle.net

I hope you will like it here.

There is nothing I can add to Kev_ofla's advice

Popular posts by Dame
Links for beginners
Blogs
Moscow murderer guilty of 48 'Ches...

| | | post reply

Sam_2001

Posts: 5

Re:Creating a training schedule. - 2008/08/05 23:06 Thanks for the replies! Kev, I'm curious about the "3 on 5th v 3 pawns on 7th (how to break through)," I'm not sure I completely understand what you mean here. Also, I would suggest you take a look at Ct-Art! It's a great tactics training program.

| | | post reply

Andrea

Senior Member

Posts: 88

Karma: 2

Re:Creating a training schedule. - 2008/08/06 10:27 Welcome to the board (from a newbie)!

I am using CT Art 3.0 as well, I think it is an exceptional program! If you find the patience (note the “if”) to use it regularly, like 50 positions/day, I am sure you will see huge benefits. It is great in training your reflexes.

My personal plan, at the moment, is the following:

- Play as much as I can
- Review every game I play, with Fritz annotations, to see where I blundered, where I had a possibility and did not exploit it, what I should have done better. If time is a constraint, I think it is better to play just 2 games and analyze them, rather than playing (say) 4 games without understanding what went wrong. The key is to learn from your (and your opponent’s) mistakes
- Stick to one opening (I use the Torre Attack)
- Use CTArt
- Go through annotated games and learn (many good books there, at the moment I am using one by John Nunn, I have a very good one from Pandolfini as well).

Good luck, let’s keep in touch!

Andrea
---------
Playing on Playchess.com as AndreaCoda.

Popular posts by Andrea
Training plan: what do you think?
How do you beat a computer?
ChessTempo.com - you HAVE to try it...

| | | post reply

Sam_2001

Posts: 5

Re:Creating a training schedule. - 2008/08/06 19:55 I'm in total agreement with you Andrea. I'm sticking to one opening, limiting my blitz play, and focusing on Ct-Art training and slower games (I don't have much experience with these, but I've come to think it's the only way to get better) and analysis! I had enjoyed playing the Scotch with White, sacrificing the d pawn (e4e5 Nf3Nf6 d4exd Bc4...) though at top level most recapture immediately, so I might just stick to the Ruy with white and some kind of Sicilian with Black, as , unless I end up in a Marshall Attack, I'm terrible with black in the Spanish. Oh, if you get the chance, can you tell me how you've set your CT-ART Elo relative to your personal rating? I tend to enjoy high difficulty, so I don't feel bad if I have only limited success

| | | post reply

Andrea

Senior Member

Posts: 88

Karma: 2

Re:Creating a training schedule. - 2008/08/07 08:48 Actually, my level is pretty crappy, so I didn't do anything specific regarding the ELO: I just go by level, I started with the easiest ones (level 10, if I remember correctly), and did them a few times. Once I "mastered" them, I just moved to the next bracket. I always use the "training" mode, and do a "test" from time to time.
Having a lot of fun, so far, but this requires a lot of dedication I must say...

All the best,

Andrea
---------
Playing on Playchess.com as AndreaCoda.

Popular posts by Andrea
Training plan: what do you think?
How do you beat a computer?
ChessTempo.com - you HAVE to try it...

| | | post reply

Sam_2001

Posts: 5

Re:Creating a training schedule. - 2008/08/14 20:48 Yes it does require a lot of dedication! Chess mentor is also a useful program. Best wishes!

| | | post reply

Ryyj
User

Newbie

Posts: 2

Karma: 0

Re:Creating a training schedule. - 2008/08/15 06:11 play solitaire chess . (guess the moves of the master )
try to solve some simples studies
read many times Reinfeld 1001 (5 puzzles at day. no more)
and by all means get any book of Purdy simplement THE BEST
play 1 e4
with black 1...e5 vs 1.e4
1...d5 vs 1.d4
you will lose many many games but you will get better and better player

Popular posts by Ryyj
My 3 Most Useeful Study Materials

| | | post reply

Sam_2001

Posts: 5