My Goal: From unrated to 1700 USCF, How can I do it? Any plans such as rapid chess improvement?

Question

Ive been to 2 tournaments this year, getting 3.5/5 (lost 1), and placing 6/7 in unrated section in Nationals. Current rating is 1503 P12. I want to be 1700 strength not just 1700. How and what can I do to get this goal in the summer.

Answer 1

Read.

Excuse me for not being specific enough.  Read lots of good chess stuff.

(I can't be specific on, say, openings, without knowing what you play.  BTW with a provisional rating I don't even know if you know notation for sure.   Did you play 5 other unrateds or 5 1900s -it makes a difference in what I say.)

Answer 2

Try an on-line chess school.  I looked at a few, and they seem to be OK. One that I looked at charges by the month.

One thing you always need is time on the table.  When playing against anyone, use a clock and take notation, even if your opponent cannot.  Tell them you are not trying to psych them out, but you want to advance in chess, and to do this, you need to play as many games under tournament conditions as possible.  Keep a notebook of all of your practice games.  

Download a copy of the official rules from FIDE, the link is below.  Read it.  you will be surprised about how thorough the real rules are.

Of course you cannot do this for speed chess.  You need to rig a camera above the board for that.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Read Jeremy Silman's books. Especially, "How to reassess your chess" and the workbook.  It will teach you the fundamental way to view every chess position and how to formulate plans accordingly by seeing imbalances.  If you master that you will easily be at the 1800+ level or "very strong amateur" level.  To master any levels higher than that, you need to know many opening lines and counter attacks IMO.