🚀 go-pugleaf

> You might try the books "Think like a Grandmaster" and "Play like
> a Grandmaster", by, I think, Kotov.
> 
> Play in tournaments, if you don't already.
> 
> Postal chess could also help with your game.  For something like $10
> you can enter the USCF Golden Knights tournament, which will give you
> six opponents in the first round, and six in the second.
> 
> Finally, if you have the money, a good chess computer can probably
> help.  There are some available that are around Class A or even
> Expert strength.  Try to get one with a clock.
> 
> -- 
> Tim Smith       sdcrdcf!ism780c!tim || ima!ism780!tim || ihnp4!cithep!tim

*** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE ***

I agree that postal chess can do wonders for your otb play. It forcesd
you to think deeply, and not to play for cheap shots. You also have to
study and UNDERSTAND openings, because your partner is probably well-
equiped with many books. 
In contrast, speed chess may give you lots of exposure to new lines
in a very short time. It also probably enhances your tactical
awareness. 
After I took on postal play when I was a teenager, I started using much
more time on the clock and ended up playing too many moves in little
time to reach the time control. However, my middle-game and overall
strategy blossomed. Interestingly, I also became stronger in speed
chess, because I had learned how to handle some standard positions.

CONCLUSIONS: Play,play,play, BUT be sure to have a mix of depth and speed

:w
:q