I've been doing tactics problems and going through Chernev's Logical Chess, Move by Move. I've just started playing a month or so ago and, from reading online (Heisman, De la Maza), have picked up that tactics are paramount.
Having said that, I kinda just read through Heisman's tactics book and Chernev sporadically in a haphazard way (i.e. "I feel like reading through a game, OK. vs. "I'm doing xyz today").
Any good methodology you guys use to improve? I kinda wanna set a schedule like I do for working out.
I've given this very topic quite a bit of thought over the last couple of years. I've talked to countless people about what they did to improve, looked at rating gain rates, all that kind of stuff. Just like with working out, I noticed people got to similar levels by doing different routines. Some guys studied almost all tactics, some studied GM games more, some played almost exclusively, some never used computers, some relied heavily on computers; the list goes on and on. Then you throw in the fact that the old giants (Alekhine, Botvinnik, Keres, Fischer, etc) got incredibly strong with virtually no study tools or aids at all. So having more memberships, engines, and fancy books isn't the answer. The only common thing between them, and the conclusion I was forced to come to, is as follows.
Whatever you do, make sure you're engaging your brain as much as you possibly can, and study hard. It doesn't matter what you're studying. Study hard.
Of course there are some caveats, if you only do tactics problems other parts of your game will suffer. But as long as you reasonably rotate your studies and study hard, you'll improve. If I had to put together a list of study tools and what I'd do, here it is. They are numbered in order of importance.
1) Play - again, make sure you're actively engaged. 2 hours of mindless 3-min blitz will not help much at all if your brain is on autopilot.
2) Analyze your own games, wins and losses - Analyze them deeply. Only resort to a computer AFTER you've analyzed it yourself and really tried to figure it out. And don't rely too heavily on the computer for strategic ideas, computers play weird moves. Just use it as a blunder check and move on.
3) Study GM games - study them hard. Cover up the GM's move and try to figure out the position and what you'd play. Then see what he played, read why, and try to understand why his move is better. It'll be hard at first, but you'll get better.
4) Tactics problems - Don't overdo it here. A chess game is tough to break down into components, that's why I put GM games higher on the list. Tactics are great to put those themes and motifs in your head, but using them in a context of a game is much different than a "white to play and win" puzzle.
5) Endgames - they're extremely important, but learning the ins and outs of the basic checkmates (K+R v K, etc), K+P, and rook endings will take you a LONG way. The higher up the ladder you go, the more important endgames become. But for now, learn the basics of the two endgames I mentioned and you're set.
I'd be curious to hear what other people have to say, but after much thought, that's my best recommendation.
your study plan looks good, but one thing you forgot to mention: go out and meet chess players. I've learned incredible amounts of stuff by analyzing games together with other players. And on top of that it's fun, and you can have a beer while doing it.
Great point, ND. You're absolutely right. I can't tell you how much I've learned looking at positions with friends. I'm often amazed at how differently people can view a position, but both still have good ideas. Chess is a great game.
