I just got back from visiting Mother Nature at a nearby campsite. The Sky was glorious with fluffy clouds travelling across a blue sky. The river kept everything nice and cool. The earth was a beautiful lawn with numerous trees. They were perfect for hammocks. I made a fire and enjoyed watching the flames dance along the sticks and logs.
My mother was fine. It was nice to see her again. Normally I am indoors and blind to the wind and weather. I surround myself with painted dry wall, cinder blocks, and concrete. It is like living in a small blind-spot in the middle of paradise.
At the campground I took a little time and studied some of Grivas' Practical Endgame play, and discovered a slight error on page 15 example 2.4. This means I am really studying and not just blindly following. Good for me.
Peace pawn pushers.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
My Caissa Plan
The Caissa Plan
Opening Maintenance
1. Pick one opening that you can live with for the rest of your life. I pick the 1.d4-2.c4 complex as White and the Caro-Kann and Slav Defenses as Black.
2.Examine, choose, and script the first repertoire choices within the Opening complex.
3.Memorize the repertoire.
4.Play the repertoire as often as possible, against computer, FICS, and local club games to learn it under game conditions.
5.Maintain the repertoire by staying current with theory, refurbishing or altering deficits, and researching for novelties.
6.Add additional variations to the repertoire to make preparation more difficult for opponents, and provide play to win or play to draw options.
Shot and Blunder Recognition
1.Work through a basic workbook of typical shots (Palliser) over and over until they are down cold.
2.Repeat with the next book
3.Spot shots from within the repertoire and from Game post mortems. Never make the same mistake twice.
Technique
1.Work through the fundamental endgames (Grivas) over and over until they are down cold.
2.Repeat with the next book on more complicated endgames.
3.Learn endgames from within the repertoire from GMs and from post mortems.
Strategy and Planning
1.Study complete GM games from within the repertoire and take note of the nuances.
2.Study general strategic thought from texts.
3.Conduct regular post-mortems in order to understand the heart of the positions I play.
4.Conduct self-assessments regarding psychological strengths and weaknesses as well as clock management.
Mental Health
Enjoy Chess. You are not a professional. Play what you like. Do your best, and don’t permit harmful accusatory self-talk. Be kind and courteous to everyone. Enjoy chess people and chess culture. The ratings are what they are. Accept finitude with grace and peace.
Opening Maintenance
1. Pick one opening that you can live with for the rest of your life. I pick the 1.d4-2.c4 complex as White and the Caro-Kann and Slav Defenses as Black.
2.Examine, choose, and script the first repertoire choices within the Opening complex.
3.Memorize the repertoire.
4.Play the repertoire as often as possible, against computer, FICS, and local club games to learn it under game conditions.
5.Maintain the repertoire by staying current with theory, refurbishing or altering deficits, and researching for novelties.
6.Add additional variations to the repertoire to make preparation more difficult for opponents, and provide play to win or play to draw options.
Shot and Blunder Recognition
1.Work through a basic workbook of typical shots (Palliser) over and over until they are down cold.
2.Repeat with the next book
3.Spot shots from within the repertoire and from Game post mortems. Never make the same mistake twice.
Technique
1.Work through the fundamental endgames (Grivas) over and over until they are down cold.
2.Repeat with the next book on more complicated endgames.
3.Learn endgames from within the repertoire from GMs and from post mortems.
Strategy and Planning
1.Study complete GM games from within the repertoire and take note of the nuances.
2.Study general strategic thought from texts.
3.Conduct regular post-mortems in order to understand the heart of the positions I play.
4.Conduct self-assessments regarding psychological strengths and weaknesses as well as clock management.
Mental Health
Enjoy Chess. You are not a professional. Play what you like. Do your best, and don’t permit harmful accusatory self-talk. Be kind and courteous to everyone. Enjoy chess people and chess culture. The ratings are what they are. Accept finitude with grace and peace.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The Current USCF Mess
Because I plan to compete this Fall in tournaments I need to purchase a membership in the United States Chess Federation.
So I thought I would look around a bit. I read about this USCF staff cutting and Polgar lawsuit. So I dug a little deeper. I went to Susan's site and read her side. Then I cast about for non polarized opinions and read wikapaedia and some newspaper columns on the subject.
It is an ugly thing. In order to get to some semblance of fact I would need to actually understand law and accounting. I would need to do retro-email traces for the one side, which may not be within my legal rights to do. And I would need to read the actual legal accusations, offers, and decisions. Did Susan actually offer to settle for $1?
Did members of the USCF leadership, in a conflict of interest utilise the organization for their personal political benefit? If done, was this illegal, or simply immoral? Is the accountability structure of the USCF sufficient? If not, how can the organization become more transparent? If sufficient accountability rules are in place, are they being duly enforced? Who enforces the enforcer? Were the lawsuits and counter lawsuits properly decided upon by the elected leaders?
