Breaking 1700: Ideas for Ambitious Noobs
Breaking 1700+ on Chess.com Rapid was a challenging project for me. As an irregular chess player, my practice schedule, routine, and gaming patterns lacked consistency. However, I tried to loosely follow four general principles. I believe that any player rated under 1900 who seriously studies these four points can improve their rating rapidly, while also boosting their FIDE rating.
Note: (It is said that) There’s little gap between Chess.com ratings and actual FIDE strength. For example, if your FIDE rating is 1600, your Chess.com rating will likely be around 1850-1900, and vice versa.
Let's get going!
🌍 Learn Common Gambits and Traps
To break 1700, I first had to study common gambits and traps, especially those in the openings I play. With the internet and modern engines, gambits and traps have become more nuanced and sometimes "hard to find," but popular ones still frequently appear in games.
Action Step:
🗒️ Learn the popular gambits in your preferred openings. Don’t just memorize them—use them in your games. You might lose initially, but the lessons from those losses will stick with you (unless someone literally beats you over the head!).
Sub-Learning 1.2:
🗒️ Sometimes the move order in gambits/traps may vary. Focus on understanding the logic behind the moves, not just memorizing sequences.
🌍 Stick to One Opening (But Explore Variations)
Think of it like eating rice with multiple curries: the rice (your core opening) stays constant, but you occasionally try variations (the curries). This helps you generate new ideas and keeps your play fresh.
Action Step:
🗒️ During game reviews, note the first mistake you made. Analyze its root cause, consequences, and triggers. Solutions will emerge naturally.
🌍 Study Pawn Structures
Every opening has common pawn setups. Study the pawn structure that remains after 10-15 moves (remove all other pieces from the board).
Recommended Books:
- Chess Structures: A Grandmaster Guide by Mauricio Flores Rios
- Pawn Structure Chess by Andrew Soltis
🌍 Calculation is Everything
Regardless of time control, chess hinges on calculation. While some grandmasters calculate 10-20 moves ahead, my favorite advice comes from José Raúl Capablanca:
I see only one move ahead, but it is always the correct one.
Action Step:
🗒️ Focus on forced moves. Avoid overcalculating impractical lines. Save time and streamline your thinking.
Recommended Book:
- Think Like a Grandmaster by Alexander Kotov
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