I have worked with many students over the last 5 years, and this blog will guide you with some of my insights which will help you reach from 1400 to 1900. Last year, FIDE set a minimum rating of 1400, and most players reach 1400–1500 within a few months or a couple of years after starting chess. Many people get stuck at that level and never manage to improve their rating.
Following are some of the things that are lacking in them:
- Practice – Consistency with chess practice is the biggest issue for players. Most young players don’t like chess, and that’s the truth you can’t deny. A player should at least spend an hour on daily chess practice. Doing chess practice is boring, but there is no alternative to it.
- Lack of games – Most players don’t play enough games in a year. If you are young and have time, you should try to play at least 100 games in a year to make good progress. Chess is a game of skill, but players also need some luck and more chances to succeed.
- Fear – Most players fear losing the game or fear their parents. I know many players who dropped the idea of pursuing chess due to fear. Some players face high pressure and are not able to handle it. Playing for enjoyment is a good strategy, but when parents invest a lot of money, they expect some results immediately.
How to Reach from 1400 to 1900?
Gaining 500 points will take 8–15 months if everything goes well and you play a good number of tournaments. Here are some things that players must have:
- Preparing basic openings – This is what I realised when I worked with my first 8–10 students a few years ago. If you want to get to a 1900–2000 rating, you need to prepare the basics of openings. You should choose openings that are easy to remember and more pattern-based. For example, choosing the Najdorf is not a good idea as it is theory-based. Instead, you can choose the Caro-Kann, Pirc, or Kalashnikov, which require less preparation and are more plan-based than theory-based. Choosing the right opening is very important, and you must do an analysis—maybe with your coach—before deciding.
- Working with a chess coach
A chess coach will cost around $10–75 per lesson depending on geography, language, experience, and rating. Hiring a coach will save a lot of your time, and you can make progress faster. I was stuck at the 2300 level, and it took me 6 years to complete my IM title. My mistake was not hiring a coach to save money. Getting a good coach is also important. I have written an article on how to find a chess coach, which you can read by clicking here. - Finding friends to do chess practice
This is somewhat lacking in students who are residing outside India. If you have a group of friends to do chess practice, nothing like it. It will not only help you improve your strength but also help you to compete and build healthy competition. - Tactics and calculation all day
This is a basic thing that everyone will say if you watch any video or read any article. Solving calculation puzzles is the only way to improve as quickly as possible. The important thing is to not solve puzzles that are too hard. I see most 1600–1700 players doing the calculation book by Aagaard. That book is extremely hard, even for FMs and IMs. Players should choose slightly difficult books above their current level. I am going to write a separate article on recommended books for the 1400–1900 level. - Basic endgames
Of course, you must know basic endgame positions. 100 Endgames You Must Know is the only book that comes to my mind. You won’t need any endgame book until you reach an 1800–1900 rating. You can solve the 100 Endgames book again and again. If you find it difficult, you can watch the Chessable video course or find a chess coach with whom you can work on the same book. - Positive mindset – Going in with the right mindset is equally important as doing chess practice. Developing a positive mindset and keeping it all the time is very hard, and many top chess players lack it. Especially, it’s hard when you are not playing good chess or when results are not coming.
- Playing tournaments – Playing over-the-board tournaments is the key to success, and I highly recommend playing at least 80–100 games in a year. In India and the USA, you will find many double-round events that are easily accessible and offer a lot of experience.
- Note down everything – This is boring but takes less time. Once you are back from the event—or even during the event—you should note down everything. After each game, note down your mindset before the game, after the game, and everything you felt during the game. On normal days, try to think about chess and what you should do right to make progress. Thinking continuously about progress will accelerate your growth.
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