10 Nov 06
Well I have offically lost interest in playing chess. All my chess goals I had set have been accomplished.
I joined a chess club in Feb 2004 and joined the CFC in May of that year. I planned on getting over 1800 and making the Top 20 list of for our City before my 2 years were up of playing in rated tournaments, so May 2006. I accomplished both after winning the Edmonton Reserves Championship in 2005 which was 8 weeks from Jan to Feb. So it took me a bit less then 2 years.
I joined Rhp in Nov 2004 and set a goal of getting over 1800 within 2 year and currently I have my highest rating. Only lost one game this year to a 2100+ player who was helping me try out a new caro-kann opening. First time I was playing that opening and didn't know the right plans, what to do etc...
My other goal was to start teaching Chess. This I accomplished this year.
So basically I accomplished all my chess goals I set for myself.
At this point, I don't see any benefit of getting to 2000. I'm not interested in the game that much anymore and it would be a waste of time.
I intend to continue teaching chess and concentrating more on my students games and helping them improve. I also hope to get a few more students to teach for next year.
Rhp, well I did what I can for you guys. I tried to help you guys as much as I could. I wrote several thread to help new players, some were sucessful, others were not due to the particpation.
There are very few players on here who actually want to help other players and have the time to do so. It's a shame really. I don't know about other people but I find it annoying when you try helping people and they are ungrateful. I started a few threads which would have been great but no one cared. Because of that, I prevent myself from posting advice now and then because it's a waste of time.
I'm considering writing some lectures for Fics. Maybe I will one day.
For those who supported my threads, I hope you learnt from them. For those who didn't well ........ I offered. If you want to improve, they are there.
So long everyone.
10 Nov 06
Originally posted by RahimKI will disagree with this. Your threads on becoming a 1400 player etc has been very good. Up to the point where threads have been started suggesting that they be "stickied". I still think those threads should be constantly visible and I am sure many players will care enough to read them and want to improve. They have been inspiration for me to improve my rating and be able to break the 1400 barrier recently. Unfortunately it is inevitable that they will disappear unless they keep getting bumped.
I started a few threads which would have been great but no one cared.
10 Nov 06
Originally posted by lauseyYes I agree those are great threads. People responded to them, were interested in them and thus they became great threads.
I will disagree with this. Your threads on becoming a 1400 player etc has been very good. Up to the point where threads have been started suggesting that they be "stickied". I still think those threads should be constantly visible and I am sure many players will care enough to read them and want to improve. They have been inspiration for me to improve my rati ...[text shortened]... ntly. Unfortunately it is inevitable that they will disappear unless they keep getting bumped.
However, I have created other thread which had the potential of being great threads. They would still be going right now but you know why they aren't?
No one appreciated them so I put an end to them. There was no point in my wasting my time creating threads to help people and not getting any participation back. Sure there were always a few people but not enough. You know when you go to class an only 3/60 students show up. Do you think the teacher really wants to be teaching that day to 3 kids. Waste of effort I think. I had some great ideas for threads, some I actually started to try out but after they didn't work I didn't bother with the rest.
10 Nov 06
Originally posted by RahimKMost threads just won't stay top of the list but just because people aren't posting to them doesn't mean no one is reading them.
Yes I agree those are great threads. People responded to them, were interested in them and thus they became great threads.
However, I have created other thread which had the potential of being great threads. They would still be going right now but you know why they aren't?
No one appreciated them so I put an end to them. There was no point in my wasting ...[text shortened]... some I actually started to try out but after they didn't work I didn't bother with the rest.
I have had dozens of e-mails thanking me for helping and saying I inspired them from people who have never posted in any thread I have created. That is satisfaction that I am doing something useful.
Unfortunately I had one accusing me of cheating but such is life. Made me cross initially but then I realised he was a sad git and it was ridiculous so stopped worrying.
10 Nov 06
Originally posted by RahimKI have gone through periods of several years w/o playing but always return. I haven't studied or played OTB for years, but still enjoy postal & Internet play from time to time. Back in the early 70's I set a goal of becoming a master & crapped out at 2095...chess became too much like work, so I know you can get burned out! You'll be back though.
Well I have offically lost interest in playing chess. All my chess goals I had set have been accomplished.
At this point, I don't see any benefit of getting to 2000. I'm not interested in the game that much anymore and it would be a waste of time.
10 Nov 06
Originally posted by Dragon FireThreads not staying on top is not my problem. If you don't reply to the thread how do I know people find it useful? How do I know you read it?
Most threads just won't stay top of the list but just because people aren't posting to them doesn't mean no one is reading them.
