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How to make your chess training effective

I am a cuber, averaging around 20 seconds, and I have once seen this in a cubing context too (practicing vs. learning algorithms) and the practicing part should at least be a bit more than the learning part. Great to also see it rephrased here.

As an example, I have just improved by over 2 seconds on average without really learning any new techniques or algorithms, but just practice, in a pretty short time span. Shows how effective it can be, also in the next few days or weeks instead of months or years.

I am a cuber, averaging around 20 seconds, and I have once seen this in a cubing context too (practicing vs. learning algorithms) and the practicing part should at least be a bit more than the learning part. Great to also see it rephrased here. As an example, I have just improved by over 2 seconds on average without really learning any new techniques or algorithms, but just practice, in a pretty short time span. Shows how effective it can be, also in the next few days or weeks instead of months or years.

But what is chess training?

But what is chess training?

Where are the best resources for training? I understand I should be drilling both endgames and checkmates.

Where are the best resources for training? I understand I should be drilling both endgames and checkmates.

i would like to see a training plan for low rated players. like a guide to train better

i would like to see a training plan for low rated players. like a guide to train better

there are 2 levels of knowledge:
a) "Yeah, I heard about it."
b) you know it inside out, repeated the knowledge several times.

As GM Arthur Yussupov put it: "you dont only need to know about it - you need to have it in your blood!"

A common knowledge a) vs b) issue I encounter often is the "square rule" in pure kings & pawns endgames.
Most players have heard about it. Yet, when it comes on the board, they calculate every step anyway instead of saving time and apply the rule.
Also, they are suddenly not sure: "if I get into the square, but his pawn then moves out of the square, am I too late? Or is it not important?"
Well, the answer is: "No matter who has the move, if you get into the square, you will be fine."

Thus, you really need to know the square rule inside out or chances are, you start calculating and fail to calculate the move sequence correctly.

Also: How to hold a draw if there is the last pawn left, and you are the lone king trying to get stalemated. How to do it?
While many players know that there is a stalemate possibility, they do not know exactly how to achieve it, try to calculate it, and fail miserably in a blitz game.

there are 2 levels of knowledge: a) "Yeah, I heard about it." b) you know it inside out, repeated the knowledge several times. As GM Arthur Yussupov put it: "you dont only need to know about it - you need to have it in your blood!" A common knowledge a) vs b) issue I encounter often is the "square rule" in pure kings & pawns endgames. Most players have heard about it. Yet, when it comes on the board, they calculate every step anyway instead of saving time and apply the rule. Also, they are suddenly not sure: "if I get into the square, but his pawn then moves out of the square, am I too late? Or is it not important?" Well, the answer is: "No matter who has the move, if you get into the square, you will be fine." Thus, you really need to know the square rule inside out or chances are, you start calculating and fail to calculate the move sequence correctly. Also: How to hold a draw if there is the last pawn left, and you are the lone king trying to get stalemated. How to do it? While many players know that there is a stalemate possibility, they do not know exactly how to achieve it, try to calculate it, and fail miserably in a blitz game.

Training is difficult, studying is a pleasure. As long as we're practising what we don't like, what seems daunting, as long as we're reviewing the losing positions we've been able to put ourselves in, as long as we're fighting the clock, it's likely that we're training.
To each his own demons, but training on the following points is difficult for me:

  • analysing the different variants of a position (until a stable position is reached, without tactics)
  • pawn and rook endgames
  • visualisation exercises
  • working on studies (such as Laszlo Polgar's 5334 mats, for example)
  • applying an appropriate thought process to each move (I stress ‘each move’)
    and so on...

Even if it's useful, playing a practice game regularly isn't difficult (but analysing it is).
Reading a book on strategy isn't difficult (but regularly replaying certain positions against opponents of increasing strength is).
Spending 15 minutes a day solving tactical exercisesb is not difficult (but making an effort to note down the different variations; yes)
Devoting 7 hours a week to ‘training’ isn't difficult, but forcing yourself to do it for 1 hour a day, between 6 and 7 in the morning, whatever your family or work commitments: that's hard.)

Training is difficult, studying is a pleasure. As long as we're practising what we don't like, what seems daunting, as long as we're reviewing the losing positions we've been able to put ourselves in, as long as we're fighting the clock, it's likely that we're training. To each his own demons, but training on the following points is difficult for me: - analysing the different variants of a position (until a stable position is reached, without tactics) - pawn and rook endgames - visualisation exercises - working on studies (such as Laszlo Polgar's 5334 mats, for example) - applying an appropriate thought process to each move (I stress ‘each move’) and so on... Even if it's useful, playing a practice game regularly isn't difficult (but analysing it is). Reading a book on strategy isn't difficult (but regularly replaying certain positions against opponents of increasing strength is). Spending 15 minutes a day solving tactical exercisesb is not difficult (but making an effort to note down the different variations; yes) Devoting 7 hours a week to ‘training’ isn't difficult, but forcing yourself to do it for 1 hour a day, between 6 and 7 in the morning, whatever your family or work commitments: that's hard.)

Ok, I understand that training is important and repetitive but I don't really understand how you are supposed to train : just doing random puzzles, only practicing a few patterns (mate in 2, fork, ...) ?

Ok, I understand that training is important and repetitive but I don't really understand how you are supposed to train : just doing random puzzles, only practicing a few patterns (mate in 2, fork, ...) ?

Look for some good blogs written by adults improvers, read Dan Heisman "A guide to chess improvement", searching ideas in Ben Johnson's podcasts.

Look for some good blogs written by adults improvers, read Dan Heisman "A guide to chess improvement", searching ideas in Ben Johnson's podcasts.

Really like this paragraph:

"For that, you should buy into a growth mindset. You should not see your failures as proofs that you are hopelessly crap. Try to see them as useful clues, showing where you need to improve".

Looking forward to your next training posts :)

Really like this paragraph: "For that, you should buy into a growth mindset. You should not see your failures as proofs that you are hopelessly crap. Try to see them as useful clues, showing where you need to improve". Looking forward to your next training posts :)