I`m stuck on 1600

Hi guys, 

My rating is around 1600+/- and would like to improve. I`m playing chess almost daily, doing 5-10  tactics a day, got few books, analyzing my games; If anyone could take a look at my games and let me know in what direction to focus my future study in order to improve I would appreciate.  I`m open for anyone that would like to play and analyze as well as any comments and suggestions with good intent.

Kind regards

Sasha 

My rating isn't as high as yours so I'd be useless in terms of spotting your actual weaknesses. However, you need to look for patterns in both your wins and losses. For example, are your pawns getting picked off regularly? Do you do better in games with knight pairs than you do with bishop pairs? Are you weaker on one side of the board and is that dependent on whether you're white or black? Are you aggressive with your queen or not aggressive enough? Are you timid with your rooks when you should be bringing them out more?

I don't know the answers to the questions above and those are just a starting place.

Oh, another thing that has helped me improve is going over past games (win and lose) and review them with the board flipped. It helps you look at your own position as if you are your opponent.

Hi, 

Thank you for advice, I must admit that I`ve always analyzed the game on the way what happened in a certain situation. I`ve never questioned generally about Knights and Bishops etc. It is a good approach as I can get some guidelines in general. I`ve especially like the idea about summarizing the game from an opponent perspective. 

Thank you one more time

have u tried dental floss ?

I also have 1600 rating but it's on lichess and really the best thing you can do imo is to play slower time controls I usually play 15+15 or 30+0 and it rapidly made me improve but also keep in mind you will have to not use just 10 minutes use all the time and use your time effectively.

Daily games are even better because you have so much more time to ponder each move. In fact, if it's slow enough, it's like each game is a new move and must be analyzed again.

From your profile you play exclusively rapid and blitz games.  Try to play mostly longer time controls, including "daily" chess, so you have time to think about what you should be doing - speed chess may be fun, but it will do little to promote your rapid improvement or your understanding of how to play correctly.

It makes sense that taking time to think about what you should be doing would promote improvement in your chess skills.

This is not to suggest that you should necessarily play exclusively slow time controls or daily games, but they should be the greater percentage of your games, much more so than speed games (rapid, bullet, blitz, etc.) which do almost nothing to promote an understanding of how to play the game well.  Speed chess tends to be primarily an exercise in moving pieces around faster than your opponent while avoiding checkmate, in hopes that his/her clock runs out sooner than yours.

Here's what IM Jeremy Silman has to say on the topic...
https://www.chess.com/article/view/longer-time-controls-are-more-instructive

And the experience of a FIDE Master...
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/how-blitz-and-bullet-rotted-my-brain-don-t-let-it-rot-yours

Also, playing without a good foundation in fundamental chess principles and understanding how to apply them will do little to help you become a good chess player. In order to understand these principles it takes study - there is no easy, quick solution to playing good chess....you have to put in the effort to learn...

Good Chess Books for Beginners and Beyond....
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-books-for-beginners-and-beyond

Good Positional Chess, Planning & Strategy Books for Beginners and Beyond...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/introduction-to-positional-chess-planning-strategy

Hi Mickey, thanks for suggestions, all of my games are 30 min I don`t like playing fast games, played just a few blitzes. Until recently I would be close to run out of time but now I'm managing to stay effectively in 30 min. 

Hi Difster, thanks just recently I`ve started playing daily games with one of my friends on Chess.com and I like it. It gives me time to go deeper into the game and try a few variation on the board home. I will take your advise and play more daily games; 

Hi Russ, Thank you for the advice, links and books suggestions. First few books on the list I`ve read and at the moment reading Play Winning Chess. I found Pandolfini weapons and end games, winning chess strategy for kids and have complete Seirawan collection, some Polgar tactics etc. It will definitely be a good start.  My rapid games are 30 min and played just a few blitzes. I don't like speed chess as for some moves I need 2-3 min; I`ve started playing daily chess and will switch to it and give it a go. Thank you one more time for your time and sharing thoughts with us; I will let you know how I`m doing in 6 months.-) 

maybe ur just flatlining. chess takes time. give it some. and try2learn during this period. hth.

Don't listen to this weirdo, they suck at chess.

Best of luck to you OP.

I think you should focus mainly on the middlegame, and tactics, Tactics TACTICS. I chose a random game of yours and analyzed it for you. Here you go

Some great books -

The book series, Winning Chess, by Yasser Seirawan helped me get from 600 (when i started) to 1500 otb in a year

How to Reassess your Chess, by Jeremy Silam

My 60 Memorable games

My System, by Aron Nimzowitsch

Hope this helps  And let me know if you would like more help, its completely free, although I dont have any experience coaching, and am not that much higher rated that you. 

If you want a summary of what you should focus on -- 

• Positional play / plans in the middlegame
• How to get the initiative
• Starting an attack on the side of the board you are better on (and trying to prevent your opponent from playing on the side THEY'RE better on) 
• Preventing your opponents play and plans
• TACTICS -- make sure to check each and every move before you make it!
• Also, time management, you spent like 5 minutes on that 30 minute game

I agree with Mr.Bacon here. Most of the blunders you made were made in around 20 seconds, and you werent properly thinking about each move. You actually finished the game not having even used up 10 minutes on your clock (see analysis above).

Hi Red Girl, thanks for the advice. I used to analyze only games that I`ve lost. Probably I should analyze the games that I won as well. 

Hi, thank you for the game analyzes I must agree with everything you wrote down. I will focus more on the games and go with the books that you have recommended. I have all three in my library just keep them after I read some basic one. I`ve been playing chess for a while but never read a books about chess until a few months ago. At the moment I've reading Winning Chess and like it. Not sure why but sow on a couple of forums that "My system" is not recommended as it is not an easy book to follow. Anyway, it`s a classic and I should give it a try. Thanks