How to get better at chess: fix what actually loses you games
Almost all chess advice is generic: do tactics, play longer games, review your losses. It isn't wrong — it's just not about you. The fastest way to improve is to find the specific leak that decides your games (hanging pieces? the clock? one cursed opening? playing on tilt?) and fix that one thing first. That's what a coach does — and it's exactly what your own game archive can tell you.
See your own leaks in 60 seconds
Generic advice ends here. Type your username and RookMentor reads your actual games — your blunder types, your clock, your openings, your tilt.
The method that actually works
1.Diagnose before you study
A player who loses 30% of games on time doesn't need opening theory — they need a clock budget. A player who scores 25% against one opening needs a 5-move plan against it, not more puzzles. Your last 100 games contain the diagnosis; most players never look.
2.One leak at a time
Rating moves when you remove your biggest recurring mistake, not when you know a little more about everything. Fix the top leak, play 30–50 games, re-measure, move to the next one. That loop — not volume — is how adult improvers climb.
3.Make every game feed your training
You already play. The improvement comes from the 10 minutes after: which move lost the game, what principle it broke, and what habit prevents it. Automate that review and improvement becomes a side effect of playing.
Common questions
What is the 80/20 rule in chess improvement?
About 80% of games below 1800 are decided by a handful of recurring mistakes — hanging pieces, one bad opening, time trouble, and tilt. Fixing your most frequent mistake gains far more rating than studying anything new.
How many games should I play per week to improve?
3–7 focused rapid games with a short review of each beats 50 unreviewed blitz games. Consistency matters more than volume — most improving adults train 4–7 hours a week total.
Do I need a coach to get better at chess?
A human coach mainly does three things: finds your weaknesses, explains your mistakes, and gives you a plan. RookMentor automates all three from your own games, free — a human coach becomes valuable later, around 1800+.
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Free, read-only, works with chess.com and Lichess — your top leaks, coach lessons, a weekly plan sized to your time, and a rating forecast.