Looking for mentor

Hi, I've been around chess.com for a while now, and usually play people around the 1300-1500 level. Hello to anyone I've played!!! ^_^

I was hoping to step up to the next level with my chess game and was wondering if anyone wanted to take me under their wing at all, just on occasion teaching me a lesson or two.

I think the experience would be instructive to both myself and to anyone who teaches me...

Alternatively, if anyone just wants to become a chess-pal of mine, we can talk about games or whatever too!

Chess is fun, I wanna get more into it ^_^

Bye-bye for now!

Traceur

I will be a training partner.

If you have a look at my blogs about my chess training and study regime, you will see what I have been doing. Have a look and get back to me if you wish.

Hello Traceur. I would recommend that you take a look at the coach directory at http://www.chess.com/coaches

Well, I don't play anymore but in the days of the dinosaurs I used to help my
chess coach teach the other students.  I can give you some free advice.

To be honest, I could probably see you playing 1500+ in one year if you are
just a little more dedicated.  Your grasp of the game is above your rating in the
1200's.  Here are my recommendations:

1) Don't give away any free pawns for a year.  You can worry about gambits
later but treat each pawn like Gold!  Lost pawns add up in a hurry.

2) Don't resign so quickly.  In your last game you resigned after losing your rook
but you would have gotten a knight and a passed pawn(A pawn that cannot be
stopped by another pawn, only a piece) and you still had your queen.  Endgame
practice is crucial going from 1200 to 1500.

3)Triple-check(not just double-check) every move before making it.  You have
two or three days per move here, and you can't afford many mistakes.  Even
2000+ players can make simple errors.  Triple-check.

4)For the time being be very careful about moving any pawns in front of your
castled king and avoid at all costs doubled pawns in front of the king(You did
that in a recent loss).

5)Be aware of basic fundamentals of chess.  Don't bring your queen out right
away and watch for knight forks.

6)Study the concept of passed pawns, which most amateurs just don't get.  Once again, it is a pawn that can't be stopped by another pawn, only a piece.  They
are very good for you and a real pain if your opponent has one.

7)Last for now, write down exactly how much you practice each day(time it at first and reading forums doesn't count, only real practice and puzzles).  Then you
will honestly know what your commitment is to improving.

Well, good luck.  You certainly could be a 1500 by May 1st, 2011 with some
effort.  Feel free to ask any questions about your moves in games.

     One other tip.  You are currently playing over 40 games.  It would probably be better to reduce that gradually to about 20 games and then spend the extra time studying and doing puzzles.
     When you play a lot of games the likelihood of blunders is higher and also
the repetition of mistakes tends to happen.

You can challenge me to a couple of unrated takeback games and we can discuss the game as we go. I am not a great player (currently 1706), but I will try to help.

Thanks for the tips! ^_^

hey traceur!