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Developing A Chess Training Plan by Charles Galofre

The document outlines a structured approach to developing a chess training program, emphasizing the importance of a minimalist and well-rounded training plan. It provides specific recommendations for studying tactical positions, building an opening repertoire, understanding chess strategy and positional play, and mastering endgames through various authoritative books. Additionally, it suggests a timeline of 7 to 24 months for skill development and the potential benefits of working with a coach.

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9 views3 pages

Developing A Chess Training Plan by Charles Galofre

The document outlines a structured approach to developing a chess training program, emphasizing the importance of a minimalist and well-rounded training plan. It provides specific recommendations for studying tactical positions, building an opening repertoire, understanding chess strategy and positional play, and mastering endgames through various authoritative books. Additionally, it suggests a timeline of 7 to 24 months for skill development and the potential benefits of working with a coach.

Uploaded by

ferretchess
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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http://chesstrainingschool.

com/chess-training/developing-a-chess-training-program/

Developing a Chess Training Plan – by FM Charles Galofre


Many chess players are self taught, and have learned through various sources, books, programs, and the
internet. Playing chess online comes natural but there is a lack of knowledge as to what your actual chess rating
and strength is. You have an average of your online ratings but not a conclusive/established USCF rating.

Your successes have lead you to spend time in chess and you see that there is a body of knowledge to come
across too to improve, and you can be overwhelmed in choosing where and how to start.

You may ask yourself, what should I study? In what order should I study it? How long should I study it?

Having the vocation, here are some guidelines to assist you in your development:

For the most part, it is important to keep a minimalist approach when starting. Opt for a well balanced or well
rounded training program that will cover all areas of your play and therefore choosing one resource (Book,
Video, program, website) per area of play will be ideal.

Here is a suggested outline:

Simple/primitive Tactical positions or patterns


There are numerous books on this phase of the game, specially simples one, I would recommend you choose
one of the many: Polgar 10,000 combinations, Winning chess tactics by Yasser Seirawan, 1001 Winning chess
combinations, or The Art of Attack by Vukovic.

These books are not conceptual and can be read at anytime – you have ample flexibility to choose when to
complete these.

Building a Opening Repertoire:


Books to follow: Nunn’s Chess Openings, also known as NCO.

Modern Chess Openings (MCO), also Fundamental Chess Openings (FCO).

These are good opening books because they complement plenty of the analysis with text and many of the plans
and ideas are worded for the player to follow. At this point indentifying which openings you have an affinity for
is preferred and these books help you do that.

Chess Strategy and Positional Play:


There are different books covering this phase of the game. The best are tomes developed by respected chess
authorities that try to cover this phase as a whole.

Suggestions:
The Middle Game in Chess (Euwe, and Cooper I believe), How to Reassess your Chess by Jeremy Silman, and
last, The Method in Chess by Iossif Dorfman.

These books are ideal middlegame manuals that can easily be read in a hectic schedule and are very good at
making the middle game understandable.
Chess Endgame, Endings:
Winning Chess Endings, by Yasser Seirawan, Silman’s Complete Endgame Course, or Dvoretsky’s Endgame
Manual.

Based on your level of play you decide one. They are recommended in the order in which they should be read.

Silman’s books is an ambitious attempt at classifying the material based on your chess rating. It can be
recommended.

Time Management and allocation:


The proper way to approach the material is to first cover all the basic tactical puzzles and challenges to develop
an ability to calculate, or to have vision.

Then it would be best to be more ambitious, and build a opening repertoire. This will help you in many ways,
and by studying the books suggested you will also gain greater knowledge of middle game positions and
structures. Most importantly you recognize which positions you prefer to play and therefore study.

Last, you should try to pick up on the endgame. Try to study enough material that is needed to match your level
of play. This could be done through Silman’s book by identifying your average rating, and matching your
knowledge with what he suggests.

Altogether, by going over this material, within a time period of 7 months to 24 months, you will have a
collection of recorded games that will resemble the chess abilities you have developed given your knowledge
and will be able to complement your understanding from what you see is lacking based on the analysis of your
games.

A coach in this phase is highly recommended

About an author:

FM Charles Galofre (Fide Master)

Charles is a leading expert in the field of competitive chess, with an established title from the world chess federation.
He is also a lecturer and has a recognized video column for the leading online chess community. He has personally
published more than 120 chess videos, and helped co-produce over 400 video projects with names such as GM Roman
Dzindzichashvili, GM Eugene Perelshteyn, GM Melik Khachiyan, IM Sam Shankland, and many more. He’s been
featured in CNN, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and The Miami Herald, for his participations in the final four
of intercollegiate chess. Recently, he is redefining the way chess is presented over the internet, by promoting and
educating through social media and live-stream broadcasting.

• http://chesstrainingschool.com/
• chesstrainingschool@gmail.com

FM Charles Galofre: Professional Chess Lessons and Services

http://charlesgalofre.webs.com/

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