Depart from the Old... Enter the New

GIF practice

Issue No 16
2/3/2025

“Change, or you will be left behind”

"Chess, like music, mathematics, and art, has the power to make men (and women) happy"
-Sigbert Tarrasch

CONTENT

• Editorial considerations:
• Theme Introduction
• Observations and comment
• Tournament and Match status:
• My personal Training Notes
• Training Log
• Endgame study
• Book Reviews

Sponsored by Chess.com

Editorial considerations:

 Blunders.  It happens to all of us.  My recent habit is to blunder away “won” games.  It accounts for perhaps nearly half of my lost games.  There goes my rating.  How to stop doing this?  Perhaps before doing any “quick response” or other “obvious” moves, we should clear our thoughts with a checklist.  It was said that Petrosian (the 9th world champion) always asked himself if there were any unprotected pieces before he made a move.

~ An unexpected guest came to my chess space like a fresh clue in a murder mystery.  In this instance I was surprised by a Knight-fork in a winning position.  As I was busy working out the details to wrapping the game up, my opponent’s Knight was nestled there inside the pawn mass.  Earlier in the game I rightly judged the piece to have no real significance, so I moved a Rook to the only open file (threatening mate in one).  Out of nowhere came that pesky Knight with the game-winning capture.

Theme Introduction

Prepare yourself

 When you want to get better, you had better get ready for some changes.  This applies to self-improvement as well as chess.  For instance, I rearranged my bookshelf and now I can find what I need.

F But in this blog; “Things about chess training from my perspective,” the change is happening already. 

I began in January with reports on my chess activities and how to train for them.  But it’s not all about me folks, I wanted to share my love of chess with other people like me who understand.  And to people who never think that chess is just a boring old game… it’s so much more.

Chess is Fun!

With this issue you will see more changes in the format.  Since joining a world-wide community of exciting people who love to play chess, I wouldn’t want to bore everyone by writing a blog that no one would care about or want to read.  So, stay tuned. I will be blogging about things we all share… Chess!  And why we love to play, study, get better, play again.  This is only the beginning of what I want to share with my chess family. 

Check it out!

Tournament and Match status:

Activity Log Note

1/30/25 2 hours playing through games from Daily tournaments.  I now have 34 games currently ongoing (matches, tournaments and challenges)
[insert table here]


I’m still busy analyzing my online games played on
Chess.com

Notes & Comments

~Note:  Has anyone noticed the [note] tab in the [moves] section in our board window where play our games online at Chess.com?  Well, I just did a couple of days ago.  “So what,” you say?  “Everybody knows that.”  But I never really thought about how cool this is.  After the game is over, and you have to remember all the thoughts you had during the game, and the ‘post-mortem as well, if you were even lucky to have one.  Wouldn’t it be nice to already have them?  They are included in the [note] tab.  I guess I never thought about that.

 IDEAs: Join a chess club.  Play a match with your team against another club.  It’s a great comradery.  Join up if you want to play.  There are lots of clubs to check out, and friends to be made from all over the world.  Don’t miss out. 

I just made the following post on PokeGirl93’s Chess.com blog:

F “Your 1st blog was Awesome!  It touched my heart.  As a retired teacher and martial arts student, I agree that all of the above are connected.  I won't be long winded, but I've already started writing my next blog, "The infinite connection that binds us all."  I love your blog... it reads like a professional report.  As a copywriter, I know what sells.  You've got me sold.  PS: I have a special needs son who goes to a very special school in Boston.  He knows I love chess but prefers video games like Pacman and Mario.  At a very early age I taught him how to set up the chessboard and when I call out the moves, he executes them perfectly!  He also has a yellow belt in Tai Kwan Do.  Well, you got my vote for best blog. 
~ Best of luck in the contest!”    ~Zed

winning check.

Analysis of critical positions

Study the Constellation

ƒ²èëù[XRlWhen it comes time to stop calculating and consider the position on the board in front of you, take your time to understand it.  Hopefully you’re not in time trouble.  This is a vital skill that all chess masters possess, whether by natural instinct, like Capablanca or Magnus, or by rigorous training and practice.  One of the tools I keep in the analysis bag is to study what I call the constellation.  In outer space, the constellation usually means the stars.  In chess, the constellation is also the stars of the board… the pawns.



When I am playing an OTB game, with a clock, I visualize the board with all the pieces removed… only the pawns.  This is not a hard thing to do.  It’s not rocket science; you’re in the middle of a chess game.  The clock is ticking.  After a few moments add the kings.  Then briefly understand the weaknesses and where they are.  Then understand the strong points.  Who stands better, and why?  Then add the pieces, and now you are really seeing the position for what it is.  It is time for an evaluation: look for threats, tactics, King safety, hanging pieces, and then… make your move.

This is a five-minute process, ten minutes tops in a live game.

Don’t make this complicated.  If you need further information to understand the concept, read “Pawn Structure Chess,” by Andrew Soltis or the most excellent “Pawn Power in Chess” by Hans Kmoch.

• And you can find tutorials online, like this one from Chess.com https://www.chess.com/terms/pawn-structure
• And here’s another by Chessfox.com. https://chessfox.com/5-ways-to-achieve-your-pawn-structure-objectives/

My personal Training Logbook

Using the “Deep-Think” option in your Daily Games.

~ What I like about daily games online is that you get one, three, or more days to make each move.  I usually make my usual opening moves quickly.  Of course, the obvious moves I also make in a minute or so.  But for the more difficult moves and thoughts about strategy, positional analysis, and tactical considerations that require a “deep-think” I utilize the 24-hour option to get serious.  In OTB games the clock is ticking and anything more than 20 minutes could get you into time trouble.  The beauty about daily games is that you can use twenty hours, thirty hours, even sixty-four hours!  That is like paying homage to the chessboard.

