Go back
Am I too old to get good at chess?

Am I too old to get good at chess?

Only Chess

greenpawn34

e4

Joined
06 May 08
Moves
43363
Clock
14 Mar 10
1 edit
Vote Up
Vote Down

I'm back.

Good day out. Made a Corner out of it.

http://www.chessedinburgh.co.uk/chandlerarticle.php?ChandID=398

(you have to see this Qb1-Qa2 a mate of mine came up with.)

Hi Paul.

These days players are claiming computer analysis as their own, especially
in the notes.

Had an interesting conversation with a good player who plays the Acc Dragon.

I mentioned Levy's 1970 book and a trap in it I used on here.

He too has an ancient move not mentioned in the latest Acc Dragon book
which scores very heavily for Black. It's not a trap just an idea.

These old pre-computer books are full of good ideas as modern books have
been Fritz'd and they give the best move or moves not realising that sometimes
the 2nd and 3rd best choice presents the human player with severe OTB problems
to solve.

Asked another good player if he could contribute to this thread by saying
what makes a player good. He replied.

"Keep away from Chandler Cornered."

Good advice I'm thinking.

Re diet:
A hamburger, a cup of sweet cofee, a fag and I'm ready fro anyone.

AT the board I'll allow my opponent to suck on a sweet or take a drink.
I do neither. I have a bottle of water but if I take a drink I do it away
from the board.

If any of them look like they have to come to the board for a feast with
sandwiches, cakes and pies I ask them to eat away from the board.

They always have but if they ever refused I would start to pick my nose.

rc

Joined
26 Aug 07
Moves
38239
Clock
14 Mar 10
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by greenpawn34
I'm back.

Good day out. Made a Corner out of it.

http://www.chessedinburgh.co.uk/chandlerarticle.php?ChandID=398

(you have to see this Qb1-Qa2 a mate of mine came up with.)

Hi Paul.

These days players are claiming computer analysis as their own, especially
in the notes.

Had an interesting conversation with a good player who plays the A ...[text shortened]... the board.

They always have but if they ever refused I would start to pick my nose.
i have that very book, some kind gentleman sent it in the post. Only last week i was thumbing through it and was arguing with the author over section eleven, the hyper accelerated dragon, which he poured scorn upon! what is this idea pawn dude? which chapter is it in?

Paul Leggett
Chess Librarian

The Stacks

Joined
21 Aug 09
Moves
114136
Clock
14 Mar 10
Vote Up
Vote Down

Had an interesting conversation with a good player who plays the Acc Dragon.

I mentioned Levy's 1970 book and a trap in it I used on here.

He too has an ancient move not mentioned in the latest Acc Dragon book
which scores very heavily for Black. It's not a trap just an idea.

These old pre-computer books are full of good ideas as modern books have
been Fritz'd and they give the best ...[text shortened]... times
the 2nd and 3rd best choice presents the human player with severe OTB problems
to solve.
I have that book, and also Levy's book on the "regular" dragon. Now the secret is out. Geez!

On the flip side, there was a King's Indian book in the same series written by four authors (I don't remember them all, but I think two were Keene and Hartston), where they reached the same position by different move orders on four different pages, and they gave this identical position four different assessments!

Thesis/Antithesis/Synthesis, or something like that!

greenpawn34

e4

Joined
06 May 08
Moves
43363
Clock
14 Mar 10
3 edits
Vote Up
Vote Down

Hi Robbie.

It was this game. (below).

Levy gives the game right up to the piece sac so I thought I'd try it.
I'm not 100% convinced it's sound. But good for a laugh.
Some nice variations my opponent avoided in that one.

I know the King's Indian book. Cannot recall authors either but it was a massive
book. Perhaps the venture was too big.
Certainly makes you think for yourself.

I recall a Reinfeld book that said one position was good for White and later
on in the same book the same position was in Black's favour.

In Levy's book on the mainline Dragon (1st edition) Miles busted a variation
given by him quite beaitifully. DNL corrected it in the reprint.
That is explained in detail in my Tony Miles Tribute.

http://www.chessedinburgh.co.uk/chandlerarticle.php?ChandID=15

Street Fighter advises using old opening theory as a lot of these old lines are not
busted, just out of fashion.

W
Angler

River City

Joined
08 Dec 04
Moves
16907
Clock
14 Mar 10
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by greenpawn34
They always have but if they ever refused I would start to pick my nose.
Just so long as you're wiping your finger on your knickers, not your tongue nor my chess pieces.


