Online chess community where you can play chess, learn strategies and tactics, read chess news, see book reviews, find rules & tips, get free downloads, and more! http://www.chess.com/ 2007 Chess.com Well, it was inevitable. Having started many years ago as a purely tactical player, throwing pieces at the enemy until I had only my elbow and an ear lobe to deliver checkmate... for some reason I turned into a fussy, cautious positional player...http://blog.chess.com/madpawn/caution-be-blown---i-am-going-for-the-bloke-with-the-crownMon, 12 Oct 2009 14:12:43 -0700http://blog.chess.com/madpawn/caution-be-blown---i-am-going-for-the-bloke-with-the-crownThere I go writing about what works for me in terms of improving my chess - even in the lean times when one's grade yo-yo for whatever pscho-emotional reasons (or simply because you left a piece en prise Buster!). Anyway, having posted 'Where's M...http://blog.chess.com/madpawn/i-have-had-it-with-these-blogsSat, 10 Oct 2009 07:18:09 -0700http://blog.chess.com/madpawn/i-have-had-it-with-these-blogsI am reliably informed by a rather weasel-like opponent that what I write here is strictly for my eyes only and will not be privy to others who desire to improve their chess beyond a few grade points here and there. Whilst this is not the Philos...http://blog.chess.com/madpawn/wheres-my-philosophers-stoneMon, 10 Aug 2009 15:50:46 -0700http://blog.chess.com/madpawn/wheres-my-philosophers-stoneHave you ever noticed that some players have got these enormously high grades that even a super grandmaster would be proud of?  Well, these grades are impressive and the people with them have obviously worked very hard for them. However, to what ...http://blog.chess.com/madpawn/how-to-spot-when-someone-is-over-or-under-gradedMon, 27 Jul 2009 18:40:43 -0700http://blog.chess.com/madpawn/how-to-spot-when-someone-is-over-or-under-gradedSince joining Chess.com I have seen my grade rise and rise to 2051, settling to around 1900ish, though I have always felt it should be between 1850-1900. However, of late, I would add approximately 50 to 100 points to that range - except when ...http://blog.chess.com/madpawn/the-loneliness-of-the-gunfighterFri, 03 Apr 2009 14:27:33 -0700http://blog.chess.com/madpawn/the-loneliness-of-the-gunfighterHi all. I have long been the guy who did kind of ok in a chess tournament in the days when I played frequently.  I am sure there are a few of you guys who emphathise with all this. I always dreamt of being in the top section of the top team - b...http://blog.chess.com/madpawn/proud-momentsSat, 31 Jan 2009 05:45:57 -0800http://blog.chess.com/madpawn/proud-moments