I failed to see what was good about Kotov's "books". I admit, some people with insane IQ's probably feel right at home with mathematical algorithm, I'm just too human and artistic for it, so the "book" (and I put book in quotations, as it's not literature) did me honestly no good.
For the rest of us not born so lucky and who don't see ivy league university styled economic algorithms in our sleep, you're wasting your time. And you are making yourself feel even worse by saying, "I'm stupid and will never get good at chess if I don't understand algorithm! I must know the Kotov secret!" Do you think someone manic like Fischer knew systematic economic algorithm? There's more to life, and to chess, then memorizing/knowing algorithms, and very few people are actually geneticly able to do this, so your shooting yourself in the foot!
I know you guys will disagree, and I know the chess world probably does too, I'm sure there are gifted people who saw Kotov's pure mathematical algorithm book as a short cut to chess mastery, a monopolic single formula of success, something I'm sure math geeks like, but for 90% of the rest of us, I'm not sure Kotov helps. I think Silman's book, "Inside the Amateurs Mind" is probably the most theraputic to your chess ills!
I don’t think Kotov’s book requires a high IQ, but like any other book, it needs to be read critically and with an open mind. I for one don’t try to follow his advice word for word. But the book did succeed in getting me thinking about what makes good calculation.
As you rightly point out, humans play chess in a human way. We shouldn’t try to play chess like a computer, in the sense of implementing some involved algorithm. Our minds work sporadically, spontaneously, impulsively, etc. and we need to acknowledge this. However, there are some chess positions that require involved and accurate calculation, especially at critical moments in the game. At such times, even although we are human, we must also be able to calculate efficiently. And this isn’t something that only applies to “maths geeks”. Instead, for all players, it requires that we approach the calculation with some structure and method, and not just ad hoc. Some of Kotov’s suggestions (identify candidate moves; don’t jump between lines; don’t recalculate the same line over and over; etc.) aim to promote such efficiency. But you don’t have to apply it so rigidly. I used it as a foundation to be adapted by reading other authors and my own ideas.
V.
Originally posted by Varenkawell, i personally think that Kotov's book is more creative than any other chess book! In other chess books they make you memorize or even put concrete rules but Kotov clearly explains his ideas creatively and teaches methodical thinking. Methodical thinking doesnt mean that you are going to play like a computer. Methodical thinking helps you be even more creative!
I don’t think Kotov’s book requires a high IQ, but like any other book, it needs to be read critically and with an open mind. I for one don’t try to follow his advice word for word. But the book did succeed in getting me thinking about what makes good calculation.
As you rightly point out, humans play chess in a human way. We shouldn’t try to play ches ...[text shortened]... gidly. I used it as a foundation to be adapted by reading other authors and my own ideas.
V.
Originally posted by tolikcheturiOh, come on, he draws up algorithm trees the same way those guinesses in global economics college do on an open window! My brain literally FRIES reading his books, I put so much effort trying to understand his math/formulae/algorithms, and "methotical thinking", that in itself OVERSHADOWS improving my actual chess. It's like trying to improve at chess, but before I do, I must learn a whole new complex langauge that takes a 5 year degree, just to get the ball rolling.
well, i personally think that Kotov's book is more creative than any other chess book! In other chess books they make you memorize or even put concrete rules but Kotov clearly explains his ideas creatively and teaches methodical thinking. Methodical thinking doesnt mean that you are going to play like a computer. Methodical thinking helps you be even more creative!
I'm sorry, but I'll never be able to understand this stuff or this way of thinking, and I don't think it's a question of not understanding, just simply not having the ability to do it. You cannot deny the book is "basic" algorithm, but guess what? Most people cannot do "basic" rocket science either, just because it's basic in some MENSA aspect, doesn't mean any Tom, Dick, Sue, and Harry can use it!
Most people who are able to do stuff like basic algorithm have an IQ of at least 125 and over, that['s a fact, it may seem tedious and simple to some genius who already knows algorithm, but for people like me, who have an IQ actually a little lower then average (hey, I'm honest here, SOMEONE has to be lower then average, we can't all be high), it's an impossible book, it just is, I would need brain surgery to enhance my intelligence to get it, you can't hard work you're way and struggle through this book to get it's gems, it's foreign!
Originally posted by UmalakasYou might be right about your iq level and everything I do not know you, but the book is great and everybody can understand it. People do not want to understand it because the title says Think Like A Grandmaster. But, it doesnt mean that you understand the book but you are going to be a grandmaster.
