Improve 200 points in less than a month!

I was playing a lot of blitz. Doing chesstempo and chessable. I was steadily improving but it was 2 foot forward 1 foot back. Sometimes 3.

Work got more hectic. They gave me 7 days work no rest day for like 3 weeks. I also, spread out my powerlifting program into 7 days. 6 and 7th day as accessory. 7th day optional if I have the energy.

Because of this, I stopped doing chesstempo and chessable.

What happened next is that I stopped playing blitz. And I ventured into rapid with 10-0.
I went from 1471 in August 11 to 1693 today at september 7.

I come home from work at 4 and I'd play a game with zen mode. Relaxed. Then analyze after. Oh yeah. I analyze each game now. Gym opens at 5.

So everytime I play, I make sure that I am grounded. Relaxed. Listening to good music. Zen mode. And pause after enemy's every move. Get your hand out of the mouse. Think. Decide, then touch the mouse then move.

Today, I won against a 1700+. That's the first time that I've fought a 1700 outside tournament. And I won fair and square.

I feel like if I play longer time controls, I'd improve faster. Not only does it let me calculate more. But less anxiety over time.

Also for analyses, I made a study and put em all there so it's like a portfolio. Whatever happens put it there. Loss, draw, win.
Analyze without engine first. Then analyze with engine.

Practice only 1 opening for both black and white. After some time, your knowledge on that opening deepens and you'd build confidence. I will eventually venture into more openings but I'm building my foundation starting with two.

I'm very happy with my progress. I've tried so hard in the past only to fail.

Now that I've let go and moved slower, I'm now improving. This is just the beginning.

I know that I'm getting closer to a point where I'd plateau again but this time, i have renewed confidence. <3

Have a nice day everyone!

Hmm, listening music and playing game will distract my mind and make more blunder. But the zen mode is good.

@Rembrandt16 play classical and rapid to improve.

@IndianDoraemon I'm planning to play classical. yes. gotta find the time for it. rn, rapid is my most bang for buck for play time and analysis.

@Rembrandt16 I‘m in a similar rating range. I think much depends on the right mindset. Like staying focused and aiming for the best move even when I‘m a rook up, staying calm, analyzing my games.... Books on strategy and stuff are not so much helpful for me but practice and working on my shortcomings.

Congrats for your progress and newfound confidence

@wombann Thank you! The strangest thing is that when I surrenedered the outcome and just played longer time controls to relax and play, I improved.

I wouldn't improve this much if I tried hard.

So much anxiety when trying hard.

I will most likely hit another plateau some time around now but my training would be more fun now that I've leveled up a little bit!

Thank you! We will get through this! <3