This thread is fantastic. I can't wait until I'm good enough to benefit from this content, lol.

I have the same problem TexAg. If I make a bad mistake, and even if the position is still even or I am only slightly worse the quality of my play will deteriorate rapidly. Controlling your emotions can be difficult at times...

Strategic Play- Prophylaxis

Hey qjuice, I am also quite tempted by millionaire chess! I was slightly worried though that there would be many sharks sandbagging their rating in view of the large prizefund.

It sounds like calculation is the big thing you need to work on, and I highly recommend Aagaard's Excelling at Chess Calculation (easier) and then GM prep-Calculation (pretty hard). I once foolishly bought Dvoretsky's Analytical manual, but this one is just impossible and I think is for 2650's trying to make progress

It's really nice if you have a friend or two who are about your level. Then you can try to organise a weekly training session around a theme like openings or puzzles from Dvoretsky or Perfect Your Chess. These often fizzle out sooner or later but even a few weeks should be useful.

Thanks for the post, I enjoyed it. And I also did not get it right haha

Question for the strong players on here: what was your primary study method for improvement up to the level you're at now? Was it analyzing your own games, tactics problems, studying GM games, etc? Just curious as to what y'all feel is most effective.

Another question: Do y'all know of a book or website with positions like the one goldaxe posted above? I feel ok about my tactics and forcing play, but probably the biggest leak in my game (which is saying a lot, there are tons of leaks haha) is not being able to properly consider and diagnose the opponent's plans/ideas and how my play should develop with that in mind. Do y'all know of any prophylactic, or more strategic problem collections?

I think the number one most effective method is actually playing games! Closely followed by tactics training. For the positional exercises, I don't know of any resource online. A few books:

Can you be a positional chess genius? by Dunnington
Chesscafe Puzzle Book 2: Test and Improve Your Positional Intuition by Muller
Excelling at Positional Play by Aagaard

All 3 are exercise books for the most part, I'm not 100% sure of the target audience for each of them.

Thanks for the recommendations, I'll check those out.

And when you say playing is the #1 most effective method, does that including analyzing the game (at least to some degree) after?

Yes

Thanks for the recommendations, I'll check them out. I'm pretty interesting to see what strides I can make if I really do put in the effort.

As for the Millionaire Chess tournament, good luck if you do play. Only like 2 more weeks for early registration for 1k. After that the price goes up. I did find out that you can register early and you are still able to withdraw up to like 24-48hrs before the tournament. So if you are considering playing you should preregister now and just withdraw if you don't think you're in form.

I think you'll actually be in an interesting section. I can't imagine very many 2200-2350 players are going to enter the open so you might be fighting it out for the 5k, 10k, 20k, 40k U2350 prizes with about 10 people. GL if you do try.

Also, if anyone on here 2050 and up wants to get a game in let me know.

qjuice14, I'd be interested in a game if you are. I'm about 2000 USCF, so if that's too low I understand. What time control are you thinking?

TexAg06, you can try Greg Shahade's "Practical Positions" series on YouTube. There are a lot of endgame and combinational puzzles mixed in, though, so expect to find <100 positional exercises. A lot of them are from Dvoretsky's TOP SECRET computer program.

How do you think this one compares to Excelling at Combinational Play, if you've read it, in terms of difficulty and usefulness.

Aagaard is one of my favorite chess authors too. He can be hilarious.

I have read both Combinational and Calculation, but a long time ago. From what I remember Combinational is just an exercise book of tactical puzzles, while Calculation discusses various techniques and is lighter on exercises.

Thanks Rei, I'll check out Shahade's link. Much appreciated.

Strategic Play- Prophylaxis

I'd be down for a game. I'm looking for something in the G/30-60 range. I struggle in long games online because my attention wanders too much. I usually play at chess.com for FICS.

Any time control in that range works great for me. When are you wanting to play?

Haha nice spoiler and good post.

The resulting position after the exchanges on g7 is one that I feel uncomfortable playing. Simple looking, but I know a 2300 player would outplay me every time. I just don't know what to do when both myself and the opponent have several different and non-forcing options.

Just watched one of Shahade's "Practical Positions" for the first time. This is awesome. It's great to watch him work through and talk through the position. Very educational, and also a relief to hear such a strong player say "I don't know what to do here" haha. Here's the link if anyone is curious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WuP-Eh9TP4

I would be down for playing a 2 game match from this position as both colours if you want, 15+10 time control for example?

I'd love to do that (as long as you don't laugh at me haha). Chess.com? When would you like to play?

Busy over the next few days, folks. Will try and post a couple of tactics if I manage to do any. On Wednesday I will have a rapidplay playoff for my club championship title, so will do a TR for that. And hopefully a couple games against Tex to analyse too

GL in the playoff. Definitely let us know how it goes.