How to get better at Chess| The Real Way
So, you want to get better at Chess? Well, you took your amazing first step!
Before we start, shameless self-plug: Click here for my latest video
You need to want to learn. Simple as that. I am a chess coach and the #1 question that parents/potential students ask me is "What is the best way to get better?". The go-to answer for most people would be do tactics, study openings, recommend a few books and study master games. For me, although it might annoy people that I answer a question with a question, I say "What are you doing to improve right now?".
There are so many resources out there, but very few people actually use it. You first have to be real with yourself and ask do you actually want to get better? Will you put in the work, the long hours, and not quit after a month? If that answer is yes, you have to create a work plan for yourself.
1) Get a basic understanding of an opening
Do not just play 500 Blitz games and say that you understand it. Get a book on your favorite opening and/or use https://www.chess.com/analysis , click on the openings tab, and see what masters are playing in your line.
2) Understand Basic Endgames
A lot of won endgames are lost because you aren't exposed to some of the ideas. 3 ways to understand these ideas.
b) Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual( I consider it to be the holy grail of Endgames) or Alexander Pachenko's Theory and Practice of Chess Endings. Books are here
c) Chess.com has a plethora of videos, the endgame ones are my favorite. https://www.chess.com/videos/library/endgames and if you want a more hands on approach, https://www.chess.com/lessons/advanced-endgames
3) Go over common Middlegame plans in your openings
This is one that will really make you stronger as a chess player. This connects your opening and endgame training. Study famous games but also study people who play your opening. Like if you play the London, small shout-out, look at Gata Kamsky who has been playing the London longer than I have been alive!
After you look at those games, look at Pioneers of the Middlegames like Rashid Nezhmetdinov, Magnus Carlsen, and Anatoly Karpov just to name a few.
4) Boost your learning with a Coach
A good coach can guide you to a higher rating and a stable foundation for more success in your chess career. There some ways to find good coaches.
a) I am currently accepting students: https://www.patreon.com/JapaneseTutor
b) https://www.chess.com/coaches
c) At your local chess club/ chess tournament
Although this is a basic guide, I feel like those that want to improve will be motivated and take the initiative to improve their chess.
To all of you who took the time to read all of this, thank you! You are amazing people with bright chess futures ahead of you!