can you reach 1800 with no studying?

you'd be shocked how effective reading can be.

Originally posted by chessisvanity
no i meant 1800 tournament strength.

Without reading - sure. Without studying - not very likely.

The question is rather what do we mean by studying - examining an opening line on a database during the opening phase of a CC game, playing at CTS on a lunchbreak, talking with a friend about a chess game and examining possible variations etc.

For the record I've got two friends (1600+ RHP & 1600+ FICS std) who have never read a chess book, seen a database etc. What they've learnt has come from playing stronger players, learning from their mistakes the basic tactics/endgame/middlegame ideas.

It reminds me of the old interview I read at the ChessCafe:

"Howard Goldowsky: Do you have any favorite chess books that you’ve read over the years?

Hikaru Nakamura: I think when I was younger, around 2000 (USCF), I looked at Fischer’s 60 Memorable Games. I’ve looked at some other ones, but not many. I think I read a Tarrasch book once, but I can’t remember. Lately, I really have not looked at chess books at all. Now I just use my computer."

http://www.chesscafe.com/text/skittles242.pdf

regards,

- bahus

There is an old learning process that applies to pretty much all games: to get better, try to play just like the last person who beat you.

I suppose that would work with chess as well. Even if you initially don't understand what you're doing, seeing your moves get punished will help you learn which moves work in which situations. Using that method for a few hundred games would probably be enough to reach a decent level at anything chess-related, including tactics, openings and basic endings. That's how I reached 1800 OTB - after that, I started taking lessons and reading some chess books.

Probably an interesting question...?

But dont ask it hoping to recieve the answer "No you dont have to study" and then just play.

Seriously, playing might sometimes be more fun, but studying improves you much faster, and exites you about playing.

When I study the game I improve allot faster than playing.

I hope to reach 1800 when i have played chess for 365 days.

Right now I am 1400 and have been playing for 77 Days or so.

you can play chess and learn, you can study books and learn.

you can play and not learn, you can read and yet not learn.

so it depends on how you apply yourself.

yes i think 1800 is reachable for anyone. at that level, people still don't know openings or crtiical endgames, so basic rules like don't hange pieces, centralized, and devlop can be enough to win at the 1800 level USCF.

Originally posted by Ian Coetzee
Probably an interesting question...?

But dont ask it hoping to recieve the answer "No you dont have to study" and then just play.

Seriously, playing might sometimes be more fun, but studying improves you much faster, and exites you about playing.

When I study the game I improve allot faster than playing.

I hope to reach 1800 when i have played chess for 365 days.

Right now I am 1400 and have been playing for 77 Days or so.

Originally posted by Ian Coetzee
Probably an interesting question...?

But dont ask it hoping to recieve the answer "No you dont have to study" and then just play.

Seriously, playing might sometimes be more fun, but studying improves you much faster, and exites you about playing.

When I study the game I improve allot faster than playing.

I hope to reach 1800 when i have played chess for 365 days.

Right now I am 1400 and have been playing for 77 Days or so.

Originally posted by bikingviking
1800-elo we are talking about (much much harder than 1800 red hot pawn).

Originally posted by tonytiger41
but still, 1800 elo is not high standard; it is far below master level.

Originally posted by bikingviking
I think it is farily high (about red hot pawn 2100-2150 perhaps)

Yes but your red hot pawn rating is still rising...