Chess Match Thread

[LogGrad98]

LogGrad98 vs. One Brow

1. Nf3 e6
2. g3 Nc6
3. Bg2 Be7
4. d4 f5
5. b3 Nf6
6. Bb2 0-0
7. c4 b6
8. d5 exd5
9. cxd5 Nb4
10. a3 Na6
11. Nd4 Bb7
12. Nxf5 Nc5
13. 0-0 d6

Probably should have played that at move 11.

Time will tell I guess.



1. Nf3 e6
2. g3 Nc6
3. Bg2 Be7
4. d4 f5
5. b3 Nf6
6. Bb2 0-0
7. c4 b6
8. d5 exd5
9. cxd5 Nb4
10. a3 Na6
11. Nd4 Bb7
12. Nxf5 Nc5
13. 0-0 d6
14. b4

 

[Jonah]

Anybody have some favorite books they feel really helped improve their game? I'd like to make a real effort to sharpen my skills and would appreciate recommendations, anything you have found particularly interesting and that really made a difference in your game. My favorite was Fischer's 60 Memorable Games, very deeply and accurately annotated, yet entertaining throughout. I read it enough times as a kid that it fell apart. I'm thinking about ordering a new edition but would like suggestions on some of your favorites.

 

[ema]

Anybody have some favorite books they feel really helped improve their game? I'd like to make a real effort to sharpen my skills and would appreciate recommendations, anything you have found particularly interesting and that really made a difference in your game. My favorite was Fischer's 60 Memorable Games, very deeply and accurately annotated, yet entertaining throughout. I read it enough times as a kid that it fell apart. I'm thinking about ordering a new edition but would like suggestions on some of your favorites.

Great question, I can make a few more suggestions later but for now I will say one thing: All the beginners and intermediates HAVE TO read "Chess Fundamentals" by Capablanca.

 

[Fishsticks]

Has there ever been a ****tier thread?

 

[ema]

I've been reading through the posts in this topic, and it seems people underestimate just how good 2000+ rating is. My father is a FIDE Master. He's spent his life travelling across the world to participate in chess competitions. And he's never broke 2400 rating. He hasn't played at that level in over a decade, and he still beats me about 3 out of 4 times.

When I was younger, my father used to coach me, and he'd always felt my game was too aggressive and reckless. I never felt strongly enough about the game to put forth the effort required to be great. By my teenage years, my father had given up on trying to coach the flaws out of my game, and he accepted that it'll always be this casual thing for me.

Either way, nobody here has a rating of 2400. lol

Wow, I missed this post, I wish I had a close one who is a FIDE master, that would be wonderful. Those guys plays on such a comprehensive and deep level. I've played tens of games against 2000-2200 players in tournaments and many more in my chess club(we had a few 2400+ some 2000+ players in the club). Except one lucky draw against a 2080 or so guy who was probably sick the game day, I never could compete with those guys. My level probably was about to improve to the range of 1800s just before I had to quit at 1650 thanks to consecutive losses against those stronger players.

Anyway, what do you think about my assessments below about the ratings. I just can't think that a casual player can play over 2000 unless he started playing chess very early and played regularly or he is once pro/semi-pro but now casual player.

...What would you expect from a casual chess player is a strength rating of 1300-1800 or 2000 at the most. Semi professional players such as players who attend to local tournaments etc can often up to 2100-2250 easily. Any ratings of 2250-2300+ are indicators of a full time chess hobby/profession or at least semi professional chess careers...

 

[ema]

Has there ever been a ****tier thread?

Shoot me now...

This is the worst porno ever.

If you don't like it people, just shut up!


Btw E.J., I just recently read your crying thread of "I'm getting dumber and dumber each day". Why don't you start playing some chess man, instead of interfering with our porn taste?

Seriously man, chess would help you to some degree with your concerns.

 

[LogGrad98]

Has there ever been a ****tier thread?

Idk. It was a pretty good thread until you showed up.

 

[Fishsticks]

Idk. It was a pretty good thread until you showed up.

Nothing better than chess on a message board. Glad i could be a part of it in some way.

 

[Siro]

Wow, I missed this post, I wish I had a close one who is a FIDE master, that would be wonderful. Those guys plays on such a comprehensive and deep level. I've played tens of games against 2000-2200 players in tournaments and many more in my chess club(we had a few 2400+ some 2000+ players in the club). Except one lucky draw against a 2080 or so guy who was probably sick the game day, I never could compete with those guys. My level probably was about to improve to the range of 1800s just before I had to quit at 1650 thanks to consecutive losses against those stronger players.

Anyway, what do you think about my assessments below about the ratings. I just can't think that a casual player can play over 2000 unless he started playing chess very early and played regularly or he is once pro/semi-pro but now casual player.

1300 is a player who no longer makes stupid blunders, like aimlessly exchanging a rook for a bishop, and who recognizes some immediate opportunities to pin/skewer/whatever. At 1700, you're a solid tournament level player. Still a casual hobbyist at that point, but one who seriously played a lot of chess. 2000 is a top tournament player at anything up to state level tournaments. 2200 is a serious non-casual player with Master aspirations. 2400 is competing to be an IM. So I would say your rating are pretty close to what I've seen.

People do say that it isn't possible for casuals to hit 2000. They also say that if you haven't started playing chess in your childhood, then you probably will never hit 2000. I think both of those statements are generally true, but not inherently so. What I mean is, if you haven't played for long, or if you only play occasionally with a friend, then it will be difficult to become a good chess player. But it is all about time and effort. I have an acquaintance who developed an interest in chess a year ago, and he's already playing in tournaments at around 1700 level. The guy became obsessed, obviously. He would read chess books, spent hours each day playing people online and off, bought computer programs to help him practice tactical situations and long term strategies, etc. I heard of even more impressive results. I remember reading a book by some chess GM (forgot which), and he coached a kid who increased his rating by more than 1000 in about 18 months. So it is possible, but realistically speaking, if you're not that into it, you won't be great at it.

 

[babe]

1. e4 d6
2. d4 e6
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. Nf3 Nc6
5. Be2 h6
6. a3 a6
7. h3 Be7
8. 0-0 0-0
9. Bf4 b5
10. Qd2 Nh7
11. d5 e5
12. dxc6, exf4

sorry it took me longer to get back here. will be checking in tonight from time to time.

looks like I mis-edited the back-link to your move. It was on page 27.

 

[babe]

By the way, Enes, you can copy/paste the link above the one you're doing (the one with tags). That way it becomes clickab...r links, I'll venture trying that. . . . j/k

 

[Jonah]

Great question, I can make a few more suggestions later but for now I will say one thing: All the beginners and intermediates HAVE TO read "Chess Fundamentals" by Capablanca.

Thanks for the Capablanca suggestion. After a quick search I found "Chess Fundamentals" can be downloaded for free or just a few dollars depending on the edition. I played through a few chapters this morning that cover middle-game theory in a very clear and precise way. I can already tell it's going to be a useful book.

On a side note, it's been interesting to hear about people's opportunities against better players. My favorite chess experience came in the late-90s when I was fortunate enough to play some skittles and blitz games and take a few lessons from Utah's first and, at the time, only GM. Sitting across the board and kibitzing with a world-class player (he once beat Karpov when Karpov was at his best and the world champion) was mind-boggling, the depth and ease players of that caliber see into the game is amazing.