Why You’re Not Improving at Chess: 8 Mistakes You Must Fix
Preface
If you feel like you’re not improving at chess despite studying and playing regularly, you’re definitely not alone.
A lot of players struggle with the same things: blunders, inconsistency, frustration, feeling stuck. And in most cases, the problem is not talent- it’s the approach.
I decided to write this article to help both beginners and more experienced players better understand how to approach chess in a way that actually leads to improvement, not burnout.
1. You Must Accept That You Will Make Mistakes in Chess
This is the first thing I tell every student in their very first lesson: you are going to make mistakes.
There’s no way around it.
Yes, it’s annoying. Sometimes it’s painful. Sometimes you just sit there thinking, “How did I even do that?”- like hanging a queen in one move or missing a simple mate.
But that’s chess. It’s a difficult game. It requires constant focus, constant evaluation, and you are never going to play perfectly.
If one day you completely stop making tactical mistakes, you’re basically at master level already. But even masters blunder. Sometimes badly.
So the goal is not perfection.
❗️ WE ARE NOT TRYING TO STOP MAKING MISTAKES ❗️ ❗️ WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE FEWER OF THEM. ❗️
2. You Do Not Have “Special” Weaknesses That Prevent Improvement
You don’t have some unique flaw that makes improvement impossible.
What often happens is that players start labeling themselves: “I don’t have a chess brain,” “I’m bad with the queen,” “I don’t see the board well,” and so on.
The problem is – not the weakness itself, but the label.
Once you start thinking like that, it becomes a mental block. And over time, it can even make you quit chess completely, thinking the game just isn’t for you.
But in chess, almost everything is fixable.
Seriously- everything can be trained. And very often, your weakest area can become one of your strengths.
The key is simple: don’t give up on yourself too early.
3. Chess Is Not a Video Game – Treat It Seriously
Chess is not something you should play the same way you play video games.
You shouldn’t just start a game randomly-after work, half-tired, listening to music, eating something, checking your phone every minute.
If you do that, your opponents will punish you. Every time.
Even if it’s just an online game, treat it seriously.
Try to create a calm environment. No distractions. Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb.”
Playing in the метро, at work, or between tasks on your phone is a bad idea. Honestly, playing on the phone in general is not great – the screen is small, and notifications constantly break your focus.
If you want quality games, you need quality conditions.
4. Chess Is Not a Casino: Stop Chasing Your Rating
Chess is not gambling.
If things are going badly – stop. Don’t try to win it back.
Before online chess, this comparison would sound strange. But now it’s very real.
Imagine a player who had a bad tournament and refused to leave the playing hall, asking the arbiter to continue the event until he gets his rating back. Sounds ridiculous, right?
But online, this is exactly what people do.
You log in, everything feels normal. You start a game, get a winning position… and then blunder. You lose.
You get annoyed, instantly click “New Game,” and try to fix it quickly.
But now you’re already emotional. You rush. You lose again.
And again.
At some point you’re just playing fast, making random moves, and watching your rating drop.
I’ve been coaching for almost 20 years, and I keep some stats. One of my students once played for ❗️18 hours❗️ straight without even taking a proper break – and lost about 550 rating points, from around 1900 to almost 1300.
The only good thing? It was chess, not a casino in Las Vegas.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t be rating points at stake.
So remember:
DO NOT TRY TO WIN BACK YOUR RATING. IF YOU LOSE 3 GAMES IN A ROW – STOP. THAT’S IT FOR TODAY.
5. Chess Is a Mental Game – Your Form Will Fluctuate
So you study, you work with a coach, you do everything right – and still some days you just play badly.
Why?
Because chess is a mental game.
And we don’t fully control how our brain performs from day to day.
There are many factors:
not enough sleep (or too much)
fatigue after work
lack of concentration
distractions at home
stress, mood, anything
Sometimes your brain is just not working at 100%.
And that’s normal.
So don’t force it.
If your game is off, it’s often much better to:
solve puzzles
study something
or just take a break for the day
You don’t improve by playing bad chess in a bad state.
6. Playing Without Training Will Not Improve Your Chess
Chess, in a way, reminds me of boxing.
In a real game, you use what you practiced. But you don’t get better just by fighting over and over again.
Same in chess.
If you only play games without proper training, your progress will be slow. And more importantly – your mistakes will just repeat and become habits.
That’s the dangerous part.
Every game should have a purpose. And ideally, after the game, you look at it – first by yourself, then maybe with an engine or a coach.
That’s where improvement actually happens.
Training builds your level. Games just show where you are.
7. Stop Playing Blitz If You Want to Improve at Chess
Blitz is fun. No doubt about it.
But if your goal is to improve, it’s not your best friend.
3-minute games are extremely popular online, but that doesn’t mean they’re useful for learning.
In blitz, you don’t really calculate deeply. You don’t fully evaluate positions. You mostly rely on intuition and habits.
And sometimes – you just guess.
That’s why blitz often creates bad thinking patterns.
If you want real improvement, give yourself time to think.
Play longer games -10, 15 minutes, ideally with increment. ❗️ 15 minutes + 10 seconds increment is perfect time control for online chess ❗️
That way you actually:
calculate
understand positions
make conscious decisions
Blitz is fine sometimes. Just don’t build your training around it.
8. Playing Too Many Games in a Row Is Harmful
Playing many games in a row might feel productive, but in reality – it’s not.
After each game, your focus drops a bit. Then more. Then even more.
Fatigue builds up. Emotions start to interfere. You begin to rush decisions.
And the quality of your play goes down.
So instead of improving, you slowly slide in the opposite direction.
It’s much better to play a few good games – 2 or 3 – with full concentration, and then spend time analyzing them.
That gives you real value.
Try to keep a balance: ❗️ around 80% training, 20% playing. ❗️
And even those games – play them properly.
In chess, it’s not about how many games you play. It’s about how much you actually learn from them.
To sum up: How to Improve at Chess Faster
Accept that mistakes are part of the process
Don’t label your weaknesses
Play in good conditions, without distractions
Never chase your rating
Respect your mental state
Train more than you play
Don’t rely on blitz
Focus on quality, not quantity
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Improve at Chess
Here are some of the most common questions players ask about improving at chess:
How many games should I play per day?
I wouldn’t focus too much on the idea of “per day.”
Instead, think in terms of weekly volume. For longer time controls like 15+10, you definitely don’t need to play more than 20 games per week.
In fact, around 10 well-played games per week is already more than enough – provided you play them with full concentration and review them afterward.
Why do I play well in training but badly in real games?
This is very common.
During training, there is no pressure. You can take your time, think calmly, and there are no real consequences. In games, however, emotions, time pressure, and fear of making mistakes start to influence your decisions.
The key is to make your training more practical – and your games more disciplined.
How important is talent in chess improvement?
Talent matters – but much less than most people think.
Consistency, discipline, and the ability to learn from your mistakes are far more important in the long run. Many “talented” players stop improving simply because they rely too much on their natural ability.
