user-1: I'm thinking of some serious chess study and wondering if anyone has tailored a study plan for themselves and what the key aspects are to consider. This is what I'm currently doing on a daily basis:

Playing three games of chess (15 min) real time.

Solving a chess problem with a 20 minute time limit.

Playing three blitz games with crafty (2 min)

Reading a chapter of a chess book at night (currently My System - Nimzowitsch)


Anyone else have a study plan and keen to share?

user25082: Playing is counterproductive until you have some basic skill, but a little playing will keep you motivated and may show you things to be aware of unless the other player is also a beginner.
Do NOT do chess problems.  They will not help at all and waste time.
Do not play blitz at all.  Play 10-15 minute games but pace  yourself to move in exactly ten seconds.
Reading books is good.  You wont get much out of My System but it wont hurt you.  You need to find and do tactical problems that are graded from easy to hard and are grouped around the same theme.  See an example then solve ten more of the same type solution.
You need to learn ONE opening really well for white and black.  But make sure it is ONLY ONE opening.  Do not try to do more than that. Obviously there will be variations depending how the opponent plays that will already stretch your ability to master yet.
Eventually you will need to understand positional play and some other things but start with the list above.

-1: <p>I'm thinking of some serious chess study and wondering if anyone has tailored a study plan for themselves and what the key aspects are to consider. This is what I'm currently doing on a daily basis:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Playing three games of chess (15 min) real time.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Solving a chess problem with a 20 minute time limit.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Playing three blitz games with crafty (2 min)</p>
</li>
<li><p>Reading a chapter of a chess book at night (currently My System - Nimzowitsch)</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Anyone else have a study plan and keen to share?</p>
 25082: <p>Playing is counterproductive until you have some basic skill, but a little playing will keep you motivated and may show you things to be aware of unless the other player is also a beginner.</p>
<p>Do NOT do chess problems.  They will not help at all and waste time.</p>
<p>Do not play blitz at all.  Play 10-15 minute games but pace  yourself to move in exactly ten seconds.</p>
<p>Reading books is good.  You wont get much out of My System but it wont hurt you.  You need to find and do tactical problems that are graded from easy to hard and are grouped around the same theme.  See an example then solve ten more of the same type solution.</p>
<p>You need to learn ONE opening really well for white and black.  But make sure it is ONLY ONE opening.  Do not try to do more than that. Obviously there will be variations depending how the opponent plays that will already stretch your ability to master yet.</p>
<p>Eventually you will need to understand positional play and some other things but start with the list above.</p>
