1. Play the Right Time Control If you genuinely want to improve, stop playing blitz and bullet. They build bad habits and reward guessing over thinking. Play Rapid, ideally 15 | 10. This gives you time to calculate, think, and actually learn from positions instead of reacting on instinct. 2. Keep Your Opening Repertoire Simple You don’t need 10 openings. You need understanding, not memorization. Learn 2 openings as White Learn 2 openings as Black: One against 1.e4 One against 1.d4 These are the most common first moves you’ll face. Example preferences (simple and sound): White: Ruy Lopez, Queen’s Gambit Black: Caro–Kann (vs 1.e4), Sicilian (vs 1.e4) (You can later add something solid vs 1.d4 like QGD) The goal isn’t theory depth—it’s knowing plans, ideas, and typical middlegames. 3. Never Play a Move Without a Reason This is HUGE below 1400. Before every move, ask yourself: What does this move do? What does it attack or defend? Does it improve my position? If you don’t know the answer, don’t play it. Random moves lose games fast. 4. Attack the Right Side Once kings are castled, look for play on the side where the opponent’s king is. Don’t push pawns or pieces on the opposite side without a clear reason. Direct plans win games at this level. 5. Play Only When Mentally Ready Your mental state matters more than you think. Don’t play just before sleeping Don’t play if you’re tired, tilted, or distracted Stop immediately after losing 3 games in a row Playing while frustrated will destroy both your Elo and confidence. 6. Learn Basic Endgames (This Is Non-Negotiable) Most players ignore endgames, and that’s why they get stuck. Focus on: King and pawn endgames Rook and pawn endgames Rook vs rook + pawn Basic checkmate patterns (K+Q, K+R) Common draw patterns (wrong rook pawn, last pawn situations) Knowing these will save and win you tons of points. 7. Play for Love of the Game, Not Elo This might be the most important rule. Don’t play chess just to gain Elo. Play because you enjoy thinking, learning, and improving.

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