4 chess learning resources. What should an intermediate chess player study to improve?

Intermediate chess player study tips for improvement in chess – Part 1

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Last week I received an email from an old student of mine asking me what next to study. He said – “Dear coach, I am stuck, and I’ve been thinking about taking your advice on what to do to improve my game. I have been going steadily from 800 to 1300 for the last 1.5 years, and now it’s been 6 months since I can raise my rating levels. Any resources or online chess classes for me to pursue?

Should I be worried that I am not doing something correctly?  And if that is the case, what am I doing wrong?”. 

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I knew that like him many intermediate chess players were feeling lost in limbo land (and I was there some 20 years ago, so I know well enough what it’s like, with no proper guidance).

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Who is this article for?

If your answer to the following questions –

• Are you an upcoming intermediate-level chess player also wanting to improve at chess after being stuck?
• Do you think that there is some vital information that you are missing in your chess training?
• Are you feeling guilty about wasting your time reading books that are not helping you in any way or doing things that just seem to be a waste of your time?

Is YES, then the answer lies in – introspection and taking active steps.

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And a new approach – Reading chess books with a chess coach.

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Let me explain.

This post is for intermediate chess players who want to improve their chess skills to the next stage.

At this stage, most of the chess enthusiasts are on the verge of losing hopes of improvement.

Why does this happen?  Some of them simply do not want to do any more work as they think they have done enough.

However, most of them do not have proper guidance to quality chess manuals for the needed push to the next levels.

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The big question for every intermediate chess player is what should an intermediate chess player study

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Step 1 – Take stock of your chess knowledge, and what you should learn!

After acquainting yourself to the ideas of basic gameplay in your chess games, you must be now ready to understand how long-term factors actually dictate the outcome of chess games.

These areas are so vast that you must engage in all resources to move you forward in gaining chess knowledge.

If you cannot enlist the help of a chess coach through online chess classes (or direct classes), then you will need these resources to start with.

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In my chess classes for intermediate and advanced players, I usually advise my students who are avid readers to read a particular book.

 

 

However, since I do not know you (the reader) personally, I can only list some general evergreen resources for you to read and understand.

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Take notes and mark what you think is important from these books.

 

As an intermediate player, you can probably spot certain typical and basic tactics and defend against the same tactics.

Now it’s time to develop the positional side of your game for further advancement.

• Did you know about the 6 things we chess players could learn from a 2-year-old?

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Here are some resources I would suggest going through if you are really serious about improving your positional chess knowledge. 

I had read them many years ago and found them very useful for greater clarity and understanding from my then existing levels.

I still refer to them to keep myself primed up. So this is a kind of going back to the basics approach for improvement.

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* Intermediate chess player study resource #1 –

My System and Chess Praxis

both by Aron Nimzowitsch. Two great books by a great player.

These books take you through important themes of positional play.

The books give a concrete theory and give proof-of-concept demonstration games.

Though they are classic old school, the teachings still hold ground for the budding players.

I consider them a must for chess enthusiasts. I remember as a frustrated player having taken to these books like a fish to water.

Aron Nimzowitsch was an excellent writer and an elite master. If there was some book unanimously labelled as a classic this would come pretty close to it.

On a personal note, I found the Praxis book better in the long run, but that was only after I understood his ‘My System’ book.

You can use the Praxis book as a reference manual to better understand the concepts in the System as I did, or you can read the System book for now.

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* Intermediate chess player study resource #2 –

 

Winning Chess Middlegames – An Essential Guide to Pawn Structures by Ivan Sokolov.

This one comes as a surprise for many when I suggest taking this book seriously.

In fact, I am myself guilty of having sidelined this book when I first bought it.

It was only when I read a few chapters that I discovered that it was a treasure trove of ideas in an area that is often neglected – viz pawn structures – doubled pawns, isolated pawns, hanging pawns and central pawn majorities.

I am sure you will find the study of this book is rewarding and will throw an added layer of understanding to your chess.

One small word of caution: the book is only about 1.d4 openings.

However, the ideas Sokolov explains are applicable to all openings than the ones used in this book. 

• Make sure you do read this article – When Priorities and desires change on the psychological factors of chess stagnation.

Chess Structures: A Grandmaster Guide by Mauricio Flores Rios – A new book that is exhaustive and is one of the best for explaining many pawn structure-based themes and plans.

A companion to the Sokolov book, a blog about the book, Mauricio Flores is including recent (or old) games where you can see how the theory of the book are applied, and how even sometimes Grandmasters don’t find the best option – read his blog 

• Have you read my previous article on How to learn from World Champions and World Championships?

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* Intermediate chess player study resource #3 –

How Purdy Won: 1st World Champion of Correspondence Chess – Purdy is among the best chess writers I have read at par with the likes of Dan Heisman or Irving Chernev (for beginners and intermediates).

When I first heard his name I thought Purdy… who?

And that is because his books are now quite old and almost forgotten.

But he writes in an easy to read and understand format and his annotations are easy to follow – he writes for the casual player who wants to improve.

The reason I singled this book out is that it covers basic theory and examples of openings, middle games, and end games.

However, if you are lingering in the 1350-1400 range try attempting this book by the same author – The Search for Chess Perfection.

The reason is that he discusses in detail his thinking technique which is akin to Silman’s techniques. 

Purdy’s passion and dedication to chess are seen in his writings.

Very few authors can explain the concepts in layman terms.

And most importantly, Purdy’s writing style is so enjoyable, that it can be visited again and again; this helps to reinforce his teachings. 

Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

And what better way to learn about chess truth than a Correspondence Chess Champion?

• I suggest reading his other books too. For a detailed listing look here at Amazon.

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* Intermediate chess player study resource #4 –

 

Both these by Jeremy Silman are worth their weight in gold.

The reason I am suggesting an intermediate chess player study both books is that they are connected in terms of teaching the concept and reinforcing them.

However, if you intend to buy only one I would suggest  –  How to Reassess Your Chess: Chess Mastery Through Chess Imbalances (though I am sure you will get the other books after reading this one).

There is one caveat though – if initially, you feel that he is way above your head despair not.

Do a re-run, and you will see that he sinks in slowly.

And one more caution – Don’t play blitz while reading these books – you will almost always lose on time as your mind grapples with Silmanesque techniques – that is what Silman does to the reader!

• Learning to separate the wood from the trees.
• Milestones in Chess and how to achieve them.

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So do not worry about the stagnation and what an intermediate chess player study regimen is all about.

When you are happy doing something without worrying about the result, then this is a moment of celebration.

As usual comments and feedback are welcome. Please let me know if you found the suggestions useful!

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When not playing or teaching chess at Golden Chess Centre, the author Kish Kumar spends time playing with Hazel and Jia (Labrador Retrievers)! Contact him on his Facebook page.

Interested in online chess classes?

Golden Chess Centre conducts regular online chess classes for beginners, intermediates and advanced level players and direct chess classes for upcoming chess players in Nanganallur, Madipakkam, Adambakkam, Moovarasampet, Kilkattalai, Kovilambakkam, Puzhuthivakkam, Ullagaram and Pazhavanthangal – Chennai 

Get in touch to know more, in case you are interested!

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