Progress and Results

I am new to the program, just starting month 2, and I find it insightful and fairly comprehensive. After the first month I feel confident I can rack up some rating points (without life getting in the way) and was just wondering if anyone cares to share their quantifiable progress so far?
Regards,
CK

ELO curve on my Welcome page, i joined ICS in May 2009.

Great info thanks for sharing...

I have no quantifiable results since my rating doesn't get updated that frequently and even if it did, I don't play in enough rated games to show a clear difference quickly enough. Whenever I play in a rated game, my nerves kick in and I make too many mistakes, so atm, my rating is only going DOWN! lol

I recently started playing on the ICCF. Games are slow, just a couple of moves per week each game. But it is to be a good way to get rated games in and practice the deep analytical ideas from the ICS studies. All at fraction of the cost of just one weekend tournament...

I have had the program for just over a year but I haven't been able to get through the whole thing by any means. I know this is the norm.

I haven't been able to get rated games in regularly, so my rating hasn't shown any progress. A fellow in our club who is a Master but doesn't play rated games anymore, has said that my play is strong but my results haven't been. I have lost games I should have won.

I blame this on the fact that my OTB rated games would sometimes have gaps of well over 3 months between them. And I would only play one game on a Monday evening at club, not 4 in one day as in a tournament.

I tried playing in the leagues of ICC and FICS with great success at winning, but I found it didn't help in my real OTB games. I even used a real board in those slow internet games, but it isn't the same as playing with a human being across the board from you.

I recently changed my work schedule so I will be able to play some weekend tournaments. I have noticed that when I get back to playing after even a 2 month layoff, I will lose a game I normally would not. After getting warmed up, I do much better.

Ron that sounds like my progress as well, I will take time off come back shed points, get better win my section, then take time off rinse and repeat. I am hoping by having a set amount of time to complete the modules (monthly) it will push me to stay active and on track. As well as the fact that I have more time to study now versus before due to my work schedule. Thanks for the feedback.

I'm finding out the hard way that this course is nearly impossible to follow on a month by month basis. Life always seems to get in the way. I got stuck between months 2 & 3 and now haven't studied anything in about a month.
The opening module is kicking my butt. Month 3 looks relatively easy, but I cant find the time (or the peace & quiet) to go through the lessons thoroughly enough.

I've been thinking about taking 2 months to complete each month's lessons. Anybody else using this tactic?

I am not studying the openings module, just focusing on the main course. I am finding that I have JUST enough time to keep up without doing the openings stuff. Once I complete the main course, I will then start on the openings repertoire... IF I can make sense of it.

BorgQueen wrote:I am not studying the openings module, just focusing on the main course. I am finding that I have JUST enough time to keep up without doing the openings stuff. Once I complete the main course, I will then start on the openings repertoire... IF I can make sense of it.

I am employing a similar idea. I already have lines that I prefer, so I am just looking over the ones that fit in currently with what I like to play. Notice I said looking over and not in-depth study...because as you say the course material is substantial (and good).

I am probably weird, but every now and then I totally switch openings. For example, against 1.e4, I used to play the Petroff for a while and now I am playing the French. My opponents never really know what to expect!

The authors are like the sensi in the Karate Kid movie. You get a really good dose of all of the openings in the middle game material without working the "openings".

Even though I'm putting a lot of effort into the opening modules and dilligently getting through all of the middle game material on schedule, I still find that the opening repertoire leaves difficult positions that will take a lot of work to fully understand. Hopefully there's a huge AhHa! at month 13 when we have the full measure of chess knowledge...

LOL. Wax on, wax off.

Bringing this topic back to life.

In wich month (course, not pregnancy :-) ) are you and what is your rating now and what was your rating when you started the course?

Extra question: How many times did you study the course (started over again)?

Studied the course once only. I really WANT to do it again, but time is an issue. I do not aim to be an IM or anything... I know I will never get there. My only aim is to do better at my club and the course helped me do that. If I repeat the course I am confident that it would help me get even stronger.

BorgQueen wrote:If I repeat the course I am confident that it would help me get even stronger.

I would like to know if this is actually true. So when are you starting again?

When I find enough time to!