I used to be an active chess player, rated 2157. I stopped play for two years, and want to get back into it. There's a tournament that I want to play in about 4 months.
What would you guys recommend to take out all the rust, and come back stronger than before?
I guess the important thing is to just get used to playing and thinking again. I'd start by playing a lot of internet blitz games. Then take part in some rapid events.
Maybe take a look at your openings first. But chess is like riding a bike, you don't forget how to, once you have learned it.
I took a break for 3 years with roughly your rating. The bottom line is you have to throw yourself back into tournament play. The sooner the better. Admit to yourself you might lose like at most 100 rating points but you'll get it all back with interest by the end of the year. I was losing maybe 30-40 points over my 7 month return until I went on a 200 point heater.
If you can arrange sparring games with someone within 200 points of yourself played under standard time controls then that can help without risking rating.
The worst thing you can do to yourself (which I see exceptionally often) is play for 3 months, appear to be losing and then go back into hibernation. If you're gonna come back give yourself a year.
I agree with playing blitz to start off then gradually increase your time. If you are more of a theoretical player you should probably brush up on opening theory because 3years away from the game is a long time with how strong engines are now and are able to exploit ideas in openings.
I didn't play my first game of chess until I was 21; I started improving quite quickly and made it to 1700'ish after only a year. I then plateaued and found it tough to move up with out studying (i hate studying) so I ended up quitting playing OTB for 3years and only played 3min blitz occasionally.
After 3 years, I decided I wanted to start playing some tournaments and long games. I've been back for about 16months and I've gone from 1750 to 2000. I think I'll level off around 2050 +/- and will finally have to put in some work to advance beyond that. I am probably the weakest player above 1900 in the opening.
I credit my rise in rating mostly to playing a lot of blitz when I started getting back into it. It improved my instincts and "feel" for a position and kept me very sharp tactically so I can use my time more economically than other players my level. I find that I am winning most of my games close to time control because of my blitz/rapid ability.
In my first 2 tournaments back I finished 9.5/12 in my club championship and 5/6 in the u2000 of the National Open. I think the break did me some good and I am enjoying playing much more. My new goal is to put in the work and be able to reach the 2200 mark. I am playing in a 90/40 sd/30 with 30sec increment this weekend; hopefully I move a few points closer to 2200.
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