I have had dozens of e-mails thanking me for helping and saying I inspired them from people who have never posted in any thread I have created. That is satisfaction that I am doing something useful.
Unfortunately I had on ...[text shortened]... oss initially but then I realised he was a sad git and it was ridiculous so stopped worrying.
This one thread I created was about going over master games. I would try my best to explain each of the moves. I started with a lovely morphy game and had every intention on going through all his games which I found acceptable. How far did I get, through 2 games I believe.
I asked for comments, what people taught about a position etc... I got back nothing and I gave up.
The threads I am talking about completely different from the Need Help thread. In the need help ones you post a couple of times, people have questions you answer.
The other threads I talking about required some sort of participation, comments, feedback etc...
Why would I waste couple hours on these threads when people who read them and enjoyed them didn't have the decency to spend 1 minute replying to the question, giving comments about the position? I don't care if they are wrong at least I know someone is trying.
Btw, I have also had e-mails and such.
10 Nov 06
Originally posted by RahimKSometimes people don't post to threads because they don't want to feel like an idiot.
Threads not staying on top is not my problem. If you don't reply to the thread how do I know people find it useful? How do I know you read it?
This one thread I created was about going over master games. I would try my best to explain each of the moves. I started with a lovely morphy game and had every intention on going through all his games which I found ...[text shortened]... they are wrong at least I know someone is trying.
Btw, I have also had e-mails and such.
10 Nov 06
Originally posted by RahimKI don't think you can blame others if a certain tread doesn't become a 'success'. if a thread doesn't interest people, it doesn't interest people. that's it. it's more about drama than the content of the thread.
Yes I agree those are great threads. People responded to them, were interested in them and thus they became great threads.
However, I have created other thread which had the potential of being great threads. They would still be going right now but you know why they aren't?
No one appreciated them so I put an end to them. There was no point in my wasting ...[text shortened]... some I actually started to try out but after they didn't work I didn't bother with the rest.
to stay alive, there has to be something that drives the thread along. it usually is some dramatic element, like a conflict of opinions or personalities. a 'cheating thread' will gain unstoppable momentum right from the start, where as an informative thread will state the facts, everyone agrees, and bang the thread is dead. it's obvious which thread is more useful and appreciated, but still the 'zero-info' -thread will run ad nauseam, or as long as a mod puts his foot (well, mouse) down.
like here, disagreeing with you compels me to post this, but had I agreed there would've been only silence, or at best "I fully agree". a thead is a story, and a story never works without pressure of conflict. that's just the way stories are.
that said, it's been really nice to know you, and we've had a lot of nice chats. I hope you'll pop up here from time to time (c'mon, no one ever really quits! 😀). and when you get to the age of 50-60, and return to chess like countless others do all the time, most of us will be here somewhere. maybe not on rhp, but on some similar public venue. 🙂
10 Nov 06
Originally posted by masscatI agree. I'm not going to stop playing chess completely. I don't see that ever happening. I just won't play chess seriously, competitive.
I have gone through periods of several years w/o playing but always return. I haven't studied or played OTB for years, but still enjoy postal & Internet play from time to time. Back in the early 70's I set a goal of becoming a master & crapped out at 2095...chess became too much like work, so I know you can get burned out! You'll be back though.
I can see myself playing some blitz and just some fun games at the club since neither count for anything.
I haven't renewed my cfc memebership either so no otb tourneys.
It's strange really. Started out playing blitz like more people, took chess seriously joined a club and stopped blitz, and now I will probably go back to playing a few blitz games now and then.
Talk about burn out: I see people who say they spend 1 min a move or 30 sec. Well me, after the opening I'd say average of 10 min per move. In one normal game on here 30 move, I might end up spending 3 hours regardless of my opponents strength. Seems like work huh?
10 Nov 06
Originally posted by wormwoodO dear! You are telling me that someone who finds the thread helpful and wants it to continue would not reply after I wrote:
I don't think you can blame others if a certain tread doesn't become a 'success'. if a thread doesn't interest people, it doesn't interest people. that's it. it's more about drama than the content of the thread.
to stay alive, there has to be something that drives the thread along. it usually is some dramatic element, like a conflict of opinions or perso ...[text shortened]... l be here somewhere. maybe not on rhp, but on some similar public venue. 🙂
Do you guys find this helpful? Did the moves make sense? Why do you think Morphy played this?
I'm not getting any feedback so I'm ending this thread. If you want it to continue please answer the above questions?
How can you not post then??
As for interest, explaining the moves to a classic morphy game, KG accepted I believe, how is that not interesting?
Reading improvement threads is one thing but actually seeing the whole game with real examples of the theory being used is way more helpful.