My Chess Study Schedule!

This is an overview of the chess study schedule(s) that took me from 0-2000 in two years! I hope this gives you some ideas if you're making a study plan of your own.
Follow me on Twitter: / kamrynheidi
Find puzzles, analyze your games, and track your progress on Chess.com: www.chess.com/?ref_id=136665470 [This is an affiliate link. I earn a small commission if you sign up for a membership using this link at no additional cost to you.]
This Document Changed My Chess video: • This Document Changed ...
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:22 - Beginner chess time
01:59 - Developing an actual plan
02:40 - The 3-Part Plan
06:54 - How I study now
08:10 - Thanks for watching
Original outro music by Nela Ruiz
For business inquiries: [e-mail]
Please note: I do not offer coaching or training games online.

[@Ireniicus]

As someone who has been playing chess for forty years I think you have nailed it.

[@literallysweden]

What’s ur rating

[@sanyogitapardeshi7285]

​@@literallyswedenZlatan Ibrahimovic 👑🦁🥶

[@AyaanMansuri-gn2bg]

I am stuck at 1400-1500 and now I finally feel encouraged to get back and start to study to break though that barrier thanks to you.

[@swankypants6227]

Great video! Thank you!

[@Kubooxooki]

Solid advice. Thanks for sharing!

[@MDWeezer]

Just wanted to say a quick thanks, very calm and methodical videos. I can watch tons of Levy's videos but please keep this approach - inspiring and helpful as I climb the ladder to 1000!

[@ericpetersen8155]

I play backgammon not chess. I agree with you 100% that playing OTB and on a computer are 2 different things and the tactile part of OTB is very important. It’s easy on a computer to get lazy to fall into autopilot which is bad. I’m a 2250/2300 level backgammon player after 7 years.

[@dja1344]

thank you for all the information you give us, I really appreciate it

[@evanjohnstone7644]

This is exactly what I needed for coming up with my own study plan thanks so much super helpful!

[@theokanbe8667]

Thank you for uploading this.

[@nmw_nerk]

Your channel is awesome! So glad I found this, please keep up the great content. As a newer player I really appreciate how clear and simple you keep it.

[@packerja]

This is super helpful - thank you! I'd love to see a video with more detail on how you started to properly study openings.

[@semiquavertriplitz]

This is great. To see someone's study plan to get results, gives others like me an idea on how to improve. Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@beechercc6722]

Thanks this made me rethink and reboot my study approach which has been stagnant

[@simenraaen6089]

Thank you so much for your charing, It helps alot.

[@LordTreyHowdy]

I love your videos! I would say your own name more so folks start to tie your content to your name! I just realized I didn't know your name until I saw the Twitter handle at the end. Your dedication and hard work is truly amazing

[@PEBBLETHEREBEL1985]

Such an underrated channel, great content

[@PS7HD]

Parece que vc estava lendo meus pensamentos, seu vídeo chegou em ótima hora, grato por compartilhar sua experiência, forte abraço, Nathan

[@princejoeokechukwu5]

This is exactly what I'm doing for my chess studies. Great video!

[@PawnCheckMate]

good video i learned a lot from it

[@jt3921]

Thanks for sharing your study plan! Very nice video.

[@kamrynheidi]

Thank you!

[@Chess_Enthusiast]

Hi, you inspired me to start playing chess!

[@SeaPhoenix01]

Thank you, I will try your study plan. Im stuck at 1100 for a month or so but I want to push further

[@manathy6576]

Thank you for this amazing look through what is needed to be serious about improving at chess. I am especially inspired because I am currently in this 1300-ish plateau that you also showed in your rating progress chart. I hope I can improve!

[@binethepitawela9974]

Sameeee

[@Bhavishya.962]

Thank you very much

[@cereal2373]

I appreciate your explanations a lot~ It’s both really entertaining and educational at the same time.

[@certifiedcertifier]

You've inspired me to get better

[@ChillTown701]

I like the general advice, but I would also like to see more specifics, like game analysis.

