Something special for my 20th post
Hey readers! Today I have a surprise. We won't be doing a lesson today, but I think you still may learn indirectly. You'll see what I mean.
Since this is my 20th post, (Technically it's my 21st post but the only one I don't count is the one in my blog description) I decided to do something special that I knew you all would like. That's right. a top 5 list!
I'm going to list my top 5 favorite posts, and see how well they match up with the most popular, and the ones with the most views and comments. We'll see how they match up.
My favorite posts
5. Chess.com's secret player, part 1.
https://www.chess.com/blog/aronian22/chess-coms-secret-player-part-1
This was the beginning of one of my favorite series as a whole. I was proud of finding the premise and I thought people seemed to like it. It kind of became a story, and I'm still not sure who @Beijing2017 really is.
4. My best games series part 4, "my" great sacrifice.
https://www.chess.com/blog/aronian22/my-best-games-series-part-4-my-great-sacrifice
This one holds a special place in my heart, even if it might not be objectively the best. I thought I pulled off the analysis pretty close to flawlessly, and I actually got into a really nice debate with one of my club members about a certain line. I don't really expect this to be on the top 5, but I like it.
3. My best games series: Puzzles
https://www.chess.com/blog/aronian22/my-best-games-series-puzzles
This feels like it would be high up. I had done all these articles before, and now this was the one that united them all. I thought this was a pretty great conclusion to my first set of blogs.
2. The lowest possible rating
https://www.chess.com/blog/aronian22/the-lowest-possible-rating
This article actually changed the direction of where my blog was going. I was originally going to do a series about the best games of some of my friends. I decided to do this to try and fill in the space between the two series. Lo and behold, I found this player. I was so interested writing about them that I began writing a part 2, which was unfortunately lost. But I didn't give up, and ended up creating the "secret player" series on a similar topic.
1. Tips for lower rated players
https://www.chess.com/blog/aronian22/tips-for-lower-rated-players
I love everything about this. I loved making it, I loved the response, and I loved that I was able to put my own spin on classic tips. That's really all I have to say. It's by far my best post.
Now, I'm going to look at the most popular, and see how they match up.
Most popular posts
5. The pros and cons of chess.com
https://www.chess.com/blog/aronian22/pros-and-cons-of-chess-com
Well, this was a surprise. I was trying to go for an honest review here, but I think it came across as being controversial for the sake of views. Yes, I used the name l*chess. But that shouldn't mean more views, right? I never liked this one too much but I guess the readers did.
4. The first game of chess ever played
https://www.chess.com/blog/aronian22/the-first-game-of-chess-ever-played
Wow, ok. I didn't think about this one at all. The game I analysed was one-sided and had no interesting combinations. I had written it off as boring and short but I guess people liked it. Good to know.
3. Tips for lower rated players
https://www.chess.com/blog/aronian22/tips-for-lower-rated-players
Finally, I get one right! I think the reason this one isn't as popular as it should be is that the title makes it sound generic and boring, while the actual article is not. Other than that, I don't know why this isn't in first place.
2. My best games series: Puzzles
https://www.chess.com/blog/aronian22/my-best-games-series-puzzles
Ok, this one makes sense. I honestly could've put this anywhere between fifth and second. It's just hard to figure out where it goes.
1. The lowest possible rating.
https://www.chess.com/blog/aronian22/the-lowest-possible-rating
I'm actually really happy this is in first. It shows me that when I do something I like, it translates into quality. I guess I'll try to write more like that later on.
That's the end for today. I'll see you all next time!