Did Susan's husband post bogus e-mail comments that directly effected an election outcome? If so, should the Democrat or Republican parties hire him? (joke)
I believe things are quite messy now. However I am not without hope. First of all I believe that alleged corruption in chess has been an ongoing problem in FIDE too. For that matter there is alleged corruption in the Vatican. So my first point is that organizations by nature suffer from moral lassitude in direct proportion to the leadership's power and institutional opacity. So I am not overly impressed.
Secondly, despite the ugly polarization that exists now, and the dirt flying about, I believe that a thorough investigation and reasonable post-mortem is possible. There are plenty of records available for an interested chess historian. The truth is out there. This may take time and may even never be done. And it will not fix the current dust up. Yet even so, the chess rating apparatus is still operating.
I personally do not need the USCF except for the official rating. I play chess on line. I play at the local chess hotspots. I read chess books and buy chess dvds. I am not a kid in scholastic chess. I am doing just fine without the USCF. All I need is the recognized authentic rating.
This does not mean I am heartless and do not care about the integrity of the organization and the impact on Chess. On the contrary. I think the USCF should probably: 1.Make polity changes that ensure simplicity of operation, full transparency, and conflict of interest required reclusion, with mandated enforcement. 2. Make polity changes that make the leadership of the organization more vulnerable to democratic direction. 3.This is just me, but I think the USCF should make chess more amateur and more professional. What I mean is that chess at the class and lower master levels is about the thrill of competition and the love of the game. It should not be about the money. On the other hand Grandmaster level chess should provide some sort of significant financial reward to permit the existence of United States Chess professionals. To make my case I think first of Poker. Everyone buys in, but only one walks away with the prize. And this is quite successful. For my second supporting point, look what a little money did for Linares through the years. I personally would be happy to see my tournament entry fee go towards world class chess, rather than to a sandbagging u-1800. 4. Promotion of the game in general and the development of scholastic competitive chess as a joy in itself and talent discovery vehicle should remain a high priority for the USCF and be part of their mandate. 5. Having another talent and story like Bobby Fischer would do wonders for chess' popularity. And this is more likely to happen with a broadening of the base through scholastic chess and well run local tournaments. 6.Most importantly the USCF and FIDE for that matter need to stop sabotaging the beautiful game with stupid personal issues. It seems to me that chess organizations have often been their own worst enemy.
Caissa help us!
So I thought I would look around a bit. I read about this USCF staff cutting and Polgar lawsuit. So I dug a little deeper. I went to Susan's site and read her side. Then I cast about for non polarized opinions and read wikapaedia and some newspaper columns on the subject.
It is an ugly thing. In order to get to some semblance of fact I would need to actually understand law and accounting. I would need to do retro-email traces for the one side, which may not be within my legal rights to do. And I would need to read the actual legal accusations, offers, and decisions. Did Susan actually offer to settle for $1?
Did members of the USCF leadership, in a conflict of interest utilise the organization for their personal political benefit? If done, was this illegal, or simply immoral? Is the accountability structure of the USCF sufficient? If not, how can the organization become more transparent? If sufficient accountability rules are in place, are they being duly enforced? Who enforces the enforcer? Were the lawsuits and counter lawsuits properly decided upon by the elected leaders?
Did Susan's husband post bogus e-mail comments that directly effected an election outcome? If so, should the Democrat or Republican parties hire him? (joke)
I believe things are quite messy now. However I am not without hope. First of all I believe that alleged corruption in chess has been an ongoing problem in FIDE too. For that matter there is alleged corruption in the Vatican. So my first point is that organizations by nature suffer from moral lassitude in direct proportion to the leadership's power and institutional opacity. So I am not overly impressed.
Secondly, despite the ugly polarization that exists now, and the dirt flying about, I believe that a thorough investigation and reasonable post-mortem is possible. There are plenty of records available for an interested chess historian. The truth is out there. This may take time and may even never be done. And it will not fix the current dust up. Yet even so, the chess rating apparatus is still operating.
I personally do not need the USCF except for the official rating. I play chess on line. I play at the local chess hotspots. I read chess books and buy chess dvds. I am not a kid in scholastic chess. I am doing just fine without the USCF. All I need is the recognized authentic rating.
