What went well?

  • Chess Lesson!
  • Got through more annotated games in Logical Chess Move by Move
  • Started looking at annotated games from Petrosian from the Python Strategy book using a real board, not online.
  • Back to playing 30-minute games. I started analyzing my games again as well.
  • I am reading “A Guide to Chess Improvement” by Dan Heisman

What could have gone better?

  • I still do not feel very successful when playing games. I am leaving pieces hanging and mostly just missing my opponent’s plans. Of the 9 30-minute games I played I lost 4 and drew 1. Overall that does not seem so bad. But the ones I lost I really lost. I am OK losing if I play a good game. These were not good games.
  • I feel like I am trying to do too much (see my time spent writeup). I am trying to learn as much as I can at once. I need to focus on a few areas. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

What will I try next?

  • Play “Simple Chess.” I am reading “A Guide to Chess Improvement” by Dan Heisman and he has a chapter about playing “simple chess.” It really hit home. I know chess is complex, but I think I am making it too complex. Mostly the chapter just talks about some basic things to think about for a move.
  • Focus on game analysis. My own games and master annotated games.