Answers.Body: <p>I recommend simply playing rapid games, or longer, and a post mortem analysis with computers and self analysis. Playing games against stronger players is desired if possible. I recommend starting to learn some opening theory and form a good repertoire. Whatever your opponents play, you should have a response that you enjoy. You say that you are good at playing closed games. I would rub against your wound here and advice you to play open games. Open games also helps on your tactics, which everyone will tell you is important. </p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-05-09T04:44:07.227Z
Answers.Text: I think he said close as in near.  But the advice about playing open games is still invaluable.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Mike Jones
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2015-09-10T03:53:50.850Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2015-09-10T03:53:50.850Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: CognisMantis
Answers.Body: <p>You have "really good and close games, and yet you still lose." These are the games to focus on.</p>
  
  <p>Get a "better" player, at least "A," probably expert or master to comment on your close games, point out where you went wrong and lost, and point out missed opportunities that you may have had to win. Turning a bunch of "close games" from losses to wins will probably do more for you rating than anything else.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2015-10-21T16:18:42.290Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2015-10-21T16:18:42.290Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Tom Au
Answers.Body: <p>There are plenty of people who will help you if you allow them to view you games.  This is easiest on <a href="http://lichess.org" rel="nofollow">lichess</a>, especially since they have a free computer analysis.  After finding your weaknesses, you will be able to improve the fastest.</p>
  
  <p>The best general book is <a href="http://www.uscfsales.com/my-best-games-of-chess-1908-1937-151-alexander-alekhine.html" rel="nofollow">Alekhine's Best Games</a>.  Alekhine is(was) one of the best players, and his annotations explain plenty in everyday nglish.</p>
  
  <p>Some GM said that experts think the most, as masters rely more on intuition than calculating variations.  So this plateau should be the hardest to overcome.  Good Luck.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-05-09T05:07:35.217Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2016-05-09T05:07:35.217Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Mike Jones
Body: <p>I'm currently a 1600 chess player. I have managed to increase my rating this year by 200 points. I have trouble winning against Class A chess players. I have really good and close games, yet I still lose. What can I do this year to improve and become stronger. I have read chess books like Amateur's Mind and Silman's Complete Endgame book. These books have helped me increase my rating by 200 points. What other books or training do you recommend? </p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2015-09-10T03:23:15.250Z
Comments.Text: 1) Tactics tactics tactics. and 2) get an instructor rated at least 400 points above you.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Tony Ennis
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2015-09-14T17:34:04.250Z
Comments.Text: I would also council patience. I remember Yasser Seirawan writing that he would study for a year and a half without gaining a point and then one day wake up 150 points stronger than the day before.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Diisciiple
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2015-10-13T06:49:46.670Z
Comments.Text: Easy. Beat all other class B players.
Comments.UserDisplayName: SmallChess
Tags: <learning><tournament><training>
Title: How does a Class B chess player become Class A?
ThreadText: # How does a Class B chess player become Class A?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2015-09-10)
  
  I'm currently a 1600 chess player. I have managed to increase my rating this year by 200 points. I have trouble winning against Class A chess players. I have really good and close games, yet I still lose. What can I do this year to improve and become stronger. I have read chess books like Amateur's Mind and Silman's Complete Endgame book. These books have helped me increase my rating by 200 points. What other books or training do you recommend?
  
  **Tags:** learning, tournament, training
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: 1) Tactics tactics tactics. and 2) get an instructor rated at least 400 points above you.  
  > **username_2**: I would also council patience. I remember Yasser Seirawan writing that he would study for a year and a half without gaining a point and then one day wake up 150 points stronger than the day before.  
  > **username_3**: Easy. Beat all other class B players.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 3 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2015-09-10. Score: 3
  
  I recommend simply playing rapid games, or longer, and a post mortem analysis with computers and self analysis. Playing games against stronger players is desired if possible. I recommend starting to learn some opening theory and form a good repertoire. Whatever your opponents play, you should have a response that you enjoy. You say that you are good at playing closed games. I would rub against your wound here and advice you to play open games. Open games also helps on your tactics, which everyone will tell you is important.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_5**: I think he said close as in near.  But the advice about playing open games is still invaluable.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2015-10-21. Score: 2
  
  You have "really good and close games, and yet you still lose." These are the games to focus on.
  
  Get a "better" player, at least "A," probably expert or master to comment on your close games, point out where you went wrong and lost, and point out missed opportunities that you may have had to win. Turning a bunch of "close games" from losses to wins will probably do more for you rating than anything else.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_5 on 2016-05-09. Score: 1
  
  There are plenty of people who will help you if you allow them to view you games. This is easiest on [lichess](http://lichess.org), especially since they have a free computer analysis. After finding your weaknesses, you will be able to improve the fastest.
  
  The best general book is [Alekhine's Best Games](http://www.uscfsales.com/my-best-games-of-chess-1908-1937-151-alexander-alekhine.html). Alekhine is(was) one of the best players, and his annotations explain plenty in everyday nglish.
  
  Some GM said that experts think the most, as masters rely more on intuition than calculating variations. So this plateau should be the hardest to overcome. Good Luck.
  
  
  ---
  
  