03 Jun 07
If your reason for playing is to become a grandmaster, play ONLY better opponents and analyse EVERY game played.
If your reason for being here is fun and entertainment, play people 200 or 300 points both up and down, enjoy yourself and don't look at your own rating too often - it's not an accurate guide to your playing ability in an online-chess situation because you each have different outside influences, family, school/work, interruptions etc.
03 Jun 07
Originally posted by musicismyworldAbsolutely. I've heard the optimal opponent is one who is one hundred to two hundred points better than you. That way it is someone clearly more skilled, yet at the same time not impossible to beat if you play at your best.
Do you think you should always play peopple better than you MIGHT get better?
Originally posted by MissOleumI have made some terrible moves because of those interruptions.
If your reason for playing is to become a grandmaster, play ONLY better opponents and analyse EVERY game played.
If your reason for being here is fun and entertainment, play people 200 or 300 points both up and down, enjoy yourself and don't look at your own rating too often - it's not an accurate guide to your playing ability in an online-chess situation because you each have different outside influences, family, school/work, interruptions etc.
Wife Aren't you coming down to be sociable? You not still playing chess are you?
Me No, I'm trying to deal with those urgent correspondence from daughters school / ex-wifes solicitor / debt counseller (delete inapplicable).
sounds on stairs
Me Minimises RHP. Opens Word.
Wife Opens door. Looks in "Errm! You've just closed it haven't you? Hurry up, dinners on table" Goes out. Leaves door open. Hovers outside in hall / wash room / bed room (delete inapplicable).
Me Opens RHP. Makes 1st move that comes into head. Switches off computer.
60 minutes later
Me Must go and finish that letter.
Wife You'd better not play chess or you will be getting another divorce / no sex for a week / sleep in spare room / buying me that diamond ring we saw (delete inapplicable).
Me I promise I won't darling! Opens RHP. Looks at last game. Sees horrible blunder. Closes RHP in disgust. Goes to bed alone (doesn't feel like sex anyway after that last move).
04 Jun 07
Originally posted by MctaytoGood advice within reason. On another site I kept getting challenged by a guy rated 600 points below me and he kept losing in under 25 moves. I can't imagine what he hoped to learn except that he couldn't get out of the opening without dropping a piece.
If you already have the basics including a few white & black openings then the simple answer would be that the better the opponent then the more you stand to learn