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24 Apr 06
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Originally posted by DoctorScribblesOpen theory can take you quite far which means you save quite a bit of time I start to use this thought process the second I see a move thats not in my theory base. As to endgames thing like colour complex dont really apply a great deal, position is maybe easier to understand but harder to caculate, or should I say needing a lot deeper caculation. I do find there are critical moves, its not unknown for me to spend 40 mins on a move, however after the critical move is played and the the plan has been found the moves tend to speed, you only need to update your idea of the game not start from scratch, at least till the next critical move comes along and then I do need to stop and make a deep assessment again. For exchanges or forced varitions I will just stop and do a quick scan, but not run through the list, its more of a blunder check. Bangiev recommends a thought process quite simlar to the one I use, its proved pretty effective for me OTB I feel like I play a much more solid game.
In a typical tournament match you have 120 minutes to make 40 moves, for an average of about 3 minutes per move.
Do you go through this process on each move, and do you find that 3 minutes is sufficient time to apply it thoroughly? Or do you tend to go through this only occasionally throughout the game, say after every mini-battle or major change triggers alert you to the fact that the position merits a thorough application of this process?
I normally play G/90 for my club, rarely in time trouble. The process becomes second nature if you use it regularly.
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Originally posted by DoctorScribblesI'll paste the chessbase promo and give my own thoughts.
Could you summarize the Bangiev squares strategy in a couple paragraphs?
"The Bangiev method of thinking is a strategy based on squares. Before every move, it therefore checks the constellation of pieces against quite specifi c pre-determined criteria. What it encourages is not your memory but your thinking: learn to understand the logic of the game by means of a few rules! It always the same restricted number of questions which you have to ask yourself and to answer at whatever stage of the game. Once you have understood the principle, you can have the pleasure of discovering that, with a little practice, you are always able to fi nd the best move. You can check your progress with grandmaster games, because grandmasters apply the correct thought processes without even being aware of it! The third CD, which is based on Bangiev‘s new method of training, is dedicated to the middlegame. There is a „Learning“ database in which the new method of training is presented in 20 introductory texts and 131 annotated game fragments. In a second database there are then 69 game fragments by means of which you can put into practice what you have learned.
This is what makes chess training fun:
suited to club players
thorough learning database
training database with 69 exercises
ChessBase Reader based on ChessBase 9
About the author
International Master AlexanderBangiev has made his name as a chess trainer and the author of various chess books. Various openings disks and CDs by Bangiev have already appeared under the ChessBase label, including „The King‘s Gambit“, the „Gambit
Lexicon“ and „The Philidor Defence“."
The square strategy is basicly about colour complex. I brought CDs 1&3, CD1 was tactical based, and to be honest I didnt find it much help, one could spot the tactics without giving a damn about colour complexs. CD3 on the other hand was mind blowing, where as CD1 basicly only had 2 pages in intro and then you were thrown into the problems, CD3 went into great detail about a number of subjects based around colour complex and how to play in the middle game. When I say at the top I define areas, this is with a possible goal in mind, to breach that area on a certain colour, thats from Bangievs training, the Cd also outlines a thought process for finding candidate moves, my thought process is very much based on the one Bangiev outlines.
CD3 you do have to put quite a lot of work in and radically change the way you view chess, but for people looking to improve the way they select a move its well worth the work.
24 Apr 06
Originally posted by BedlamIt sounds like I'll have to buy the CDs to find out what the squares strategy actually is. Perhpas I'll put it on my list.
I'll paste the chessbase promo and give my own thoughts.
"The Bangiev method of thinking is a strategy based on squares. Before every move, it therefore checks the constellation of pieces against quite specifi c pre-determined criteria. What it encourages is not your memory but your thinking: learn to understand the logic of the game by means of a few rule ...[text shortened]... chess, but for people looking to improve the way they select a move its well worth the work.
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Originally posted by DoctorScribblesI could paste Bangievs notes here, but IMs dont make enough as it is 🙂 In a nut shell you get given a through process and then you are shown how to think about every step of that thought process, to find the right answers and then with hope the right moves to meet those requirements.
It sounds like I'll have to buy the CDs to find out what the squares strategy actually is. Perhpas I'll put it on my list.
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24 Apr 06
Originally posted by BLReidIndeed CD1 was awful.