# BTW: I bought a set of ECO’s years ago in a used bookstore, so they are way out of date.  I use them for reference only on occasion.  My first MCO was the 11th edition, and I wore it out when I was in high school.  I also found the Rubin Fine edition in Boston bookstore near the common.  I think I paid $12 for it in 1998.
~ Personally, I love books, but these days I buy Kindle editions and look up openings in online references.  I rarely memorize openings by rote.  Those days are over.

~ Here’s a rough outline of my training schedule:

• Drills (going over essential techniques in endgames).
• Puzzles (tactical exercises to develop the necessary skills).
• Study Master games (World champions & GMs).
• Opening theory (in the games I am currently playing).
• Endgames (especially R+P endings).
• Practice games (with bots, friends, coaches and Fritz)
• Take lessons from masters (like those found in Chess.com)

I break my chess time into three areas: 

• Research, study and training.
• Playing games and matches online.
• Writing blogs and posting them on Chess.com and other online venues.

I don’t have a real job since I am retired.  I love chess and now I have more time for it, so I play.  But not all the time, of course. I have a family and other needs like camping and going to rock concerts (Elton John, Aerosmith, AC-DC, Metallica), so I only have 24 hours a day to consider.  Hence, I need a plan to reach my goals.

It’s also very important to schedule your time.  I use the App on my cell phone for this.  My plan is to schedule a set time on the calendar just like you would for professional meetings or doctor’s appointments.  Make minimum and maximum boundaries so you won’t be obsessing until you burn out and fall back into disorganization.  Like a new year’s resolution that failed, you don’t want to go to a gym only when you feel like it or you wasted your money.  If you’re serious about your health or getting better at chess, make a commitment to it.  Improvement comes only when you exercise regularly.

Note: I spend at least 60 minutes writing every day.  Two to three days each week is spent writing blogs, including this one.  Naturally, that time is not included in my Chess training plan.

Chess.com is a cool place to hang out with friends, play games anytime and have fun.  I tell all my friends who used to like playing when they were in high school but rarely play now because everybody, they knew back then, no longer plays chess for various reasons.  Typically, they grew up, got a job, got married with kids and come home from work exhausted.  They come home, have dinner the family and watch movies or play games on X-box with their kids… then it’s time for bed.  Chess has become a game like monopoly, or a card game such as Uno, or a “Texas hold-em party” every other weekend.

My wife met a young guy from work who told her he loves chess but didn’t know anyone who played.  One weekend she brought him over to me and we played.  He loved that party and our time together, so I told him about Chess.com.  He got a Free account, and now we play regularly online.  He’s getting better and telling all his friends to get the App and they play games on their cell phones.  In my own experience, I would study chess a few days each week and go to a Boston chess club, playing in one OTB rated tournament each month, and a USCF tournament with my friends four or five times each year.  Then COVID hit.  I was all alone, studying games from my book collection, Chessbase and playing games with Fritz.

~ Play longer serious games (like in a tournament). Be sure to analyze your games! That way you can spot your weaknesses and improve. Don't rely on any other analysis but your own (including AI and computers). The harder you work at it, the better the improvement. Listen to any advice a Master gives you and follow it!

That's why I upgraded to a Diamond membership.  For me it was worth the nominal expense. 
~ I’m busy developing a training game Schedule.  I will be noting my progress in this blog.  This is what my blog is all about… following a plan to get better at playing the greatest game ever!  If it works for me, it might just work for you too. ;o)

>> Of course, I play practice games with the Bots and Fritz.  I also play practice matches with my online friends, usually in a daily format, but also open to a Blitz frenzy.  Ideally, we play a specific opening for practical experience.  There is nothing like playing against a real human being!

>> BTW: I have a lot of chess books in my personal library. 
I plan on selling most of them before I pass on. 
… Contact me if you’re interested. 😉

>> to all my new-found online chess friends:  challenge me anytime.  ~ I won’t refuse, unless it’s Blitz and I’m not sitting at my computer, so feel slighted if decline the challenge.  Message me to see if I’m up for a session.  Should I load the Chess.com app on my iPhone?!

I am trying out some of the beta programs on Chess,com

Also on Tuesday of this week, I started taking courses with Chessable.

Training Log:

[this should be a table]

Analyze games from Daily tournaments.

Table of chess sties and Training

 

Endgame study

Book Reviews

My first chess book!

In this space I feature various chess books from my personal library and others that come to my attention through friends, or recommendations I get from magazines advertisements that catch my eye, and naturally as I’m doing research for my blogs.

My working library

This is what sits on my nightstand next to my bed and not far from my laptop.  While I’m spending a lot of time on Chess.com, I like that “book smell” and the tactile sensation from holding an actual book.  So, I supplement my studies with a balanced approach, using a real chessboard and old-school books.

Books on openings: "Fundamental Chess Openings," by Paul van der Sterren, a UK publication. I'm checking it out now. Thanks to CyriacAntony for the tip. I'll write a review about the series in the near future.

Resources

(1) https://www.chess.com/home
 (number one best so far)
(2) https://www.zedwaldo.com/take-action/chess
 (my other chess blog)
(3) https://theweekinchess.com/
 (weekly update with thousands of free game downloads available)
(4) https://new.uschess.org/
(all about chess in the good ‘ol USA)
(5) https://en.chessbase.com/
(a really great database program + the Fritz engine, but expensive: €199.90-€499.90)
(6) https://www.fide.com/
(all the official stuff in the world of chess)

 CyaL8r