Chess improvement as an adult is harder than it should be. Plus, the journey can sometimes feel too stressful and serious. This show aims to fix that by 1) interviewing experts who can offer clarity on the best ways to improve; and 2) giving you a heap of fun with “chess entertainment” shows that discuss chess culture, events, movies, etc. Most episodes feature a guest, but sometimes I'll do a solo show on a topic. This is all brought to you by me, Daniel Lona. I’m a dedicated chess amateur and the owner of Adult Chess Academy. After listening to this podcast, I want you to have a clearer idea of how to improve, and have a more fun, dynamic chess experience. Please follow the show so you don’t miss an episode!
Adult Improver Pod: Nicholas Sloan - A 400+ Rating Rise in 2 Years (& Chasing the NM Title)
114 Leaping 400 rating points in classical, rated chess as an adult in just two years? That requires a huge effort and rare dedication. Two qualities that describe well this week’s guest, fellow adult club player, Nicholas Sloan. Specifically, in a relatively brief period, Nick went from 1400 USCF to 1849 USCF.
And it’s all part of his plan to earn the National Master title - something that he wants to prove is possible for us adults.
But exciting progress doesn’t come easy. Nick advocates consistency, discipline, and a willingness to face your chess weakness.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The top 3 reasons Nick was able to make such massive and fast progress in his USCF rating.
- Why he doesn’t believe “one size fits all” training programs are that effective.
- Why he has preferred self-guided learning to studying under a coach.
More From Nick:
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