I even beat an 1804 rated opponent! I've never played at this level before. I think it's because I finally solidified my repertoire and started playing the same solid positions over and over.

So I've been playing the Dutch for a while but I honestly don't really enjoy the position that much. I'm very inconsistent with results as it's a very difficult opening to manage I like that I can start with E6 and transpose to the french but overall I'm really not liking it and Im usually not thrilled to have to play it I don't really want to learn KID since so many people play it but I think most other responses are more specific such as queens gambit declined, nimzo Indian etc Anybody have good suggestions?

So I recently decided to do a complete overhaul of my style and repertoire. I had been stressing about sharp positions so I decided to go a lot more solid. My previous repertoire was e4 for white: bishop's opening vs. e5, alapin vs. Sicilian, panov Attack vs. Caro-Kann, and Tarrasch vs. the French. Occasionally I would play the Jobava London. For black, I would play Taimanov Sicilian against e4, and Grunfeld vs. d4, and followed opening principles for anything else. Now, I play Queen's gambit for white, and Caro-Kann vs. e4 and Nimzo/Queen's Indian vs. d4. I've been using Chessbook.com for help memorizing theory all the variations...very powerful tool for chess development. This is the best thing I've done for my chess in quite some time. I had been in a rut, and now I feel with more experience under my belt with this new repertoire, I'll be soaring to new heights. My rating has taken a big hit with this overhaul, but it's only a matter of time before everything is firing on all cylinders.

I got up past 1500 in rapid on Lichess the other day. I broke my ceiling. I made it up to 1525 before I went back down on tilt to 1509...but I'm still extremely happy with what I've done so far. Playing Taimanov Sicilian against e4 and Grunfeld against d4. I'm playing e4 as white, playing Bishop's Opening vs. e5, Alapin against Sicilian, Panov Attack vs. Caro-Kann, and Tarrasch vs. the French. My repertoire has been working well for me. I play d4 on occasion now where it used to be my main. Been kind of learning the Jobava London. Do you guys have any tips for breaking 1600 and heading on upwards to 2000? Eventually 2000 is my goal.

Been doing some research and the best beverage to drink while playing chess is green tea. The l-theanine combined with caffeine increases focus and memory. Try it out! Doesn't hurt to try!