[@thejoskenator]

Thank you very much for this video, I was really looking forward to this! I will try to implement some of these things into my own training plan as well. Keep up the educational content, you are doing a great job!

[@nifesimikotun6313]

Wow, Thanks I'll try and do them, but I am struggling with discipline though. Thankyou.

[@alexwiththeglasses]

Deeply appreciate your honesty in qualifying and quantifying! I’ve noticed that most all “adult improvers” just guess at how much time they’re spending and what they’re spending it on. I just started my own studying last week so good timing! Btw I’m 64 so it’s a bit different & my own little experiment🤞

[@timblessing2815]

Yes. I am 72 & started playing in October. I now have learned enough about chess to start learning how to play. Finding OTB games has been a bit difficult, BTW.

[@alexwiththeglasses]

@@timblessing2815 I’d imagine that’s the case for most people. I’m lucky enough to live in a big city but even here it’s a money and transportation issue for slow chess especially. No point for me in playing fast chess OTB either… maybe later idk.

[@nihsumi]

how has your chess going? I hope to get back into Chess as one of my 2024 goals

[@domenicomonteleone6735]

This is brilliant content! The bits around tactics are easy to understand and pick up. When it comes to openings though, how do you study them? What resources do you use?

[@laurag6879]

❤❤❤Thank you sooooooo much😊😊😊

[@forky.chess1]

Great video :)

[@user-uk9er5vw4c]

nice video!

[@darkermagic2007]

Could you perhaps make a video for what you were describing @4:30 ? I believe I understand what you are talking about and try to Learn Opening Lines in Catalan after move 4. But more detail would be fantastic!

[@millennia7040]

Where did you study your openings? I always catch myself wanting to learn an opening but youtube videos are very limited so Idk where to look

[@dustinferguson186]

Great video. Do you recommend any rest days? I've heard mixed opinions on this and want your two cents whether they are necessary (if so, how frequent) or optional?

[@hosiahjones]

@Kamryn Study your rapid games deeply, not just quickly glancing but really think about the positions where you went wrong, and the previous moves how you got there. Fischer said, "positional superiority presages a blunder" so it's not just the blunder it's also how you got into a positional mess in the first place.

[@executivelifehacks6747]

When/where did Fischer say that? Not saying it isn't correct but I can't find the quote anywhere

[@hosiahjones]

@@executivelifehacks6747 I think Fischer's specific quote is, "tactics flow from a superior position."

[@HeyImZak]

How exactly did you learn your openings? Did you watch videos, type, write, etc…

[@eti-iniER]

Hi Kamryn! Really nice to see that hard work and dedication always pays off. I'm stuck at 1500, and I guess that's the level where you need to put in real effort to improve instead of just coasting by. I'm joining an OTB club though, so I think that'll help. Also, keep making videos if you can! On Chess KZbin I believe you fill a particularly cozy niche and will succeed if you are consistent. Good luck, and may the chess gods be ever in your favour! 😊

[@executivelifehacks6747]

