13 Free Smart Chess Training Ideas that Actually Work
In this article, we will discuss the top 13 Smart Chess Training Ideas that work – hacks that you can use in your daily routine, to make it smart, not hard work.
Chess Training Ideeas
The study of Chess is akin to learning a skill that needs to be absorbed and mastered slowly by repetition.
The continuous need for self-improvement has always been the fuel that keeps a player committed to daily practice.
Training is not an easy discipline.
If you have a coach or friend to train with, the process can become more easy-going and fun.
Let’s begin with our 13 FREE Smart Chess Training Ideas that Actually Work:
Solving King and Pawn Endgames
Solving King and Pawn endgames without moving the pieces is not easy, it is very difficult, initially.
But it works wonders for improving your calculation skills. It improves your visualization and calculation considerably.
As you progress, endgame studies will be better for intermediate level and strong players – starting from simple to slightly difficult studies.
Don’t go for the composed studies that are impractical and for fun. Yet. They can be left for the grandmasters.
Visualization of Chess moves
Start by visualizing short games like games that end in 4 moves.
Then slowly increase the game length to your comfort gradually reaching a greater length of moves.
This will help in fixing your visualization stamina.
Playing Blitz games – with a small difference.
I know that this is counter-productive.
But only if it is not moderated.
What I am suggesting is a controlled game with known opening moves to perfect your opening repertoire.
This way you will build a list of bad moves that must be avoided.
Search for the weakness in your chess games.
This is my personal tip, but highly effective – I call it ‘minding your mistakes’.
Your games are the measure of your chess strength.
Everything that is flawed in your game will be seen there. You must learn from them and find out your blank spots.
Seek improvement in those areas that you are prone to make mistakes.
Endgame practice during chess classes
For this, I recommend learning the basic endgames first and then try the practice positions by playing with a stronger player or your coach.
Here I have to warn you that you must remember a fair amount of theory and also keep the theoretical points in your mind without fail.
Bullet games for fun – after chess classes.
A few bullet games online can help you keep sharp and warmed up. I call this fun Chess Training,
One strong warning – don’t play blitz/bullet games before a tournament. It will make you play fast without any plans or depth.
Look at games of the early Chess masters.
Why old games? Because the Grandmaster games of olden days would be easier to understand.
Start of with the games of Morphy, Andersson, et al.
Those ‘classic’ games were lessons on simple conversions, plans, and tactics.
As the games will be relatable to your level they will also enhance your understanding of basic strategy.
This will help you develop a solid foundation.
By learning how the old Masters perfected their move-making decisions, you will also consciously try to do the same in your practice.
Your opponents will see a strange difference in your play.
Solve chess tactics – without moving the pieces
In our online Chess Training portal, we do not encourage solving of positions by moving.
That would be akin to guessing or shooting in the dark.
Try to work out the solution in your mind.
This has the added benefit of redoing the moves as there is no touch piece rule for the mind.
This is another good method to improve your calculation skills.
Watch other online players’ games live.
Just like analyzing your own played games, you can learn from other players’ games too.
It’s said that a wise person learns from his mistakes.
A wiser one learns from others’ mistakes.
But the wisest person of all learns from others’ successes.”
Practice your openings by playing them on the real board.
I know it may sound clichéd but reading opening theory will not help you remember the lines unless you have physically moved the pieces and played them a zillion times by hand.
By hand means you are committing the opening moves to what I call ‘muscle memory’.
That way should your brain forget the moves, your body will remember them.
Study a chess book of Grandmaster’s games – the older the book the better.
Why an older book?
Because as I said earlier, easier it would be to understand the old games of the masters than the new games played with a lot of intricate calculations.
Try to get hold of a Grandmaster games collection and FINISH it.
Like for example – Bronstein’s book on Zurich 1953 or the Best games of Alekhine.
Why old game-collections are the best?
Because they are first-person accounts by the author and therefore convey the thoughts and internal emotions perfectly.
Mark your progress – record your journey.
Each time you cross a major hurdle in your Chess Training, make a note of it – and – how you did it.
Journaling your success will reinforce your habit and boost your morale.
I still have a record whenever I crossed and climbed 100 ELO in my rating during my now 25 years of chess-playing history.
Read more about Milestones in Chess and 9 Important Tips on how to achieve them
Never lose focus – keep your hero’s pic as wallpaper.
My personal favorite chess player is Vishy Anand.
I look at his pic and get my daily dose of energy and motivation.
Who is your idol in chess?
I hope you will find this list of Smart Chess Training Ideas useful for creating your own personalized plan.
There are more suggestions coming in future articles.
Feel free to share your feedback with us.
Other notable reads to enhance your Chess Training
Psychology of Chess Weaknesses | 4 Easy Hacks
Correct Attitude to Learning chess | 5 Tips to success
3 Important Questions To Ask Before a Chess Move
7 Mistakes In Chess Tactics Training +2 Bonus Training Methods
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