27 Dec 11
Originally posted by nimzo5Capa showed an excellent endgame technique when he was only twelve, no trainer, no
First off, elite players aren't studying engames - they mastered those skills with trainers in their teen years. What they do is play through twic every week looking for interesting ideas. Meanwhile they have their seconds grinding through opening analysis looking to create "interesting" positions. At the elite level by and large opening and middle game are p ...[text shortened]... t being said, I doubt he was ever better than top 10-15 in his era at the phase of the game.
seconds, no computers!
27 Dec 11
Originally posted by robbie carrobieI have a theory about this. A young player with exceptional calculating ability will naturally excel at certain endgames where brute force calculating works.
Capa showed an excellent endgame technique when he was only twelve, no trainer, no
seconds, no computers!
In addition, an child who goes to places like the Havana Chess Club will naturally pick up endgame technique merely by listening and kibitzing with strong players.
(I myself even learned king and pawn vs king from another player at a club, and I know I am not alone in this- you can learn lots at a club if you listen.)
Such a player could pick up lots of endgame knowledge, but claim that they have never "studied", because in their minds they do not consider the way they learned to be "studying".
I know it sounds a little bit semantic, but the way they learned was more "on-the-job" training than it was "book learning", and people often only associate the word "study" with the latter, but not the former.
I am sure that Capablanca learned a lot more from books and magazines once he became a competitive player, but I could see him developing in a way where he considered his myth to be real, even if it was only partially accurate from an objective perspective.
Bottom line, I agree with wormwood, but I think Capablanca was the closest anyone could get to the myth without it being completely true. And I am speculating, of course!
27 Dec 11
2 edits
Originally posted by Paul LeggettPerhaps I read all that wrong.
...pick up lots of endgame knowledge, but claim that they have never "studied", because in their minds they do not consider the way they learned to be "studying". ...more "on-the-job" training than it was "book learning"....I am sure that Capablanca learned a lot more from books and magazines...
As for the "Masters don't study the endgame" I can partially agree. They studied it already - so they in fact DO study the endgame. Furthermore they are constantly studying complex endings in that they are searching for vague advantages to carry to an ending. I read here recently (I can't remember who said it but it was a top player) that stealth is more important than originality (at the top). That hiding ones ideas is more important than having original ideas. Though one could argue that this is spurred often by originality.
Q
27 Dec 11
Originally posted by Paul LeggettI'm drinking a Bud Light. Wishing that there was a darker brew for cheaper nearby. Unfortunately here in Lake Havasu the brews are a bit steep.
Fun as it is, it has occurred to me that this thread would be much more fun if we were all sitting at table in a pub with pints!
I'd bring the clock and board out too - we'd find out who had all this ending knowledge we're discussing! (My bet is this wormwood character!)
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27 Dec 11
Originally posted by PhySiQa Bud Light??? plueeeze, there are Europeans present, have some decency! 😛
I'm drinking a Bud Light. Wishing that there was a darker brew for cheaper nearby. Unfortunately here in Lake Havasu the brews are a bit steep.
I'd bring the clock and board out too - we'd find out who had all this ending knowledge we're discussing! (My bet is this wormwood character!)
Q
27 Dec 11
Originally posted by robbie carrobieI'm a Guinness fan... the only place I can find it - is charging an indecent $12.99 for 4 cans!!! Thats just not right!
a Bud Light??? plueeeze, there are Europeans present, have some decency! 😛
Back to more important things... White to move! What do you "FEEL" is the right answer for white?
Q
27 Dec 11
Originally posted by PhySiQflip sake, I could probably send you some cheaper Q, i dont like it myself, too bitter, i like a good Bavarian pilsner! Czech or German 🙂 Feeel, yes thats the way i try to play chess, intuitively, its not always correct, but what else is there?
I'm a Guinness fan... the only place I can find it - is charging an indecent $12.99 for 4 cans!!! Thats just not right!
Back to more important things... White to move! What do you "FEEL" is the right answer for white?
[fen]8/2p3pp/3p4/1p1Pk3/pPP4P/P1K2PP1/8/8 w - - 0 1 [/fen]
Q
mmm, it appears that white has a kingside pawn majority, so it seems as if white should play there, yet, i dunno, white should remain flexible also, perhaps Kd3 he says, squinting his eyes and waiting to be smacked on the side of the head.
27 Dec 11
1 edit
Originally posted by PhySiQFeel?
I'm a Guinness fan... the only place I can find it - is charging an indecent $12.99 for 4 cans!!! Thats just not right!
Back to more important things... White to move! What do you "FEEL" is the right answer for white?
[fen]8/2p3pp/3p4/1p1Pk3/pPP4P/P1K2PP1/8/8 w - - 0 1 [/fen]
Q
The first thing that caught my eye was 1.cxb5 Kxd5 2.Kd3 when white now has the opposition and he is threatening to play f4 and shut the king out further so 2...Ke5 3.Kc4
27 Dec 11
Originally posted by tomtom232Fair enough. I can understand that. It was just my feeling. Just looking quickly at the pawns I felt like white need to make that black king waste a tempi.
h5 certainly seems like a good move but I didn't really analyze... just went with my first gut reaction.
Here: White to move and draw
Q
27 Dec 11
Originally posted by robbie carrobie...trying to gain the tempi - but yes, it does inhibit the black response which is important because thats the only way to get a tempi out of black (that I see right away)
yes, h5, playing on the kingside, trying to inhibit blacks play there! its good me thinks.
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