Best of luck and take your time. I can relate because I’m in the same boat as you; I have a goal of 1400.
I have worked with a coach in the past and it was immensely helpful in formulating a plan.
What I should be doing more is exclusively play 15/10 or slower games but I do keep up with my game analysis after and tactics practice.
I will admit bullet chess is my pitfall but I enjoy experimenting and now the league points format is too alluring for me to stop at the moment.
@Chuck639 Thank you! 1400 is a good goal, I think that would break you through to the "Intermediate" level.
Coaches are awesome like that in "formulating a plan" that helps us to reach a goal.
Focusing on Rapid and slower time controls does help to refine skills (I was advised to do that), but I can see how Bullet and Blitz is more attractive.
Gaining league points is so addictive, lol. Enjoy your games and best of luck in your league division!
@daxypoo OTB games are golden and such a luxury now...Classical games are so much harder to come by, it seems like most want to play Bullet & Blitz, you're very fortunate to have OTB experience in that time control...Thank you for sharing (I'm a little jealous about the OTB play lol)!
It'd be ideal if u live near an otb club that has one rated classical game per week (many r doing that now) & u have a whole week to review just that one game with a coach & to prepare for ur next game.
Maybe watch some vids on pawn structures along with any opening stuff. The pawn structures help guide u in planning.
Being a beginner and trying to improve in chess can feel like following the white rabbit on an unfocused quest.
Watching chess streamers, taking advice from friends, buying books, and using learning tools are all helpful, but without clear direction it doesn't seem to be the best method of gaining chess skills. Maybe it has worked for you, but it hasn't for me.
With all of the time invested and money spent, I thought I would be at least 1400 rated by now. It's been a year. A bit over a year in fact, and I can't even hold a Daily rating of 800 (sad isn't it).
So, when I was approached by Abhi_Mary_1997 with a free lesson, I was hesitant to accept (especially because I already had a coach - just had a schedule conflict). Finally, I decided to give him a chance because he had a schedule that would work with mine and I was motivated by a goal of obtaining a meager USCF rating of 1000.
Things were going okay until he asked me what I had learned from past coaching and independent study. I thought I already understood Opening Principles. Until he asked me to explain them...I fell silent...How is it possible that after all this time, I couldn't answer such a simple question?!
Darn white rabbit!
Consistent coaching seems to be the best route to steady and meaningful improvement in chess. What has proven to be the most successful path for you?