Becoming national master in 3 years

Hi everyone on chess.com!

I have set myself the goal of becoming an ECF National master in three years. I study 10 hours a week. Do you think its realistic and if so could someone suggest how I should split the time between the things I need to learn? 

 Not a chance.

Around the master level is where genetics comes into play.

If you have the memory recollection and pattern recognition of an average human, you don't have a chance.

If you're in the top ~1% with memory and pattern recognition, you have a chance if you study hard.

I'm probably in the top 5% with memory and pattern recognition, but didn't study chess much (although i had sponsored training by an IM at an early age). If I played better openings, did pattern recognition training and memorized lines I could probably hit ~2000 but I have better things to do with my time and better things to fill my memory with.

The goal is not realistic in the timeframe with the hours you are devoting.  You will need to treat it like a job.  8 hours a day for 3 years and you'll be getting close.  The problem with becoming a titled player is you really have to make sacrifices in real life to be able to accomplish it.  Most people do not have the natural talent to put in a mere 10 hours a week and come away with any sort of title.  There are too many people out there who are out working you at this very moment from what your post suggests.

10,000 hours rule with systematic study in <16 years of age is quite possible.

How about five years and pushing to 12 hours a week?

3123 hours

The National Master title requires two consecutive years being graded above 200 whilst playing at least 30 graded games per year. I doubt this is possible to do within 3 years from a standing start. Or 5 years - even if you get close to 200 strength, that's a tough bar. 

The best way to think about things is aim for incremental and achievable goals - can you get a 130 performance in a minor tournament within the next year, then sustain a 130+ grade and get a 150+ performance, and so on. Play a lot. Playing up in 3 tournaments out of 4, and down in 1 (you need to learn to consistently win against weaker players - playing up you'll generally be defending worse positions), and reassess your goals regularly. Going over games with a stronger player will tell you where to focus.  

thanks

Could you tell me what to study and how much to study it.

It sounds like a stupid idea. Sort of like dreaming foolish thoughts. This player is 1100, he plays nothing but 3 minute games which means he can't concentrate for long games. Obviously he hasn't got the talent to begin with.

I have 17 chess books :

Tal move by move

Secrets of Practical Chess by John Nunn

Secrets of Positional Chess by Drazen Marovic

The Ruy Lopez move by move

The King's Indian Defence move by move

The Sicilian Dragon move by move

A mammoth book of the world's greatest chess games 125 (2010 edition)

Learn chess tactics by John Nunn ( I am not a very good player )

Elements of Chess strategy

The Ultimate Chess Puzzle book by John Emms

Pawn Power in Chess by Hans Kmoch

The Fighting Dragon by Paul Powell

125 Chess Opening Surprises by Graham Burgess

Modern Chess Analysis

Beating Unusual Chess defences by Andrew Greet

MCO 15

So basically I should make small goals

Is raising it by 20-30 points at the end of this year good enough?

I recommend trading all your opening books for a good endgame book. Read the instructional books you have and play through every game in the mammoth book. Take your time and enjoy the experience. When you get through all the books, you'll have a better idea of what to do next.

That's a lot of time you devoted

Thanks

I think I will take your advice but I will still set the goal at national master because I will aim for the stars and get to the moon. Thanks a lot. I trust that your advice is more correct because you are the only one in this forum who actually holds the title. Tons of respect for strong devoted players like you. 

I want to work for NASA as an astrophysicist when I am older. Who knows I might try getting the NM title from the USCF then.