I often eat cookies at the board, and always have coffee or water or both. If my opponent wished that I refrain, he'll need the support of the TD. In my city, the TD's wife makes the cookies for our largest tournaments.

greenpawn34

e4

Joined
06 May 08
Moves
43363
Clock
15 Mar 10
Vote Up
Vote Down

A few cookies are OK I might even indulge if they are free.

However if you drop crumbs on the board which is the canvas I am creating
on then I'll blow them into your lap. 🙂

Muching and nibbling is often frowned upon at the top boards. I've seen
others players see the TD about it.
I prefer to keep it between me and my opponent.

Of course you can bring in a large salad sandwich and place it next to the board
and look like you are going to eat it.

"The threat is stronger than the execution."

W
Angler

River City

Joined
08 Dec 04
Moves
16907
Clock
15 Mar 10
Vote Up
Vote Down

If there are cookie crumbs, they fall into my lap. The coffee and water are kept neat at hand, but a good distance from the board. The sipping of both is not done over the canvas, but back in the chair. Spills (I haven't had any) are away from the table. I have seen coffee spilled near a board, and it horrifies me. Once an opponent slammed his hands on the table when I pointed out that he had flagged. He spilled his Arizona ice tea on my board and pieces. When I play him, we use one of my cheap sets--not the fine wood.

MC

Joined
08 Aug 09
Moves
708
Clock
15 Mar 10
1 edit
Vote Up
Vote Down

Chess, to me, isn't something you should have the ambition to get better at. I just love sitting there pondering positions, sometimes i'll even make random moves in my games just to ponder them. I have a drive to win but winning for me isn't just checkmating my opponent, because chess is something that no matter how long you sit and think about it you will never solve the mystery. If that doesn't spark your interest more than winning then you shouldn't even waste your time.

W
Angler

River City

Joined
08 Dec 04
Moves
16907
Clock
15 Mar 10
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by MISTER CHESS
Chess, to me, isn't something you should have the ambition to get better at. I just love sitting there pondering positions, sometimes i'll even make random moves in my games just to ponder them. I have a drive to win but winning for me isn't just checkmating my opponent, because chess is something that no matter how long you sit and think about it you w ...[text shortened]... that doesn't spark your interest more than winning then you shouldn't even waste your time.
If you succeed at solving little problems, you will win.

Pondering positions without seeking truth seems senseless, even to the Zen master.

Without self-improvement, life lacks its spark.

n
Ronin

Hereford Boathouse

Joined
08 Oct 09
Moves
29575
Clock
15 Mar 10
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Mephisto2

2.no player without a far higher than average memory can reach the top. A non-monster player like Boris Spassky can still reproduce most of the games he played as a world champion, 30+ years later. I can't reproduce the games I played two weeks ago.
Spassky a "non-monster"??? I would think he was a textbook definition of chess prodigy.

n
Ronin

Hereford Boathouse

Joined
08 Oct 09
Moves
29575
Clock
15 Mar 10
Vote Up
Vote Down

I agree on playing out of fashion lines.

vs titled players I play main lines and reject passive play.
vs strong juniors I play old, out of fashion lines and aim for strategic positions.
vs sub master adults I play .
vs beginners I play e4 🙂

M

Joined
12 Mar 03
Moves
44411
Clock
15 Mar 10
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by nimzo5
Spassky a "non-monster"??? I would think he was a textbook definition of chess prodigy.
Spassky was my idol. My best chess moment ever has been a game against him. But he was not a 'memory-monster'. He was more the creative type of player (given his USSR background), would challenge everything his predecessors did before him.

MC

Joined
08 Aug 09
Moves
708
Clock
17 Mar 10
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Wulebgr
If you succeed at solving little problems, you will win.

Pondering positions without seeking truth seems senseless, even to the Zen master.

Without self-improvement, life lacks its spark.
I do seek the truth but I realize i will never find it. Its not all about winning.

IC

Joined
30 Aug 06
Moves
28651
Clock
17 Mar 10
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by isthislikecheckers
I'm nineteen and thinking about taking up chess seriously. I've know the rules since I was about seven but rarely played. I'm a quick learner and have a high IQ but I'm afraid I've waited too long. How young do you have to start to become a great player?
Yes, you're much too old to be playing chess. 😕

m

Joined
06 Oct 02
Moves
4214
Clock
17 Mar 10
Vote Up
Vote Down

Wow, 19? Better stick to the 1/0 games, don't want you dying of old age before you get out of the openings.

Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.