Hitting the wall

I am beginning to become very frustrated with chess as I seem to have hit the proverbial wall.  Has anyone else ever reached a point where they felt like they had reached a plateau and could not go any further with the game?  Did you overcome it and how did you do it? 

Yea, for sure Amy, I hits it from time to time, sometimes it last longer than others.  The prevalent means to overcome for me has been to emerse myself in study on it and then go practice it.  I review many games immediatly after playing them and learn tremendous amounts there whether they were wins of loses.  I also have found the enjoyment of learning via studing as another way to enjoy chess.  The vids are great if you interact and just don't sit there getting spoon fed, but even if you don't pause the videos and calculate, they are just amazing!  I have just gone back to Chessmaster 10 (AGAIN!)and am delving into the next level of videos and exercises in the learning section....here with diamond privelages I enjoy the videos of Daniel Rensch on endgame here at C.com, where one should focus studies in the beginning.  I found Josh Waitkins first book"Attacking Chess" just marvelous if you can pick it up in paperback!  If you just play here I don't think it's enough, you will learn but everyone goes through burnout periods, nothing beats the balance of the two and perserverence. ....and others specifically recommend a third aspect...community...being chess clubs, groups etc.....kinda like we do but based on chess playing etc.  There are coaches here and I may entertain one soon, if your interested let me know, I doubt they are doing it for charity. 

Also, I sent you the rest of Santa's outfit that your missing, and am hoping to see you in it in your next homepage pic. :}  Truly, Elf #1

Of course, it can happen to everyone, and has happened several times to me. When you hit such a wall, you need to determine if it's because of the way you're training, or if it's just a regular, natural slow-down period. It's the second one in most cases, and then what you should do is probably take a short break. If it's the first, however, you need to figure out what prevents you from faster & further improvement and how to overcome it, perhaps change a routine.

Having said all that, I've noticed you've mentioned you're a beginner (your rating suggests that, too), so studying tactics daily will just boost your rating and your game will improve very fastly. 30 mins to 1 hour of tactical training everyday and you could hope to be at 1600 in less than 6 months. You can never go wrong by studying tactics.

Thanks very much for the advice and the Santa outfit, Scoob!  Absolutely let me know what you find out about the coaching!  I'm hoping to really hit Chessmaster hard during the holiday break so hopefully that will help!

Thank Philidor.  I am very much a beginner having only really started playing the game in March of this year.

I hit the wall every now and then, when I do I take a little break (maybe a day or two) then reengage.  Dont worry I will help out!

Thanks hawkeye!  I'm always open for suggestions and help. 

It can not be understated to make sure you KEEP IT FUN TOO!.....you can just watch the vids and read the books in amazment the first few times like I did, that kept it fun for me and I learned some.  Eventually I started doing the exercises, then I made even more strides and took mini breaks.  Begin studying endgame as it is the essence of chess thinking and will train your brain to think through issues. Studying openings is important  but it is much memorization and I am just beginning to do that now after pure end game study for three years....not that my rating is reflective of that....but we all progress at our own rates and go through ebb and tide.  Long games and not knee jerk moves teach you, short games  increase your speed, but at a cost.  I noticed when I am playing you, that you react fairly quick to my moves.....I think using the analysis board and exploring the consquences of the moves would slow you down and help.  When I am playing a strong player, I will study a move or sequence for hours sometimes and that can be fun too.

The fact that you have only played for 6-9 months or so is evidence you are potentially an amazing player, but don't think 'cause I said that, that it just comes to you automatically.  I certainly think with persistance and determination you will become better than me and many others in a relatively short time, but I ain't gonna let that come easy darling! :}

Sorry if this is disjointed I went back and edited.. :}

Wow!  Thanks Scoob.  You really want to see me improve don't you, sweetheart?!!  Really, thank you!  Sometimes even a little bit of encouragement helps. 

Flirt more lol

yeeech!  PDA!

Dave, that may be the major issue here........lol

Scoob, you make it seem like I'm here flirting with everyone I come across.  Thanks. 

It may be unenlightening, however, you can't go wrong by just playing more.  Works for me!

 Okay, ......I'll withdraw that.......let's just say your just a social butterfly in the garden of life.......

LOL!  Scoob, hon, that doesn't make it sound any better.  Even with that easily removed halo. 

Amy, just believe in your ability to play..have confidence in yourself, and Scoob is right...HAVE FUN! If the fun ain't there...what's the point? And playing great people like Scoob and others who encourage me and help me, is by far the best way to get over the letdowns.