Hello ChessVideos community!

I have been browsing this site for a little while now looking for a way to contribute. Today I notice that there is a local tournament coming up in my town in 3 weeks. Naturally, if you are reading this you have guessed that I have decided to play in it.

I am going to catalogue my daily preparation for this event and then post games from the actual tournament. I am currently an expert strength player. I have never been master however.

My first order of preparation includes reviewing the past weeks master-strength and above games from last week. I do this by visiting http://www.chesscenter.com/twic/twic.html This Week In Chess has been around for quite awhile. It is a must resource for the serious tournament player. Chessbase even links to their database.

On average there is between 1200-4000 master level games played around the world every week.

I don't plan to study these games. I just want to review the games. Meaning. I will play the moves at a moderate speed in my chess-viewer. My objective at this point is to get casually familiar with various positions that are occuring today in modern theory. This is one way to get familiar with openings that you don't play or may not have considered playing.

Black wins this game!



Black to move now! Imagine the pressure!

I used to do this but lately have been sticking strictly to book study. I do look at the games from these sources where the openings that I am interested in have been played but even here I have eleven years of catching up to do and often limit my review to some ridiculously high rating for the participants (2700 or 2600 usually).

Crash

Glad to see another training journal! I think the technique of playing through lots and lots of high level games is really good, and something I plan to start doing a lot more.

Today I went through more games. I must admit after looking at so many games it made me want to play. I jumped on the Fritz Server and played some. I managed to get my Fritz Server Rating up to 2000, but that was about it.

Just looking at games will need to be complimented with some actual study. During those blitz games I found myself unsure of what continuation to take in relatively even positions. I referenced Chessbase and found that those positions tended to have 2-3 candidate moves.

So I will be adjusting my study regime to reviewing games twice a day. [GOAL] Review no less than 100 games a day. Playing blitz on probably the Fritz Server or ICC. [GOAL] Reach Master or maintain a master internet rating. Finally review games that I play on various servers. [GOAL] Allow myself detailed analysis of several games.

Yo Chess-Coach.net. great training regimen. I will attempt to implement in my own training program. I am interested in viewing my progress as I look to employ the strategies you mention. I will also attempt to merge my ideas of mixing blitz and standard internet games into the training.
Blitz incorporates speed of cognition, improves reflexes, site and square awarness in addition to giving one the opportunity to explore many openings and defences. I believe standard time controls aid in simulating the pressure of action tournament. I believe reaching senior master ratings 2400-2599 is attainable for any NM who is willing to put the time in by playing matches and online tournaments. Doing so has earned me over 400 first place finishes in online tournaments on the various servers against a host of opponents with varying skill levels. I will keep the readers posted as to the success of this new regimen.

First an update. I didn't quite make my 100 game goal today. Today was kinda like an off day. I actually did some detailed analysis of several games. I did review some games but not formally apart of my regime.

Second update. I played some over the board chess today and more than one person volunteered the observation that they could see new ideas in my chess play. I wasn't personally aware of it, but they seemed to have noticed. This could be the game reviewing part of my regime working.

Third update. I have crossed the 2100 rating point on the fritz server. I haven't been playing here a week yet and already I am on my way to master. I have changed my goal to reflect the comment "TheChessGym", said above. [GOAL] 2400 fritz server rating. I am roughly 300 points away and I know I have my work cut out for me, but I have nothing to loose by trying.

Feeling good today. Thanks all for reading.

Late Breaking News! The Chess-Coach has decided to take chess lessons. That's right chess fans. I believe even I can benefit from specialized training. I have chosen a sparring partner/coach. And we will begin preparing for the November event as my first tournament.

For the present, though, Kramnik is fully devoted to chess in a thoroughly professional way. “Chess is like body-building. If you train every day, you stay in top shape. It is the same with your brain – chess is a matter of daily training”.

kramnik is rite if you dont play everyday and make it a routine you will loe interest.that goes for everything not just for chess.

Sneaking out of town for a quick one day tournament. I will report back here tonight or tomorrow.

Good luck

Just got back from my out of town event. Scored 4-0. Highest rated scalp 2198. Nice little check for my effort. Can't wait until the next event.

Wow, congrats on your amazing result! Winning all one's games is always difficult.

Awesome results and congrats on the win. (I'm assuming you won, or at least tied for a win or am sorely confused as to the running of the tourney.)