Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement Ep. 251 Michael (1175 USCF)
Jan 29, 2026
A lower-rated player's rise and tournament win, including a dramatic immortal game and a 50-move victory. Discussions about using books, videos, tactical drills, and a coach who builds fundamentals piece by piece. Tales of lively over-the-board play in bars, coffee shops, and local clubs. Reflections on luck, tournament prep, and aiming for deep understanding over quick rating gains.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Practice Repeats With The Woodpecker Method
- Use the Woodpecker Method to build tactical pattern recognition through repeated problems.
- Complete cycles of the easy section and repeat them faster over time to cement recall.
Build Piece Understanding Piece-By-Piece
- Learn piece roles step-by-step starting from pawn endgames then adding knight, bishop, and rooks.
- Build understanding progressively rather than jumping into complex positions.
Long Games Reveal Different Weaknesses
- Classical over-the-board play exposes different weaknesses than online blitz or rapid.
- Michael realized longer time controls demand concentration and reveal tactical and psychological lapses.