I have Squares Strategy 1. For the sake of anyone who is going to spend money on this series, I hope the others are better. I'm sure Mr. Bangiev has something to offer as a teacher, but I could not access it as a student.
24 Apr 06
Originally posted by BedlamThat's what I'm working with now, although it's purely for tactical training. I've memorized about half of the positions in the last 6 months, and my OTB rating has gone up about 200 points.
If people want tactical training they should get CT art 3.
You can get the demo from
http://www.convekta.com/downloads.asp
Next I need to work on improving my thought process, which now basically consists of looking for tactics.
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24 Apr 06
Originally posted by DoctorScribblesI once read quite a good way to improve at chess, it was basicly doing analysis with a partner, if you're tactically strong you should find someone who is positionally strong and then go through a game together, sharing variations, ideas and general thoughts. Iv done this quite a bit with two other players on and off, a lot of the time we have style clashes, but iv found some real insights in their thinking and more importaintly have had them highlight errors in mine.
That's what I'm working with now, although it's purely for tactical training. I've memorized about half of the positions in the last 6 months, and my OTB rating has gone up about 200 points.
Next I need to work on improving my thought process, which now basically consists of looking for tactics.
24 Apr 06
Originally posted by BedlamInteresting idea. Thanks for the tips.
I once read quite a good way to improve at chess, it was basicly doing analysis with a partner, if you're tactically strong you should find someone who is positionally strong and then go through a game together, sharing variations, ideas and general thoughts. Iv done this quite a bit with two other players on and off, a lot of the time we have style clashes, ...[text shortened]... e real insights in their thinking and more importaintly have had them highlight errors in mine.
24 Apr 06
I'm no expert (that's for damn sure!!) but one thing that i found really helpful was just playing through GM games. There's no need for any deep analysis, just enjoy watching good players play well.
Reading books and using databases and reading up on openings and studying end games...These things are important, but let's face it, how many of us actually put in hours of study time? I certainly don't, but I do enjoy playing through the game that comes in the news paper, and over the last two years i have progressed from a 1500 player to a 1700 without putting in too much effort.
One thing that is absolutely essential though, is to understand basic chess endings (The opposition, general strategy in Rook endings, zugzwang, etc....). If you don't have these very basics covered, you'll always have difficulties. I've lost count of the number of games that i have lost in a simple ending that i just played badly! It will help you understand how to use the pieces correctly and improve your over all technique which has a knock on effect that is felt throughout the game.
Don't waste time on openings, just focus on technique. You won't meet an aweful lot of 1600 players who know 25 moves deep into a Sicillian dragon. 😉
24 Apr 06
Originally posted by BedlamTime will tell but this must be the best advice I have read on this site to date
I wrote something for Smiffys clan when I joined it, basicly how to pick a chess move, it might help you reach 1600.
So its your turn to move, what do you do first? Most players tend to look at moves they can play, ie he's moved there so I can now move here and so on. I wont go as far to say that this is wrong but from personal experience and talking to m ...[text shortened]... orrespondence orintated this time.
http://chessville.com/instruction/instr_gen_my_system.htm
I have possibly been doing some of this in my games but not as a matter of routine hence win some lose some
The colour concept intrigues me [downloading ct art as I type 🙂 ] and so will look into that
the tactical chances part is also something I have not spent enough time on as stupidly I tend to play mostCC as blitz
Will let you know if my ratings improve 🙂
any more gems appreciated
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24 Apr 06
Originally posted by MctaytoCT art wont teach colour complex, CT art is all about finishing tactics off but not how to get those positions in the first place.
Time will tell but this must be the best advice I have read on this site to date
I have possibly been doing some of this in my games but not as a matter of routine hence win some lose some
The colour concept intrigues me [downloading ct art as I type 🙂 ] and so will look into that
the tactical chances part is also something I have not spent enough time o ...[text shortened]... d to play mostCC as blitz
Will let you know if my ratings improve 🙂
any more gems appreciated
Colour complexs are a bit like focal points (something im sure anyone whos read Vukovic's book will know about) but on a wider scale. Focal points are basicly concentrated points of attack mainly for mating on. Colour complex's are concentrated control of a area of coloured squares.
As to a check list of questions each time before you move, I think most masters use something simlar, theres enough books out suggesting thought processes. ("How to Think Like a GM" etc)