This does not mean I am heartless and do not care about the integrity of the organization and the impact on Chess. On the contrary. I think the USCF should probably: 1.Make polity changes that ensure simplicity of operation, full transparency, and conflict of interest required reclusion, with mandated enforcement. 2. Make polity changes that make the leadership of the organization more vulnerable to democratic direction. 3.This is just me, but I think the USCF should make chess more amateur and more professional. What I mean is that chess at the class and lower master levels is about the thrill of competition and the love of the game. It should not be about the money. On the other hand Grandmaster level chess should provide some sort of significant financial reward to permit the existence of United States Chess professionals. To make my case I think first of Poker. Everyone buys in, but only one walks away with the prize. And this is quite successful. For my second supporting point, look what a little money did for Linares through the years. I personally would be happy to see my tournament entry fee go towards world class chess, rather than to a sandbagging u-1800. 4. Promotion of the game in general and the development of scholastic competitive chess as a joy in itself and talent discovery vehicle should remain a high priority for the USCF and be part of their mandate. 5. Having another talent and story like Bobby Fischer would do wonders for chess' popularity. And this is more likely to happen with a broadening of the base through scholastic chess and well run local tournaments. 6.Most importantly the USCF and FIDE for that matter need to stop sabotaging the beautiful game with stupid personal issues. It seems to me that chess organizations have often been their own worst enemy.
Caissa help us!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Bobby Fischer in Argentina
Today I went into Frogtown Books in Toledo Ohio. I asked where the chess books were and the owner was kind enough to show me a bit of history. He pulled out a score sheet from a chess Tournament in Argentina. Bobby Fischer was playing black. It was in the old descriptive notation. Bobby lost in around 32 moves.
It was sweet to look at it. And it was comforting to remember that even the great ones take their losses.
All the moves and signatures are on one side because the game was short enough. I can imagine it framed and hanging on some wall in Argentina today.
If I had the extra cash, I would buy it, and hang it in my office.
Everyone must emotionally overcome their defeats.
It was sweet to look at it. And it was comforting to remember that even the great ones take their losses.
All the moves and signatures are on one side because the game was short enough. I can imagine it framed and hanging on some wall in Argentina today.
If I had the extra cash, I would buy it, and hang it in my office.
Everyone must emotionally overcome their defeats.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
One a Day Vitamin
I am trying to hold myself to one chess game a day. Unlike other maniacs that are trying to play down to one a day, I am playing up to it.
The philosophy is that if I can learn one chess thing a day, it is enough. Trying for more might just lead to a diminishing return.
The second part of this is that the game be as slow as possible against the highest rated opponent as possible. On FICS right now I am 1701. For me G-15 is too fast. But I take it if that is what is available.
I am sticking with Jeremy Sillman's starting opening recommendations. It is a sound if narrow path.
On another note, I surprised my wife by taking her to see a covered bridge today. She was delighted, and I am happy.
The philosophy is that if I can learn one chess thing a day, it is enough. Trying for more might just lead to a diminishing return.
The second part of this is that the game be as slow as possible against the highest rated opponent as possible. On FICS right now I am 1701. For me G-15 is too fast. But I take it if that is what is available.
I am sticking with Jeremy Sillman's starting opening recommendations. It is a sound if narrow path.
On another note, I surprised my wife by taking her to see a covered bridge today. She was delighted, and I am happy.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Fight the Temptation!
I need to call a friend. Do they have a group for Opening Switchers Anonymous?
I have been playing one opening for about a month now. I am gaining familiarity with it.
Today I won my FICS game and suddenly I feel like switching.
I am tempted to go from the Colle to the standard 1d4-c4 Queen's Gambit as white. To make matters worse I have been toying with switching from the Queen's Gambit Declined to the Slav, and the Caro-Kann to the Open.
It is too soon!
Be strong my soul!
I have been playing one opening for about a month now. I am gaining familiarity with it.
Today I won my FICS game and suddenly I feel like switching.
I am tempted to go from the Colle to the standard 1d4-c4 Queen's Gambit as white. To make matters worse I have been toying with switching from the Queen's Gambit Declined to the Slav, and the Caro-Kann to the Open.
It is too soon!
Be strong my soul!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Everyone Loses Sometimes
Losing is part of playing chess. Because we are all humans with brains that function like a committee, we all make mistakes. Beyond that, unless we are the strongest in the world, we simply get out played.
A few years ago I came up with a tongue in cheek Chess Dhamma.
1. Chess is suffering.
2. Suffering arises from mistakes.
3. There is a way of liberated non-suffering.
4. Quit Chess.
But I still choose chess. The good games give me encouragement to continue. Life is not about avoiding suffering but about skillfully navigating it.
My daughter has a sign on her apartment wall.
"When life gives you lemons,
wait till life is not looking
and throw them away."
A few years ago I came up with a tongue in cheek Chess Dhamma.
1. Chess is suffering.
2. Suffering arises from mistakes.
3. There is a way of liberated non-suffering.
4. Quit Chess.
But I still choose chess. The good games give me encouragement to continue. Life is not about avoiding suffering but about skillfully navigating it.
My daughter has a sign on her apartment wall.
"When life gives you lemons,
wait till life is not looking
and throw them away."
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