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Blunderprone's rantings of a chess enthusiast.

Imagination, Inspiration and improvement.

Feel free to comment here or at my main blog: http://blunderprone.blogspot.com

This is a blog that chronicles the struggles with chess improvement through the study of historic games, musings on various fad imporvement techniques, and games from my own experiences.


    • Evaluation of chess skills post hiatus: Learning to recognize emotional based memory markers..

      Because of time constraints, I opted to take only half of the test ( first 50 problems) in IM Khmelnitsky’s Chess Exam and training guide. I used a spread sheet to tally the score and adjust for the 50% portion. After making these adjustments an... | Read More

    • Chess on a busy schedule and limited resources

      My chess pieces feel so neglected they are about to form their own EMO-punk band singing songs of prolonged neglect and searching for wood chippers. Life has a way of getting real and limiting my ability to enjoy my favorite hobby. My last foray w... | Read More

    • Blunderprone finds chess in Montreal.

      This past week I’ve been vacationing in Montreal QC with my wife instead of hanging out in Philadelphia with all the other riff-raff at the World Open. I left the chess board behind but could not help keep an eye on the games in the evening... | Read More

    • Leaning into the sword

      Someone suggested I post a couple of those horrendous games I mentioned from the previous post.   I did a position search in the data base to see where I veered off or my opponent and not to my surprise it was rather early on. Also, I found myse... | Read More

    • Well, THAT completely sucked!

      After a hiatus in chess due to life events last over 6 months, my plan was to take some rust off at the club in May, play in the Mass Open and then really bring a good game to the Rhodes Island state championship.  The activity at the club defini... | Read More

    • Part2: What have I Forgotten? Holes in my games

      I played three games this month at the chess club after a long absence. I went in with the intent of see where my biggest memory loss is showing up and what skills have remained.  The first round game was an abysmal mess. I totally missed the po... | Read More

    • What have I forgotten? Part 1: On tactics

      Its been a while since I’ve really been able to devote serious attention to chess. I can say at least 9 months have passed, though I had a couple of cameo appearances back during the holidays. Back then, I was looking to see what I could retain... | Read More

    • A letter to Caissa, my demanding mistress.

      Dear Caissa, Yes, I’ve gotten your emails, texts, voicemails and even your FB friend invite. Linked-in too? Really? I know, I’ve been distant the past few months but I just needed some “space”. Our relationship was just getting out of ... | Read More

    • 2011 Harry Nelson Pillsbury Memorial Tournament

      ( A Preview of the Tournament report that will be published in the next issue of Chess Horizons.) Two days before Massachusetts’s first prominent chess hero’s 139th birthday, 57 players  gathered on December 3, 2011 in Leominster at the Vet... | Read More

    • Playing 5.f3 against the Benko against an Expert

      I mentioned back in June how I was searching for a new way to handle the Benko Gambit and essayed an alternative that played 5.f3. Not preparing for this since June, I was able to play a decent and fun game against an opponent who was a strong cla... | Read More