tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333471751019842768.post8272482852502980179..comments2023-11-07T07:16:36.276-06:00Comments on On the Road to Chess Master: The Plan for AugustChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05917471376232837820noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333471751019842768.post-62613754314782287472013-08-06T18:57:18.474-05:002013-08-06T18:57:18.474-05:00Idle chess chat is also 100% welcome.
I want to...Idle chess chat is also 100% welcome. <br /><br />I want to be able to play everything, but am realizing that it's not a realistic goal at this time...Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05917471376232837820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333471751019842768.post-37401022283371074302013-08-06T16:55:54.558-05:002013-08-06T16:55:54.558-05:00You asked...
I almost commented, but realized all...You asked...<br /><br />I almost commented, but realized all I had to offer was idle chess chat. I was delighted to read that you are narrowing your opening focus. It's like wanting to smack that friend in the head, whenever he goes back to that girl who is no good for him.<br /><br />I'm a fan of patterning, and seeing/solving similar positional situations and endings over and over again, I'm sure will pay big dividends for you. First Normal Formhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04486145031139699145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333471751019842768.post-14969299374479876822013-08-03T09:50:55.317-05:002013-08-03T09:50:55.317-05:00Thank you for the comments!
I was playing the ......Thank you for the comments!<br /><br />I was playing the ...a6 Slav for a while and had some good results (drew a master) but walked away for a while. I didn't really understand it anyways. Now I will work at it until I do.<br /><br />As for calculation, I also believe it to be much more than tactics, but solving some tactics helps me with my calculation. For example, one of my biggest blindnesses is not seeing escape squares in lines I calculate. I will think that it's mate or that I have my opponents queen trapped and so I will make a sac that ultimately fails since there is an escape square a few ply in that I didn't see.<br /><br />So many tactics are based on the removal of escape squares that I find that solving a lot of tactics helps with calculation in addition to helping with tactics.<br /><br />As for analysis...I have an interesting dichotomy there... <br /><br />My coach tells me to analyze all of my games without a computer. I do, but then I look at them afterwards with a computer to see what I missed. He keeps telling me that's a bad idea, but I keep thinking that since the technology is there why wouldn't I use it?!<br /><br />I should probably give a little more respect to the 500 point rating difference between us, but I can't help myself with this one.<br /><br />Endings...yeah...everyone should have an arch enemy...mine is endings.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05917471376232837820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6333471751019842768.post-18292598709946043892013-08-03T07:49:47.535-05:002013-08-03T07:49:47.535-05:00Since you're bravely soliciting comments, here...Since you're bravely soliciting comments, here are mine, for what they're worth.<br /><br />Opening prep: The Chebanenko (a6) Slav is the most popular variation these days and has wide thematic applications any time you can play ...a6 in the Slav, not just the main line. I don't play it, but I think you've made a good choice.<br /><br />Analytical ability: obviously I think analyzing your own games is a critical part of the improvement progress, since my own blog is based around that. Computer-assisted analysis has done a lot for me in that respect, giving me insights into alternative lines of play and ideas, while still encouraging critical thinking and evaluation.<br /><br />Calculation ability: probably the most single important skill in chess, IMO. Not the same thing as tactics, although of course closely allied. Your observation about Experts is valuable - in my experience they don't have overpowering chess knowledge, they simply don't make nearly as many tactical mistakes as Class players and have better middlegame and endgame technique, which translates into much better final results.<br /><br />Endings: I need to work on them too, heh.ChessAdminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02231584333139931889noreply@blogger.com