I like your approach. It is not disimilar to what I've come to on my own. What are the key areas of chess proficiency? 1) Openings 2) Tactics - Easy for intuition, Hard for Calculation 3) Positional understanding 4) Strategy? I suppose? 5) End games 6) Where are my errors? Fixing those, by playing and analyzing. If not that, it's someting like it. A game of chess is sandwiched between openings and end games, which must be covered and are more a matter of memorization. In between is the "actual chess", which chess 960 attempts to cover. There is certainly tactics, and various other things. Positional play, strategy, imbalances... There are a lot of little rules that one must internalize, it seems. It is very time consuming. I find that even with flexible systems (like London and KID), it is months of study to have it down. I am a month or so in and my accuracy has improved but it's not 100% for everything yet. And I don't see the sense in learning new variations if the older ones aren't bedded in. So realistically I can't see this process taking anything but months or years. Realistically, my ELO has improved ~200 ELO in 5 months, which is not at the rate you did, but in the last couple months most of the improvement has come. And that's when I started doing 15/10 rapid games, puzzles, opening theory - i.e. taking it seriously and not just playing to play. Since I started caring about ratings, I've realized that one should be thinking at the top of one's game, having drilled the basics, so one might practice the other theory within the game environment. So ideally the practice games should occur after opening and tactics drilling, following a puzzle rush so that we gain some confidence rather than being beaten up by hard puzzles. Realistically we are around several hours at this point. Plus the other blitz and bullet done for fun. Having mapped out this approach, I wonder... this is a significant time investment. It seems likely it will work - I've already improved 200 elo. Opponents who were challenging to me now make obvious blunders. So, I can see that if I keep the progression, I might improve similarly. If I want to get to somewhere in the 1500-2000 ELO range, it seems feasible on the surface. My potential is nowhere near tapped it seems. With several children to raise and a demanding job, what am I trying to accomplish and is this a good use of my time? What is the payoff? I am not trying to start a youtube career, and others have done the same thing now. Maybe as an adult learner, it would be notable. Perhaps there is a benefit in maintaining non-chess cognitive ability? Otherwise... is a 2000 ELO rating (or whatever it tops out at) going to be something worth putting on my tombstone? Vs other things I might accomplish with that effort? Is it to guide my own children in their chess efforts? Sorry for the essay, I am just going over this in my own mind. What am I really trying to accomplish here? I am not sure. Having the ability to beat a more select group of randos on the internet, or people I can meet at a local tournament, in what is basically an intellectual ****-waving contest. A game steeped in hundreds of years of history, but maybe I should heed Morphy. Do I look at the ~2000 rated players at my local club and want to emulate their lives? Is the squeeze worth the juice?

[@misomiso8228]

On other Questions: 1) Do you ever play e4 or are you a comitted London player? 2) What do you play as black v e4 and d4? Do you vary your openings a bit or not really? ty

[@seanobrien2306]

Hi, Kamryn..., I would like to suggest two ( 2 ) important books for studying and a planning schedule for chess reading, studying, and playing chess OTB, AI Computer Chessboards, and Online chess... * #1) "HOW TO STUDY CHESS ON YOUR OWN" by Davorin Kuljasevic and #2) "STUDYING CHESS MADE EASY" by Andrew Soltis. * Both chess books are excellent..., however, I found that "HOW TO STUDY CHESS ON YOUR OWN' was a little bit better and very productive... Excellent video and very informative and "Thank you" for sharing the video... "Semper Fi" Mike in Montana P.S.: Kamryn is bright, intelligent, and attractive... :)

[@rauljosegarcia]

What was that weekly chess club games experience like? Were those rated games/tournaments?

[@rickymccrum8518]

Do you use any chess books or have any recommendations for beginner to intermediate level for what you have it that's a yes? Kind of a broad topic or a question I know lol. Also great routine imo .

[@rekilfc8363]

How are you practicing the calculation training? Where are you getting the material to practice? Online chess?

[@StevenRossRichestManAlive]

hey, I've noticed that your video is in 60 fps, but the video doesn't seem to be perhaps you can check the framerates of your raw videos as that might be causing the issue cool vid

[@SacTheQueen]

I don't know how to learn opening 😕

[@rickjanzen2180]

Thank you for your video. I have been very discouraged by the fact that you attained a 2000 rating in two years. I have been at this for over three years and I have implemented all the advice about analyzing my losses, doing puzzles and studying books and taking lessons, and my rating has been stuck at about 1200 for two years. I once was able to attain a rating of 1380, but then plummeted to under 1200 again and I have been in a rut since then. I continue to study, analyze and do puzzles, but nothing has changed. There is no local club where I live, I have checked and made inquiries, but I can't find one within an hour's drive so that's out. I just don't know where to go from here. This video has given me one idea about making written notes. I hope it helps. Thank you again. P.S. I am currently at 2400 in my puzzle skills and I have defeated more than one bot rated at 1600; that's without any help. Why can't I beat a human at 1300?

