Chess Training Plan

1. Warm up with Lev Alburt Training Pocketbook for 10 min. Tactics 20 min LiChess -
https://lichess.org/training

2. Guess the Move - 1 game

 Capablanca, Move by Move

 Before you guess the next move:
1. Think defense: What does the opponent's last move threaten?
a. Does it put you in check or stalemate?
b. If you did nothing, what are the threats if the opponent could make a second
move?
i. Could he put you in check?
ii. What captures could he do?
iii. What tactics could be launched?
c. After you find the best (imaginary, second) move for the opponent, use the show
threat button to verify your guess.
2. Now consider your candidate moves (guesses) for the game. Consider at least 2-3
moves. For each move X answer the following questions:
a. Is the move X legal (i.e. does not put you in check)?
b. Is X safe or is it a blunder that loses in one or two moves?
c. Does it make my king less safe?
d. What is the opponent's best reply (Y) to your move X? Look at Y's checks and
captures first.
e. What move (Z) will you make if your opponent makes move Y?

Follow this checklist on every move. The mental discipline required is not easy. However, if
you practice this in GTM it should carry over into your future chess matches.

3. Endgame Studies 3-4 diagrams Portisch --> Play key/typical positions against computer first.

4. Calculation Training 1 diagram The Tactics of Endgame by Jan Beno --> Calculation training - Set up
board, write down variations without moving the pieces.

5. Rated rapid game 15 min +10 sec /side LiChess - https://lichess.org/

6. Opening as needed --> Go through games of specific openings on ChessBase,read up a bit of

theory on the internet, Build cbh database of openings

7. Annotate your own games --> Write notes in cbh database, thoughts, improvements etc. Do this
once a week or after each game.

Training Ideas/Ways/Philosophies
1. Play key/typical positions against computer first.

2. Key positions are building blocks that aid in planning.

3. Don't calculate without goals -- use key positions to strive for.

4. Calculation training -- Set up board, write down variations without moving the pieces.

5. Study master games -- annotated or not; guess their moves.

6. Time 10% opening, 20% tactics/calculation/endgame studies, 50% master games, 20% endgame
theory.

7. Annotate your own games

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5

Tactics Tactics Tactics Tactics Tactics
Guess the Move Guess the Move Guess the Move Endgame + Middlegame
Calculation Textbook
(Yusupov)
Rated 15 min + Rated 15 min + 10 Rated 15 min + Rated 15 min + Rated 15 min +
10 sec game sec game 10 sec game 10 sec game 10 sec game
Analyze/review Analyze/review Analyze/review Analyze/review Analyze/review
game game game game game
Openings as needed