SB Chess Quest (20 November)
This is a weekly check-in for my challenge to reach a chess ELO of 2000 by January 31, 2025.
Starting Rating (15.10.2024): 1577Current Rating (13.11.2024): 1781 (+45 WoW)Target Rating (31.1.2025): 2000
It has been another solid week in my challenge to hit an ELO of 2000 by January 31, 2025 — my ELO has improved by 45 points. Below I have plotted my progression so far vs. the progression required assuming both linear progression and log progression.
As you can see I’m currently above target when it comes to the linear progression, but quite far below target assuming that I will have diminishing improvements over time.
A tool that has been and will continue to be incredibly useful is Chess.com’s Insights tool. This allows you to analyze weaknesses across your games, from openings to missed tactical opportunities.
Focusing on openings, the tool has found the current weaknesses in my game:
With white:
- Queen’s pawn opening (only 42% win rate)
- Tarrasch defense (33% win rate)
- Indian game (20% win rate)
With black:
- Scotch game (44% win rate)
- Ruy Lopes (43% rate)
Over the next week I will look at these one at a time and address my mistakes.
For the next 3 weeks, my focus will continue to be:
- Increase the complexity of your puzzles (move to intermediate/advanced problems).
- Deepen your opening knowledge, focusing on common responses to your repertoire.
- Focus on middle-game planning — look for opportunities to attack weaknesses, develop pieces actively, and understand pawn structures.
Wish me luck!
