Practice Over Theory #1: How to make chess improvment unavoidable

Through this post, you can acquire a method that makes it inevitable to play better chess. For that, take a small mental step back: what does it mean to play better chess? In my position in the chess world, it would be presumptuous to develop an independent solution to this question. Therefore in the words of IM Jeremy Silman*:

"The one thing you have to accept is that real chess improvement is dependent on repetition. LOTS and LOTS of repetition. Seeing a pattern once won’t help you. But seeing examples of a particular pattern dozens and dozens of times (even hundreds of times) eventually makes it a part of you." Source

Playing better chess means knowing and implementing more patterns and motifs in the game than your opponent. That is the cornerstone of our method.

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How can you profit from this? In these simple three simple steps, you can improve your game:

1. Step: Play a game one time-control faster than usual.
2. Step: Identify the patterns and motifs you did not implement.
3. Step: Practice these patterns until you master them effortlessly.

In detail:

1. Step: Play a game one time-control faster than usual.

Assuming you usually play 15+10, now you play 10+5, and if you usually play 5+3, now play 5+0. Why should you do this? For self-revelation. Less time forces you to make faster decisions and brings to light the patterns and motifs you have not mastered a 100% yet.

2. Step: Identify the patterns and motifs you did not implement.

This step of the method varies for each of us. Some of us leave pieces hanging, others overlook opportunities for forks or skewers, and others have trouble identifying square weaknesses.

Ideally, you identify these patterns by analyzing your own game. It is sufficient to trust the Lichess analysis and have the patterns presented to you on a silver platter by clicking the "Learn from your mistakes" button.

3. Step: Practice these patterns until you've mastered them.

With the knowledge gained in step two, it's time to start working. Fortunately, Lichess offers you herethe opportunity to practice almost all patterns and motifs until you actually master them. Assuming your analysis showed that you played a reasonable opening but overlooked a back rank mate and missed a chance with a discovered attack, you can work on these points specifically.

I recommend at least 10 exercises to internalize the pattern. But what is crucial is that you implement it in your games. So, if you overlook the back rank mate again in the next game, just add 10 more exercises—until it no longer escapes you in any game.

If you consistently implement this method, it is impossible not to get better. You work specifically in your areas of improvement until they become your strengths. This way, every game offers you the opportunity to improve.

What do you think about the method? Get in touch with me via direct message or a comment in the forum!

Best
cptnlubi

* Jeremy Silman died on 21. September 2023 - he was the most famous chess coach and author of his generation. May he rest in peace.