checkm8r

become a chess master
Became USCF NM in 1983 3 years ago

Played competitively since Middle school and became an National master a year after college. It’s not easy, takes many hours of practice, study and play. Also it gets harder the higher you go as the competition gets tougher. But worth it!

Jun 14, 2006, 03:58PM PDT | 2 cheers


Comments:

Chessaholic

I am at the 2000 CFC level. You improve with experience but now at 47 I have less time to play. So every tournament is like starting over! any advice?

Sep 29, 2006, 04:22AM PDT | Thread | Respond to this

checkm8r

Yes, I know your dilemma for getting back into Over-the-board tournaments.

Like a catch-22, you have to play to get sharp, but when you play, you are not sharp to start.

I recommend playing some slower time controls online, so you get to deeper thought games. Speed chess is tempting, but will not prepare you for the slower time controls. And study using a tool such as ChessBase, which allows you to research openings and other middlegame ideas much faster than through books.

Good luck!

Dec 11, 2006, 11:21PM PST | Respond to this


checkm8r has gotten 2 cheers on this entry.

 

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