A month or two ago I started playing chess online and I immideately started playing multiple hours every day solving puzzles and playing online. After learning the first 5 or so moves of the sicilian and ruy lopez I got to ~1250 rating in rapid mode on lichess (the only mode I play), but the last 2 or so weeks I've basically been stuck at my rating level. I feel as though I'm improving and I'm pretty quickly getting better at seeing patterns and recognizing basic tactical positions, but I feel like there must be something I'm missing since my rating isn't going up and I don't know what it is. I really, really enjoy chess, it's probably the most beautiful game I know of. I watch alot of agadmator's content (his content is what got me into chess in the first place) and seeing the genius combinations of players like Tal and Fischer really motivates me to become a great player some day. I'm 17 years old so grandmaster is probably out of reach, but I aspire to one day maybe become a CM or maybe even FM.
Now to the point of this post, what do you guys think is the best way for me to improve? I have no problem with learning theory, I actually quite enjoy it, but since there is so much theory availabe online I'm really overwhelmed and have no clue where to even begin doing research on my own. I've been thinking about coaching with the idea that a good coach could spot the issues in my play and help me improve way faster than I would on my own.
What do you more experienced players think I should do to improve? Should I get a coach or are there more efficient ways for a new player who has so much to learn like me to improve?
Thanks in advance!
Just my .02...
All you're playing is speed chess, and as a beginner that creates horrible habits. The first thing a good coach is going to tell you is to stop playing speed chess. But honestly right now? Paying for a coach would be a waste of money. But obviously that is up to you.
Agree with IMBacon, as a beginner you will not learn anything from fast time controls games.
The best way to improve is to pick a couple openings you like and practice those until you have a good feel for how the game develops and so that the first moves are automatic. It is also important to review your games so that you can see and understand both what went well and what went wrong.
I would recommend starting with rapid/10 min games at a minimum, or daily 1 day/3 day per move if you have the patience. You will learn so much more from carefully analyzing one game at a time than playing many in a row and not remembering why you won or lost.
A month or two ago I started playing chess online and I immideately started playing multiple hours every day solving puzzles and playing online. After learning the first 5 or so moves of the sicilian and ruy lopez I got to ~1250 rating in rapid mode on lichess (the only mode I play), but the last 2 or so weeks I've basically been stuck at my rating level. I feel as though I'm improving and I'm pretty quickly getting better at seeing patterns and recognizing basic tactical positions, but I feel like there must be something I'm missing since my rating isn't going up and I don't know what it is. I really, really enjoy chess, it's probably the most beautiful game I know of. I watch alot of agadmator's content (his content is what got me into chess in the first place) and seeing the genius combinations of players like Tal and Fischer really motivates me to become a great player some day. I'm 17 years old so grandmaster is probably out of reach, but I aspire to one day maybe become a CM or maybe even FM.
Now to the point of this post, what do you guys think is the best way for me to improve? I have no problem with learning theory, I actually quite enjoy it, but since there is so much theory availabe online I'm really overwhelmed and have no clue where to even begin doing research on my own. I've been thinking about coaching with the idea that a good coach could spot the issues in my play and help me improve way faster than I would on my own.
What do you more experienced players think I should do to improve? Should I get a coach or are there more efficient ways for a new player who has so much to learn like me to improve?
Thanks in advance!
Just my .02...
All you're playing is speed chess, and as a beginner that creates horrible habits. The first thing a good coach is going to tell you is to stop playing speed chess. But honestly right now? Paying for a coach would be a waste of money. But obviously that is up to you.