[@mrodock]

You might find the individual game rating useful. I've beaten 1500 level bots and the game review had them playing at an 800 level. My rating is 500 for what it's worth but some individual games are rated 150, some are 1200, and everything between.

[@hosiahjones]

@Rick Janzen Study pins relentlessly. Pins can make a world of difference at your rating. Just master the subject of pins, offensively and defensively, and you will improve.

[@rickjanzen2180]

@@hosiahjones Thank you. I will try that.

[@fromant65]

Bots are programmed to play like certain level but in reality the sometimes play the best moves and sometimes just blunder randomly. I wouldn't recommend playing against bots to test your strength. Chess is a Hard game anyway. I recommend that you focus on positional principles, openings and endgames. Clearly tactics is not your soft point, 2400 is a great rating. Otherwise, follow the advice from this video, it's pretty good

[@hosiahjones]

@@rickjanzen2180 sure thing, oh, and not just pin tactics trainers. You have to find the pins in advance in your own games.

[@SnowmansApartment]

with chess, is it important to see patterns quickly? If you are ver slow(due to dyslexia for instance) playing against computers without a time limit probably is the only viable option?

[@dvdr3867]

Hi, I know you don't have to answer this but can you make a video on how to calculate in a classic game because in blitz games I get 88 90 percent accuracy and in classic I lose myself and do 77 percent accuracy which is terrible thanks in advance ☺️

[@felixpujade1541]

Wat was ur rating after a year, I'm sort of like you I've started playing chess this year and now I'm obsessed and I'm wondering wat u think is realistic to reach towards for the end of the year

[@erichuifitness]

For your opening studies, what resources did you use to learn the lines?

[@misomiso8228]

What is your current 5 minute Puzzle rush score please? ty

[@aezakmi2232]

Please, tell us about those books that you think was the most useful on your way :)

[@wirstan]

Where do i find Calculation training - targeting puzzle ?

[@baneletafana4346]

I don't study I don't invest time in any openings now I'm stuck at 1100 bullet,I just don't patience to play long games or put time in openings

[@seizethelettuce4106]

how to study opening lines? any helpful websites?

[@bobmichael8735]

why did you start to learn chess so intense?

[@Thesniper825]

What was your elo after 1year of playing?

[@ceoofh1153]

I’m stuck at 1100-1250 😭😭😭😭 please help moreee I really want that 1600 rating

[@abhinandh.t.c6664]

What opening did you play for black when you were around 1000 elo? What opening for black do you recommend? I'm currently struggling to find an opening for black 😑

[@macdonaldnnadi]

Just play solid. You are 1000 not that important. I’m 1700 and still only play one against e4 which is Caro kann

[@abhinandh.t.c6664]

What about queens pawn openings?

[@frann115]

I recommend you Scandinavian Defense !

[@SasuPlaying]

Play the French, it has super easy middlegame plans

[@Maltebyte2]

They say play longer games i just get too exhausted and loose concentration quickly! Also review your games! Ok the engine tells me this and that move are better option! But my downfall is i just never ever understand why those moves even are better! I dont even know how to review my games and learn from that! i guess my natural limit is just 1300 ish! oh well so be it.

[@cemsaglam9241]

do you plan on getting a title?

[@Socrates...]

2000 blitz is like 1650 otb

[@tallerbeast8822]

It’s rapid bro not blitz don’t be a put-downer by the way

[@randyking9489]

@@tallerbeast8822 excellent comment!

[@gdaaps]

@@Socrates... she's 2000 rapid, not blitz

[@microitos9754]

@@gdaaps Yes but lets be honest, that’s no more than 1700 FIDE. To become totled takes serious hard work and talent.

[@ceoofh1153]

What pushed you over the edge to dedicate such hours to chess? You don’t randomly wake up and choose to suffer haha

[@Leibniz920]

Waste of time. Read Jeremy Silmans books.

[@adetolaadetayo7403]

I'm good at chess, or at least I think I am.. my problem is that I'm so bad at fast chess or anything less than 30 minutes, how can I know how to play faster as everyone nowadays play faster chess🥲