OpenChess

What does it usually consist of?

Studying the database of commented games over and again?
Solving Puzzles endlessly?
Opening Preparations?
Playing Online and analyzing their own games?

How many hours do you believe they spend in a non-tournament day? 10? 12? 14?

anything else?

All of the above plus "Psychology".

A good friend of mine is a GM and here swears by annotated games. Brilliant sub variations that opens the mind to all the possibilities. He states his chess strength increased alot when he played over Kasparov's "TheTest of TIme", and Fischer's, " My 60 memorable games". Getting into the mind of those two will surely help anyone's chess. However, some or all of the knowledge will be lost on the mind of a true patzer

Chess would not exist without patzers!

oudheusa wrote:Chess would not exist without patzers!

As I've been told, once you past 40 we start to lose all our pawns. Closing in fast on 47 now ...

Robert Flesher wrote:A good friend of mine is a GM and here swears by annotated games. Brilliant sub variations that opens the mind to all the possibilities. He states his chess strength increased alot when he played over Kasparov's "TheTest of TIme", and Fischer's, " My 60 memorable games". Getting into the mind of those two will surely help anyone's chess. However, some or all of the knowledge will be lost on the mind of a true patzer

Unless those mentioned are philosophical books with inspiration as their main message to boost one's enthusiasm, I don't think any single book will have an impact on player's strength. He probably read a lots of books more carefully but recommended you the best ones he's read.

Agree with you about commented games. It does contribute a lot to one's strength which is why some GM's like Anish Giri and Levon Aronian took an interest in annotating the Live games.

To be able to read a book and have the game position in your head is a big advantage.I can follow games about 4 moves deep from the previous position that was shown.Blindfold play should improve this ability then you can study much faster without the need of a board.
I know of personal friends that are still improving in their 40's.

Having someone blow cigarette smoke in your face while playing.
As in Botvinnik's prep.