Are you stuck at 700 Elo and wondering how to improve? You’re not alone! Many players struggle at this level because they make basic mistakes and don’t yet understand core chess principles.
But here’s the good news: 700 to 1000 Elo is one of the fastest jumps you can make! With the right training and mindset, you can improve quickly and start beating opponents consistently.
This guide will show you step-by-step how to level up, fix your weaknesses, and build a strong chess foundation.
1. Fix Common Beginner Mistakes (Eliminate Blunders!)
The biggest reason most 700 Elo players lose is blunders (big mistakes that give away material or allow checkmate). Before learning advanced strategies, you need to fix these common errors:
❌ Moving the same piece too many times early → ✅ Develop all your pieces first!
❌ Ignoring king safety → ✅ Always castle early (before move 10 if possible).
❌ Random moves with no purpose → ✅ Control the center, activate your pieces, and follow opening principles.
❌ Hanging pieces (leaving them unprotected) → ✅ Before every move, ask: “Is this piece safe?”
How to improve:
✔ Slow down! Take a few extra seconds to check for blunders before making a move.
✔ Use “Blunder Check” before you move: Look at all of your opponent’s possible captures or threats.
✔ Review your games – Use the analysis tool on Lichess or Chess.com to understand mistakes.
2. Master Basic Chess Tactics (This is Your Key to Winning!)
At 700 Elo, you will win most of your games if you’re better at tactics than your opponents.
Here are the four most important tactical patterns you need to learn:
🔹 1. Forks – One piece attacks two enemy pieces at the same time.
- Example: A knight jumps to a square where it attacks both the king and queen.
- Why it’s important? Forks force your opponent to lose material!
🔹 2. Pins – A piece is stuck and cannot move because it would expose a more valuable piece.
- Example: A bishop attacks an enemy knight, but behind the knight is the opponent’s queen.
- Why it’s important? Your opponent’s piece becomes useless, and you can often win it later!
🔹 3. Skewers – Like a pin, but reversed. A valuable piece is attacked, and when it moves, a weaker piece is captured.
- Example: A rook attacks a queen, and when the queen moves, a bishop behind it is lost.
- Why it’s important? You force your opponent to lose material.
🔹 4. Back-rank Checkmates – The opponent’s king is trapped behind its own pawns and gets checkmated.
- Example: A rook or queen delivers checkmate on the back rank when the king has no escape squares.
- Why it’s important? Many 700 Elo players forget to give their king an escape square (h3 or h6) and get checkmated instantly.
How to Train Tactics Effectively
✔ Solve 10-20 tactical puzzles daily on Lichess or Chess.com.
✔ Read Winning Chess Tactics by Yasser Seirawan (a great beginner tactics book).
✔ After every game, look for missed tactics using an analysis tool.
3. Learn Simple but Effective Openings
You don’t need to memorize long opening lines, but you should learn basic opening principles and a few solid setups.
For White: Start with 1.e4 or 1.d4
- Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4) → Quick development, good attacking chances.
- London System (1.d4 followed by Bf4, e3, and Nf3) → Solid and easy to play.
For Black:
- Against 1.e4: Play 1…e5 → Learn simple defenses like Philidor or Scandinavian Defense.
- Against 1.d4: Play 1…d5 → Learn Queen’s Gambit Declined (safe and strong).
Basic Opening Rules (Follow These Every Game!):
✅ Control the center (e4, d4, e5, d5).
✅ Develop knights and bishops before moving the queen.
✅ Castle early (by move 10 if possible).
✅ Don’t move the same piece twice unless necessary.
4. Play Slow Games and Review Mistakes
Many 700 Elo players play only fast games (blitz or bullet), which hurts improvement. Instead, focus on:
✔ Playing 30-minute games – This gives you time to think about each move.
✔ After each game, analyze mistakes – Use Lichess/Chess.com game review to understand where you went wrong.
✔ Ask yourself: “Why did I lose?” – Blunder? Bad opening? Weak endgame? Fix that problem next game!
5. Learn Basic Endgames (Stop Losing Winning Positions!)
Even if you play a great game, poor endgame knowledge can cost you wins. Learn these essential endgames:
🔹 King + Pawn vs. King (Opposition technique) → Know how to promote a pawn to a queen.
🔹 How to checkmate with Queen + King vs. King → A must-know endgame!
🔹 How to checkmate with Rook + King vs. King → Takes practice but is important.
Best way to train: Use endgame drills on Lichess or Chess.com.
6. Build a Consistent Training Routine
Improvement in chess is about consistent, daily practice. Follow this simple training schedule:
✔ 15 minutes of tactics (solve puzzles every day).
✔ 30 minutes of playing & reviewing games.
✔ 15 minutes of opening study or endgames.
✔ Watch a GM game or educational video (optional, but helpful!).
Your Goal: Reach 1000 Elo in 2-3 Months!
At 700 Elo, the biggest improvements come from:
✅ Fixing blunders (slowing down & checking moves).
✅ Improving tactics (learning forks, pins, skewers, checkmates).
✅ Playing good openings (following basic opening principles).
✅ Practicing endgames (so you don’t throw won positions).
🚀 If you follow this guide, reaching 1000 Elo is absolutely possible within a few months!
📌 What part do you need help with the most? Openings, tactics, game analysis? Let me know in the comments! 👇♟️
Just Golden Queen 
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