Oh, come on, he draws up algorithm trees the same way those guinesses in global economics college do on an open window! My brain literally FRIES reading his books, I put so much effort trying to understand his math/formulae/algorithms, and "methotical thinking", that in itself OVERSHADOWS improving my actual chess. It's like trying to improve at chess, b ...[text shortened]... ou can't hard work you're way and struggle through this book to get it's gems, it's foreign!
hey man, I like math an all that. Those are not boring things, it is the life itself. There are gonna be guys like you lower than avarage and guys like Kotov, much higher than avarage. Nobody forcees you to read the book. But your words doesnt make it a dull or uncreative book. The creativity lies within the moves and ideas he explains. Just look at his games and you will undeerstand. He is a guy who always criticized himself of being a dull player and he alyways strived to be fancy and he became one of the most brilliant chessmasters alive. He left a book, which certainly is a classic and must be read by everybody who takes chess seriously!
And that is that....I am going on a looooong vacation brothers! I wish you all good chess education and everything. Good forums, good times etc....
And please somebody should defend the book for me after I am gone🙂
ps:It shouldnt be read by those who have a rating below 1800, when you get to expert level read the book every six months! I havent benefited from the book in full capacity yet myself so I am in no position to understand every single thing in the book!
Originally posted by UmalakasThis is a very smart response, I must admit that I agree this guy about Fischer and all that. He is right not EVERYBODY WILL BENEFIT FROM THE BOOK!Byes again 🙂
I failed to see what was good about Kotov's "books". I admit, some people with insane IQ's probably feel right at home with mathematical algorithm, I'm just too human and artistic for it, so the "book" (and I put book in quotations, as it's not literature) did me honestly no good.
For the rest of us not born so lucky and who don't see ivy leagu ...[text shortened]... Silman's book, "Inside the Amateurs Mind" is probably the most theraputic to your chess ills!
Originally posted by tolikcheturiWell, I'm over 1800 and higher rated then you (provisional, I know, so I won't brag much, but I have a feeling it's gonna get even higher soon by the time I reach game 20), and the book was a foreign entity to myself.
This is a very smart response, I must admit that I agree this guy about Fischer and all that. He is right not EVERYBODY WILL BENEFIT FROM THE BOOK!Byes again 🙂
Come on, if you are smart enough to actually understand Kotov, then surely you're reading comprehension is good enough to know I didn't think simply reading this book would make me a friggin Grandmaster! Sheesh! Personally, you don't strike me as a guy who has understood/learned from Kotov algorithms.
This reminds me of one time you claimed to be the 2nd smartest person, IQ wise, in Finland, after posting some of the most retarded posts I ever seen!
A lot of people are prideful, and NEVER admit when something goes through their head and go with the intellectual masses opinion. What I accused the book of, is simply being about "Kotovs math algorithms" rather then trying to improve at chess. You would essentially have to take a 4 (maybe 10) years to learn his algorithm process (basicly, I guess you would have to study/practice comp science routinely to see this stuff naturally), then re-learn everything about chess, and finally incorporate the algorithms in your chess playing. Most people cannot do this, it's an unatural way to approach the game! Do you know Kotov was successful/intellectual in MANY other things other then just chess? The guy admits, flat out, that he became a GM at chess and never once set it as a career, that's a genius, most great chess players make the game their life, because they have to, to stay good and to compete, but Kotov was so smart, he could literally do whatever he wanted, and do it well, while still being a competitive chess GM.
You wanna know people's like Kotov reason for success and being so well at chess and numerous other things? THEY ARE SIMPLY SMARTER THEN US! There is no magic formula, there is no magic method, there is no magic learning technique, that any soul can do and become a genius, the geniuses are simply using their wit to con-artist the inferiors into thinking if they buy their insight books, they'll be smart like them at chess, algorithms, etc! BS!
Math may turn you on and make you feel horny and sexy for whatever reasons, but just because the guy is good at math (and yes, he is good at math) and you have an admiration/interest in algorithms, that doesn't mean the book is useful for IMPROVING AT CHESS for the ORDINARY CITAZEN. How much has the book helped you in chess? As you said, it hasn't helped at all, you claim to have trouble incorporating it into your games, well, that's because learning mathematical algorithm is HARD ENOUGH work in itself, actually using it for everyday things in life, like playing chess, is a whole other pandoras box that is even more difficult.
YOU SIR, ARE THE MOST BULLSHIATIEST POSTER EVER! 😵
Originally posted by tolikcheturiThose Greek people, do not try to teach them humanity. You should have just ignored him tolik, that would be the best lesson😉
I dont even know what this guy is talking about and I am replying simply because he created some anger towards me and i gotta teach him that is not good to behave like this.First it is good that u are rated higHer than me. Excellent. I respect that but why bring that up and brag out of blue? I hope you get the highest on this site.
He says if you are ...[text shortened]... ST BEING ON UNIVERSE!I HOPE HE WILL BE IN ECSTASY NOW! I EXPECT 3 SMILEYS FROM HIM THIS TIME😠😠