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From: bithead@ihlpf.UUCP (P. Stein)
Newsgroups: net.games.chess
Subject: Re: How and What to study ?
Message-ID: <265@ihlpf.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 2-Jan-86 11:46:40 EST
Article-I.D.: ihlpf.265
Posted: Thu Jan  2 11:46:40 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 3-Jan-86 01:59:24 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
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>I have a question that I hope someone out there has an answer
>for. My USCF rating is stuck at 1860, I own over 200 chess books
>that I have read piece meal cover to cover. I would like to get
>my rating to that magical 2200, but am at a loss for where to start.
>I know there are players on this net with ratings above that. (I've
>played a few of you!) Could you please send me (or the net) a quick
>and dirty study method! I promise to employ it and feedback the
>results.
>
>	Thanks in Advance,
>
>		Dan (Tired of "A" Class!) Webster

There are no "quick and dirty" study methods. There seems to be a
misconception that the 2200 mark is reached by either magic or
application of a cut-and-dried technique. Neither is true.
Memorizing openings can be quick, but you can end up with egg on
your face when a lower rated opponent deviates from "book". The
one instance where memorizing is ok, is when it adds a new
continuation to an already existing understanding of an opening.
The masters that I'm acquainted with have all worked at the game.
Books certainly are important, but a point that can't be stressed
enough is: play more chess! Strive for more games against stronger
opponents and analyze the game afterwards with your opponent. In
addition carry it a step further and perform home analysis on your
games ("homework").
Playing is an excellent way to add to your powers of pattern recognition.
In addition you gain valuable insights about yourself such as your
style. For instance, do you prefer sharp tactical meles or a positional
squeeze? 
As an "A" player you probably have some idea as to what type of game
you prefer. You may even have some emotional attachment or aversion to
specific openings. Try to be emotionally detached and completely
objective. In fact study openings which you don't like and try them
over the board. 
In summary keep up with the books (I recommend game collections and
texts on combinations) and by all means - play more chess !!

                     Pete Stein