Training Program to Reach Master Level

It is possible to reach a successful result only by hard work and training. I would like to reveal a master training program, a more or less complete list of the most important themes that should be developed in order to become a professional chess player.

Endgame Technique

You need to explore special positions with various material ratios in order to develop your endgame technique. This knowledge will become your landmark in many different situations.

1. Rook Endgames
2. Bishop Endgames
3. Knight Endgames
4. Pawn Endgames
5. Queen Endgames
6. Bishop against knight
7. How to use the advantage of pair of bishops, etc.

Good Opening Repertoire

There are a lot of books that can help you to create a comfortable opening repertoire, but I am not recommending you limit the building process of your opening lines just by reading the books. Chess theory is growing up and changing very dynamically and a recommendation that is good for today may be bad for tomorrow. Furthermore, there mistakes could be made with any book recommendations. So, by all means, read recommended books, but then, after studying the material in the book, I recommend you take a look at your opening lines critically and to try to find doubtful points. Compare your lines with variations that elite players are practicing and finally, check them with strong a computer engine.

Study the Middle Game Strategies

There are a lot of typical pawn structures that we can get from different openings, such as structures with an isolated pawn or hanging pawn, structures with the possibility of a pawn majority/minority attack, and closed structures and open unbalanced positions. Fortunately, there are a lot of books that analyze and explain these situations. So, read the books to study typical middle game strategies, plan and tricks for different pawn structures.

Some Additional Tips

1. Read different types of books. I particularly recommend books by Dvoretsky, Mikhalchishin, Panchenko, Beliavsky, Dorfman among others.
2. Practice tactical exercises every day. Stay in a good shape.
3. Analyze the games of World Champions.
4. Always analyze your own games. Find your weaknesses and work to eliminate them.
5. Physical training! A lot of players underestimate this, but in truth, physical condition is a important aspect in order to maintain good results and stay aware and active during decisive moments.
6. Improve your time management skills during the game.
7. Willpower! Psychological strength is one of the most decisive factors for success, not only in chess but also in life generally. Work on it.