D'oh. 😞
I lost both games today against ZT, so I'm out and he's in.
The first game seemed to be going well, I had both rooks on the 7th rank, no queens on the board, and a large space majority on the queenside. He set up a discovered check that would win my doing-nothing bishop, so I decided I could weather that storm just fine, but I missed his bishop guarding the g7 square from afar, and so my rooks weren't going to be able to force him into position. The endgame had him with a bishop and a pawn, which he eventually promoted. This one I was a little disappointed in, but not terribly unhappy because I know what I could fix for next time.
The second game was worse. I was black, and actually ended up catching him in a tactical trick of my own. Unfortunately, my kingside had been weakened and he had both knights in the vicinity, allowing him to harass my queen which was doing guard duty. After a few deft dodges, I completely missed the fact that he could capture my queen after his last knight move. That one hurt, because it was an absolute blunder - not even a tricky trap, just an outright blunder! - something I've been trying hard to avoid all tournament.
Oh well, at least this gives me something to shoot for next year. Thanks for all your help, I've learned some valuable lessons and study techniques and I hope to cure this "chess blindness" by next tourney.
Cheers!
(This is turning into an emo-blog 😕 ...might as well go paint my fingernails black and write some bad poetry...)
PBE6,
I'm a lowely little novice but since I just played you I'll put my two cents in. Positionally and tactically you frustrated the crap out of me. But you missed a key queen check and later an obvious one move mate that could have been easily thwarted.
I have the same problem and I often see big blunders immediately after I move the piece. I wish I knew the magic fix.
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperIt's frustrating. However, playing the computer but playing the moves onto an actual board is beginning to help a lot. The computer doesn't miss tactical shots, and gaining the experience on an actual board should help cement things in my cement-block head. 🙂
PBE6,
I'm a lowely little novice but since I just played you I'll put my two cents in. Positionally and tactically you frustrated the crap out of me. But you missed a key queen check and later an obvious one move mate that could have been easily thwarted.
I have the same problem and I often see big blunders immediately after I move the piece. I wish I knew the magic fix.
Originally posted by PBE6Actually, any engine less than Fritz 11 and Rybka 3 do make tactical blunders. They are affected by horizon. Meaning they won't see the "point" of certain tactical shots.
It's frustrating. However, playing the computer but playing the moves onto an actual board is beginning to help a lot. The computer doesn't miss tactical shots, and gaining the experience on an actual board should help cement things in my cement-block head. 🙂
Originally posted by tomtom232Learn something new everyday! I suppose that's good for beginner/itnermediate players like me, because they will make errors I should be able to take advantage of. What engine would you recommend playing against? Is there any difference between them for a player of my strength?
Actually, any engine less than Fritz 11 and Rybka 3 do make tactical blunders. They are affected by horizon. Meaning they won't see the "point" of certain tactical shots.
Originally posted by PBE6Crafty 20.13 is a good one. It comes with CT-art. It feels the most human in my opinion but I have never played against chessmaster or Fritz 11 or rybka 3 (which is why I didn't include those last two in my previous statement since I don't know how badly they are affected by a horizon)
Learn something new everyday! I suppose that's good for beginner/itnermediate players like me, because they will make errors I should be able to take advantage of. What engine would you recommend playing against? Is there any difference between them for a player of my strength?
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperNo magic fix, but before you hit 'submit move', have a quick glance at all your opponent's legal responses, particularly checks and captures.
PBE6,
I'm a lowely little novice but since I just played you I'll put my two cents in. Positionally and tactically you frustrated the crap out of me. But you missed a key queen check and later an obvious one move mate that could have been easily thwarted.
I have the same problem and I often see big blunders immediately after I move the piece. I wish I knew the magic fix.
Saves much pain, if you can discipline yourself to do it.
Originally posted by RomanticusQuite so. It's not usually convenient to play a serious long play game every single day. However a 30 minute a side game takes a fraction of the time and is almost as good.
I happen to think 15 or 20 minute games are good.
I often play 15 minute games with a friend for hours on end,we try out ideas,allow takebacks,brief discussion afterwards.It's fun and we pick up lots of stuff from each other.
It's sort of an analyses/play session.
However I think it is a bad idea to get into the habit of allowing takebacks - just resign the game and start another. It will reinforce the important lesson that one bad move can undo forty good ones.
Here's another excerpt from the ongoing work tournament saga, although I didn't participate in this game because I've been knocked out:
As you can see, ZT (playing white) played the same opening system once again. It seems that this particular system invites the other player to attack, as it seems so passive, with ZT hoping that the other player will forget about the long diagonals (as frequently happens) so he can take advantage with a tactical strike. He's quite successful with it, but I think this is largely the result of mistakes made by his opponents under time trouble (ZT plays very quickly). I'm thinking the best strategy to take advantage of ZT's double fianchettoed bishops and space disadvantage would be to lock up the centre and squeeze him as much as possible. Of course, this approach doesn't take advantage of the fact that the king is still in the middle, so maybe an attacking line really would be best. Any thoughts? I know there's an advantage lurking here somewhere...