I’m an Idiot – I Wish I’d Read Chess Books This Way Before
If I’d only studied chess books in the manner I’m going to describe (as fully detailed in the video below), I’d have probably progressed ten times faster. Not only in chess but in any subject worthy of study.
There’s a huge difference between reading for pleasure and reading for knowledge and understanding. If you’re reading for pleasure, say a crazy murder mystery comedy like ‘Lavender and Brown – The York Mysteries’ (available on Amazon https://mybook.to/YorkMysteries), then reading in a linear manner is the way to go.
If on the other hand, you’re studying for knowledge and understanding then the above method is a complete waste of your time. I’ll say that again because it’s very important. If you’re studying for knowledge and understanding then the above method is a complete waste of your time.
It’s a waste of time because it won’t stick. It’s as simple as that. Ideas quickly fade. Sure, that’s where repetition and review come in to strengthen recall. That’s better. Much better, but have your fully engaged with the material to the maximum of your potential? Probably not.
The next level of learning after frequent review (or during review) is the active engagement of the material you have just read within your own games.
Here’s what I mean.
With what you have just read ringing in your ears; it’s time to tear your own games apart. Be harsh, open and critical. Find improvements with the book still in front of you. Rewire your way of thinking and look with a critical eye. Find improvements and take examples from your own games. This is active learning over passive.
It’s better to read one chess book this way than 100 in the usual manner – that is, dipped into here and there, but largely forgotten.
Textbook examples are all well and good, but they have been deliberately selected to teach a theme. Real game situations are rarely like that. They are often messy, ugly. It’s chess. It’s complicated when it’s not simple. There are many factors playing against each other. Make a collection of examples on theme discussed in the chapter you have read, not from the book, but from your own games. This way, you are actively reading books through the prism of your own games and you’re sure to maximise your knowledge and understanding of chess.
There’s more in the video below. Just be wary of the singing…
