20d • General discussion
My guide to reach 1400-1500 elo on chess.com
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.
Ironically, when you stop obsessing over rating, your Elo starts climbing on its own.
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My guide to reach 1400-1500 elo on chess.com
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