First Steps

After researching chess online I have come up with a plan of action to improve my chess play. My plan consists of 3 parts.

Part 1
Playing Chess
I plan on playing chess at the Internet Chess Club ICC. I have started a membership there under the name SilverKing. I will be trying to play mostly slow games to avoid mistakes. They have a rating system there so I can follow my progress.

Part 2
Chess Tactics
Most of the information that I read about chess improvement recommends practicing tactics. I have chosen a software program for my skill level to help me improve. Tasc Chess CD 2 has gotten lots of good reviews and I like the idea of not needing a chess board or a book.

Part 3
End Game
The Chessmaster program that I have stresses the study of the end game. I have chosen the software Theory and Practice of Chess Endings staying with the software instead of books theme.

Method of study
After reading up on chess and chess blogs I discovered a group of people called The Knights Errant. They believe that if you cycle through the same paterns over and over you can burn them into your memory. This sounds perfect for chess improvement. I am going to try this by doing my tactics and end game software 7 times going faster each time. My goal is to finish this by September 1st which will be my 26th birthday. Becoming better at chess is something I have wanted to do for a few years now so what better birthday present to give to myself.

First Chess Post

Welcome to my chess blog. I am planning on using this blog to keep track of my chess improvements, review chess material that I have purchased, and hopefully receive feedback on mistakes that I might be making. I consider myself to be a chess beginner even though I have known how to play since I was 5 years old. I have never been to a tournament or belonged to a chess club. I own Chessmaster for the playstation 2. My rating there is in the 900s. My only goal at this point is to get better at chess.