Switching openings is honestly a 1 year long process as you develop familiarity with all the consequential positions.
That being said, struggling with wondering if profess for me is possible or if this is it. I think we all feel that way a little.
That being said, losses are only losses if you accept it was because a flaw in you instead of a learning opportunity. Even Lebron James gets dunked on…
I too switched openings. That certainly can be a big struggle as you learn the new structures and plans. You are 100%. Losses are information and a way to learn and improve. Sometimes it is hard to look at it that way.
I try to take one lesson from each game, so I feel that I'm just at least a tiny bit better than the game before. Of course, that doesn't always translate into improving ELO, but I do feel like I'm getting better over time.
I try to make chess about my inner journey of embracing the joy of the perfection of the logic of chess, and think about chess like an elegant dance with the other player. That way, I focus less on winning and losing, but on if I'm enjoying and perfecting the magical, internally perfect dance that is chess.
I am still yet to consistently break the 1100 barrier. I'm kind of OK with this, I enjoy chess at my level. I've been playing fairly regularly (mainly online) over the last few years. I've studied a bit, read a few books and, although this hasn't improved my game that much, my study/reading has really increased my enjoyment of watching chess. However, I would like to get better, but now that I'm 62, I find it harder to memorise stuff. For example, Ive been studying the Caro Kann opening (with one of Gothamchess' courses) but I don't seem to be able to accurately remember the different moves required for the advance variation, the exchange variation etc. Some of them, but not all of them. I'd like to start to learn the sicilian defence, but there are so many complex variations, I'm worried that I will get lost. To be honest, I'm not too troubled by it. As I say, I still enjoy my chess, and I'm probably happier, in general, aged 62 than I was when I was younger. I guess one has to accept a certain decline in cognition as one gets older. But, at the same time - not give in to it :)
Studying openings is a double edged sword that gives you a false sense of hope and understanding. Yes you may get some lines on the board but its knowing what to do and how to proceed after that. Being 44 (older myself) I struggle with memory as well. OR recalling something I have learned previously. So for me repetitions is extremely important I have found. Over and over and over. What I would suggest for you is pick up a easier or beginners tactics course and drill it. Just do it over and over again until you commit them to memory where when you see it you know it instead of having to figure it out. I suggested this to a guy at my club around your level and he has made noticeable improvements with chess strength just a few weeks in. Good luck with it and let us know how it is going for you. If you want a more immediate response join my discord where there are more like minded Improvers in the group all trying to get better. https://discord.gg/PQpWjapMhh See you there!
Switching openings is honestly a 1 year long process as you develop familiarity with all the consequential positions.
That being said, struggling with wondering if profess for me is possible or if this is it. I think we all feel that way a little.
That being said, losses are only losses if you accept it was because a flaw in you instead of a learning opportunity. Even Lebron James gets dunked on…
I too switched openings. That certainly can be a big struggle as you learn the new structures and plans. You are 100%. Losses are information and a way to learn and improve. Sometimes it is hard to look at it that way.
I try to take one lesson from each game, so I feel that I'm just at least a tiny bit better than the game before. Of course, that doesn't always translate into improving ELO, but I do feel like I'm getting better over time.
I try to make chess about my inner journey of embracing the joy of the perfection of the logic of chess, and think about chess like an elegant dance with the other player. That way, I focus less on winning and losing, but on if I'm enjoying and perfecting the magical, internally perfect dance that is chess.
This is an extremely healthy mindset about chess improvement. Well done.
I am still yet to consistently break the 1100 barrier. I'm kind of OK with this, I enjoy chess at my level. I've been playing fairly regularly (mainly online) over the last few years. I've studied a bit, read a few books and, although this hasn't improved my game that much, my study/reading has really increased my enjoyment of watching chess. However, I would like to get better, but now that I'm 62, I find it harder to memorise stuff. For example, Ive been studying the Caro Kann opening (with one of Gothamchess' courses) but I don't seem to be able to accurately remember the different moves required for the advance variation, the exchange variation etc. Some of them, but not all of them. I'd like to start to learn the sicilian defence, but there are so many complex variations, I'm worried that I will get lost. To be honest, I'm not too troubled by it. As I say, I still enjoy my chess, and I'm probably happier, in general, aged 62 than I was when I was younger. I guess one has to accept a certain decline in cognition as one gets older. But, at the same time - not give in to it :)
Studying openings is a double edged sword that gives you a false sense of hope and understanding. Yes you may get some lines on the board but its knowing what to do and how to proceed after that. Being 44 (older myself) I struggle with memory as well. OR recalling something I have learned previously. So for me repetitions is extremely important I have found. Over and over and over. What I would suggest for you is pick up a easier or beginners tactics course and drill it. Just do it over and over again until you commit them to memory where when you see it you know it instead of having to figure it out. I suggested this to a guy at my club around your level and he has made noticeable improvements with chess strength just a few weeks in. Good luck with it and let us know how it is going for you. If you want a more immediate response join my discord where there are more like minded Improvers in the group all trying to get better. https://discord.gg/PQpWjapMhh See you there!