R.A.C.E.T.W.A.

Racetwa is my little memory device for playing chess.

R=record. I need to record the move.
A=Ask why did he/she play that? Is it a dual purpose move?
C=Choose. Stop his/her shots. Make my shots. Improve. Prevent.
E=Execute. Make the move.
T=Time. Punch that Clock.
W=Write down your move.
A= Analyze. What is going on? What are the plans?

I am hoping this will help me with my problems in keeping an accurate scorecard. I am amazed how when I get excited, I miss writing down my opponent's move. Soon I am writing my moves as if I were the other color. Then when I discover it I have to go back and correct things, wasting time.

My other problem is when the other player responds to one of my threats with a defensive move that also has a threat in it. I think that they are just reacting, and do not take care to observe the poison on the retreat.

I did not play any chess today. I only studied a little. It was a day for yard work, and then I was fortunate to go with my wife to opening day of baseball here in Toledo.

As far as I know. Nobody is reading this blog. Still, I like writing it. First of all I enjoy writing and talking about chess. Secondly it gives me a little bit of public accountability which might help me stay on course with my stated plans. And finally it is a kind of journaling.

So if no one else reads this I wish myself a good night and ongoing chess improvement and happiness.