There are tons of generic/common place "training plans" to work with, though you really have to figure out what really works for you based on your weaknesses and needs.
Though for the former, here's some common "study activities".
1. Go through a ton of annotated master games. Start with the Chernev books and work forward, chronologically (Chess Master vs. Amateur and a ton of others before you read anything published post 1980s). These games are like beautiful chess lessons, teach you about the openings, pawn structures, strategy and show you some beautiful tactical ideas.
2. Work on a ton of basic tactics. I said "BASIC" tactics , not the usual complicated fare you get in puzzles and regrettably on chess.com's tactics server. Sure, you can definitely join up a tactics server (Chess.com, Chesstempo.com etc.) and try to max out your tactics rating" to feel good about yourself, but you don't want to waste time with 4-6 ply tactics with multiple motifs when you still can't spot single motif 2-3 ply shots within nanoseconds of looking at the board. (at your level, these ARE the likely mistakes you are making OTB) What most of us intermediate players are in denial about is that we confidently go about solving 4-5 ply problems/puzzles with "hah, that's easy" snarkiness but we still miss 1-2 ply shots in actual games. Don't fall into that complacency trap!
So practice + re-practice + practice some more with a massive ton of basic tactical exercises. CT ART' s levels 10 and 20, The John Bain tactics book and perhaps graduate to the Jeff Coakley's Winning Chess Exercises for kids.
3. Record all mistakes you make (tactical , strategic, stuff stronger players yell at you to NOT do) and go over them repeatedly.
4. Analyze your games (preferably losses) with a stronger friend or if you can hire one => a coach.
5. Finally => Set time-sensitive incremental goals for yourself. For example
By next month : +100 points on live chess
By end of the year : +200 points on live chess.
These are more realistic and give you something to pace yourself with as opposed to the misguided beginners who post claims like they will work 10+ hrs a day and break 2000 by end of the year.
Hi All
I am a player who is rated around 1200 online chess and 1000 live chess and who has time to study. Does anyone know of a sample training schedule or plan to help me improve?
Rook250.